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The Best Tubing Mascara (for Volume, Length, or Both)

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I started using tubing mascaras because regular mascaras smudged on me, no matter what kind I tried – whether they were from the drugstore or a high-end company.  In this post, I’ll explain why tubing mascara doesn’t smudge like traditional mascara and my three favorite options for volume, length, and both!

Truthfully, I’m a bit of a mascara snob, and I don’t think I’ve ever found a mascara that has met every single one of my requirements, and I’ve tried dozens. For years, I struggled to keep my regular mascara from smudging or transferring onto my skin and I couldn’t figure out why. It turns out I need a water-based mascara instead of an oil-based option, which is the main difference between tubing mascara vs regular mascara.

Best Tubing Mascara for Volume, Length, or Both

Tubing mascara is similar to both fiber and curling mascaras in that it works to thicken, lengthen, and curl your lashes, but because the tubing formula actually has polymers instead of fibers that wrap around each individual lash, it doesn’t flake off in your eyes or smudge. It’s the best option if you struggle with mascara smudges all day.

What is Tubing Mascara?

The reason tubing mascara is called “tubing” is because of its unique formula containing polymers that wrap a “tube” around each lash, creating a very even coat. Celebrity makeup artist Gilbert Soliz explains tubing mascara as, “liquid lash extensions.” Regular mascaras require multiple coats, which tend to weigh down your lashes (and also tends to clump if you’re not super patient with application!) so it can also be hard to get a wide-eyed look, given the weight.

Since the tubes from tubing mascara grab each lash and lift, it creates a lengthening, wide-eyed effect. Tubing mascaras are also more rubbery, so they don’t smudge, hold amazing curl, and are long-wearing.  This might make you think that tubing mascara would be difficult to remove at the end of the day, but the opposite is actually true.

Most tubing mascaras are actually water-soluble, which means they come off with just a little bit of warm water, and gentle pressure. (I use warm water and a washcloth to gently wipe mine off at the same time I remove my makeup with this cleansing balm – read my full review of the cleansing balm here.) As you wipe away the mascara, you are wiping away the “tubes,” which fall away easily without leaving a runny black trail of mascara on your sink (actually VERY satisfying).

Since traditional mascara is oil-soluble, it requires a true eye makeup remover for removal.

Traditional mascaras also smudge more easily if you have oily eyelids (which is my issue!). Tubing mascaras are great for people with sensitive skin and eyes, oily lids, or allergy-prone eyes because the tubes do not smear or run on your skin or in your eyes after they’ve set (moi!).

Okay, now that we have some background, let’s chat about various brands of tubing mascaras. Here are the most popular tubing mascaras on the market, including my favorite.

Best Tubing Mascara for Volume: Tarte Tartelette™ XL Tubing Mascara

My #1 pick for volume is the Tarte Tartelette XL Tubing Mascara. This mascara is made with moisturizing castor oil, conditioning shea butter, and carnauba wax that volumizes and lengthens. It’s cruelty-free and vegan (love that) and the best part…it doesn’t need very many coats to lengthen your lashes (even though I like a bold look and use 3, and I often use this Tarte Opening Act lash primer with mascara). It also never clumps.

This one is my personal favorite because the ingredients are actually good for your lashes and it just looks GOOD. It’s lightweight and keeps lashes looking natural. I use it almost exclusively now. The wand is also easy to use and applies without clumping, and the formula is neither too wet nor too dry like others I’ve tried.

Best Tubing Mascara for Length: Hourglass Unlocked Instant Extensions Lengthening Mascara

If you want very long lashes, this Hourglass Unlocked Instant Extensions Lengthening Mascara is a great option. Using film-forming technology, this mascara adds length, lift, and definition.  It is vegan and cruelty-free. When using, you just want to pull the brush out straight from root to tip. I didn’t love this the first time I tried it, but the wand has improved a ton since then. It used to feel too flimsy, but now I have good control with it. When I want long, natural looking lashes, this is the mascara I use.

Best Tubing Mascara for Volume & Length: Beauty Pie Wrap Star Tubing Mascara

Beauty Pie is a new-to-me brand, and they recently sent this Wrap Star Tubing Mascara. I’ve been blown away by it! It makes my lashes fluttery like traditional mascara (but without the smudging) which I love! It’s also cruelty-free and vegan.

Honorable Mentions

Best Clean Formula Tubing Mascara: Thrive Causemetics Liquid Lash Extensions Mascara

The Thrive Causemetics Liquid Lash Extension Mascara is a fantastic tubing mascara if a clean formula is your top priority. It’s made with shea butter and castor seed oil, and it’s 100% vegan and cruelty-free. For me, it was too wet for the first few weeks that I used it, making it difficult to build and it also dried out quickly and got clumpy. It only had a few weeks where the formula was perfect, but I did like it until I found a better option.

It’s great for sensitive eyes (made without parabens, phthalates, sulfates, and synthetic fragrance) and safe for contact lens wearers, it’s even tested and approved by dermatologists and ophthalmologists. If you’re one to leave your mascara on overnight sometimes, this mascara won’t leave your eyes irritated the next day. 

Best Budget Tubing Mascara: e.l.f. Lash XTNDR Mascara

I haven’t tried the Lash XTNDR Mascara from e.l.f., but since it’s $7, I’m going to order it quickly on Amazon just to see! From what I’ve read about it, this mascara has a silicone brush that helps separate the lashes (I love this since it helps prevent clumping). Apparently the consistency is smooth and natural.

Bottom Line

If you have the same smudging issues as me, tubing mascara is your answer. It’s been such a game-changer for me, and I absolutely love how easy it is to remove. In fact, when I use a regular mascara (for a special occasion when I want a ton of impact), I’m always annoyed that it smudges after a few hours and then always groan and complain when I have to take it off since it feels like SO MUCH WORK.

If you’re choosing one to try first, I recommend the Tarte Tartelette XL Mascara (I have a detailed review of the Tartelette mascara linked here). It’s my all time favorite at a great price, and I have a coupon code for you to use ;). If you order directly from Tarte, use code terilyn15 for 15% off your order.

I have to note that I there are a few tubing mascaras I’ve tried that I don’t like, namely Merit Clean Lash Mascara. I felt like it didn’t provide enough “oomph” and left my lashes almost bare. However, if you love a no-makeup look, read my Merit review here .

If there’s a tubing mascara that’s not included in this post that I need to try, let me know in the comments!!

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    7 responses to “The Best Tubing Mascara (for Volume, Length, or Both)”

    1. One of the mascaras that’s caught my eye lately is Benefit They’re Real. This tubing formula works wonders and makes sure my lashes stay curled all day! It has quickly become one of my favorite mascaras.

    2. Laura Geller’s Kajal mascara is a beautiful mascara that literally let’s me get ready in one coat! And that never happens! But I never see it in any of the reviews of great mascaras. I can’t figure out why. It is my definite favorite!

    3. Tubing mascaras are a must-have for anyone tired of raccoon eyes. Your list makes it easy to find the best options.

    4. Terilyn,

      I recently found out that the mascara I purchased a month ago has carcinogens in the formula, which surprised me as it’s being marketed to women over 50 who have had cancer! As it happens, it seems to be irritating my eyelids too.. Can you recommend a mascara that would be safe for me to use and easy to remove at night?

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