If you're sick of losing eyelashes, this is the mascara for you
Mascara can make your eyes look brighter, your lashes longer and your make-up feel finished. But removing it at the end of the day can be another story. Waterproof formulas can cling stubbornly to lashes, leaving you rubbing at your eyes with a cotton pad or trying to dissolve layers of product with cleanser.
If you've ever spotted little eyelashes among the mascara after taking your make-up off, you'll know how frustrating that can be. And while a certain amount of natural lash shedding is normal, the last thing you want is to put unnecessary strain on delicate lashes.
That's where tubing mascara comes in. A growing favourite among beauty fans, it takes a different approach to coating your lashes, creating tiny sleeves around individual hairs rather than simply painting them with pigment. The clever part is that these sleeves can be loosened with warm water, allowing the mascara to slide away with much less effort.
It can be a particularly useful switch if you love a defined, lengthened lash look but hate the rubbing, smudging and stubborn residue that can come with removing traditional mascara.
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What exactly is tubing mascara?
Traditional mascara usually relies on a combination of pigments, waxes and oils to coat lashes, adding colour, volume and length. Waterproof versions are designed to resist moisture, which helps keep your make-up in place but can also make it harder to remove.
Tubing mascara works differently. It contains film-forming ingredients, often polymers, that wrap around individual lashes to create flexible, tube-like coatings. Rather than simply sitting on the surface of each lash, the formula forms a sleeve around it.
This coating helps create a lengthened, separated appearance, making tubing mascara especially appealing if you prefer defined lashes to a thick, heavily coated look. Some formulas also add volume, so there are options for different lash styles.
Tubing mascara is also worth considering if you find that conventional formulas leave dark smudges beneath your eyes as the day goes on. Because the coating is designed to stay in place until it is loosened, some tubing mascaras are less prone to the familiar panda-eye effect.
The real selling point, however, is what happens at the end of the day.
Why it’s kinder to your lashes
The appeal of tubing mascara isn't just the finish. It's also the way you remove it.
Repeated rubbing, pulling and scrubbing around the eyes can put mechanical stress on lashes. The skin around the eyes is delicate, too, so vigorous removal can leave the area feeling sore or irritated.
Instead of needing an oil-based remover or repeated wiping to break down the pigment, the tubes can loosen when exposed to comfortably warm water. They then slide away from the lashes in little pieces, often resembling tiny black fibres.
The key is to let comfortably warm water do the work. Wet your lashes, hold your fingertips gently against them for a few seconds, then use light pressure to slide the loosened tubes away. If they do not release easily, apply more warm water rather than pulling or scrubbing at your lash line.
You don't need to pull the tubes off individually or tug at lashes that haven't released. If the mascara isn't coming away easily, give it a little more time with warm water.
How to get the best results
A few small tweaks can help you get more from a tubing formula.
Start with clean, dry lashes. Oil or leftover make-up can affect how evenly mascara applies, so remove any residue before you begin.
Wiggle the brush at the roots. Move it gently from side to side as you sweep upwards to help separate lashes and distribute the product.
Build gradually. Allow the first coat to begin setting before adding another, following the product's instructions. Several heavy layers can make lashes look clumpy rather than longer.
Remove it gently. Follow the warm-watermethod above, giving the tubes time to loosen before sliding them away without pulling or rubbing.
Clean your lash line properly. Once the tubes have come away, rinse the area to remove any remaining residue. If you wear eyeshadow or other eye make-up, use your usual gentle cleanser for the rest of your make-up.
Tubing mascaras worth trying
- Affordable option: e.l.f. Lash XTNDR Tubing Mascara. A budget-friendly choice designed to lengthen and define lashes, with a formula that releases with warm water.
- For a lengthened, defined look: Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky Tubes. A high-street option aimed at creating extended-looking lashes.
- For a more dramatic finish: Max Factor 2000 Calorie Long Lash Era Tubing Mascara. Worth considering if you want definition with a little more impact.
- For everyday wear: No7 Stay Perfect Long-Wear Tubing Mascara. A familiar option designed for long-lasting wear and straightforward removal.
- For precise definition: Clinique Lash Power Mascara. Its slim brush makes it useful for reaching smaller lashes and creating a more separated finish.
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