Rant & Rave: Waterproof Mascara

Tell us what you love and hate about...

Waterproof Mascara

I don’t wear it often myself since I do not need it, but I’m glad it exists for occasions where waterworks are likely to occur or for those who need the extra-long wear. They can be annoying to remove, though!

— Christine

28 Comments

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Lesley Avatar

I wore it all the time when I was wearing gas permeable contact lenses because my eyes would tear up if anything got in my eyes, a frequent occurrence, It came off easily with baby oil, but then I needed eye drops to get the oil out of my eyes. I don’t wear lenses anymore so regular mascara is just fine.
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CeeBee Avatar

I find it does!

I really like the WnW Max Volume waterproof mascara and once bought the standard one by mistake (the tube is the same colour) and can confirm it is vastly inferior at holding a curl.

I have bought specific curling mascaras that worked OK but I’ve found the Max Volume waterproof and some tubing mascaras hold a curl better than anything else.

E Avatar

My lashes are short and straight, so I use a gentle curler and waterproof mascara is the only kind that will keep them curled. (thanks CoverGirl LashBlast WP. Almay oily eye makeup remover pads for the win.

Deborah S. Avatar

I pretty much only use waterproof mascara and always have. Even if I use non-waterproof I always put a layer of waterproof over the top. I have very hooded eyes and hate having to worry about smears and raccoon eyes when out in public. I have used Cover Girl Super Sizer for years. I never had a problem getting it off as I expected it to be tough, after all, that is why I am wearing it. But once I discovered oil emulsion cleansers, even waterproof mascara bows to the oil. I have no problem getting my mascara off with the Tatcha Camellia Cleansing Oil and it doesn’t leave a film, doesn’t bother my eyes and melts everything off. Holy Grail first cleanse.

Nancy T Avatar

Rave: I need them. So, for me, they are a necessary *evil*. They hold a curl in my otherwise sticking straight out, almost dead straight lashes after I’ve curled them. They don’t break down and run because of my sometimes teary allergy eyes, either.
Rant: Other than Maybelline Full & Soft WP, most are a b*tch to remove at night and will always result in some lost lashes. Oh, and they all have a tendency to flake considerably more than non-waterproof mascara. Those flakes look AWFUL under my eye! ?

Grace Avatar

I wish they worked for me! Waterproof formulas irritate my eyes so badly, I’ve been told it’s because of their more flakey nature. There are certain times when I wish I had the option to wear waterproof.

Nicole Avatar

I pretty much only use waterproof mascara. I have deep set eyes with oily, hooded lids, plus the darkest under eye circles imaginable. My mascara must stay in place. Hands down best waterproof mascara- Lancôme Definicils Waterproof. I use Make Up For Ever Sens’Eyes to remove it, holding a saturated cotton ball to the lashes for ten seconds then gently wiping away the mascara. Any remnants come off with my Clinique Take The Day Off balm.

Nell Avatar

I only use waterproof mascara. Current favorite is It Cosmetics tightline with a topping of Tarte Lights,cameras, splashes. Finished with a spritz of MAC Fix+ and I’m good all day without flashes or smearing. I always use a lash curler beforehand.

DVa Avatar

I totally agree.
I hate the waterproof stuff; it seems to linger, even after I think I’ve managed to remove it all. The tugging and leftover bits that have fallen to my face when I wake the next morning….
Ugh.
However, I was in Costa Rica last summer with 100% humidity and I made sure to pack it. Even if I had nothing else on except my Lancome Matte Shaker (colour vintage) and WP mascara, I felt put together.
Fallout be damned…

jel888 Avatar

I almost always use one, perhaps because for the few brides I’ve done, I wanted to make sure they work. But, perhaps I don’t need one either (I’ll have to test). LOL

Brenda C Avatar

I have hooded eyes so waterproof mascara is a must. I have every waterproof brand there is. I am a mascara addict, even when I had extensions I put mascara on them, except you can’t put waterproof mascara on extensions you’ll pull them off removing the mascara. I use Lancome Bi-facial non oily sensitive eyes remover and it is magic at removing the mascara.

Lisa Avatar

Waterproof is the only type of mascara I wear. It holds a curl, doesn’t smudge (generally), and lasts through the whole day.

I’m not sure there is anything to dislike about waterproof mascara except the fact that it takes a bit more effort to remove. But an oily remover does the trick. I don’t wear anything else so it’s the norm for me.

Silvia Avatar

I do wear it if I think I’m going to cry as in a close relative wedding getting silly emotional. Graduations in the sun, on humid Miami vacations or other similar weather is a must or more during Summer in general. I don’t find difficult to remove. WetnWild one’s my eyes are rather sensitive sensitive to those can’t handle them. Maybelline and Cover Girl have been great. They perform well except I find the Cover Girl bristles in plastic so short & clumpy don’t like that at all the brown/orangy tube.

Susan Nevling Avatar

I only buy waterproof mascara for weddings and funerals. Because they are tossed with often one of two uses, I only but drugstore brands. I don’t recall which brand I buy but recognize the packaging.

Tessa Avatar

I almost only wear waterproof mascara, because my super-straight lashes look much better curled, and only waterproof mascara holds the curl. My lashes are very stubborn!

I’m a fan of the original Lancome Hypnose WP, Diorshow Blackout WP, Maybelline Colossal Volum’ Express WP (yellow tube with purple writing — and only this exact variety).

I’ve found those three do the best job for me of holding the curl, not migrating, and still being easily removed with an oil cleanser.

I do want to try Urban Decay Cannonball at some point, though.

Helena Avatar

Absolutely necessary! My lashes rarely hold a curl with non-waterproof mascara. It’s great to not worry about anything l smudging when my eyes tear up for the nth time in a day. I feel like maybe the formulas tend to be drier and expire more quickly, though (is that just me?) and, of course, they’re not the easiest to remove.

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