I Used to Hate Tubing Mascara. These 5 Changed My Mind.
- kellyrosesarno
- Jun 24
- 4 min read
Not all mascaras are created equal, and if you've ever dealt with smudging, flaking, or raccoon eyes throughout the day, you know exactly what I'm talking about.
That's where tubing mascaras come in.
If you've been around here for a while, you'll know, "I'm the girl that tries mascara so you don't have to."
But, when it comes to tubing mascaras, I wasn't always convinced.
For years I heard people rave about tubing formulas, but I often found them lacking in the volume and drama I wanted. Fast forward to today, and I've tested enough tubing mascaras to completely change my mind.
If you've been searching for the best tubing mascara, a smudge-proof mascara, or a mascara that can survive long days without flaking or transferring, this list is for you.
Unlike traditional mascaras, tubing formulas wrap each lash in tiny tubes that resist smudging, flaking, and transferring throughout the day. And when it's time to take it off? All you need is warm water—no scrubbing, rubbing, or makeup remover required.
Here are my top five tubing mascaras, ranked from #5 all the way to my absolute favorite.
I love this mascara because it's a great introduction to tubing formulas.
The Covergirl Eye Enhancer Wrap Tubing Mascara is affordable, easy to find, and delivers beautiful results. It creates soft, fluttery lashes that look natural and effortless.
If you're tubing-curious and don't want to spend a lot of money trying a new formula, this is where I'd start.
It's proof that you don't have to spend a fortune to get a great tubing mascara.
If you're looking for a clean beauty option, this is the tubing mascara I'd recommend first.
The Kulfi Beauty Badi Lash Mascara delivers something that many tubing mascaras struggle with... serious volume.
This formula gives lashes impressive fullness while still creating beautiful length. The staying power is fantastic, and it wears incredibly well throughout the day.
For a clean mascara, the performance is worth mentioning. It gives you that dramatic lash look while still offering all the benefits tubing mascara lovers are looking for.
3. Tarte Tartelette XL Tubing Mascara (Gold Tube)
A quick note: I'm specifically talking about the gold tube version.
If length and separation are your top priorities, this one deserves your attention.
The Tartelette XL Tubing Mascara creates beautifully defined lashes with incredible separation. Every lash gets coated, lifted, and elongated without looking clumpy or heavy. It also has phenomenal staying power. Once it's on, it isn't going anywhere.
This is the mascara I recommend for anyone who loves a clean, separated lash look that lasts all day.
This is the mascara that made me stop being a tubing mascara skeptic.
The Persona Volumizing Tubing Mascara completely changed my opinion of what a tubing mascara could be. The formula lifts, separates, and adds volume while still keeping lashes soft and pretty.
And can we talk about the brown version for a second? It is absolutely stunning.
If you're someone who loves that effortless, polished lash look, the brown shade is one of the prettiest mascara formulas I've ever used.
This mascara proves that tubing formulas can be beautiful, volumizing, and incredibly wearable.
This mascara absolutely blew me away the first time I tried it, and I've been using it consistently since it launched earlier this year. I genuinely think it's the best overall tubing mascara I've ever tried.
What makes it special is that it applies and wears like a traditional mascara while still giving you all the benefits of a tubing formula. It builds beautifully, allowing you to layer and layer without clumping. Whether you want a more natural look or full-on dramatic lashes, this mascara can do both.
The best part? It performs like a prestige mascara at a drugstore price. If you're only going to try one tubing mascara from this list, make it this one.
The Bottom Line
Tubing mascaras have come a long way, and these formulas completely changed the way I think about them.
Whether you're looking for incredible volume, endless length, beautiful separation, a clean beauty option, or a budget-friendly introduction to tubing mascara, there's something on this list for you.
Before you go, don't forget to check out my mascara spreadsheet. I've reviewed nearly 350 mascaras (and counting!), and I update the spreadsheet every time I test a new one. If you're trying to find the perfect mascara for your lashes, it's a great resource to bookmark and come back to whenever you're mascara shopping.
Have you tried any of these tubing mascaras? Let me know which one is your favorite, or tell me which mascara I should test next!
Love & Light
KRS
I’m going to have to try the persona! I’ve never tried it before and I’m always looking for a good brown mascara. I love the tartlette XL in black. Their brown is really dark though.