WHAT IS TUBING MASCARA AND WHY IT’S A LASH ENHANCING GAME-CHANGER
If you’re algorithm is on BeautyTok (as it should be) chances are you’ve seen countless videos of beauty influencers raving about tubing mascaras and the lifting effect they have on your lashes. Easy to apply and even easier to remove, tubing mascara have quickly gained traction with the makeup onsessed for its exciting and innovative formula and time saving removal process.
But what is tubing mascara? What’s the difference between a traditional wand and a tubing mascara wand? And who really benefits from using it? To make all your eye-defining dreams come true, we’ve created the ultimate guide to tubing mascaras, so all you need to do it pick your favourite formula, swipe on a couple of coats and go...
In This Article:
- What Is Tubing Mascara
- What’s The Difference Between Tubing Mascara VS Traditional Mascara
- How To Remove Tubing Mascara
The Best Tubing Mascaras - Tubing Mascara FAQs
FIRST UP, WHAT IS TUBING MASCARA
Although not actually a new innovation (thank you Kevyn Aucoin for creating the first tubing mascara in the early 2000s!), tubing mascaras essentially wrap pigment polymers around individual lash hairs like a tube instead of coating them. This way, tubing mascaras create lash enhancing tubes along each lash hair making them look longer and thicker.
WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN TUBING MASCARA VS TRADITIONAL MASCARA
The main differences between tubing mascaras and more the more traditional versions are the formula and removal process. Because tubing mascaras create a ‘tube’ of pigment along each individual lash hair, tubing mascaras last longer, are better suited for those with sensitive skin and eyes, dry down quicker and tend to be smudge-proof. Traditional mascaras on the other hand are usually formulated with wax, oils and pigment resins which often means they smudge, clump or disintegrate throughout the day... especially if you have oilier skin and are prone to watery eyes. The only con with a tubing mascara, however, is that you cannot build the formula up the same way you can with a traditional mascara, and as such, it’s slightly harder to create really dramatic finishes. But, because they lengthen individual lash hairs, tubing mascaras make great alternatives to creating everyday looks when you want your eyes to appear more open and your lashes to appear longer.
HOW TO REMOVE TUBING MASCARA
What makes tubing mascaras really unique is the way that you remove them at the end of the day. Tubing mascaras do not need a special makeup remover and rely solely on warm water. Unlike waterproof mascaras (which are often compared to tubing mascaras), a tubing mascara doesn’t need a specific formula to remove it, won't smudge, crush or leave racoon eyes when you finally get round to washing your face. Quick, easy and effortless it's no wonder people are turning to tubing mascaras.
THE BEST TUBING MASCARAS
Ok, so now we understand the what and the how's, let’s dive into some of the best tubing mascaras on our Cult Beauty shelves...
Kevyn Aucoin The Curling Mascara Rich Pitch Black
31.00€
By Kevyn Aucoin, the visionary makeup master behind tubing mascara, The Curling Mascara is a smudge-resistant formula that coats each lash for seamless definition. Powered by the brand’s unique Curl-Building Technology, this creamy formula lengthens and volumises your lashes... instantly. Offering clump-free definition with every swipe, this mascara also features jojoba oil and squalane to leave your lashes feeling nourished, protected and visibly thicker.
RevitaLash Length Define Tubing Mascara
36.80€
Hailed for its clever formulation, RevitaLash’s Lenfth Defining Tubing Mascara calls on the brand's innovative tubing technology and moisture-locking formula to deliver length and health to your eyelashes. Enriched with biotin, peptides and vitamins this tubing mascara not only provides visibly longer and more striking lashes but also helps strengthen and nourish your lash hairs with each use.
Too Faced Ribbon Wrapped Lash Mascara
6
28.00€
Grip, separate and stretch each lash hair with Too Faced’s Ribbon Wrapped Lash Mascara. Featuring ultra fine bristles and a slender wand, this mascara effortlessly hooks onto your lash hairs with the brand’s groundbreaking Ribbon Wrap Technology, creating a fluttery, fanned out lashes that are smudge-proof and long and ensure your peepers look elongated and wide-eyed.
Charlotte Tilbury Exaggereyes Volume Mascara
59
32.20€
Create up to 28 hours of serious volume and curl with Charlotte Tilbury’s Exaggereyes Volume Mascara. Powered by the brand’s Lash Vinyl-Black Wrap Technology (infused with jojoba waxes to nourish and care) and a unique ultra-curved wand to hug, grip and separate each flutter, this unique tubing wand offers maximum precision and clump-free results for a total root-to-tip lifting effect.
Hourglass Unlocked Instant Extensions Mascara
35
39.10€
Mimic the coveted lash-lifted look with Hourglass’ Unlocked Instant Extensions Mascara. Moulded with a slight curve, this cutting-edge wand features film-forming technology that coats each lash hair with long-lasting volume. Creating wispy, natural but lifted flutters, this clever mascara ensures a smudge-proof finish that doesn’t budge until you decide it’s time to take it off.
TUBING MASCARA FAQs
Is tubing mascara damaging to lashes?
No, tubing mascara is not damaging to lashes and is often gentler than a traditional mascara. Tubing mascaras are typically considered lash-friendly because they don’t need harsh rubbing motions to remove them, they wrap around each lash instead of hardening like paint (which can cause lash brittleness) and finally, require less touch-ups throughout their wear and therefore less mechanical stress on your eyes and lashes when you apply.
Why do people not like tubing mascara?
Some people may not like tubing mascaras for a few different reasons. Firstly, tubing mascaras can appear different on your eyes and often feel stiffer or firmer than when you apply a traditional mascara. Because tubing mascaras concentrate on length and definition, some people may think that their lashes aren't as voluminous or thick which is easier to achieve with a traditional mascara. And finally, some people may struggle with the unique removal process of using warm water and sliding (not rubbing) the mascara off.
Does mascara on bottom lashes age you?
Whether mascara on the bottom lashes ages you or not depends on how it’s applied and the formula – not necessarily the mascara itself. So, if you use a mascara that is heavy or clumpy, smudges and flakes or is too dark for your skin tone these can all exaggerate your texture, fine lines and wrinkles. However, if you apply a thin coat to add definition using a tubing mascara, in a tone that suits your colouring (i.e. a coloured mascara in beige, brown or espresso) these all negate the look of the eyes being pulled down and therefore appearing older.
Rina is Cult Beauty’s Midweight SEO Copywriter and has always had a passion for beauty and skin care (rich moisturisers are her obsession). What started as a love for The Body Shop and their famed Born Lippy lip balms (in ‘Watermelon’ of course!), she is now more interested in finding products with proven effectiveness instead of broken promises. A loud and proud VIEVE fan, Rina owns nearly every item of the range and recommends the brand to anyone who will listen... When she’s not intently reading ingredient lists, you can find her either immersed in multiple true crime podcasts or a fantasy romance novel, with an *extra* hot cappuccino in hand.
