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When I first discovered tubing mascara, it was a game-changer. No more smudging. No more raccoon eyes. And at the end of the day? Removal is a breeze, just warm water and gentle pressure, no harsh rubbing needed. But as tubing mascaras have gained popularity, the market has become crowded with options. Some are incredible… and some aren’t even true tubing mascaras, despite the claims.
After trying and testing a ton of formulas—and doing more research than I care to admit—these are the six tubing mascaras I’d actually recommend.
What Is Tubing Mascara?
Tubing mascaras are different from traditional mascaras in both formula and function. Instead of coating your lashes with pigment that can flake, smear, or run, tubing mascaras use special polymers to wrap each lash in a tiny tube, hence the name. These tubes stay put all day and come off easily with just warm water and gentle pressure,no makeup remover required.
While the ingredient list of tubing mascaras may look similar to traditional formulas (with waxes and emulsifiers), the key difference is those film-forming polymers. They provide just enough adhesion to lock onto your lashes, but not so much that they’re hard to remove. When you’re ready to take your makeup off, the tubes slide away effortlessly with warm water. I typically use a washcloth and warm water when I remove my cleansing balm (you can read my full cleansing balm review here), and the mascara just comes right off. No tugging, no lost lashes.
Another reason I personally love tubing mascara? It doesn’t smudge. Traditional mascaras are often oil-soluble, which makes them more prone to smearing, especially if you have oily eyelids. Tubing mascaras, once set, won’t run, smear, or flake throughout the day, making them ideal for sensitive eyes, allergy-prone eyes, and anyone who just wants their mascara to stay put.
The 6 Best Tubing Mascaras to Try
Thrive Causemetics Liquid Lash Extensions
This was the first tubing mascara I ever tried, and I instantly fell in love. It creates fluttery, defined lashes with serious length and holds up all day without smudging or flaking. Thrive would still be my everyday go-to if it were easier to repurchase. It’s a direct-to-consumer brand, which means you won’t find it at your favorite beauty retailers. That said, I love that it comes in classic black as well as fun colors like blue and brown.
Hourglass Unlocked Mascara
If you’re in the mood for something a little more luxurious, Hourglass Unlocked delivers. The sleek packaging, the rich formula—it all feels high-end. This mascara is amazing for length and definition, though it adds just a touch of volume. It’s my favorite for everyday wear when I want my lashes to look long and lifted.
Caliray Come Hell or High Water
I almost skipped this one because of the brush. It looked like it would leave my lashes clumpy. But somehow, it doesn’t. The formula adds noticeable volume and length without flaking or smudging. While all of the mascaras on this list are more high-end, Caliray is the most affordable of the bunch, making it a great option if you’re tubing-curious but not ready to splurge.
Too Faced Ribbon Wrapped Lashes
Too Faced has always had a strong mascara game, so I was surprised it took them this long to create a tubing formula. But it was worth the wait. Ribbon Wrapped gives you dramatic, statement lashes with both volume and length. If you love a bold lash look, this is one to try.
Milk Makeup KUSH High Roll Tubing Mascara
I’ve had mixed feelings about past Milk mascaras, but this one impressed me. It adds good length, lots of volume, and a bit of definition. The result is fluffy, full lashes that still feel light. It’s definitely a hidden gem.
Kulfi Badi Lash Mascara
Kulfi is a newer brand to my routine, but their Badi Lash Mascara quickly won me over. It gives bold, fluttery lashes with a balance of length, volume, and separation. The brush reminds me a bit of Milk Makeup’s wand, but I find the Kulfi formula leans more lengthening, while Milk’s adds more volume.
Shop Tubing Mascaras
Why I Didn’t Include Drugstore Tubing Mascaras
There are more tubing mascaras on the market than ever before, including options from the drugstore. But after testing many of them, I’ve been pretty disappointed. Either they don’t perform well (clumpy, flakey, or underwhelming), or they aren’t truly tubing formulas despite the claims. I wanted this list to be a roundup of mascaras I’d confidently recommend, and unfortunately, none of the drugstore picks made the cut.
Final Thoughts
Tubing mascaras are one of those beauty secrets that, once you try them, you don’t want to go back. But not every “tubing” mascara lives up to the name or the hype. These six have earned a permanent place in my beauty drawer, and if you’re curious about switching to a tubing formula, I highly recommend starting here.
Whether you’re dealing with oily eyelids, sensitive eyes, or just tired of stubborn mascara removal, a good tubing mascara is worth the hype and in this case, worth the splurge.
