Tubing mascara is on the rise, with online searches for these formulas jumping by 176% over the past year, according to Fresha data - but do you know what tubing mascara is, and why it's suddenly everywhere?
Tubing mascara is a rising star of the makeup scene and deservedly so. Designed to be completely smudge-resistant, tubing formulas form little polymer tubes around lashes that stay put all day, so they are some of the best mascaras for anyone who doesn't want to worry about transfer or flaking.
What's more, the best tubing mascaras are also a dream to remove, slipping off gently with warm water and a bit of pressure - making them a great choice for anyone with sensitive eyes. If this all sounds too good to be true, we will concede there are a few caveats that are worth learning before you invest in tubing formula. Below, expert makeup artists and our beauty editors detail all the need-to-knows.
What is tubing mascara? The experts break it down
"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. Tubing mascara has so many benefits, as not only do those little 'tubes' promote longer wear time, but 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.
The clue is in the name of this luxurious mascara – it's almost unbelievably lengthening and really does give a falsies effect. Not many tubing mascaras are this dramatic-looking, or as suited to evening wear, so it's no surprise this is a favourite of beauty editors and makeup artists alike.
A supremely natural-looking mascara that subtly lengthens and defines, but never looks too much. Our beauty editor's advice column on tubing mascara, hailed this as the perfect everyday mascara - and it deserves every award it's won (there are many) for being supremely smudge-resistant.
Maybelline always do mascara well - and the brand's first tubing formula is no different. It offers plenty of length and flutter while leaving the lashes looking separated and defined, not clumpy, and crucially, like all tube formulas, never smears or imprints on your lids.
Five things you should know about tubing mascara
1. It's extremely lengthening (but not very volumising)
Tubing formulations make some of the best lengthening mascaras for 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 want to look elsewhere.
2. It's so 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.
It's also great for anyone with sensitive eyes, as your eyes won’t be irritated by excessive rubbing or the products needed to melt off other types of long-wear mascara. And, 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 paint-like types of mascara. This means your pillowcase will be free of pesky black flakes, and your lashes are less likely to harbour 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 getting caught in a 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, it 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 volumising mascara, or have a budget favourite 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 - and irritating - 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.
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