9 best tubing mascaras 2026, reviewed by Glamour editors
It’s no surprise there are countless mascaras on the market today – after all, they’re a staple in almost every make-up bag. Lately, though, I’ve found myself drawn to tubing mascaras. Why, you ask? The best tubing mascaras excel at solving one of the most stressful aspects of wearing a mascara – the removal.
Instead of having to use heavy-duty cleansing balms or oil to take off a waterproof mascara (only to then end up rocking raccoon eyes anyway), tubing mascara can be easily removed with warm water – eliminating the mess from the equation. That's because they're formulated with clever polymers that end up forming little tubes (hence the name) around each individual lash, allowing them to slide off in one piece during removal.
Featured in this article:
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The best part? Tubing mascaras are also known to be way less prone to flaking and smudging, making them a great choice for special occasions or prolonged wear. “I generally use tubing mascara on clients who have oilier eyelids because it tends to be smudge-free, flake-free, and water-resistant, which means it’ll stay in place,” says celebrity makeup artist Kasha Lassien. As well as being great for clients with shorter lashes, Kasha also likes using it on shoots where the model may be sweating (thanks to its impressive staying power).
In this edit, you'll find a carefully curated selection of the best editor-approved tubing mascaras on the market. I've also taken the time to quiz MUAs on everything you need to know about tubing formulas before purchasing, plus their expert advice on how to find the best one for your individual needs. Eyelash curlers at the ready; it's time to take those lashes to new heights.
- Glamour's full reviews.
- What is a tubing mascara?
- What are the benefits of using a tubing mascara?
- Who is tubing mascara best for?
- How do you apply tubing mascara for the best results?
- How to tell if a mascara is tubing?
- How do you take off a tubing mascara?
- Do tubing mascaras provide the same results as traditional mascaras?
- What is the downside of tubing mascara?
How I tested the best tubing mascaras:
At Glamour, it's important to us that you can trust our reviews – so we made sure to put each of the tubing mascaras in this edit through its paces before featuring. When reviewing each formula, I carefully assessed it based on different criteria: a) the wand design; b) the formulation; c) the pigment; and d) the longevity. I also noted how easy each tubing mascara was to remove, given that one of the greatest benefits of a tubing mascara is its purported easy removal.
I also ensured to test my favourite tubing mascaras across various types of lashes (courtesy of our diverse team): from naturally curly lashes to sparse, damaged lashes, pin-straight lashes or naturally thick lashes. You can see my colleagues joining me in the testing process below.
- Number of mascaras tested: 9.
- Glamour's standard testing period: 2-3 weeks.
- Testing settings: At the office, at home, at the gym, on a night out, or on a special occasion.
- Criteria: Wand type (curling, volumising or lengthening), formulation, longevity, pigment, smudging or flaking, and removal.
Why you can trust me
I’ve spent the past five years working as a shopping writer – three at Hearst, contributing to titles like Cosmopolitan, ELLE UK and Harper’s Bazaar, and the last two at Glamour, where testing beauty products is at the very core of what I do. So when I say a formula truly impresses, it’s because it’s survived the ultimate road test: my daily commutes, long days, gym classes, and my (admittedly picky) mascara standards.
With support from the wider Glamour team, we’ve tested dozens of tubing mascaras – from curling and lengthening formulas to those that deliver a noticeable boost in volume or definition. Our goal has always been the same: to cut through the noise and curate a genuinely authoritative edit of the best tubing mascaras on the market.
That means championing formulas across a range of price points and celebrating the brands that consistently deliver - from cult favourites like UKLASH, Charlotte Tilbury, and Hourglass to affordable heroes from e.l.f. Cosmetics and beyond.
After something else to accentuate your eyes? Shop the best brown mascaras, best waterproof mascaras, best false eyelashes and best eyelash serum.
Ahead, our full edit of the best tubing mascaras, tried and tested:
- Effect: Gives longer-looking, defined lashes with length, lift and volume.
- Shades: Black and Mocha (Brown).
- Cruelty-free? Yes.
- Vegan? Yes.
- Tester: Shani Cohen, Beauty Commerce Writer.
Shani's review: This one went straight into my makeup bag the second I tried it because it does exactly what you want from a tubing mascara (and a bit more). The formula is really lightweight but somehow still grabs every lash from root to tip, so I get nice, clean length without that stiff, crunchy feeling or any smudging halfway through the day.
It stays put through commutes, workouts and long days at the desk, yet slides off effortlessly with warm water at night. The wand is slim enough to catch the tiny lashes in the inner corner, and the Mocha shade is a dream for softer, everyday definition. It’s dependable, flattering and genuinely easy to wear.
I’d actually kind of given up on mascara before this landed on my desk, because everything seemed to give me panda eyes, even under copious layers of setting spray. But this one has genuinely converted me. It’s the first mascara in months that’s earned a permanent spot in my makeup bag, and I’m genuinely impressed.
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Hourglass Unlocked Instant Extensions Mascara
- Effect: Volumising, lengthening, lifting.
- Shades: Ultra Black.
- Cruelty-free? Yes.
- Vegan? Yes.
- Tester: Lucy Morgan, Digital Director and Purpose Director.
Lucy's review: Hourglass always seems to get it right, so it’s no surprise their tubing mascara lives up to the hype. Said to deliver 400% more volume in 1 coat, it features a 4D Amplifier brush, which combines two brushes in one, so it lifts, lengthens, and adds a good amount of fullness without much effort. Genius.
It usually takes a lot for me to stray from my everyday mascara, but this one impressed me after a couple of uses. I don't tend to wear eyeliner, so I rely on my mascara to pack a punch and this one really impressed me, adding instant volume with deep, dramatic pigment.
It also provides smudge-proof definition with film-forming technology, which coats each lash without weighing them down. “It doesn’t feel heavy on the lashes, and lengthens and separates like a dream,” says MUA Jasmin Winnie Stephen.
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Tarte Tartelette Tubing Mascara
- Effect: Separating, curling, lifting.
- Shades: Black.
- Cruelty-free? Yes.
- Vegan? Yes.
- Tester: Denise Primbet, Beauty Contributor.
Denise's review: Designed with a 360° lash extension comb boasting 296 bristles that separate and lift, this tubing formula is not your regular mascara. It really helps define and hydrate lashes, as a result of the formula’s conditioning ingredients: shea butter, and castor oil, and carnauba wax.
As someone with sparse, thin, and stubborn lashes, mascara has never been a staple in my routine. I usually lean towards false lashes or extensions – but after experiencing damage from repeated use, I decided to give the Tartelette formula a try.
I was impressed by how ffortlessly it manages to lift, lengthen and define my lashes in just a few swipes, delivering an incredibly natural finish. The standout for me? Despite having sensitive eyes, I didn't experience any stinging during the removal process as it only required warm water to take it off.
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RevitaLash Length Define Tubing Mascara
- Effect: Lengthening.
- Shades: Black.
- Cruelty-free? Yes.
- Vegan? Yes.
- Tester: Sophie Cockett, Senior European Commerce Editor.
Sophie's review: If you're someone who has oily lids or if you're sick and tired of mascaras that result in clumpy lashes and smudge within the first few hours of wear, this latest tubing formula from RevitaLash might solve all of your mascara-related woes. Its length-boosting tubing technology coats every individual lash, delivering maximum definition and lasting wear.
I've personally been a fan of the Revitalash Advanced Eyelash Serum for years – the results are genuine and impressive – so I was very intrigued when they launched a tubing mascara. It promises lashes which are up to 300% (!) longer – which is obviously difficult to measure and feels like a lot. But my lashes do look longer than they have with most mascaras I've tested over the past year or so.
I've been reaching for it really regularly and love that it serves a natural yet dramatic look. It’s also usually sold out (which says a lot), but it happens to be in stock right now, so I wouldn't wait around if you’ve been curious to give it a go.
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Kevyn Aucoin The Volume Mascara Rich Pitch Black
- Effect: Volumising, lengthening, lifting.
- Shades: Black.
- Cruelty-free? Unspecified.
- Vegan? Yes.
- Tester: Mayola Fernandes, Commerce Writer.
Mayola's review: Kevyn Aucoin’s cult-favourite tubing mascara delivers noticeable volume thanks to featherlight fibres that bind to your lashes. Enriched with jojoba oil, it nourishes and hydrates, while the slim wand ensures a clump-free finish.
When I tested it, I put it on first thing in the morning before heading out for a full day that included a commute, a bit of running around between meetings, and after-work drinks. The result? It held up really well. My lashes stayed lifted and defined without dropping or smudging, and I didn't notice any flaking under my eyes by the end of the day.
A couple of swipes were enough to get that fanned-out, glossy look that gives the illusion of bigger eyes. It sat comfortably around the eye area, too, so I never had that worry about ending up with smudges or that panda eye effect halfway through the day.
- Effect: Extending, defining.
- Shades: Pitch Black, Soft Black and Deep Brown.
- Cruelty-free? Yes.
- Vegan? Yes.
- Tester: Shani Cohen, Beauty Commerce Writer.
Shani's review: There's a lot to love about this tubing mascara. For starters — the price! But beyond that, it's got really great reviews from a whole host of customers who seem genuinely surprised and impressed with just how much it extends your lashes.
Even if you apply more than one layer (it's easily buildable), you can still expect a defined and clump-free look, due to its flexible, tapered brush, which leaves no lash uncovered. It's also enriched with 5% jojoba seed oil to nourish and condition lashes.
I’ve tried my fair share of more expensive formulas over the years, so I put this one through the same routine – including wearing it to gym classes after busy days at work – and I was genuinely surprised by how well it held up. My lashes stayed lifted, didn’t smudge or flake, and still looked fresh by the end of it, which isn’t something I can say for a few pricier mascaras I’ve used in the past.
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Charlotte Tilbury Exagger-eyes Mascara
- Effect: Volumising.
- Shades: Black.
- Cruelty-free? Yes.
- Vegan? No.
- Tester: Camilla Kay, Former Beauty Director.
Camilla's review: If you’re all about va-va-voom volume, snap this option up, stat. Crafted from conditioning jojoba wax and plumping polymers, this innovative mascara will care for your lashes whilst delivering big, bold definition.
Housed in a glass bottle to keep the formula in tip-top condition, its curved brush with fibre bristles allows for better control and application, while guaranteeing smudge-proof, flake-proof, clump-proof and long-lasting results.
It usually takes a lot for me to call something a “favourite,” but this Charlotte Tilbury mascara won me over almost straight away. I love the intense black pigment, the volumising formula, and the quality of the wand – it all comes together to give me a really dramatic lash look when I want it.
- Effect: Lengthening, defining.
- Shades: Black.
- Cruelty-free? Yes.
- Vegan? Yes.
- Tester: Robyn Eugene, Social Media Manager.
Robyn's review: From what I’ve seen (and experienced), one of the best things about this mascara is that it will leave you with absolutely zero flaking. This is because it wraps each individual lash in sweat-proof tubes that never dry out — thanks to the conditioning formula of hemp seed, castor and sunflower seed oils, as well as carnauba and jojoba waxes that ensure your lashes stay soft, and don't go dry and stiff.
I also noticed a difference pretty quickly in how defined and slightly more volumised my lashes looked. It’s not over-the-top dramatic, but it does enough to make your eyes look more awake, and it holds up well.
The wand is really easy to work with too. It’s flexible enough to get right into the root of your lashes without making a mess, and I could coat my top lashes pretty quickly without having to go back in too much. Most importantly, it didn’t leave my lashes feeling dry or crunchy, which is usually where a lot of mascaras fall short for me.
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Laura Mercier Caviar Extravagant Mascara
- Effect: Lengthening, defining.
- Shades: Black.
- Cruelty-free? Yes.
- Vegan? Yes.
- Tester: Mayola Fernandes, Commerce Writer.
Mayola's review: I’ve been using this mascara for a couple of months now, and it’s become my go-to when I want a ‘going out out’ look. My lashes are usually pretty straight and struggle to hold a curl, but paired with a quick squeeze from my trusty eyelash curler and a couple of coats of this mascara, I get a solid lifted effect.
What I love most is the wispy, almost falsie-like illusion it gives — without any glue or fussing to get it on. That said, it’s definitely not something I'd reach for when I'm after a natural, everyday look; for me, it feels a little heavy for daily wear. But if you’re after bold, dramatic volume, it’s an absolute dream. Personally, I tend to reach for it whenever I want my eyes to really pop.
Your tubing mascara FAQs, answered:
How the best tubing mascaras compare
| Mascara | Effect | Shades | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| UKLash Tubing Mascara | Volumising, lengthening, lifting. | Black and Mocha. | £16. |
| Hourglass Unlocked Instant Extensions Mascara | Volumising, lengthening, lifting. | Black. | £34. |
| Tarte Tartelette Tubing Mascara | Separating, curling, lifting. | Black. | £28. |
| RevitaLash Length Define Tubing Mascara | Lengthening. | Black. | £32 |
| e.l.f. Lash XTNDR Mascara | Extending, defining. | Black, Soft Black and Deep Brown. | £8. |
| Charlotte Tilbury Exagger-eyes Mascara | Volumising. | Black. | £28. |
| Milk Makeup Kush Mascara | Lengthening, defining. | Black. | £26. |
| Kevyn Aucoin The Volume Mascara Rich Pitch Black | Volumising, lengthening, lifting. | Black. | £26.95. |
| Laura Mercier Caviar Extravagant Mascara | Lengthening, defining. | Black. | £25. |
Meet the experts:
| Kasha Lassien | Celebrity makeup artist. |
|---|---|
| Jasmin Winnie Stephen | Editorial makeup artist. |
| Drita Paljevic | Kevyn Aucoin's Director of Artistry and Makeup. |
What is a tubing mascara?
Unlike the typical wax and oil formula of a traditional mascara that works by painting layers of pigment onto the lashes, tubing mascaras boast an advanced formulation of polymers that cleverly bind to each individual eyelash.
What are the benefits of using a tubing mascara?
“Tubing mascara is loved for its clean, dependable performance” says Drita Paljevic, adding: “It never smudges or smears, so you don’t have to worry about flakes or fallout under the eyes throughout the day. It stays exactly where you put it until you’re ready to remove it.”
Who is tubing mascara best for?
Tubing mascara can be a great option for many. If you have sensitive eyes or wear contact lenses, and don't want to always remove your mascara with (sometimes harsh) makeup removers, try a tubing mascara. If your eyes are prone to watering throughout the day (which could be due to just having naturally watery eyes, or because of hayfever and other allergies), a tubing mascara will also serve you well. And if you lead an active lifestyle and don't want to run the risk of panda eyes, a tubing mascara will ensure there's no smudging or flaking.
How do you apply tubing mascara for the best results?
Applying tubing mascara is simple; use it just like your regular mascara. “If any product gets on the skin while applying, let it dry and flick it off, or use a clean spoolie to sweep it away," says Paljevic. “For the best lift and full tubing effect, start by coating the top of your lashes or gently rolling the brush from the top downward. Then apply from the base of the lashes and push upward. This technique coats each lash from top to bottom for maximum volume and definition.”
How to tell if a mascara is tubing?
Not just a classic lengthening mascara formula, we definitely recommend thoroughly checking the product description to make sure you’re investing in an actual tubing mascara. Our top tip is to scour the ingredients list in search of common polymer ingredients like propanediol, 10-dimethicone, polysilicon-11, cera alba, or glyceryl stearate.
How do you take off a tubing mascara?
Most of the irritation experienced when taking off mascara is caused by us harshly rubbing the skin around the eyes with makeup remover — especially if you've got particularly sensitive eyes. “Tubing mascaras cut out the need for harsh removers that may cause you to tug at the eye area a bit more when cleaning,” Lassien says. Leaving behind far less residue and smudging, tubing mascara can be taken off with a far gentler approach.
To wash off tubing mascara, start off by using warm water or micellar water. Editorial makeup artist, Jasmin Winnie Stephen, also recommends double cleansing if you want to remove the mascara all in one swoop as you wash your face at night. “Using an oil-based cleanser and following up with your regular cleansing routine will always do the trick,” she says.
Do tubing mascaras provide the same results as traditional mascaras?
Tubing mascaras deliver the same volume and length as traditional formulas, with the added benefit of all‑day wear. “The Kevyn Aucoin Volume Mascara, for example, has an exceptional brush that grabs every lash – even the tiny ones you didn’t know you had – creating a fuller look,” says Paljevic.
What is the downside of tubing mascara?
Although tubing mascaras are great, similar to many other beauty products out there, they still have their own set of cons. For one, most tubing formulas may include potentially irritating components and harsh preservatives, making them less ideal for sensitive eyes. Butylene glycol, for one, is a known ingredient that may cause irritation, so be sure to take a look at the ingredients to avoid any flare-ups.
It's also important to keep in mind that although tubing mascaras are known to be budge-and-smudge-proof, most formulas are not 100% waterproof. Think about it: since it only requires water to take off, it also creates a considerable downside, meaning it's not the most ideal thing to wear when it's raining.
