25 May 2024 , 07:00
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Whether you’re a hayfever sufferer, are planning on taking a swim, or have been invited to a summer wedding, there’s one universal challenge that beauty enthusiasts face: how to maintain flawless makeup throughout the day. But there's one product you can add to your makeup routine right now to help.
With the warm weather, many of us may want to ditch heavy bases and full glam for a dab of concealer and some mascara for the beach or the pool, while those attending glam events like your best friend’s wedding will want to ensure the ugly crying doesn’t ruin their makeup on the big day. Meanwhile, hayfever sufferers will often makeup all together for fear of pollen-induced eye-streaming.
While a good primer or a setting spray can certainly help lock makeup in place all day, it often doesn't extend to mascara. The combination of sweat, water, and heat can quickly transform perfectly curled lashes into a smudged, unflattering panda-eye situation. But according to experts, waterproof mascaras are the ultimate sweat-proof, cry-proof and pool-proof addition to your summer routine.
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Hayley Walker, an in-house MUA at said: “For hay fever sufferers, waterproof mascara is a must. These formulas are less likely to run or smudge if your eyes water due to hay fever symptoms. With the right formula and application method, your mascara can stand up to sneezes and tears.”
The beauty buff also said the biggest mistake people make is applying too much product to your eyelashes. She added: “With a good mascara, a single coat will be enough to achieve the desired look without overwhelming your lashes and reduces the risk of irritation and running. If your eyes feel itchy due to hay fever, try and resist the urge to rub them. Rubbing can cause mascara to smudge and further irritate your eyes.”
A lot of people avoid waterproof mascara due to a belief that they’re tricky to remove, and while that can be true for some formulas, a good oil-based cleanser should do the trick. We really like the , but if you’re after something a little more budget friendly, then the .
Here are The Mirror beauty team’s top five favourite waterproof mascaras to ensure your peepers stay smudge and transfer-free throughout all your summer plans:
Revolution’s 5D Whip Lift Mascara went viral shortly after launching, with beauty fans leaving hundreds of five star reviews praising the mascara, with one saying ‘’Would love to see a too.” And it didn’t take long for the brand to answer our beauty prayers.
Following the success of this affordable £9.99 mascara, the brand announced the arrival of the The latest launch offers the same lash lift technology but in a waterproof formula, with a unique twisted vortex shape that grabs every lash from the root and directs it upwards to give the ultimate lifted look.
Infused with castor oil and argan oil to condition and nourish lashes, 90 per cent of testers agreed that the ‘doesn't smudge throughout the day’. What’s more is that its ultra-black waterproof formula provides extreme length and volume promising no smudging, no crumbling and absolutely no drooping.
Shoppers have been saying it’s the - but hope the brand will once again listen to customers and bring out a brown version, next. One said: “Have tried many waterproof mascaras over the years, and this is the best I’ve ever used. My lashes were coated from first swipe and I really didn’t need a second coat. Lasted all day and kept the curl. No panda eyes or irritation. Came off easily with my Ordinary cleanser. Would be perfect if they had it in brown, as that’s my preferred daytime shade. Please consider a range of shades Team Revolution.”
Eyeko Sport Waterproof Mascara - £19 (LookFantastic)Eyeko’s Sport Waterproof Mascara is said to be the . Containing collagen, ceramides and 12 fruit extracts, this waterproof mascara is a winner for anyone on the go.
Beauty enthusiasts can use the curved side of this brush to build volume to your lashes, then flip it over and use the straight back to run through again to see length and definition. Fibre-enhanced, this formula includes vitamin E, creating dramatic lashes to see you through your workout or leisurely swim.
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One LookFantastic shopper gave it a five star review, commenting: “Got this in a GWP years ago and have been buying since. . Gives great volume.”
Another added: “I always use a waterproof mascara as I hate the flakiness or normal mascaras. This one really lasts and and it really holds, I used it on a holiday where I was in the pool or sea most of the time and it held all day and night”
But one didn’t like the fibre-heavy formula, saying they ‘fall off everywhere’ upon application. They said: “On the positive side, the mascara is waterproof. I've worn it all day long for beach, swimming etc and it stayed in place, no panda eyes! I cannot recommend it though, due to the frustration in applying it. This was so time consuming, as the brush is awful! It is full of fibres that are not actually attached to the brush, so they fall off everywhere as you go to use it!”
UKLash have just launched a new mascara (UKLash)Coming from one of the hottest brands in the lash business, best known for their award-winning eyelash serum, perfect for anyone looking to achieve longer, curlier, and more definition lashes.
The formula is designed to provide maximum coverage with minimal clumping, while the wand is . This helps with separating them and providing maximum length and volume, allowing you to achieve a natural yet dramatic look. The mascara is also water-resistant but formulated to be easily removed without rough scrubbing.
Its is boosted by natural Carnauba and Candelilla waxes for optimum curl and hold, whilst Glycerin helps to hydrate and moisturise the lashes as you wear it.
Our shopping writer Lucy Addicott tried their lash growth serum for three months - you can read her review .
Wet n Wild Megalast Breakup Proof Waterproof Boosting Mascara - £7.49 (Boots)While we certainly aren’t planning any breakups, at least we can count on this mascara to stick by us in the event of one. The is a smudge-proof, waterproof mascara which delivers extreme volume and length to your lashes.
Infused with a blend of castor oil, vitamin E, and vegetable collagen, your lashes will look softer and plumper than they ever have before. The unique coats every lash from root to tip for stunning results.
Priced at it’s very affordable but only has one shopper review - albeit a five star one - which reads: “Very nice mascara, goes on nicely but very hard to take off at night.”
L’Oréal Paris Paradise Waterproof Mascara - £8.39 (lookfantastic.com)Whether you're headed to the pool, or off to the park for a picnic in the sunshine, the is a great option to consider. The volumising formula gives the illusion of more defined, dramatic eyes, and .
Fitted with an ultra-soft brush, the black mascara applies effortlessly and captures even the tiniest of eyelashes, for maximum impact and intensity. It promises intensified, flake-free lashes and a smudge-proof finish.
One LookFantastic shopper said: “Great I have terribly watery eyes in all weather. This doesn’t budge. Yet it is a lot easier to remove than others by the brand. Winner all round.”
But another was a little more divided, writing: “Good points - This mascara is thick & has - needs an eye makeup remover to shift it! It dries quickly too, & the result is dramatic. Bad points - the brush is very fat so it's hard to do the little lashes on the inner corners of the eyes without getting it all over your skin (with subsequent struggle to clean off!).”
Best high end waterproof mascara alternatives
Too Faced’s Better Than Sex Waterproof Mascara (LookFantastic)So we’ve nailed our top five, but which other waterproof mascaras do we rate? When it comes to more premium brands, there’s a reason why is named as such. Priced at , it’s formulated with high-performance, water-resistant polymers for sweat-proof long-lasting results.
For those looking for something incredibly long-wearing for say, a wedding, then the £33 promises a 24h-wear waterproof formula offering spectacular volume and curl, infused with lash-caring cotton nectar. Designed for different types of lashes, the mascara defines, coats and fans out lashes to the extreme for XXL volume and lasting curl.
Priced at £25, offers a waterproof and smudge-resistant formula, long-lasting wear, and a heat and humidity resisting, non-clumping finish, while , at £27 is said to ‘create major volume without weighing down lashes.’
Best budget waterproof mascara alternatives
Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky High Waterproof Mascara Black (Boots)You don’t have to pay a fortune for smudge-free lashes, though, with plenty of more affordable options on the high street, some of which are even under £10. Maybelline's famous follows their viral OG formula and will see you through any summer event. Thanks to the Flex Tower mascara brush, it bends to volumise and extend every single lash from root to tip. The washable is infused with bamboo extract and fibers for long, full lashes that never get weighed down.
Cheaper still is the . With a traditional bristle style brush, it is a volumising mascara perfect for creating thicker looking lashes.
Elsewhere, the is made from anti-gravity wax coupled with an asymmetrical double-sided brush – the ultimate combination for an instant curl and lifted volume.
But if you’re after a seriously budget-friendly option, then The sleek flexible wand hugs every single lash with both vertical and horizontal bristles to add all the definition and drama you want - and it only costs £6.