Lengthening, volumising and curling our natural lashes, there’s just one area that mascara often doesn’t do well in: resisting water. Get caught in an unexpected rainstorm or shed a few tears and you're guaranteed to see smudging – or worse, grey watery tracks running down your cheeks. That’s where the best waterproof mascaras come in very handy – accentuating your lashes and staying put when they come into contact with water.
Yes, some of the best mascara buys will even withstand a dip in the pool. And while we may once have had to compromise a little on the look of the mascara for it to withstand wetness, waterproof formulas have come on in leaps and bounds. Today, many look as good as their non-water-repelling counterparts.
On that note, whether you're planning ahead for that summer holiday or you just want something that'll last through a weekly swim, below we've reviewed the best waterproof mascaras to help you find one that matches your preferences and budget.
The best waterproof mascaras, reviewed by a beauty editor
Reviewed by: Lucy Abbersteen
RRP: £27 | Shades: Black
Many waterproof versions of well-loved mascaras tend to have slightly different results to the original option, but we couldn't see much of a difference between Badgal BANG! and the non-waterproof edition. Not only that, but as well as not smudging all over the place when met with water the defined look stayed largely intact. As for how it feels to wear, the formula also contains provitamin B5 to condition your lashes, and indeed we found that it didn't feel drying throughout the day.
We would say that if you prefer a fluttery, delicate and understated lash look, this probably won't be the right waterproof mascara for you. But if you like your lashes to have an impact with an ultra-black finish and you need them to resist pool water or tears, you can put your trust in this Benefit number. One of the best Benefit mascaras and one of the best waterproof mascaras all in one.
Reasons to buy: Creates impactful volume and adds length in a few swips
Reasons to avoid: Might be too intense for some
Reviewed by: Lucy Abbersteen
RRP: £30 | Shades: Black
There are so many brilliant Lancôme mascaras that one of the brand's waterproof options had to make the cut. Like its non-water-withstanding counterpart, we found the Lash Idôle Waterproof Mascara creates beautifully fluttery, lengthened lashes thanks to multi-length bristles that catch on to every lash. It really struck us how wet this formula is, where a lot of waterproof mascaras are quite dry.
While we always recommend curling your lashes first, thanks to its angled brush head you can really wiggle this wand into the root of the lashes to lift them, making it one of the best mascaras for straight lashes in particular or those who just don't love curling their lashes. The formula is a little drier than the original, as is common with waterproof mascaras, but the results are still really pretty and left our lashes feeling slightly flexible. Best of all, though, it didn't smudge all over the place when met with water, so it's one that you can rely on.
Reasons to buy: Angled brush works well at lifting lashes
Reasons to avoid: Difficult to fault, but quite pricey for mascara
Reviewed by: Lucy Abbersteen
RRP: £3.99 | Shades: Black
We don't think that anybody out there would test this mascara and not be wowed given its almost ridiculously low price tag. The original Essence Lash Princess mascara is consistently the number one best-selling mascara on Amazon, so we had high expectations for its waterproof little sister – and thankfully, she delivers!
Lash Princess Waterproof strikes that great balance between adding length and volume with a lovely jet-black finish. Sure, there are more luxuriously-packaged mascaras out there, but we believe it's all about the performance, and this mascara withstands water without getting too clumpy. So, if the budget is small and you want to spend as little as possible on your waterproof mascara, give this a whirl. You can also read our original Essence Lash Princess False Eyelash Effect mascara review to find out more about the original viral product.
Reasons to buy: Very affordable
Reasons to avoid: Not the most luxe-feeling packaging
Reviewed by: Lucy Abbersteen
RRP: £31 | Shades: Black
This is widely regarded as one of the best mascaras for smudgy eyes all round, not just in the waterproof category. We find it adds a nice amount of length, separates lashes fairly well and is great for a feathery effect which looks lovely on lower lashes too.
The downside here is the price, as £31 a pop is fairly expensive as mascara goes – especially if, like us, you go through lashings of the stuff. But it has had legions of loyal fans for decades, particularly for everyday wear on smudge-prone eyes.
Reasons to buy: You want a feathery effect that works well on lower lashes
Reasons to avoid: You don't have a big budget, as £30+ is quite pricey for mascara
Reviewed by: Lucy Abbersteen
RRP: £20 | Shades: Black, brown
Often, waterproof mascaras are only available in black, but we were pleased to see that Beauty Pie's also comes in a rich brown shade – pictured above – that still packs intense impact. We loved the curved brush, fitting into the roots of our lashes to really lift and separate them out, and that it added a nice amount of
Effect-wise, lashes look velvety and have an 'all-rounder' balance of length and volume – if you want more of one than the other, you may want to look to Lancome for length and Benefit or Too Faced for mega volume. But for colour choices and generally great performance, this ticked our boxes and then some.
Reasons to buy: You want a velvety finish and/or prefer brown mascara
Reasons to avoid: Requires a membership for the lower price
Reviewed by: Lucy Abbersteen
RRP: £28 | Shades: Black
One of the best volumising mascaras, the original Better Than Sex mascara has a stellar reputation, and those mega lifting and volumizing capabilities also come in a waterproof edition. Just like the original, the hourglass-shaped wand catches sparser lashes in the inner and outer corners of the eye brilliantly and lifts all of them up to add a great amount of volume to lashes.
The formula has also been designed with your lashes in mind, thanks to moisturising porcelain flower extract, and has an ultra-black finish. If volume is your number one priority, you can rest easy knowing that this one will last you through any occasions where waterproof mascara is required. And on a completely aesthetic note, the bubbled design of the packaging is pretty satisfying, no?
Reasons to buy: You want to add mega volume to your lashes
Reasons to avoid: You don't like lots of volume or a fluffy brush
Reviewed by: Lucy Abbersteen
RRP: £12.99 | Shades: Black
Springing onto the makeup scene two and a half years ago, the original Maybelline Sky High Mascara quickly found viral fame on TikTok, and is now one of the go-to affordable options on the market, touted by many as one of the best lengthening mascaras. Its die-hard fans were no doubt as delighted as we were when its sky-high capabilities were made pool-ready, too, thanks to this waterproof edition.
Like the original version, we found that it’s best for those who want length more than volume from their mascara, and while it does feel a little drier to apply we found that it still packs a great lengthening punch. Most importantly, though, it stayed on our lashes when met with water. This, combined with a slim brush makes it a great choice of mascara on bottom lashes, and we think it's a brilliant option if you can't afford to splash out on a more luxurious price tag. A worthy inclusion in your holiday bag!
Reasons to buy: Great for adding a nice amount of length, affordable
Reasons to avoid: Drier than the original and not quite as length-boosting
Reviewed by: Lucy Abbersteen
RRP: £27 | Shades: Black
After the original found viral fame for its buildability, the waterproof edition of MACStack came a year later. What sets it apart is that it's described as being infinitely buildable – or "stackable" – with some users demonstrating the ability to apply up to 40 or even 100 stacks, which we're sure you'll be glad to hear has carried through to the waterproof edition.
What we like most about this mascara, as well as its buildability, is the fanned-out volume it creates. As is common with many waterproof mascaras, we'd note that it can be a little tricky to get off (a testament to its staying power), but it's nothing that a couple of rounds with a good bi-phase remover can't handle – see our guide on how to remove waterproof mascara for help in that department. In short, if you want to really be able to build volume with your mascara without the risk of clumping, we say this is a great one for the job.
Reasons to buy: Incredibly buildable, great for fluffy volume
Reasons to avoid: Quite tricky to remove
Reviewed by: Lucy Abbersteen
RRP: £13 | Shades: Black
If the thought – let alone the feel – of rock-hard lashes makes you cringe, this option from UKLASH is a very worthy contender for your new waterproof mascara. With a handy curved brush we found fits right into the roots for easy application that builds well, our lashes felt soft and feather-like while wearing, so there's no danger of crispy-feeling, dried-out lashes here.
Despite its name, we will point out that we noticed the volume this mascara gives is on the understated side – so if you prefer standout dramatic volume to a more natural look you may want to look into one of the volumising options earlier in our guide. But if fluttery and elegant-looking lashes are your bag, trust us that this lovely buy will see you through a trip to the beach and then some.
Reasons to buy: You like a curved brush and a subtle fluttery effect
Reasons to avoid: You want a really bold, standout lash look
How we tested the best waterproof mascaras
First and foremost, all of these mascaras have been tested to see how well they stay in place when faced with water. But during the rigorous testing process, our beauty expert took note of all of the following factors to determine how good of a mascara it is overall and to decide if it's worthy of a place in our edit.
- How well it withstood water
- Ease of application
- If it clumped or flaked
- How well it wore throughout the day
- Number of shades available
- Packaging
- Price
How to choose the best waterproof mascara
- Formula: Waterproof mascaras can be a bit drying, so look for one with nourishing ingredients to avoid causing unnecessary damage to your lashes.
- Waterproof vs sweat resistant: If you plan to go swimming, you want a robust waterproof formula. But if you're looking for something sweat resistant, for example, you might be better with a tubing formula. These can be gentler on the lashes.
- Price point: Always a key consideration, but it's worth considering how much you want to invest and potentially re-spend on a mascara.
- Makeup remover: Even the best cleansers aren't always optimised to remove waterproof mascara formulas. Instead, invest in a dedicated make-up remover. Your lashes will thank you.
- Colour: Most waterproof mascaras only come in black. If you're looking for a lighter shade, your choices become a little more restricted – for brown lashes, we recommend Beauty Pie's The Perfect Waterproof Mascara in Superglossy Brown.
What is the difference between waterproof and water-resistant mascara?
The clue is in the name: waterproof mascaras are designed to survive very wet situations, like swimming in the sea or a pool, and can take being completely submerged. Water-resistant formulas, on the other hand, can handle a bit of moisture, such as sweat or slightly watery eyes, but aren't quite as hardy.
Are there any downsides to waterproof mascara?
It's true that there are some very general downsides to a water-repelling mascara. "Some waterproof mascaras can stick to the lashes like glue and are very difficult to remove at the end of the day," explains Nima Pourian, UKLASH founder. "This can lead to excessive rubbing of the eyes or even cause some mascara to stay on the eyelashes – both of which can cause unnecessary lash fall-out and can make your eyelashes weaker." Not only do you want a good-quality formula, therefore, but knowing how to remove waterproof mascara properly is also a must.
If you aren't planning on swimming or shedding a few tears, makeup artist and podcast host Rose Gallagher recommends trying one of the best tubing mascaras, instead, as they're that little bit easier to remove and will resist smudging. However: "If you’re going on holiday you’re going to need it, because if tubing mascara removes with water, a pool would obliterate it!" she stresses.
Our expert panel
Lucy Abbersteen is a freelance beauty editor and one of woman&home's contributing beauty editor. With close to a decade of experience in the industry, she's tested hundreds of mascaras, including many waterproof formulas – making her well-placed to revisit them for this guide and rank the very best.
Rose Gallagher is a professional makeup artist and content creator, who also serves as an ambassador for skincare and makeup brand IT Cosmetics. As an MUA, she's tried many mascaras both on her own lashes and clients, meaning she's well placed to advise on formulas.
Nima Pourian is the founder of UKLASH, makers of one of the best waterproof mascaras featured in this guide. He also shared some insights into some of the sticking points of waterproof formulas.