The 8 Best Waterproof Mascaras for Beautifully Defined Lashes That Last

Best Overall

CoverGirl Clump Crusher Waterproof Mascara

View On Amazon $8 View On Ulta $13 View On Walgreens $15

Our Ratings

• Ease of Use
  5/5
• Wear
  5/5
• Performance
  5/5

This cult-favorite drugstore mascara is our number-one pick for a few reasons: In addition to being very easy to use thanks to the scooped brush that olds just enough mascara, the product lives up to its claims — ensuring voluminous, separated lashes with every stroke. 

“The mascara performed amazingly! It didn’t smudge at all, and efficiently extended my lashes,” one tester shares. “They looked fuller and I loved the results.” Despite how well the product performed, she does admit that she wishes the brush’s bristles were longer, as their short nature is noticeable along the lash line. (That said, it’s the brush's short bristles that are said to expertly comb through lashes for a separated lift.) Still, she loves the brush overall. “I loved the shape of the brush,” she exclaims. “The curved design allowed for maximum coverage.”

Another gold star for this waterproof mascara? It’s part of Ulta Beauty’s Conscious Beauty initiative, so you know that it's made with high quality ingredients and sustainability practices in mind.

Benefits: Volume and Separation | Shades: Very Black | Longevity: All-day wear

Best Value

Maybelline New York Lash Discovery Waterproof Mascara

View On Ulta $10 View On Walmart $8 View On Walgreens $13

This best-seller is great for folks looking for a high-quality drugstore mascara at a more affordable price, as well as those craving a natural look. According to one InStyle tester, it’s particularly great for coating bottom lashes, too, as the brush is so slim that it’s easy to accentuate each lash without worrying about smudging mascara all over your lashline. 

“The mascara doesn't smudge at all,” our tester reveals. Beyond its smudge-proof nature, she applauds this product for its natural-looking enhancement and just how easy it is to remove. “It coated my lashes perfectly without clumping or getting on my eyelids,” she says. “Unlike other waterproof mascaras, this product was easy to [remove] without leaving a black ring around my eyes, too.”

One thing to keep in mind, though, is that the size of this mascara is notably smaller than other waterproof tubes on this list. Still, given it makes applying mascara a neater process, it’s still a worthy option.

Benefits: Defines and Lengthens | Shades: Very Black | Longevity: All-day wear

Best Splurge

Lancôme Hypnôse Waterproof Mascara

View On Amazon $33 View On Nordstrom $33 View On Sephora $33

Our Ratings

• Ease of Use
  5/5
• Wear
  5/5
• Performance
  5/5

15,000 Sephora shoppers agree that Lancôme Hypnôse Drama Waterproof Mascara is a dream come true for smudge-proof lashes — and InStyle testers agree. Made with a fluffy, S-shaped brush, this mascara enables users to adequately coat their lashes from base to tip in one swoop. “I loved the shape of the brush which made it easy to grab every lash,” one tester says. “The tip of the brush was very helpful as well.” While the tip isn’t notably smaller, it’s angled inward, which makes targeting teeny bottom lashes and those around the inner and outer corners of the eyes that much more manageable.

Beyond how easy it is to apply, our testers are impressed with just how well it stays put. “This mascara wore very well; it didn’t smudge or flake,” one tester reveals, noting that she tried it while using eye drops and a water spritzer. In addition to living up to its smudge-proof claims, this mascara goes above and beyond to create dramatic volume. “But I did not notice my lashes looking curled,” one tester admits, noting that this mascara is best for volume and length, not curling power.

Benefits: Clump-free volume | Shades: Excessive Black | Longevity: All-day wear

Best Curling

Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara

View On Sephora $16 View On Ulta $29 View On Macy's $16

Our Ratings

• Ease of Use
  5/5
• Wear
  5/5
• Performance
  4/5

Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara is a cult-favorite due to its hourglass brush that introduces va-va-voom lash volume in just a few swipes. Since the original formula isn’t meant for wet activities, the brand released its waterproof formula, which has now amassed nearly 93,000 likes at Sephora. Needless to say, we knew we had to give this best-seller a try and we’re so glad we did. 

“Too Faced Better Than Sex Waterproof Mascara gives my lashes dimension and lift,” one tester shares, noting that despite the applaudable volume, the mascara doesn’t make her lashes feel heavy in the slightest. Another pride point for the mascara is its packaging, which is especially creative. The metallic blue tube is heavy, making it feel luxe, and designed with raised water droplets to help make it clear that it's the waterproof version, should you have both and go simply off touch, as opposed to sight. 

The one downside is that the formula does flake a bit after a few hours of wear, typically when used on the lower lash lines. Still, if you plan on only wearing it for a few hours at a time, say to the beach, gym, or a tear-jerker event, it’s well worth giving a try.

Benefits: Clump-free volume | Shades: Black | Longevity: Quarter to half-day wear

Best Lengthening

MAC Waterproof Lash Mascara

View On Amazon $27 View On Ulta $16 View On Bloomingdales $16

Our Ratings

• Ease of Use
  5/5
• Wear
  5/5
• Performance
  4.5/5

MAC in Extreme Dimension Waterproof Lash Mascara claims to expertly lengthen, lift, and curl lashes with its silky-smooth formula that goes on easily from root to tip. One InStyle tester can attest to much of this. 

“This mascara glided on easily, and it had an interesting grip to it,” says our tester. “The wand has a funky shape, so I was a bit worried at first, but it was able to accurately coat all of my lashes, and steadied my hand more than a traditional wand.” That said, while the mascara works well to lengthen lashes, she found that she didn’t experience much curl or lift. “My eyelashes looked a bit weighed down,” she admits.

Still, if the waterproof aspect is your biggest criteria, she assures us that it does its job. “It survived the cry test and the water spray test with ease,” she shares. “I didn't notice any smudging during any part of the test — only when trying to take it off was it messy.”

Benefits: Volume, Length, and Curl | Shades: Black | Longevity: All-day wear

Best Volumizing

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Waterproof Mascara

View On Amazon $9 View On Walgreens $12 View On Target $9

If your goal is to achieve natural-looking volume that won’t fall flat when you jump into the pool, sweat your bum off, or shed a tear, you can’t go wrong with Neutrogena Hydro Boost Plumping Mascara. Although it doesn’t offer dramatic lift, it works beautifully to lengthen, define, and curl lashes with just a few swipes, thanks to its slightly tapered, fully-bristled brush. 

“This is a classic Neutrogena product,” one tester shares. “It gave my lashes an elevated, natural look, which is what the company is famous for; it goes on light, feels clean, and there are no bells and whistles to it, but I trust that I could wear it all day and it would stay on my eyelashes.”

To ensure that she could, she put it to the test with tears and water. “It didn’t smudge at all,” she marvels.

Benefits: Hydrates and Lengthens | Shades: Black and Black/Brown | Longevity: All-day wear

Best for Dramatic Lashes

Lancôme Monsieur Big Mascara

View On Amazon $30 View On Nordstrom $23 View On Ulta $30

Our Ratings

• Ease of Use
  5/5
• Wear
  4.5/5
• Performance
  5/5

Now, if your goal is dramatic volume, your best bet is Lancôme Monsieur Big Mascara. The bushy, medium-length bristled brush is designed to latch on to each and every lash to lift it to the high heavens. 

Although it works to expertly coat each and every lash, the application itself is very light, one tester assures us. “It’s extremely long lasting and gives drama,” she says. “That said, it’s not for the subtle wearer. It gave a lot of definition and visible volume, so with more than two coats it can look a little heavy, but it doesn't feel heavy.” Even though it deposits plenty of formula with each swipe, our reviewer found that this waterproof mascara is particularly easy to remove with both makeup wipes and micellar water. “It doesn’t need too much elbow grease to remove,” she assures us. 

The one downside is that, while this mascara feels lightweight and does bring the drama, it can also introduce clumps into your flutter. With that in mind, our tester says that it’s best for folks looking to achieve TikTok’s doll eye trend, but not for something more subtle.

Benefits: Volume | Shades: Big Is The New Black | Longevity: All-day wear