It’s so handy, right? — especially when you know you’re going to sweat, or it’s pouring down rain outside and you don’t want your mascara running down your face?
But I’m starting to have mixed feelings about it…
Oh! I used to LOVE waterproof mascara, especially for the curl hold. When you have stick-straight lashes and you need something to really lock that curl down, waterproof is the best. It really is, but for years I’ve been hearing people say that it’s not a good idea to use waterproof all the time because it’ll make your lashes fall out… I always thought that was an old wives’ tale, but I think it might be true to a degree. When I was exclusively using waterproof mascara, like all the time, I saw a lot of lashes breaking and falling out, and every lash is so precious to me now that I don’t use waterproof mascara as much anymore.
Now I look at it like this: If my mascara is gonna smudge, it’s gonna smudge. So be it.
Man, I wish there was an “almost” waterproof mascara that didn’t require any special removers — just warm or cold water or an oil-based makeup remover. I just wanna be able to wash my face without having to “get all the gear” and make a big deal about it. Is that too much to ask?
Anywho…what are your thoughts on waterproof mascara? Do you use it? Do you not use it? If not, why? Have you also heard that it’ll make your lashes fall out if you use it too much? Tell me your deepest thoughts about waterproof mascara. 😊
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
P.S. TGIF!!!!!!!!!!
LaDana says
February 15th, 2019 at 7:54 amI read an article about Emma Watson and her love for a mascara by DHC. It was waterproof in cold water (like if you were in a pool) but came off with warm water (like if you were washing your face).
https://intothegloss.com/2017/03/emma-watson-beauty-routine/
Dot says
February 15th, 2019 at 7:55 amHave you ever tried tubing mascara? The formula forms tubes around your lashes, and when you wash with warm water, the tubes release. I’ve found these are the only ones that never ever smudge on me—I’m Asian and everything else gives me raccoon eyes. The only downside is that the formulas only provide very natural looking lashes, so if I want something more dramatic, I’ll have to use a different mascara underneath and then top off with the tubing formula to seal it all in. Clinique has some good ones, and I thought the one from DHC was okay.
Erica says
March 10th, 2019 at 9:44 amOooh I love tubing mascara. It gives me very defined lashes and it’s super easy to remove. Yes, you need another mascara handy for times you want lusher and more dramatic lashes!
Carina says
February 15th, 2019 at 8:19 amGirl,
Thank you for your work here – I love your style of writing!
(excuse my english, it is not my first language :-))
I never use waterproof Mascara – I hate the hassle of removing it. And I‘m wearing glasses, so light rain doesn‘t ruin my look and I never walk through heavy pouring rain. Even if I would- so be it, I could easily remove the mess with a tissue and a bit of cream and start anew 🙂
I even can‘t fully remove non-waterproof Mascara the most days. When I shower the next morning, there is still a teensie bit of dark shadow from mascara under my eyes…
I have a fairly nice natural curl and I dread eyelash curlers, so I just go with what I have on the curl-front. I LOVE the loreal Lash paradise (here in europe it is called paradise extatic) in the non-waterproof formula. HG forever!
Greetings Carina
Christine Beck-Millan says
February 15th, 2019 at 10:18 amIt seems to me that more lashes fall out when wearing waterproof mascara due to the effort required to remove it, i.e., more rubbing, pulling, etc.
It also seems that waterproof formulas are not as volumizing (which is what I tend to go for) than non-waterproof formulas.
I have used a mascara that does NOT give me raccoon eyes in general as well as in rainy weather and I’m super happy with its volumizing action: UD’s Perversion mascara (it used to be MAC Zoomlash but they discontinued it — BOOO…). Perversion also comes off easily with an oil-based makeup remover. I hope it is not ever discontinued.
Happy Aloha [Still-Cold-Here] Friday, Karen!
Chelsea says
February 15th, 2019 at 10:21 amThe effort required to remove waterproof makes my eyes and lashes angry so I only do it when truly necessary. I also find most mascaras irritating LOL
Tubing mascara removal akways weirds me out like I’m pulling out my lashes, but the Clinique Lash Power one is nice. My go-to combo is the Clinique lash primer and High Impact mascara – minimal smudging, non irritating, fairly priced, easy to remove.
Linda says
February 15th, 2019 at 11:06 amI never wear waterproof mascara. I wear contacts and getting that mascara off is killer!
Carla says
February 15th, 2019 at 11:08 amI used to always use waterproof mascara for the curl but then I got tired of never being able to remove it all! So now I use a tubing mascara…it’s the one from L’Oréal. My lashes don’t curl like they did with waterproof but it’s so easy to remove! And it doesn’t flake or run on me. I also like to use Clinique bottom lash on the lower lashes.
Lelde says
February 15th, 2019 at 11:28 amWell… waterproof mascara has it’s place: vacation in waters, fun at the seaside, season of profuse sweating – that all makes waterproof mascara as a mandatory tool.
My point of view is – the more makeup you use the more dilligent you have to be of removing it. Now, when it comes about waterproof mascara – it’s not something that comes off so easily with the most sensitive eye-makeup remover. Either I start to pull my eyelids or use oil based removers, which I’m not a big fan of as they usually irritate my eyes at some level. For this reason – waterproof mascara is not my all time must have. Yeah and my point of view is – if you don’t take smth off, it may damage you. In this case – if you’re unable to take it off completely, then – yes! The lashes may fall out.
Concerning the currently manufacturd mascaras – I find majority is quite waterproof. Well… if you compare to those non-waterproofs available in 90s🐼…
Lynne B says
February 15th, 2019 at 12:31 pmYup, I’m with you on those stick-straight, Asian lashes. And waterproof mascara is the only kind that will hold the curl. I’ve been given the “lecture” on how waterproof mascara is basically glue (from a trying-to-be-helpful Sephora employee). But I can’t give it up. I’ve been double-cleansing for the past year or so and that’s been transformational. SOOO much better than traditional makeup removers. There’s only been one non-waterproof mascara that has somewhat held the curl, usually during the cooler and colder months. It’s Tarte Lights Camera Lashes.
Michelle Humphreys says
February 15th, 2019 at 2:38 pmYes. Yes. And more yes! I also have stick straight lashes, but every mascara (waterproof included) except for Maybelline waterproof formulas make my lashes straight again after curling. I’ve tried expensive formulas that claim to hold the curl, but they never work.
I always use the Lancome Bi-facil eye makeup remover to get the mascara off. I find if you hold the cotton pad soaked with remover to your closed eye for about 30 seconds, it comes right off with a lot of tugging.
Daphne B says
February 15th, 2019 at 12:45 pmI accidentally bought Loreal Lash Paradise in the waterproof formula, and I could never get all of it off. I loved it, but I always felt like I had residue that lasted for days. I got the non-waterproof version, which I love, but I noticed it dries out very fast. Ditto what Dot said, I really liked the tubing mascara when I used it, as it washed off easily. I want to try the new Maybelline Lash Sensational Boosting Eyelash Serum, and the washable mascara from the same line. Have you tried it? I wonder if it would help with the lash fall-out you are experiencing.
Lisa says
February 15th, 2019 at 1:35 pmI was going to recommend tubing mascara too, Blinc is my favorite.
Michele DiCola says
February 15th, 2019 at 2:15 pmI do use waterproof mascara esp for the beach or pool .
I take it off w Makeup Forever makeup remover for sensitive eyes .
Been using it for years .
Jennifer P. says
February 15th, 2019 at 2:28 pmIt’s a staple in my routine – CG Lashblast is my go-to base for mascaras, after which I top it with other mascaras depending on the effect I’m going for.
It does take a bit longer to remove, but I’m used to it. I enjoy using the Sephora brand waterproof remover, Lancome, or Clinique Take the Day off waterproof.
I guess overall, I value the curl enough to go through the trouble. On my Asian eyes, it makes a huge difference!
Nancy says
February 15th, 2019 at 2:29 pmTubing mascaras are the only ones that work for me too. The two I like best so far are:
– Kevin Aucoin The Volume Mascara – Adds some volume, separates, makes my tiny straight Asian lashes actually look like they exist. It is very easy to remove though that also means it will come off in rain or with tears/sweat.
– Boots No7 Stay Perfect Mascara – This one is more dramatic than Kevin Aucoin and has great lasting power, equivalent to waterproof. It is a little harder to get off (doesn’t come off with just Bioderma like the Kevin Aucoin) but can still be removed just fine if you double cleanse.
My first tubing mascara was from Bobbi Brown. That one is also nice but it is the most natural (least volumizing) of the three and in between Kevin Aucoin and Boots for ease of removal, so I’ve moved on from that one.
I want to try the Clinique Lash Power, and I have the Trish McEvoy High Volume in my stash to try next.
Tatiana says
February 15th, 2019 at 2:43 pmI’m in the minority here. Waterproof mascara is the only mascara I can wear without looking like a raccoon in and hour or two. Yeah, I’ve heard it can make your lashes fall out. So I check my cotton pad every time I remove it and I don’t really see any lashes coming out. I use Chanel Démaquillant Yeux Intense or Cle de Peau Eye & Lip Makeup Remover on a Shiseido cotton pad. I’m generous with the amount of remover I put on the pad and then I hold it over my eye for 30 to 60 seconds before gently sweeping away from my eye. Flip the pad and repeat. Then go over everything with my face cleanser, although it’s usually all gone with either of those two removers. I use a lash conditioner a couple of times a week after I’ve done my evening skin care.
Eileen says
February 16th, 2019 at 10:30 amYes! I wish everyone who complains about lash damage or incomplete eye makeup removal would read your directions as to how to remove mascara. I’ve been doing it that way for decades and have never had a problem with damaged lashes no matter what kind of mascara I’ve been using. I also use a generous amount of the Chanel bi-phase (love Shiseido cotton) and find nothing else comes close to removing every trace of eye makeup. I haven’t tried the CdP yet, but I understand that it is also super effective while being super gentle to the skin.
Apropos waterproof mascara, I never use this generation of waterproof formulas because they irritate my eyes. And, let’s face it, it doesn’t matter how lovely your lashes look if your eyes are red and irritated 🙁
Savannah says
February 15th, 2019 at 5:39 pmThat’s the main reason I rarely ever wear it. It makes my lashes brittle and just simply removing it makes me lose lashes and I don’t have many of those so I need to take care of them, ha ha! Wearing false lashes makes mine fall out, too. Wearing a mascara primer does help for me, they feel a little stronger and longer. So, I’d recommend that.
Joyce says
February 15th, 2019 at 9:27 pmCan we get a tutorial on your eye makeup in this first pic? Gorge!
Trudy says
February 16th, 2019 at 1:02 amI get terrible hayfever, and my eyes will start watering and itching at the slightest provocation, so it’s always waterproof for me. I also have stick-straight lashes and I like the curl it gives.
janine says
February 19th, 2019 at 9:28 amIt only makes sense that when it’s so horrible to get off you will lose lashes. I’ve only used it on the lower lashes at times to help with smudging. But I don’t always wear mascara on the lower lash.
Karen— have you ever thought about lash serum? Neulash is really good but mainly helped my thin patchy brows.
Cheers!
Jennie says
February 19th, 2019 at 7:07 pmMy stick straight Asian lashes + oily eyelids NEED waterproof mascara if I want to preserve curl and prevent (for the most part except for the bottom outer corner, and I only use it on my top lashes). I use coconut oil or a Japense oil eye makeup remover that comes on a hard plastic wand like mascara (it’s from kiss me heroine make) & I find that I don’t need to work that hard at removing my eye makeup and my lashes seem well conditioned afterwards.
Aleyna says
February 26th, 2019 at 11:25 amDo you have an overview of this entire look, Karen? All of your looks are great, but this one might go down in history as one of the best 🙂
Erica says
March 10th, 2019 at 9:41 amFirst, I’d say that mascara, more than any other beauty product, is so personal and it really depends on your preference, lifestyle and eyelashes which one will work for you. Is waterproof inherently bad? No. The pros is that they are budgeproof and they don’t smudge when you’re caught in a downpour. As for me, I used to like them. I used to only wear them. However, I find they can be drying and difficult to remove. I also have discovered that non waterproof mascaras aren’t the smeary, smudgy nightmare I used to dread and many hold up to marathons of The Notebook quite well. So waterproof is not a must for me anymore. I don’t think I have any in my stash!