14 Best Waterproof Mascaras That Actually Stay Put

Key Ingredients: Kaolin clay, microcrystalline wax, dimethicone silylate | Number of Shades: 1

Best Brown Mascara: Dior Diorshow Waterproof Mascara

Why It's Worth It: Take it from Los Angeles-based makeup artist Molly R. Stern—Dior Diorshow Waterproof Mascara can handle pretty much anything. "You can slobber and splash in the Dior Diorshow Waterproof Mascara, and it will stay on," she tells Allure. Despite its budge-proof formula, she notes the highly volumizing, non-chunky formula comes off easily with eye makeup cleanser or micellar water.

Editor Tip: Brown waterproof mascaras are few and far between, and this winner is among them. Your no makeup-makeup eye look deserves just as much smudge resistance as a face of full glam.

Key Ingredients: Carnauba wax, castor oil, beeswax | Number of Shades: 2

Best Buildable: Lancôme Hypnose Buildable Waterproof Mascara

Why It's Worth It: "Lancôme just knows mascara, and this one still gives you good, full lashes while protecting you from the dreaded raccoon eye," Los Angeles-based makeup artist Fiona Stiles says of the Hypnose Waterproof Mascara. "Lots of waterproof mascaras give you long, skinny lashes, but this one gives you the volume you want," she adds, thanks to its patented, hourglass-shaped brush.

Editor Tip: Lancôme's Monsieur Big Waterproof Mascara is also a top-quality pick if you're not a fan of curved brushes. BTW, its waterproof version won a Best of Beauty Award for Best Dramatic Mascara.

Key Ingredients: Rice bran wax, candelilla wax, polyvinyl laurate | Number of Shades: 1

Best Long-Lasting: MAC MacStack Waterproof Mascara

Why It's Worth It: The MAC MacStack Waterproof Mascara is a swim-friendly version of the brand's original Best of Beauty-winning formula with impressively long-staying power. This smudge-free, lengthening mascara is buildable, but truthfully, all you'll need is one coat for superb results.

Editor Tip: You may be tempted to pump the wand into the tube to get the brush saturated, but don't—MAC says this causes the formula to dry out.

Key Ingredients: Kaolin clay, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, carnauba wax | Number of Shades: 1

Best Volumizing: Maybelline New York Lash Sensational Sky High Waterproof Mascara

Why It's Worth It: Makeup artist Lavonne fell head over heels for the TikTok-viral Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky High Waterproof Mascara in Very Black, so much that when she spotted a rare restock in person, she grabbed three tubes at once. "This mascara makes my lashes look like I've had a lash lift and use growth serums," she says of the drugstore favorite. For less than $15, those results are hard to beat.

Editor Tip: You can use this mascara on its own or with Maybelline's 2023 Best of Beauty winning The Lash Sensational Sky High Tinted Primer for extra long-lastingness.

Key Ingredients: Polyvinyl laurate, bamboo extract, beeswax | Number of Shades: 2

Best Hold: Tarte Lights, Camera, Splashes Waterproof Mascara

Why It's Worth It: The waterproof version of Tarte's Readers' Choice Award-winning formula, Lights, Camera, Splashes Waterproof Mascara, lengthens, curls, and volumizes all at once. It provides a visible lift that won't result in any streaky business, even if you shed a few (or abundant) tears. Cosmetic chemist Ginger King says that this formula contains pentaerythrityl hydrogenated rosinate. This film-former should "hold up even better" than the typical VP/eicosene copolymer frequently appearing in waterproof formulas.

Editor Tip: The wand's shorter bristles add major volume, while the other side's longer bristles keep your lashes upright and curled to perfection.

Key Ingredients: Carnauba wax, mineral pigments, hydrogenated rosinate | Number of Shades: 1

Best Against Heat: Clinique High Impact Waterproof Mascara

Why It's Worth It: Long, doe-eye lashes are just a few swipes away with Clinique's High Impact Waterproof Mascara. This waterproof version of the brand's best-selling, clump-free formula can withstand heat, humidity, and any other moisture that may come your way without irritating sensitive eyes. If you're an athlete who spends a lot of time exercising outdoors, this formula is for you.

Editor Tip: Hold the wand vertically for peak precision when applying this mascara to your lower lashes.

Key Ingredients: Dimethicone Silylate, microcrystalline wax, cholesterol | Number of Shades: 2

Best Shade Range: CoverGirl LashBlast Volume Waterproof Mascara

Why It's Worth It: CoverGirl's plumping LashBlast Volume Waterproof Mascara is a must-have for New York City-based makeup artist Yuki Hayashi. "The fat brush makes application easy by allowing you to grab a lot of lashes in one swoop, and the volumizing formula layers easily without appearing clumpy or crunchy," he explains. "The dark-black formula and matte finish emphasizes any kind of eye makeup and stays on lashes all day long without flaking or smudging." This hypoallergenic formula is a smart choice for contact lens wearers.

Editor Tip: Once you've coated all your lashes, apply one more layer on the outer corners for an extra lengthened look.

Key Ingredients: Isoparaffin, hydrogenated rosinate, glyceryl rosinate | Number of Shades: 6

Best Black: Too Faced Better Than Sex Waterproof Mascara

Why It's Worth It: The Too Faced Better Than Sex Waterproof Mascara lives up to its name — or at least gets pretty close. "It's waterproof, smudge-proof, sweat-proof, and has no fallout," says New York City-based makeup artist Stoj. Mehta agrees, adding that the super black formula "adds lots of volume and gives you all the drama you'd want."

Editor Tip: Too Faced's website has a feature that allows you to virtually try on this mascara if you want proof of its power before you purchase.

Key Ingredients: Porcelain flower extract, omega oil, peptides| Number of Shades: 1

Best Celebrity-Approved: L'Oréal Paris Voluminous Waterproof Mascara

Why It's Worth It: "L'Oréal Paris Voluminous Mascara is a staple in every makeup artist's kit," Patrick Ta says. And he's right: It's one of the best drugstore mascaras, according to Mario Dedivanovic, Ariel Tejada, and Mai Quynh, and it turns out the brand's waterproof formula is just as beloved. Ta swears by it for a mascara that lasts until the end of the day on set. Even if you're not a celebrity, booked and busy from midday to midnight, keep this one around for days when you're out and about, and thank us later.

Editor Tip: The Voluminous Lash Paradise Waterproof Mascara is also worth checking out if you want a backup. (We love options — can you tell?)

Key Ingredients: Crotonates copolymer, beeswax, carnauba wax | Number of Shades: 3

Best Steal: Essence Lash Princess False Lash Effect Waterproof Mascara

Why It's Worth It: As if one of the bestselling mascaras on Amazon couldn't get any better, Essence's Lash Princess False Lash Effect Mascara has a waterproof version that creates the same dramatic, falsies-like effect as the original. The cone-shaped brush works like a charm, separating and lengthening each lash to its fullest potential. One reviewer writes, "Essence... what kind of magic did you put in this?"

Editor Tip: Some users find this mascara a bit hard to remove, but depending on the occasion you're sporting this stuff, that can be a significant benefit.

Key Ingredients: Microcrystalline wax, jojoba seed oil, candelilla wax | Number of Shades: 1

Best Splurge: Chanel Inimitable Waterproof Mascara

Why It's Worth It: Sure, this mascara is on the higher end of the price scale, but you can always count on Chanel to deliver serious results. The Chanel Inimitable Waterproof Mascara uses a conditioning, volumizing formula to create precisely separated lashes that can withstand anything that might lead to smudging (shout out to provitamin B5).

Editor Tip: We love how this formula is both super creamy and non-clumping — a combination you don't find every day.

Key Ingredients: Eicosene copolymer, beeswax, rice bran wax | Number of Shades: 1

Frequently Asked Questions

While standard mascaras do the trick in lengthening, volumizing, darkening, and separating your lashes, waterproof mascaras are better suited for long-wear and durability. "Waterproof mascaras are designed to be more resistant to running and smudging with tears and sweat, and some can even a day at the pool," cosmetic chemist Kelly Dobos tells Allure. "They often contain ingredients polymers that adhere strongly to lashes and create a water-resistant film." Waterproof mascaras rely on film-forming copolymers, which help with flexibility, holding the eyelash's curl, and boosting temperature resistance.

"Some waterproof mascaras are totally anhydrous, meaning they contain no water, so they dry differently and sometimes can take longer," continues Dobos. "The unique, natural composition of beeswax makes it a useful ingredient in all mascaras but especially waterproof formulas."

Waterproof mascaras are always safe regarding their formulas, but they tend to be more challenging to remove, causing potential distress to your lashes. Dobos explains, “Your usual micellar water might not cut it. Rubbing and pulling at lashes can cause breakage or already loose lashes to come out.”

Despite the difficulty of removal, you can curb damaging effects through the technique you choose to take off your eye makeup. “Using a bi-phase or oil-based eye makeup remover helps reduce pulling or tugging at the delicate eye area to remove. Isohexadecane and silicones work to dissolve the tenacious polymer films,” Dobos adds.

Additionally, the best choice for a waterproof mascara depends on what you're trying to get from the product. Do you want a waterproof mascara that prioritizes lengthening? One that is especially heat-resistant? One that can withstand a day of water-sport practice? Look at the product's description and ingredients before you head to checkout. "Some examples of ingredients to look for are Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer, Styrene/Acrylates/Ammonium Methacrylate Copolymer, and VP/Eicosene Copolymer," Dobos advises.

Dobos suggests that, beyond examining the formula, consider the mascara's brush and the "wiper" at the mouth of the tube. "There are some tradeoffs in using waterproof mascaras; some might take a little longer to dry, meaning lashes coated with the product that touch each other might stick together," says Dobos. "A good wiper — that separate ring you can see at the opening of the mascara tube — and silicone bristles that are stiff and on the shorter side can help separate lashes reduce the amount of product applied, reducing clumping potential."

Before reviewing any makeup, we ask questions about a number of factors: What ingredients are in it? Does the brand offer a wide shade range inclusive of consumers with all skin tones and undertones? Is it safe for readers who have sensitive skin or wear contact lenses? Is it on the affordable side or more of a splurge? Is its packaging consciously designed or needlessly wasteful?

For our review of the best waterproof mascaras, we enlisted the help of multiple editors, writers, contributors, and cosmetic chemists to review the products. This ensures our testing base spans different skin tones, genders, and dermatological conditions. We considered each product’s performance across four primary categories: formula, wear, longevity, and durability. For more on what's involved in our reporting, check out our complete reviews process and methodology page.

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