Tubing mascara is trending - but do you know what these innovative formulas entail?
Though not new, tubing mascara is a rising star of the makeup scene – and deservedly so. Designed to be the best mascaras to make lashes appear longer and fuller while eradicating smudging and fall-out, best tubing mascaras sound like every beauty lover's dream.
These days, more mainstream brands than ever offer lash products with tubing properties. But what does tubing mean, and how is it different from your go-to mascara? We've asked expert makeup artists for every detail you need.
What is tubing mascara? The experts break it down
The ‘tube’ in tubing mascara has nothing to do with the packaging. Rather, it refers to the way that the formula forms a tubular coating on lashes.
"Tubing mascara contains tube-like polymers that wrap around each lash, creating an enhanced, lengthening effect. The result is long-lasting, flexible wearing mascara that doesn’t smudge or flake," explains Rachael Divers, award-winning make-up pro and resident makeup artist at Face The Future.
In contrast, "Traditional mascara contains pigment and wax that is painted onto your lashes," continues Divers. "These formulas can be hydrophilic (dissolved in water) and therefore easily smeared throughout the day, or hydrophobic (water-repellent), making them waterproof."
Tubing mascara has so many benefits, as not only do those little 'tubes' promote longer wear time, they are also ridiculously easy to remove. Most only require warm water and will slide off easily- ideal for anyone who has never quite got the hang of how to remove mascara without mess, fuss, or excessive scrubbing.
Keen to find out more? With the help of expert makeup artists, we've broken down six things you need to know about tubing mascara, as well as our favourite formulas, below.
Our beauty editor's top 3 tubing mascaras
The clue is in the name of this mascara – it's almost unbelievably lengthening and really does give a falsies effect. I prefer this mascara for evening wear as the look is fairly dramatic, particularly for tubing mascara, but if you are of the 'more is more' mindset this could be your everyday staple.
A supremely natural-looking mascara that subtly lengthens and defines, but never looks too much. I wrote about this in my beauty editor advice column on tubing mascara, and it deserves every award it's won (there are many) for being supremely smudge-resistant.
This luxurious option by Japanese beauty giant Sensai has an elegant tapered wand that creates beautifully fluttery, defined lashes. As the name suggests, it's removed by water at 38 degrees, but you needn't get your thermometer out, just ensure the tap is a little warmer than body temperature and that will do the trick.
Six things you should know about tubing mascara
1. It's extremely lengthening (but not very volumising)
Tubing mascaras make some of the best lengthening mascaras when it comes to reviving short lashes and giving that much-desired fluttery effect. Because the formula really coats each lash, it means that you get a defined and fanned-out look from root to tip, opening up the eyes and achieving maximum length.
However, due to their flexible, lash-wrapping formula, tubing mascaras won't create a huge amount of bulk. “Tubing mascaras lengthen but unfortunately do not give a great amount of volume,” says makeup artist Mira Parmar. So if it's fat lashes you seek, you may with to look elsewhere.
2. It's easy to remove
This is probably the biggest selling point of tubing mascara; rather than going through the painstaking steps of how to remove waterproof mascara, you need only use warm water. Simply get your lashes nice and wet and then use a pad or your fingers to gently slide away the tubes of mascara – it’s extremely satisfying.
As the mascara forms tubes that slip off in one go, you’re also much more likely to get rid of every last bit of makeup than you are with more paint-like types of mascara. This means your pillowcase will be free of pesky black flakes, and your lashes are less likely to harbor bacteria that could irritate your eyes.
3. It's very long-lasting
Although tubing mascara comes off with water, that water needs to be warm and combined with some form of gentle pressure, meaning there is no need to worry about a sudden downpour.
Tubing mascaras are also great for oilier skin types or hooded eyes, as they won't smudge on your lids throughout the day. “Tubing mascara is brilliant in the humidity and heat, so come holidays, the gym, or exercise classes, they can withstand the pressure,” says Parmar.
And, unlike other heavy-duty mascaras that can feel claggy and thick, tubing formulas are light in texture, so they are Ideal for everyday wear.
4. It can make other mascaras smudge-proof
If you are loyal to your tried-and-true best volumizing mascara, or have a budget favorite that you're not ready to part ways with, we have great news: as tubing mascara is so lightweight, it layers like a dream. Parmar agrees they “are amazing when used on top of a regular mascara to stop smudging, to set and to keep the base layer waterproof”.
Just pop your chosen tubing product on top of your mascara once it’s dried. Tubing is much less heavy than a waterproof formula and easier to take off at the end of the day, making this one of the greatest hacks for lashes that won't budge.
5. It's great for contact lense wearers
As a general rule, eye makeup can get a little complicated where contact lenses are concerned. However, tubing mascara is one of those exceptional products that ticks plenty of boxes for lens wearers. “There are no flakes with this type of mascara so no fallout, which also means no irritation,” explains Parmar.
6. It’s a kinder option
So, what is tubing mascara's secret that makes it one of the best mascaras for sensitive eyes? Because using warm water for removal instead of an eye makeup remover is far less likely to irritate. Plus, sensitivity won’t be exacerbated by excessive rubbing or the rounds of cleansing needed for other types of long-wear mascara.
