Collage: Paula Balondo; Source images: Courtesy of Allure editors and brandsSave this storySave this story
Wary of raccoon eyes? The best tubing mascaras will put your mind at ease. Unlike traditional mascaras that can transfer, smudge, and flake throughout the day, “tubing mascaras are known for their excellent long-wearing formulas and ability to resist flaking and smudging that can occur due to oily sebum on the eyelids or watery eyes,” says Cincinnati-based cosmetic chemist Kelly Dobos. How? They contain film-forming polymers, which Dobos says act like a protective sleeve around each lash, resulting in higher resistance to the elements and increased durability. And we’ve saved the best part for last: Despite their staying power, tubing mascaras are refreshingly easy to remove: With a wash of warm water and gentle pressure, these mascaras slide off in soft, tube-like pieces—no cleansing oil or micellar water needed.
Our Top Tubing Mascaras
- Best Overall: Maybelline New York Lash Sensational Sky Tubes Tubing Mascara, $14
- Best for Straight Lashes: Kulfi Beauty Badi Lash Mascara, $26
- Best Volumizing: Charlotte Tilbury Exagger-Eyes Volume Mascara, $29
- Best Waterproof: Caliray Come Hell or High Water 24-Hour Tubing Mascara, $25
- Best Lifting: Tarte Tartelette Tubing Mascara, $28
- Best Curling: Urban Decay Tube Job Lash Augmenting Tubing Mascara, $25
Frequently Asked QuestionsLargeChevron
- How is tubing mascara different from regular mascara?
- How should I choose a tubing mascara?
- Are there any downsides to tubing mascara?
- Meet the experts
- How we test and review products
- Our staff and testers
Read on for the best tubing mascaras for creating doe-eyed, wispy, and dramatic looks alike, as selected by Allure editors and makeup experts.
Best Overall: Maybelline New York Lash Sensational Sky Tubes Tubing Mascara
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Maybelline New York
Lash Sensational Sky Tubes Tubing Mascara
Amazon
Ulta Beauty
Allure social media director Kassidy Silva applying the Maybelline New York Lash Sensational Sky Tubes Tubing Mascara
Kassidy Silva
Why it’s worth it: Maybelline New York’s Lash Sensation Sky Tubes sets a high standard (pun intended) with its name—one that it easily meets, delivering the kind of dramatic length that looks like it could have come right off a 1960s magazine cover. The brush on this Best of Beauty winner features pyramid-shaped bristles with broader bases and pointed tips, designed to grip and coat each lash. Meanwhile, the round ball on the end grabs onto the tiny lashes on the inner and outer corners so that even the babiest of lashes get a major boost. The formula is infused with shea butter and castor oil (a top-tier conditioning duo if there ever was one) and dries down fast to a flake-free finish. When up against cold water (like rain), it’s waterproof, but when you want to take it off, it’ll melt right away with a little warm water.
Silva before applying the Maybelline New York Lash Sensational Sky Tubes Tubing Mascara
Kassidy Silva
Allure beauty director Sarah Kinonen before applying the Maybelline New York Lash Sensational Sky Tubes Tubing Mascara
Sarah Kinonen
Silva after applying the Maybelline New York Lash Sensational Sky Tubes Tubing Mascara
Kassidy Silva
Kinonen after applying the Maybelline New York Lash Sensational Sky Tubes Tubing Mascara
Sarah Kinonen
Tester feedback from social director Kassidy Silva
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“There is no category that I cycle through testers as quickly as mascaras. Hate the brush shape, product is a little clumpy, not long lasting, ugly tube, you name it, and I’m nitpicking it from top to bottom. I have big hooded eyes with average-length lashes, so I’m looking for something that lengthens to help them stand out, doesn’t smudge since I refuse to reapply during the day, and is at a low price point since it needs to be replaced often. The Maybelline Sky High Tubing Mascara is the fifth mascara I’ve liked out of the three to four dozen I’ve tested in two years that checks all my boxes. I apply two coats of the mascara, working it through my lashes after curling with the Shu Uemera lash curler. After applying to the top lash, I’ll get the corner, which is easy with the tip of the brush to reach the inner corner and outer edge. I don’t apply it to my bottom lashes regularly but haven’t had issues on the rare occasion that I do. I find that it stays in place for around 12 hours no matter the weather conditions and slips off at the end of the day with a makeup wipe or gentle cleanser. Shout out to Allure beauty director Sarah Kinonen for this incredible rec!” —Kassidy Silva, social director
Tester feedback from beauty director Sarah Kinonen
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“As a tubing mascara devotee, I'm so happy Maybelline finally jumped on the bandwagon! The new Sky Tubes formula is lightweight enough to layer without clumping (a feat in itself!), lengthens the stubbiest of lashes (mine!), and removes with just water—without mess (a miracle!). After the first use, it instantly became an everyday makeup bag staple.” —Sarah Kinonen, beauty director
More to know
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- Key ingredients: shea butter, castor oil
- Shades: 1
Best for Straight Lashes: Kulfi Beauty Badi Lash Mascara
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Kulfi Beauty
Badi Lash Mascara
Sephora
Kulfi Beauty
Former Allure content director Kara McGrath applying Kulfi’s Badi Lash Mascara
Kara McGrath
Why it's worth it: If you’ve got straight lashes, Kulfi’s 2025 Allure Beauty Award-winning Badi Lash Mascara is your girl. Made with heavy, straight South Asian lashes in mind, it’s designed to lift even the most stubborn wisps. Nothing makes ‘diving-board lashes’ worse than a clumpy, crusty formula—and thankfully, this one’s the opposite. Expect clean separation and lift thanks to the unique ball-tip applicator, which features tiny spikes that grab and comb through even the tiniest inner lashes. The formula features castor seed oil, rambutan extract, and a tripeptide complex to condition the lashes while softening and strengthening them over time.
McGrath before applying Kulfi’s Badi Lash Mascara
Kara McGrath
McGrath after applying Kulfi’s Badi Lash Mascara
Kara McGrath
Tester feedback from former content director Kara McGrath
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"The worst part of wearing mascara is taking it off, which is why I am forever in favor of easier-to-remove tubing formulas. Kulfi's version adds the perfect amount of volume for everyday looks and doesn't leave flecks on your face come lunchtime. I love the spiky tip at the end of the brush that helps coat lashes at the inner and outer corners." —Kara McGrath, former content director
More to know
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- Key ingredients: castor seed oil, rambutan extract, tripeptide complex
- Shades: 1
Best Volumizing: Charlotte Tilbury Exagger-Eyes Volume Mascara
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Charlotte Tilbury
Exagger-eyes Volume Mascara
Ulta Beauty
Allure senior news editor Nicola Dall’Asen applying the Charlotte Tilbury Exagger-eyes Volume Mascara
Nicola Dall'Asen
Why it’s worth it: When it comes to Charlotte Tilbury’s formulas, it’s all about going big or going home—and the Exagger-Eyes Volume Mascara fully commits. Its ultra-curved brush features fine, laser-cut fiber bristles that are thicker on one side and thinner on the other, making it easy to grab and define every lash and add extra volume. Paired with lash-wrapping technology—think plumping polymers that coat each lash—the result is instant, fluttery volume from root to tip in just one coat. The formula also includes jojoba wax to condition lashes so they look full without feeling brittle. Our tip: Press the inner curve of the brush into the roots and pull upward, then flip to the outer curve and gently wiggle side to side to lift and separate.
Dall’Asen before applying the Charlotte Tilbury Exagger-eyes Volume Mascara
Nicola Dall'Asen
Dall’Asen after applying the Charlotte Tilbury Exagger-eyes Volume Mascara
Nicola Dall'Asen
Tester feedback from former senior news editor Nicola Dall’Asen
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“I'm blessed in the lash department, so it's not often I'm reaching for a heavy-duty mascara—but when I need to pull out the big guns (I'm appearing on camera, attending a special event, or it's a fancy date night), I only reach for Charlotte Tilbury's Exagger-eyes tubing mascara. You can tell by just a glance at its heavily coated, curved, dense applicator that this stuff does not fuck around. In fact, just one pass of this stuff is so dramatic, I'll sometimes wipe a bit of the product off the brush before I use my go-to mascara technique (blinking in front of the brush and wiggling the wand as I go). Whether I do or don't, what I get every time is a lash long and fluttery enough that I could set sail on it. Who needs falsies, anyway?” —Nicola Dall’Asen, former senior news editor
More to know
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- Key ingredients: Black Wrap tech, jojoba waxes
- Shades: 1
Best Waterproof: Caliray Come Hell or High Water 24-Hour Tubing Mascara
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Caliray
Come Hell or High Water Volumizing Tubing Mascara
Sephora
Caliray
Allure commerce market editor Sarah Hoffmann applying the Caliray Come Hell or High Water 24-Hour Tubing Mascara
Sarah Hoffmann
Why it's worth it: Yet another beloved Best of Beauty Award winner, Caliray's Come Hell or High Water Volumizing Tubing Mascara is formulated with conditioning argan oil to give your lashes a dose of nourishing, softening love, while film-forming tubing ingredients like acrylates copolymer provide a smudge-proof finish. The brand's dense, fluffy "teddy bear brush" allows for comprehensive coverage with every flick of your wrist. And, if you have shorter lashes, this thicker brush won’t cause any smudgeiness—it actually makes them look bolder, longer, and more curled. It's long-wearing, waterproof, and it comes in a deep black and natural brown—everything you could hope for in an everyday mascara.
Hoffmann before using the Caliray Come Hell or High Water 24-Hour Tubing Mascara
Hoffmann after using the Caliray Come Hell or High Water 24-Hour Tubing Mascara
Tester feedback from commerce market editor Sarah Hoffmann
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"To be honest, I'm not typically the tubing mascara type. I love to gloop and glob my mascara on for maximum volume, and tubing formulas tend more towards a wispy, separated vibe that doesn't usually give me the drama I crave. When I first got a tube of Caliray's Come Hell or High Water Mascara, I didn't even realize it was tubing, which is probably why I went in with such an open mind and discovered a great formula I might have avoided if I'd read the fine print.
It has a nice amount of stickiness to it, which really helps hold a curl in place, and I like to build it up close to my lash line to make my lashes look thicker (plus a quick tight line, of course). It's definitely a lengthening formula—I'd still probably reach for YSL Lash Clash for true dramatic lashes—but it also delivers a good amount of volume and wild staying power that's lovely for an everyday mascara." —Sarah Hoffmann, commerce market editor
More to know
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- Key ingredients: argan oil, acrylates copolymer, carnauba wax, synthetic wax
- Shades: 2
Best Lifting: Tarte Tartelette Tubing Mascara
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Tarte
Tartelette Tubing Mascara
Amazon
Ulta Beauty
Revolve
Allure. commerce editor Sarah Han applying the Tarte Tartelette Tubing Mascara
Sarah Han
Why it's worth it: Tarte's Tartelette Tubing Mascara is a tried-and-true editor fave that's perfect for days when we want a more natural look. (Looking for more drama? Tartelette XL is infused with peptides for noticeably more volume—and it's a Best of Beauty Award winner!) It fends off flakes and resists dryness with a blend of shea butter, castor oil, and carnauba wax, making lashes look lifted, longer, and softer. The wand is equipped with hundreds of tiny bristles, enabling you to reach under your lash line for a major lift and volume. Each lash is wrapped in a water-resistant veil of jet-black (or brown) color, so you can swipe and go without worrying about midday smudging.
Han before applying the Tarte Tartelette Tubing Mascara
Sarah Han
Han after applying the Tarte Tartelette Tubing Mascara
Sarah Han
Tester feedback from commerce editor Sarah Han
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"One thing about me: I have the babiest lashes that need a lot of coaxing to reach their full potential. Tarte's original Tartelette mascara has been a regular in my rotation for years. The dense bristles latch onto my lashes right away and lift each wisp for an eye-opening effect. I hate mascaras that cause my lashes to clump, but this one doesn't do that! One small qualm: Some of the mascara smudges onto my eyelids during application (not sure if it's the wand or user error), but that's nothing some micellar water can't fix in seconds." —Sarah Han, commerce editor
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- Key ingredients: shea butter, castor oil, glycerin
- Shades: 2
Best Curling: Urban Decay Tube Job Lash Augmenting Tubing Mascara
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Urban Decay
Tube Job Lash Augmenting Tubing Mascara
Amazon
Ulta Beauty
Sephora
Why it’s worth it: You know that moment when your mascara looks incredible for about 10 minutes—only for your lashes to slowly surrender and fall flat? That’s not an issue with Urban Decay’s Tube Job. From the first swipe, it delivers a serious lift and curl that actually stays put all day. The trick is in the technique: Hold the wand at the tips of your lashes for five seconds after each swipe to help set the curl in place. The tubing formula comes in five playful shades, from red-brown to blonde, all of which resist smudging and won’t leave you with dreaded raccoon eyes by hour six. Instead, it conditions lashes with glycerin, castor oil, and shea butter for softness, protection, and healthier-looking lashes, no added lash serum required.
Allure executive beauty director Jenny Bailly before applying the Urban Decay Tube Job
Jenny Bailly
Bailly after applying the Urban Decay Tube Job
Jenny Bailly
Tester feedback from executive beauty director Jenny Bailly
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“Over the last year, I have become a total convert to tubing mascaras. I don't know if it's my aging skin or maybe an increasing laziness about removing eye makeup thoroughly, but regular mascaras were always leaving dark circles under my eyes. Urban Decay's Tube Job is one of my recent favorites. Two coats leave my lashes long and separated, which is how I like them, with no clumps (unless that second coat starts to turn into a third). Some tubing mascaras go so wet that you have to be careful about smearing right after application—this one has a thin consistency but a very manageable level of wetness and sets quickly. With warm water, it comes off in clean, black tubes, leaving zero pigment behind. I've only used the black but it also comes in brown and, more notably, a dark blonde taupe and auburn red. There's also a platinum shade, which I can't wrap my head around, but it's gotten its share of social media attention and is certainly a look.” —Jenny Bailly, executive beauty director
More to know
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- Key ingredients: shea butter, glycerin, castor oil
- Shades: 5
Best Natural-Looking: Merit Clean Volume Volumizing Tubing Mascara
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Merit
Clean Volume Volumizing Tubing Mascara
Sephora
Merit
Kinonen applying the Merit Clean Volume Volumizing Tubing Mascara
Sarah Kinonen
Why it’s worth it: “Sophisticated” might not be a word one commonly associates with mascara, but it feels the most fitting for Merit’s Clean Volume Volumizing Tubing Mascara—and not just because of the chic black packaging with silver details. The thin, precise wand lengthens and separates the lashes as cleanly as possible—no clumps, smudges, or flakes, just lashes that sit at the perfect intersection of length, volume, and curl. It achieves this through a proprietary blend of tubing film-formers and plant-derived rice bran wax for lengthening, as well as shea butter and glycerin to soften and condition each hair. The brush is fluffy and full, but not too big, meaning even those with shorter lashes can reach and coat them all.
Kinonen before applying the Merit Clean Volume Volumizing Tubing Mascara
Sarah Kinonen
Kinonen after applying the Merit Clean Volume Volumizing Tubing Mascara
Sarah Kinonen
Tester feedback from Kinonen
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“At this point, I've fully converted to tubing mascaras. I haven't picked up a traditional formula in years, and after trying (and quickly falling in love with) Merit's new take on tubing, I will quite literally never go back. It's light but buildable, creates the fluffiest, natural-looking lashes, and adds a touch of length—all without a single smudge or smear. I like the short and stubby wand makes it super easy to dig deep into the lash line to create that added bit of bulk, again, without any smudging…or clumping. And while all it takes is some warm water to remove, it still has some staying power. It didn't budge through a super-sweaty summer baseball game, or on the even sweatier walk to commute home.” —Sarah Kinonen, beauty director
More to know
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- Key ingredients: tubing film-formers, plant-derived rice bran wax, shea butter, glycerin
- Shades: 2
Best Drugstore: Essence Lash Without Limits Tubing Mascara
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Essence
Lash Without Limits Tubing Mascara
Amazon
Ulta Beauty
Allure senior staff writer Elizabeth Gulino applying the Essence Lash Without Limits Tubing Mascara
Elizabeth Gulino
Why it’s worth it: From the brand that gave us the ultimate IYKYK affordable mascara (Lash Princess), Essence’s Lash Without Limits Tubing Mascara has a slim, flexible elastomer brush that can reach every little lash and a formula designed for layering. While the focus is on length, this mascara is no slouch when it comes to adding volume, either; and since it is so layerable, it’s easy to achieve a natural, subtle look, intentionally clumpy spider-lash drama, and everything in between. It’s available in black and brown shades, and while it doesn’t flake or smudge, keep in mind that this one isn’t waterproof. So any water—warm or cold—will melt it right away.
Gulino before applying the Essence Lash Without Limits Tubing Mascara
Elizabeth Gulino
Gulino after applying the Essence Lash Without Limits Tubing Mascara
Elizabeth Gulino
Tester feedback from senior staff writer Elizabeth Gulino
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“I'm a tubing truther, which means that it's the only mascara I wear—for some reason, all other formulas end up crumbling on my face, resulting in makeup all along my lower lash line. Tragic! I added Essence Makeup's tubing version to my lineup recently and am very impressed. It dries down quickly, mitigating any smudge, and still makes my lashes look long and luscious after only a couple of coats. It actually tubes well, too, which means just water is needed for its removal.” —Elizabeth Gulino, senior staff writer
More to know
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- Key ingredients: acrylates/athylhexyl acrylate copolymer, carnauba wax
- Shades: 2
Best for Short Lashes: Hourglass Unlocked Instant Extensions Mascara
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Hourglass
Unlocked Instant Extensions Mascara
Amazon
Nordstrom
Ulta Beauty
Allure senior commerce director Shanna Shipin applying Hourglass Unlocked Instant Extensions Mascara
Shanna Shipin
Why it’s worth it: If you classify your lashes as “little nubs,” don’t worry—Hourglass Unlocked Instant Extensions Mascara is here to help. It delivers the look of falsies (minus any tackiness) without the weight, thanks to an ultra-light formula that skirts clumping. The cone-shaped brush fans out the lashes and adds length and lift in a single coat; once the mascara sets, it leaves lashes smudge- and flake-free all day. And though it’s subtle at first, Unlocked is super buildable, so you can layer and lengthen to your heart’s content.
Shipin before applying Hourglass Unlocked Instant Extensions Mascara
Shanna Shipin
Shipin after applying Hourglass Unlocked Instant Extensions Mascara
Shanna Shipin
Tester feedback from senior commerce director Shanna Shipin
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"I have the most stubborn lashes: They're short, straight, thick, and refuse to hold a curl. I also have super sensitive eyes and rarely find a mascara that doesn't make my eyeballs sting or get watery immediately after application. The Hourglass Unlocked mascara is absolutely heaven-sent for me—it, as the name suggests, makes it appear like I instantly have lash extensions, but even better for me is how it wears. It's weightless, comfortable, and does not budge—until you want it to. This is the easiest mascara I've ever taken off. It slips (truly slips, like silk!) off with water!" —Shanna Shipin, senior commerce director
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- Key ingredients: glycerin
- Shades: 1
Best for Sensitive Eyes: MAC Extended Play Gigablack Lash Mascara
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MAC Cosmetics
Extended Play Gigablack Lash Mascara
Nordstrom
Sephora
Ulta Beauty
Why it’s worth it: MAC’s Extended Play Gigablack Lash Mascara is about as “free of” as it gets—free of parabens, free of formaldehydes, and (almost) free of synthetic fragrance, with less than 1% included. As New York City-based makeup artist Kat Dorn notes, that makes it a great option for those with sensitive eyes, which can easily get itchy, dry, or watery from mascara. But it’s not like you’ll be sacrificing your style for comfort: Dorn also praises its small, slender brush, which grabs and lifts even super-short lashes, and the pigmented, inky-black formula. Wear it up to 16 hours smudge-free, and wash it right off with warm water—no harsh tugging needed—when you’re done.
More to know
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- Key ingredients: acrylates/athylhexyl acrylate copolymer, carnauba wax
- Shades: 1
Frequently Asked Questions
How is tubing mascara different from regular mascara?
While there is plenty of overlap between the ingredients in tubing mascara and regular mascara, there are also crucial differences, the main one being the former’s ability to wrap around lashes, Dobos explains. "The overall ingredient list for a tubing mascara might resemble a traditional mascara emulsion, with traditional waxes and emulsifiers, but polymers are necessary to form a 'tube' around each lash," she explains. "The polymers have just enough adhesion to the lashes to hold them in place until you wiggle the tubes free with gentle pressure for removal."
Tubing mascaras also tend to be easier to take off. Instead of rigorously wiping your eyes with makeup remover or thoroughly massaging mascara away with cleansing oil, the polymer-formed tubes slide off with warm water and gentle pressure. While waterproof mascara may offer comparable staying power, it can require a full-force scrub-fest to remove—and even worse, it often claims a few lashes as collateral.
How should I choose a tubing mascara?
When choosing a tubing mascara, check the ingredients list for key players. "If you're looking for more volume, ingredients like silica microspheres will help fatten the appearance of lashes and allow for a smooth application," Dobos explains. "And tiny rayon fibers can bring additional lengthening."
You should also keep your lash goals in mind: Dorn says to consider the color, the type of brush used to apply the product, and the formula. For example, if your goal is a more natural look, try a brown mascara. Conversely, “I always love a black mascara for most big events, because this will stand out the most in photos and darken the lashes so they are more prominent,” she says.
A thinner, comb-like brush will be better for separation and clump-prevention, and will also be easier to use on bottom lashes; bigger brushes with more bristles can provide more volume (“but personally, I find these clump more often,” she notes). Wetter formulas “can really lengthen the lash and separate them easier,” says Dorn, while a quick-drying formula might clump a bit more, “but will hold a curl in the lash very well,” she says.
And pro tip: If you love a formula but find the brush just isn’t cutting it, “use a clean mascara wand to brush through the lashes as soon as you apply the mascara,” Dorn advises.
Are there any downsides to tubing mascara?
Tubing mascaras might not provide as much curl as they do length, volume, and separation, according to Dorn; to get around this, she recommends curling your lashes a few times before you put on the mascara and then coating the lashes. Additionally, she says that some find they don’t layer as well as traditional mascaras. (This makes sense; a lash can only take so many tubes.)
Meet the experts
- Kelly Dobos, a cosmetic chemist based in Cincinnati, Ohio
- Kat Dorn, a makeup artist based in New York City
How we test and review products
Before reviewing any makeup, we ask questions about a number of factors: What ingredients are in it? Does the brand offer a wide shade range inclusive of consumers with all skin tones and undertones? Is it safe for readers who have sensitive skin or wear contact lenses? Is it on the affordable side or more of a splurge? Is its packaging consciously designed or needlessly wasteful?
For our review of the best tubing mascaras, we enlisted the help of multiple editors, writers, contributors, makeup artists, and cosmetic chemists to review the products. This ensures our testing base spans different skin tones, genders, and dermatological conditions. We considered each product’s performance across four primary categories: ingredients, wear, longevity, and resistance. For more on what's involved in our reporting, check out our complete reviews process and methodology page.
Our staff and testers
A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors—in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon—is essential to reaching that goal.
After all, can we really say a skin-care product is the “best” for people over 50 if the only testers we’ve solicited opinions from folks who have yet to hit 30? Can we honestly deem a high-end diffuser worthy of your hard-earned cash if it’s never been tested on curls? We’re proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, which means that we are able to fairly assess any beauty product that comes into the beauty closet.
Complete the rest of your makeup bag with these Allure editor-approved picks:
- 9 Best Eye Shadows for Mature Skin That Won’t Settle Into Fine Lines
- 9 Best BB Creams for a Natural, Skin-Like Finish
- 6 Best Blurring Primers to Give Skin a Soft-Focus Finish
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