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When you’re traveling and enjoying long days filled with adventure and fun, the last thing you want to worry about is smudges under your eyes. We turned to our readers to find out what they think is the best waterproof mascara. These are their top picks!
Best Waterproof Mascara
Travel isn’t always as glamorous as Instagram would lead us to believe. When we’re exploring the world, we get sweaty. There are various reasons why many female travelers can’t live without mascara:
- it acts as “sunblock” preventing lashes from lightening in the sun
- the versatility to go from sightseeing to ocean activities without smudges
- avoid smears when traveling in hot, humid or cold, rainy climates
- it helps hide lashes that have lost their color over the years
- sweat from sports and other activities equals moisture in your face
- and most of us just want to look fabulous and Insta-ready 24/7
No matter what the reason, no one wants to have makeup smeared all over their face and it’s not easy to find mascara that won’t leave you with raccoon eyes after a long flight. Whether you want a mascara that can adventure with you from day to night or one that will stay put regardless of the weather, we’ve got a list that has something for every travel scenario. As the best waterproof mascara, these won’t even budge while you’re swimming, surfing, or scuba diving because they’re all voted specifically to be strong enough to withstand ocean activities!
Here’s a quick review of the best waterproof mascara options. You can read more about each one in the article below.
| BRAND / MODEL | DIMENSIONS | READERS SAY | RATING | PRICE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Too Faced Better Than Sex Waterproof |
size unknown / 0.27 fl oz | "My all time favorite." | Check Price | |
Dior Diorshow Waterproof |
6.5 x 2.5 x 5 in / 8 oz | "Works great in and around water. It's seriously the best mascara ever." | Check Price | |
Elizabeth Mott's It's So Big Mascara |
1 x 1 x 5 inches / 0.33 oz | "I cannot get it off if I try. I can swim in the ocean all day and it stays on. No smudge because it is still on at the end of the day." | Check Price | |
CoverGirl Star Wars The Super Sizer |
5.63 x 2.88 x 1.05 inches / 0.16 oz | "It stays like glue. If I don't use makeup remover it stays on for days." | Check Price | |
L’Oréal Voluminous Waterproof |
0.7 x 2.8 x 7.1 in / 0.28 fl oz | "I've worn it for years on many 15 hour flights from USA to Asia!" | Check Price | |
Blinc Tube |
4.9 x 0.8 x 4.9 in / 0.2 oz | "I wore it in the pool on vacation and the mascara didn't run." | Check Price | |
Maybelline Lash Sensational Waterproof Mascara |
2.87 x 1.06 x 5.75 inches / 0.32 OZ | "I live in the tropics and I use Maybelline Mascara. It stays all day and doesn't smudge.." | Check Price |
What’s the Best Waterproof Mascara?
If you can’t wait to find out the ones that top our list, Too Faced Better than Sex got the most votes as the best waterproof mascara for female travelers.
The Best Waterproof Mascara Reviews
Too Faced Better Than Sex Waterproof
With its hourglass-shaped brush that curls and hugs each lash for an intense volumizing effect, it’s no wonder that the Too Faced Better Than Sex gets the most votes as an amazing waterproof mascara. The carbon black, collagen-fueled formula separates and coats lashes evenly for water-resistant, sweat-proof, and budge-proof wear. Readers say: “My all time favorite.”
Read this post to find out our tips for packing travel makeup!
Shop: Amazon | Sephora | Nordstrom
Dior Diorshow Waterproof
Lengthen, thicken, and curl your eyelashes with a waterproof formula that lasts all day without budging or flaking. Getting the second most votes as one of the best waterproof mascaras, Dior Diorshow Mascara holds a curl on even the most stubborn, straight lashes. Readers say: “Dior Show was recommended to me for my son’s wedding (so I wouldn’t have raccoon eyes.) Works great in and around water. It’s seriously the best mascara ever.”
Are you going on a hot-weather vacation? Try out these sweat-proof makeup options!
Elizabeth Mott’s It’s So Big Mascara
For a waterproof mascara that brings out your natural eye color, brightens your eyes and adds volume, Elizabeth Mott’s It’s So Big ranks as one of our favorite waterproof mascaras. The light-reflecting metallic finish with a hint of tint brings out your blues, browns, hazels and greens. Readers say: “I cannot get it off if I try. I can swim in the ocean all day and it stays on. No smudge because it is still on at the end of the day.”
CoverGirl Lash Blast Volume Mascara
This CoverGirl Lash Blast mascara transforms your eyelashes with its unique wand that reaches even the tiniest lashes. This top-rated waterproof mascara gives dramatic volume that coats each lash for a defined and separated lash look. Readers say: “It stays like glue. If I don’t use makeup remover it stays on for days.”
L’Oréal Voluminous Waterproof
A cult favorite for years, the clump-resisting formula of the L’Oreal Voluminous Waterproof Mascara gives the most intense, pitch black lashes with just a few coats. We love how soft and flexible our lashes feel after using this mascara. The unique thickening effect gives a volumizing boost to each eyelash making it super popular with our readers. Readers say: “I swim with it all the time with no smearing. I’ve worn it for years on many 15 hour flights from USA to Asia!”
Blinc Tube
One of the most unique mascaras on our list, this water-resistant tube-technology mascara by Blinc gives the strongest hold for your eyelashes. This mascara is unlike any other, as it creates tiny tubes around your lashes for maximum volume and hold. Readers say: “I wore it in the pool on vacation and the mascara didn’t run but came off in a little cylinder shape.”
Maybelline Lash Sensational Waterproof Mascara
Create a define look with the Maybelline Lash Sensational Mascara that stays put all day. This is one of the best waterproof mascaras for travelers that love ocean activities. Readers say: “I live in the tropics and I use Maybelline Mascara. It stays all day and doesn’t smudge..”
How to Remove Waterproof Mascara
To avoid bringing additional liquid beauty products on your trip, the best tips on how to remove waterproof are to use oil-based makeup wipes and cut them into 2-4 pieces so you can maximize their use. You can also decant a gel eye makeup remover into small containers such as these or soak a few cotton rounds and lock them in a tiny zip lock bag so you don’t have to bring as many liquids. All-purpose products such as baby oil or other natural oils such as coconut or olive can help remove waterproof mascara and other makeup, too.
Alternative Options to Wearing Mascara
Our readers also recommended alternative options to wearing mascara including tinting, perming, and extensions. If normal waterproof mascara doesn’t cut it, the Yumi Lashes treatment lifts, curls, and tints your natural eyelashes. This works wonders if you don’t want to fuss with mascara on a daily basis. Babe Lash serum also helps your lashes grow longer and thicker. It takes a month or two to work but it does work. It goes on clear once a day with a liner style brush. If you have the lead time it needs to work you can swim without any mascara.
What would you vote as the best waterproof mascara? Comment below!
For more travel makeup ideas, please read:
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I suddenly realized I needed this. And you have a post on it! Thank you.
I’ve never had much luck with waterproof mascara. However, recently I discovered tubing mascara, and it’s a game changer. There are many brands… not sure my fave yet. But I’d love, love to see a TFG review of tubing mascaras!
Thanks for these suggestions. There are some that I have not heard of too.
Mascara is a must every day for me, if anything makes me feel like I look complete and put together, it’s mascara. Great article with some brands I haven’t tried!
Thank you great information for us who travel a lot
Thank you Mimi, so pleased to be able help! ?
Dior mascara looks awesome
Thanks for the tips.I don’t go anywhere without mascara
Trish McEvoy waterproof curling (shiny tube) has been my go to mascara for years. It’s the original “tube” encasing mascara. But at $30 a pop, it may be time to try the Cover Girl versions.
I also like MAC Haught and Naughty
Thanks for this mascara list I will definitely have to give some of these a try. The search is real. Many brands marked waterproof are not waterproof in salt water. I found this out the hard way.
Love Diorshow!
Can’t wait to try the Too Faced Mascara!
Can’t wait to try to Too Faced mascara!