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 | |
CoverGirl Exact Eyelights |
2.9 x 0.9 x 5.6 inches / 14 oz | "I can swim in the ocean all day and it stays on. No smudge." | Check Price | |
CoverGirl Star Wars |
2.9 x 1 x 5.6 in / 0.4 fl oz | "It stays like glue." | 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 | |
Cargo Better-Than-Waterproof |
0.7 x 0.7 x 5.1 in / 1.6 oz | "This was created by a surfer who was tired of "waterproof" mascaras coming off." | 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
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 this 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.”
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 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.”
CoverGirl Exact Eyelights
For a waterproof mascara that brings out your natural eye color and brightens your eyes, CoverGirl Exact Eyelights 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 Star Wars The Super Sizer Waterproof
CoverGirl Star Wars The Super Sizer
With its limited edition Star Wars packaging, the coveted CoverGirl The Super Sizer 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 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.”
Cargo Better-Than-Waterproof
A mascara created by a surfer for the ultimate waterproof formula, this tubing formulation stays put during the day yet is easily removed with warm water and gentle pressure. This is one of the best waterproof mascaras for travelers that love ocean activities.
Readers say: “This was created BY a surfer who was tired of “waterproof” mascaras coming off. I’ve tried DOZENS of brands and this is the best!!! Plus, it comes off gently with face wash and warm water. No scrubbing.”
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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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!
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!