Found: the £10 smudge-proof tubing mascara that actually adds volume too

Tubing mascaras are a bit of an unsung hero in the beauty world. While they’re not as dramatic and showy as full-fat volumising mascaras, they get on with their job without fuss, and put in an exceptional, all-day performance. They leave lashes elegantly defined, separated and lengthened, and best of all, they’re guaranteed not to crumble or smear. They’re a class act, and no modern makeup bag is complete without one – especially in summer.

While pretty much every new mascara claims to be ‘smudge-proof’ (hmm), tubing mascaras really do live up to that promise. In fact, that smudge-proof quality is built into the formula, which is quite different to regular mascaras you’ve used before. ‘While normal mascaras coat lashes in pigment, tubing mascaras use a tube-like polymer formula that encases each lash individually,’ explains celebrity makeup artist and Revolution Beauty expert Emily Wood.

‘Tubing mascara forms a “wrap” around each lash. Regular mascaras can smudge or crumble, but tubing mascaras stay put until you remove them.’ Intrigued? Here’s everything you need to know about finding the best tubing mascaras to put on your face – and how to take them off. And if you’ve written off tubing formulas already for not being volumising enough, jump to the reviews as we’ve got news for you…

How can I tell if a mascara is a tubing formula?

It’s not as easy as you might think! While tubing mascaras will (rightly) shout about their smudge-proof, flake-proof prowess, so does every non-tuber on the planet. So ignore the marketing and take a closer look at the packaging and instructions. Some articles on tubing mascara will tell you that the mere word ‘polymer’ in a mascara’s ingredients list guarantees that you have a tubing formula in your hands, but actually, that’s not true. Not all polymers are the same, so you’ll need to dig deeper. Brands will normally state if theirs is a tubing formula, but to be doubly sure it’s the real deal, look at how the product is removed. A true tubing mascara isn’t removed by makeup remover, but simply slides off your lashes in little ‘socks’ using nothing but plain warm water. Tubing mascara loosens from the lashes when it comes into contact with warm water and you apply a little pressure. Each tube comes away from each lash as a single piece. All you have to do is twiddle gently and watch the strands slide off your wet lashes.

Will tubing mascara damage my lashes?

No. ‘Tubing mascaras are very easy to remove and gentle on the lashes,’ says Emily. ‘They prevent tugging at natural lashes as they’re easy to remove with a little warm water. The best way to ensure you aren’t damaging your lashes is by gently pressing warm, wet fingers on to your lashes for a few seconds. The mascara will then slide off without tugging or harsh rubbing.’ You can also use a warm, wet washcloth or cotton pad if you prefer. If you’re new to the formula, it can be alarming to see what looks like your eyelashes being pulled out and plopping in the sink. ‘Don’t panic, what you’re seeing is the tube casing around the lashes, not the lashes themselves,’ says GH beauty director Lynne Hyland. What are the pros of tubing mascara? Tubing mascaras don’t usually flake, smudge or drop, says Emily. ‘People with sensitive eyes would suit a tubing mascara due to the lack of flaking into the eyes and its removal method. There isn’t a need to use makeup remover on the eyes which could lead to irritation. Busy or active people would also really benefit from a tubing mascara, as there’s no smudging to fix during the day.’ They’re great for people with oily lids as well.

Are there any downsides?

While tubing mascaras deliver impressive length and wear, they’re generally not the most volumising formulas. However, we’ve found one (Revolution Wrap Lash, £10.99) that really could pass for a regular mascara – jump to our buyer’s guide for that. To get max volume from a tubing formula, ‘my tip is to ensure extra coats are only added when the formula is wet. This avoids clumping and overloading the lashes – unless you want that 1960s-esque lash look,’ says Emily. Tubing mascaras can take slightly longer to remove, adds Lynne. ‘However, you have to balance that against the time you’d normally spend fixing up smudges during the day.’

Are tubing mascaras waterproof?

Technically no, because they’re removed by water. However, you need pressure plus warm water to take them off. So unless you rub your eyes, they’re not going to shed those little ‘tubes’ on your face after a swim or sweaty workout. Also, because the formula doesn’t dissolve like regular non-waterproof mascara, there’s no risk of streaks running down your face.

Sold? Here are our favourite tubing mascaras to try right now.