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Especially during the sweaty summer months, you’re more likely to want a waterproof mascara that can hold up to hot and muggy weather, a dip in the pool, or a social calendar full of music festivals and outdoor weddings. The very best waterproof mascaras can withstand swimming or a full-on ugly-cry but still produce the lengthening, curling, and volumizing effects of “regular” mascara — and without causing any crunchy texture.
Some of the business of being smudgeproof lies in the application. “When using waterproof mascaras, be mindful that the formula tends to be more liquid than the water-resistant or regular types,” says makeup artist Jennifer Nam, so it’s important not to blink too much when brushing it on to prevent smudging. A little bit of translucent powder under the lower lash line can help, she says, along with giving it time to dry and set. To find the best formulas (application aside), we turned to a panel of makeup artists, who told us about the best waterproof mascaras they rely on for red-carpet events, high-humidity shoots, and even ones that have survived Miami Swim Week. And if you’re looking for more mascara options, waterproof or otherwise, check out our guide to the very best mascaras.
Update on October 1, 2024: Updated prices and checked stock for all products.
What we’re looking for
Ingredients
Most waterproof mascaras have very similar formulas — a combination of waxes and pigment, plus extra silicones that provide waterproof capabilities. However, because they’re so water-resistant they can also cause your lashes to dry out or shed. That’s why many waterproof-mascara formulas contain nourishing ingredients like castor, almond, or jojoba oil to moisturize lashes and promote growth. I’ve called out any notable ingredients in each mascara that can help prevent that dry, waxy feeling.
Brush type
While the formulas of most mascaras are fairly similar, it’s really the “different brush applicator that makes it feel like a different mascara,” explains makeup artist Molly Fredenberg. The shape of the mascara wand plays a big role in determining a mascara’s “lengthening” or “volumizing” abilities. In general, a thin, skinny brush will give you length and definition; a fluffier, more substantial brush will provide thickness and volume; and a curved brush will help you achieve a lifted and curled effect.
The material a brush is made of also varies. Nylon brushes are more “traditional,” with a fluffier, more flexible shape and bristles that are more akin to those of a hairbrush; they’re great for volumizing and lengthening but not as much for separating and defining individual eyelashes. That’s where silicone and plastic brushes excel, as their bristles tend to be stiffer and thicker to help comb through each individual lash. They’re also more durable and will hold up to months of regular use — if you like the shape of a certain silicone brush, you can wash and reuse it even after the mascara it came with runs out or expires. Finally, slimmer brushes with shorter bristles offer more precision and control if you’re looking to reach corner and lower lashes, while jumbo-size brushes with longer bristles will grant you a more sweeping, dramatic falsies look.
Performance
Waterproof mascaras are meant to be more heavy duty than washable mascaras, meaning they’ll generally feel a little more present on your lashes. However, they shouldn’t clump up or make your lashes feel dry, crunchy, or flaky. They should also noticeably live up to whatever effect they claim to impart, whether that’s lifting, lengthening, or volumizing. And, most important, a good waterproof mascara should last for at least half a day, minimum, without any transfer, flaking, or smudging. Though not every option below will hold up in a rainstorm, you definitely should not notice any streaks or running if you yawn or tear up a little (and if they do hold up in a rainstorm, so much the better).
While normally I don’t love a mascara that’s difficult to remove, I gave these waterproof mascaras a pass since that’s what they’re designed for. But that’s also why I generally recommend only reaching for a waterproof formula on special occasions or if you live in an especially humid climate — otherwise, the daily scrubbing could damage your lashes. (Those with especially sensitive eyes might consider a tubing mascara, which has long-lasting staying power while still being easy to take off at the end of the day.) Though the concept of a mascara’s performance is somewhat subjective, all the mascaras on this list have either come recommended by multiple experts or held up well enough in my tests that I feel confident including them here.
Best waterproof mascara overall
Ingredients: Pro-Vitamin B5 | Effect: Volumizing, lengthening | Brush type: Flexible conical brush with ultrathin bristles
Multiple experts singled out the same Chanel mascara, so it wasn’t tough to crown a favorite. Even Kim Kardashian’s makeup artist, Mario Dedivanovic, is a fan: He was emphatic about how well Chanel’s Inimitable Waterproof Mascara holds up (even during infamous “ugly cry” moments). “It’s waterproof but also curls, lengthens, and gives volume in just one coat,” he says. And compared to other waterproof formulas that are stiff and drying, he notes that this one feels soft and conditioning.
Makeup artist Jen Myles says it toes the line of “holding up under any conditions,” being gentle on the eyes and easy to remove. It’s also her go-to on set “when there are a lot of makeup changes, I am shooting outside in the summer, and there’s heat and humidity involved.” And you really don’t need much product to see the effects, according to Nam, who says, “It delivers everything you want in one to two swipes: length, volume, separation, and long-lasting results.” Elle beauty director Kathleen Hou also considers it the best “sweat- and rainproof” mascara.
Best (less expensive) waterproof mascara
Ingredients: Bamboo extract | Effect: Volumizing, lengthening | Brush type: Conical silicone brush with spiky, evenly spaced bristles
Both Fredenberg and makeup artist Mollie Gloss passionately vouched for Maybelline’s Lash Sensational line. “I found it about six months ago, and it’s become my holy grail. It’s taken over both my kit and my personal makeup bag,” says Gloss. She especially likes that you can build it up, starting out with a natural look or layering it for a more dramatic effect. Fredenberg adds that the formula “is truly waterproof, but it doesn’t get so dry that you can’t go through and separate your lashes.” It’s her go-to when she’s doing bridal makeup since it doesn’t budge, but it’s also a personal favorite that she uses on herself: “I almost alway have an issue with getting mascara on my brows or under my eyes. The Lash Sensational is the only one I’ll use because I know it’s not going to smudge or get chunky and break off.”
Best volumizing waterproof mascara
Effect: Volumizing, thickening | Brush type: Nylon brush with full, fluffy bristles
For a falsies-esque look that you want people to sit up and notice, Nam recommends Dior’s Overcurl Waterproof Mascara. It has a curved brush that was inspired by professional hairstyling tools and holds up so well that it even works for people with oily monolids. Makeup artist Emma Elizabeth calls the Dior mascara “a very dramatic mascara that you can build and just get crazy-big lashes.” In her opinion, it’s “one of the most waterproof, difficult-to-take-off mascaras on the market,” perfect for if “you have bad allergies, you’re going swimming, or you need to have a good cry.”
Best (less expensive) volumizing waterproof mascara
Ingredients: Panthenol, ceramide-R | Effect: Volumizing, thickening | Brush type: Nylon brush with soft, evenly spaced bristles
Myles also called out this L’Oréal Voluminous Waterproof Mascara as “the best volumizing mascara to build thick, dark lashes.” She says the waterproof formula is reliable, without budging or flaking, and gets results: “I use this one if I know I want gorgeous, thick lashes and there’s going to be water or sweat involved.” Fredenberg also recommends this mascara, and says it’s so effective that she likes to use it as a second layer on top of the Maybelline Lash Sensational above, to help give it some extra oomph. “With this brush, you get more thickness and volume. I’ll prep the individual lashes by combing them out, and then I go back over with this to make each lash looks thick,” she explains.
Best lengthening waterproof mascara
Ingredients: Monoi oil, marigold extract | Effect: Lifting, lengthening | Brush type: Curved nylon brush with asymmetrical, spaced-out bristles
Makeup artist Amanda Thesen prefers mascara formulas that lift and lengthen over ones that are more dense, and Milk Makeup’s RISE mascara is one of her go-tos. Thesen says it holds her lashes all day and gives them “a really fanned-out, lengthened look that I love. If I curl my lashes and put on this mascara, I’ll get a really nice hold.” Though she says that a lot of waterproof formulas “are really hard on my lashes,” she’s found that this Milk one isn’t particularly abrasive or difficult to remove.
Best natural waterproof mascara
Effect: Lengthening, defining | Brush type: Thin, low-profile brush with spiral bristles
Makeup artist Mariko Hirano likes how the Maybelline Lash Discovery emphasizes lashes while still looking natural, and finds that the slim wand prevents clumps. And makeup artist Lauren Aiello appreciates how the mini-brush “really hits those hard-to-reach lashes on the inner and outer corners and distributes a nice, even coat of product while separating and adding length to the lash.” While your lashes won’t appear superthick or dramatic, the subtle lift and tint will impart enough of an effect to draw attention to and open up your eyes.
Best precision waterproof mascara
Effect: Thickening, defining | Brush type: Thin, low-profile brush with spiky bristles
Since the brush in this Byredo mascara is “so thin and small, and the comb bristles are a little bit closer together,” Gloss says she’ll reach for it when she “really wants to separate the lashes and get into those nooks and crannies.” As a fan of a “messy rocker lash” look, she’s been devoted to this mascara for about two years because it “allows me to really get in there and build it up,” she explains. Gloss does add, however, that it’s pretty much monsoonproof, and that you’ll need a very good makeup remover to take it off.
Best (less expensive) precision waterproof mascara
Effect: Lifting, defining | Brush type: Thin, low-profile brush with spiral bristles
“This is the best mascara for building up bottom lashes, period!” declares makeup artist Natalie Dresher. She’ll opt for it when she’s going for a very sultry, smoky look, since the wand allows her to reach and coat every inch of the lash line. Gloss is also a fan of the thin brush, which you can use to “really get into the roots of your lashes.” It’s also not quite as ironclad as the Byredo, “which makes it a lot more gentle on the eyes,” Gloss says.
Best long-wear waterproof mascara
Ingredients: Camelia oil, royal jelly extract, argan oil, wild rose oil, panax ginseng root extract, almond oil | Effect: Curling, lengthening | Brush type: Curved nylon brush with evenly spaced bristles
When Gloss visited Tokyo in October, she was totally unprepared for the humidity. “All my makeup was melting; I looked like a mess the entire time, but the girls there looked stunning because their stuff just doesn’t move,” Gloss says. It was during that trip that she came to rely on the Japanese Heroine Make mascara. Strategist contributor Risa Needleman sang its praises back in 2017: “You can take an actual swim, or sweat your face off at the gym, or get caught in a torrential rainstorm and emerge with your eyes totally intact,” she wrote. And when I tested it for myself, by wearing it into the shower, I stepped out with my lashes entirely smudge-free — there was zero running or melting, and only multiple rounds of makeup remover and face wash managed to make a dent. If you need a mascara that will last all day, possibly multiple days, look no further than Heroine’s.
Best (less expensive) long-wear waterproof mascara
Effect: Volumizing, lifting | Brush type: Conical nylon brush with spiral bristles
Here’s an oldie but a goodie that you probably already know — it’s arguably the most famous mascara of all time. Freelance makeup artist Marina Christine — who works across runway, film, editorial, and commercial projects — says when she needs a heavier mascara that will work for a variety of settings she always grabs Maybelline’s Great Lash Mascara. “Not only is this mascara highly pigmented, but it does not move at all and still looks great hours later. I have tried many over the years and always go back to this one.” She used it backstage at Miami Swim Week, and said despite the humidity, “this mascara saved the day.”
Best clean waterproof mascara
Ingredients: Mamey oil, avocado oil | Effect: Volumizing, lifting | Brush type: Conical nylon brush with evenly spaced bristles
Waterproof mascaras have a higher chance of aggravating sensitive eyes, both because they contain more ingredients to impart said waterproof properties and because they can require more vigorous scrubbing to take off. This Ere Perez waterproof mascara, however, is vegan, all-natural, and infused with mamey and avocado oils to support lashes’ growth and strength, making it a solid choice for those with sensitivities who want something long-wearing but less irritating. When I tried it out, it didn’t grant my lashes quite as dramatic an effect as some of the waterproof mascaras above, but it did subtly enhance their lift and definition and didn’t smudge even after a full day of wear. When it came time to remove the mascara, a gentle rinse with an oil-based cleanser helped it flake right off.
Our experts
• Lauren Aiello, makeup artist
• Mario Dedivanovic, celebrity makeup artist
• Natalie Dresher, makeup artist
• Emma Elizabeth, makeup artist
• Molly Fredenberg, makeup artist
• Mollie Gloss, makeup artist
• Mariko Hirano, makeup artist
• Kathleen Hou, Elle beauty director
• Jen Myles, makeup artist
• Jennifer Nam, makeup artist
• Risa Needleman, Strategist contributor
• Amanda Thesen, makeup artist
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