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Finding your holy-grail mascara can take a bit of trial and error. Aside from figuring out what end result you're going for—length, volume, or a fanned-out effect—you also need to try out different formulas to make sure it doesn't irritate your peepers.
Oily lids are trickier to shop for, as even the mascaras that claim to be waterproof or smudge-proof can end up on your undereyes by the end of the day. If you want to try something different for your mascara, we recommend going for mascaras with a tubing formula. Unlike traditional mascaras that are loaded with pigments and waxes that give your lashes more volume, tubing mascaras use tube-like polymers to coat each lash, making them more effective in separating the hairs and giving you a feathery result.
Below, we break down the key differences between the two, the ingredients you need to look out for, and ofc, a shopping list at the end to get you started. ;) Keep on reading to learn more:
What's the difference between tubing mascaras and regular mascaras?
Regular mascara
- It uses waxes and pigments that coat your lashes to give them a more defined look. While this can give you thicker-looking lashes, its oil-based formula can also cause it to smudge or flake after a few hours, especially if you have oily lids.
- You can go in with several coats on your lashes and it won't look clumpy.
- Since its formula contains waxes, it can be harder to remove them. You will need an oil cleanser to dissolve the mascara, though this can cause tugging at the sensitive skin of the undereye area.
Tubing mascara
- Its formula contains polymers that form tiny tubes around each lash that help in separating your lashes. It's known to be smudge-resistant.
- If you want more volume, you need to be careful with applying a second coat, as tubing mascaras usually have a wetter formula compared to traditional ones. Layering too much can cause the tubes to clump and give you a spidery effect.
- No need for an oil cleanser or balm for this one! Water is usually enough to loosen the tubes, so you won't have to tug at your skin trying to remove it.
Ingredients to look for in tubing mascaras
If you're not sure if your mascara has a tubing formula, especially since some beauty brands don't label them as such, make sure to check out the ingredients list. If you spot any of these: polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), propanediol, 10-dimethicone, polysilicon-11, cera alba, or glyceryl stearate—you've got yourself a tubing mascara!
SHOP: The best tubing mascaras to try
1. Fashion21 Double Up Mascara
ICYDK, this is one of Reddit's favorite tubing mascaras. It's affordable, it lengthens your lashes without weighing them down, and its fine-bristled wand makes it easier to separate the hairs.
Fashion21 Double Up Mascara, P299, Lazada and Shopee
READ MORE: These TikTok-Famous Makeup Finds Are Worth The Hype, According To Reddit
2. MAC Extended Play Perm Me Up Lash Mascara
If you have a bit more money to spare, treat your lashes to this tubing mascara from MAC. It promises to provide an instant curl and lift to your mascara in just a few swipes!
MAC Extended Play Perm Me Up Lash Mascara, P1,750, Lazada
3. Issy Lash Maximizing Mascara
What sets Issy's tubing mascara apart from the others on this list is that it comes with a tinted primer on the other side that's filled with fibers for lusher-looking lashes. Make sure to use it first before applying the actual mascara, and you've got yourself lashes that will last the entire day.
Issy Lash Maximizing Mascara, P599, Lazada and Shopee
4. Heroine Make Long & Curl Mascara Advanced Film
Japanese brand Heroine Make is known for their everything-proof mascaras—our glowing review will back it up—but if you want something that isn't a bitch to remove, try this one. This is recommended for girlies with short, stick-straight lashes. It repels water, sebum, and flaking until you have to remove it at the end of the day.
Heroine Make Long & Curl Mascara Advanced Film, P716, Shopee and Lazada
READ MORE: I Tried Out This Internet-Famous Japanese Mascara To See If It's Really Worth The Hype
5. Sunnies Face Lashlift
For a clean-girl makeup look where it doesn't look like you're trying too hard, use the Lashlift from Sunnies Face. Think your natural lashes, but better! Its unique brush is dual-sided; one side is perfect for curling and volumizing your lashes while the other helps with lengthening and separating the hairs.
Sunnies Face Lashlift, P595, Lazada and Shopee
6. PINKFLASH Waterproof Mascara
Another hidden gem, this mascara gets rave reviews from the Internet for lengthening the lashes for an effect similar to getting lash extensions. It has a curved crescent-shaped brush that will ensure you get pigment even in the shortest of hairs.
PINKFLASH Waterproof Mascara (Black variant), P99, Lazada and Shopee
7. Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky High Washable Mascara
Maybelline is known for its great, affordable mascaras—of which you probably already have a couple. But don't count this one out of your rotation. It has a flexible brush that can reach every nook and cranny of your lashes and the formula is infused with fibers for full fibers that won't get weighed down.
Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky High Washable Mascara, P499, Lazada and Shopee
8. Shawill Amazing Curl Mascara
Don't let the affordable price tag fool you—this mascara can definitely rival more expensive mascaras when it comes to staying power. Its rubber wand is designed to grip lashes at the base to give each of your lashes a more defined look.
Shawill Amazing Curl Mascara, P89, Shopee
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Links are updated regularly and as much as possible but note that products can run out of stock, discounts can expire, and listed prices can change without prior notice.
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