10 best tubing mascaras for smudge-proof lashes

Best: Overall

Rating: 10/10

Much anticipated in the beauty world, this didn’t disappoint when it launched earlier this year. The petite, slightly curved wand hugs every lash, even those pesky hard-to-reach tiny lashes creating a more defined, fanned-out look

If you’re looking for a do-it-all mascara that is still on the natural side, this is it – creating volume, length and lift for a real eye-opening effect. It even cares for your lashes too with nourishing and strengthening ingredients like niacinamide, pro-vitamin B5 and shea butter. This truly is a zero-budge formula that we found can even withstand sweaty workouts.

One of our favourite mascara launches of 2021. You can also check out our full review of the Victoria Beckham future lash mascara to find out more.

Best: For colour range

Rating: 8.5/10

The whole mascara line-up from the British brand uses tubing technology so you’ll find one for every want, need and preferred brush size. This one has the edge over the others for us as it has a caffeine-infused formula, coupled with curved brush that creates the lift and curl you’d expect to be created by eyelash curlers

There’s a travel-sized option, so you can try it for yourself before you commit to the full-size, and it’s now available in a range of colours including blue, green, purple and brown. The latter looks great on blondes.

Best: Waterproof mascara

Rating: 7.5/10

You can always rely on L’Oréal Paris when it comes to producing a brilliant high-street offering and this waterproof formula is up there with their very best. We’ve tested this through every weather type the great British “summer” has thrown at us, and it’s stayed in place just as well through heatwaves and heavy rainfall.

Just as the tube suggests, the large cushioned brush makes easy work of building thicker lashers that feel featherlight. We even put this through its paces swimming in the North Sea and it didn’t budge.

Best: For volume

Rating: 9/10

Part of the legendary make-up artist’s legacy, this mascara still packs the best volumising punch against newer formulations of tubing mascaras. It still doesn’t build the high impact volume you may find from other traditional wands, but if you’re looking for thicker lashes combined with ultimate staying power make this your go-to. The fuss-free, straight brush is nice and petite, perfect for hooded or smaller eyes too.

Best: For natural-looking lashes

Rating: 8/10

This unique mascara has the ability to subtly enhance a flutter for those that like a “no make-up” look. It adds natural definition by darkening, separating and adding slight length to each lash. The thin wand has a fine tip that makes easy work of getting to every hair, and layering – but no matter how many coats you apply your lashes will still look natural. With vegan biotin, continued use will condition lashes, so they stay soft and strong.

Best: High street mascara

Rating: 8/10

For a purse-friendly tubing mascara, reach for this wand that No7 promises not only to be budge-proof, but sweat-proof and humidity-proof too. We put the claims to the test over a humid spell of weather and found it lived up to its promises.

The flexible, short brush makes easy work of applying, especially great if you’re not a mascara whiz and find you get more on your lids than your lashes. Expect a well-defined lash line with a natural finish and good staying power – perfect for everyday wear.

Best: For sensitive eyes

Rating: 9.5/10

Fragrance-free and safe for even the most sensitive eyes, reach for this tube if your eyes are easily irritated or prone to watering. This uses another tiny brush, but this one has a tapered shape, great for getting into corners with and picking up hard to grab lashes. It does everything a top tubing mascara should do, stays smudge-free and looks as fresh as when you first applied it all day long. This one goes the extra beauty mile as it’s also waterproof (we tested this) and is speedy to remove with no sore eye rubbing needed.

Best: Value

Rating: 7/10

It’s hard to beat this tubing mascara when comparing both performance and value for money – you get change from a fiver which is unheard of these days for a decent beauty product. With an oversized brush, it picks up lashes well coating them evenly for thicker, defined lashes after a few swipes. Expect it to still build volume on the natural side of the scale, rather than competing with falsies, but it stays put all day until you’re ready to wash it off.

Best: For curl and lift

Rating: 9/10

This cult classic uses an eye-opening lifting formula that makes lashes look longer for an enviable fluttery effect. The slim-line brush does take a little getting used to if you’re used to bigger wands but makes easy work of coating root-to-tip. Promising 16-hours of wear, we put the long-wearing claim to the test and can confirm this will last through a day’s work and evening without the need for a top-up.

Best: For adding length

Rating: 9/10

You can always rely on the double wear collection for long-lasting results and that includes this much-loved mascara. Our tester has turned to this formula time and time again, especially in the summer months because it’s meltproof in higher temperatures and humidity. The micro-fibre bristles grip to lashes seamlessly, elongating and separating drawing attention to the lash line. After a flick of the wand at 7am, it still looked flawless at 10pm, so we can confirm the 15hr staying power is no exaggeration.