We Tested 29 Waterproof Mascaras, These 9 Won Our Affection

Best Overall

COVERGIRL Clump Crusher Waterproof Mascara

5

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Covergirl is known for some iconic mascaras, and if you ask us, this should be one of them. It features a curved brush with fine bristles that work to separate the lashes and provide a natural-looking definition. The brush has two sides: one to load product onto the lashes and another to comb away any clumps. 

Unlike many volumizing mascaras, our tester found that there wasn’t too much product loaded onto the brush, meaning she was able to avoid messy and clumpy mascara application. While some online reviewers say it can take several coats to achieve significant volume, this isn’t a bad thing if you’re looking to achieve a more subtle voluminous look.  

Price at time of publish: $9

Benefits: Volumizing | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Best Drugstore

Maybelline New York Lash Discovery Waterproof Mascara

5

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Chances are you’ve heard of or tried some of Maybelline’s most popular mascaras, but this one seems to fly under the radar. If you’re looking for a lengthening mascara that won’t budge regardless of the elements, you’ll want to acquaint yourself with this pick. 

It has a lengthening formula and a long, narrow brush that pretty much resembles an eyebrow spoolie. Because the brush is so thin, it makes targeted application a breeze—especially on the lower lashes. Our tester fell in love with it, saying she couldn’t get over how easy it was to apply and how well it held on as she wore it. If you struggle with smudging on your lower lashes, or you find that most mascara wands are too large for the area, this one is perfect for you. 

There’s no doubt that it creates gorgeous, lengthened lashes, but some online reviewers found it wasn’t very effective for building up volume.  

Price at time of publish: $10

Benefits: Lengthening | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Best Splurge

Lancôme Hypnôse Drama Waterproof Mascara

5

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If you’re looking for a mascara that allows you to build volume with minimal effort, this is a great option. The long, curved brush makes coating every lash possible, and our tester noted that the tip of the brush helped cover hard-to-reach lashes. 

In addition to how impressed she was that it remained completely smudge-proof and flake-free during the test, our tester loved the voluminous lash look that it helped her achieve. While she found the brush helpful for coating every lash, she noted that it was a bit long—so that’s something to keep in mind if you have small eyes. She also shared that she noticed a pretty strong fragrance which isn’t ideal, but it is very common—especially with waterproof formulas. 

Price at time of publish: $33

Benefits: Volumizing | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: No

Best Lengthening

MAC In Extreme Dimension Waterproof Lash Mascara

4.8

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Created to define the lashes by lengthening, volumizing, and curling, this waterproof formula works to build a bold look that lasts. It features short bristles which can be helpful if you struggle with messy mascara application, as well as rounded bristles at the tip of the wand to help you reach the lashes at your inner and outer corners. 

Our tester was worried that the unique wand and curved handle would be challenging to work with, but she found that this design helped her maintain a steady hand. She appreciated that her lashes looked full and lengthened, although she noted that they were slightly droopy and not as curled as she would have liked. 

The formula held up beautifully through testing, but our tester shared that the process of removing it was messy.  

Price at time of publish: $26

Benefits: Lengthening, Volumizing, Curling | Byrdie Clean: Yes | Cruelty-Free: No

Best Volumizing

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Plumping Waterproof Mascara

4.7

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It’s not often that a brand groups a moisturizer and a mascara under the same line, but considering that Neutrogena’s Hydro Boost line is all about plumping and replenishing, it makes sense. Just like the iconic moisturizer, this mascara utilizes the power of hyaluronic acid for its hydrating and plumping benefits. It provides extreme volume in just one coat, and the formula’s nourishing ingredients help maintain the lashes' soft and silky feel.

Our tester found that the tapered wand helped her reach her inner and outer corner lashes, and she loved that she was able to achieve dramatic volume in one coat. Even though it created thick, bold lashes and stayed put through the tests, it was easy to remove which earned it a top score in the performance category. 

While our tester loved her experience using this mascara, some online reviewers found it too thick and clumpy, so if you’re looking for a volumizing mascara that you can build slowly, keep this in mind.  

Price at time of publish: $10

Benefits: Volumizing | Byrdie Clean: Yes | Cruelty-Free: No

Best for Everyday Wear

Innisfree Skinny Waterproof Microcara Mascara

4.7

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If you love the look of naturally defined lashes but you struggle with smudging and flaking, this mascara could be just what you need. It has a micro-fine brush which allows you to target each lash while slowly building up the product to your desired look. The formula works to lengthen the lashes, and the narrow brush helps to curl them by allowing you to get super close to the roots. Our tester shared that when she first looked at the brush, she was doubtful that it would be able to fully coat her lashes, but was pleasantly surprised by how easily it applied the formula.

She did note that because the wand is so long and skinny, she found it a bit difficult to hold at first. However, the beautiful, natural-looking results quickly made that minor inconvenience worth it. She also loved that because there isn’t an overabundance of product on the brush, application and removal were effortless.

Price at time of publish: $9  

Benefits: Curling, Lengthening | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: No

Best False Lash Dupe

L’Oréal Bambi Eye Waterproof Mascara

4.6

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L’Oréal has plenty of outstanding mascara formulas in its line, but if you ask us, this one is underrated. The brush features a combination of long and short bristles that help separate the lashes for a fanned-out look—and the formula provides clump-free volume that lasts. 

Our tester explained that while the brush was a bit big for targeting tight areas, it did a great job at building on volume quickly without looking or feeling goopy. She loved that the results looked like falsies, but the tedious task of applying fake lashes wasn’t required to achieve the look. She also noted that in addition to our tests, she tried to smudge it with her fingers—and it still didn’t budge. 

While some waterproof formulas can be nearly impossible to remove without harsh rubbing with makeup remover, she shared that this one came off surprisingly well with just a few swipes of a cotton pad soaked in makeup remover. 

Price at time of publish: $12

Benefits: Volumizing | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: No

Easiest to Remove

Lancôme Monsieur Big Waterproof Mascara

4.8

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After the washable formula reached top-shelf status for many beauty enthusiasts, it only makes sense that Lancôme released the Monsieur Big Mascara in a waterproof formula. And just like the original, this one creates an incredibly full, dramatic lash look. 

According to our tester, one of the best attributes is that the brush effectively provides intense volume without missing any of the lashes. Despite how thick it can be built up, she shared that she was able to remove it quite easily with micellar water. 

While she loved the results, she did note that after two coats her lashes looked slightly weighed down—so if you worry about droopy lashes, this is something to keep in mind. 

Price at time of publish: $30

Benefits: Volumizing | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: No