1
Home/ Guides/ Waterproof mascara
9 Best Waterproof Mascaras
Published 08/11/2026
Waterproof mascara holds up against tears, sweat, humidity, rain, and pool days. It keeps lashes curled and defined for hours without smudging, flaking, or leaving dark shadows. Remove it gently at night with an oil-based cleanser or makeup remover so lashes don't break.
Our top picks
Swipe →
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Compare the best waterproof mascara
Side-by-side tradeoffs for this shortlist — best for, key actives, type, skin/hair fit, Edyt score, and notes. Same picks; swipe sideways to compare.
| Pick | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | Sensitive eyes in humid weather | Long, lifted lashes | Tears, sweat, and bad weather | Gaps at the outer corners | Swimming and gym bags | Bold, simple everyday volume | Quick volume in the morning | Full lash fringe | Wide, open-eye effect |
| Format | Mascara | Mascara | Mascara | Mascara | Mascara | Mascara | Mascara | Mascara | Mascara |
| Finish | Formula | Formula | Toner | Formula | Formula | Formula | Formula | Formula | Formula |
|
Edyt score
Methodology: The Edyt Score reflects a comprehensive analysis of ingredient profiles, concentration levels, and formulation standards. It is an objective technical evaluation of the product's composition, separate from crowd-sourced user reviews. | 4.2 | 4.2 | 4.2 | 4.2 | 4.2 | 4.2 | 4.2 | 4.2 | 4.2 |
| Notes | Fragrance free · Wire brush | Bamboo fibers · Flex brush | Fiber brush · Vegan | Spoon brush · Kera fiber | Travel size · Hourglass brush | Carbon Black · Classic | Collagen · One coat | Feathery · Blackest Black | Fanned out · Stretchflex |
| $ / size | $28.00 | $10.82 | $4.97 | $8.86 | $13.60 | $9.97 | $8.98 | $9.99 | $12.92 |
| Shop | Buy on AmazonRead review | Buy on AmazonRead review | Buy on AmazonRead review | Buy on AmazonRead review | Buy on AmazonRead review | Buy on AmazonRead review | Buy on AmazonRead review | Buy on AmazonRead review | Buy on AmazonRead review |
Our picks, explained
Best overall
Clinique High Impact Waterproof Mascara, Black
$28.00
Clinique's waterproof formula builds volume and length, and it holds up to heat, humidity, and an active day for 12 hours. A twisted wire brush combs and defines every lash. It is fragrance-free, allergy tested, and safe for contact lenses, so it suits sensitive eyes.
Is this right for you?
- Best for
- Sensitive eyes in humid weather
- Finish
- Formula
- Notes
Why it makes the list
- The twisted wire brush separates lashes as it coats.
- It is allergy tested and completely fragrance-free.
What to keep in mind
- Twelve hours of wear is shorter than some cheaper tubes here.
Best lengthening
MAYBELLINE Maybelline Sky High Waterproof Mascara, Very Black
$10.82
Sky High uses bamboo extract and fibers for long, full lashes that stay light. The Flex Tower brush bends to reach every lash from root to tip. Maybelline rates the waterproof version for up to 24 hours, and it costs about eleven dollars.
Is this right for you?
- Best for
- Long, lifted lashes
- Finish
- Formula
Why it makes the list
- The Flex Tower brush bends to catch every lash.
- Bamboo fibers add length without making lashes heavy.
What to keep in mind
- Fibers can drop onto cheeks if you layer too many coats.
Best volumizing
Essence Cosmetics Lash Princess False Lash Waterproof Mascara
$4.97
Essence's waterproof Lash Princess uses a conic fiber brush for length and dramatic volume. One coat gives defined lashes, and two or three build a bold look. Sweat, weather, and tears do not make it flake, and it costs under five dollars.
Is this right for you?
- Best for
- Tears, sweat, and bad weather
- Finish
- Toner
Why it makes the list
- Layering two or three coats builds a bold look without clumps.
- It is free of alcohol, parabens, and fragrance.
What to keep in mind
- It needs micellar water or a makeup remover to come off.
Best budget
MAYBELLINE Maybelline The Falsies Waterproof Mascara, Very Black
$8.86
The Falsies pairs a Kera-Fiber formula with a patented spoon brush that lifts and separates lashes corner to corner. Maybelline says it builds 8 times the volume and leaves no gaps along the lash line. At under nine dollars, it gives a false-lash look on a drugstore budget.
Is this right for you?
- Best for
- Gaps at the outer corners
- Finish
- Formula
- Notes
Why it makes the list
- The spoon brush reaches short lashes at the inner and outer corners.
- Kera-Fiber formula builds strong volume quickly.
What to keep in mind
- The spoon shape feels awkward until you get used to it.
Best smudge-proof
Too Faced Better Than Sex Waterproof Mascara
$13.60
Too Faced's waterproof Better Than Sex comes in a 0.17-ounce travel tube with the signature hourglass brush. Porcelain flower extract, omega oils, and peptides condition lashes and deepen the black. It holds through swimming and workouts, so it packs well for vacations.
Is this right for you?
- Best for
- Swimming and gym bags
- Finish
- Formula
- Notes
Why it makes the list
- It keeps volume and length through swims and workouts.
- Omega oils help condition lashes under the waterproof layer.
What to keep in mind
- The 0.17-ounce travel size empties quickly with daily use.
Best for humid days
L'Oreal Paris Voluminous Original Waterproof Mascara, Carbon Black
$9.97
Voluminous Original in Carbon Black is a long-running L'Oreal formula that builds lashes up to four times fuller. The pigment is an intense black, and it resists clumps. Choose it if you want a familiar drugstore staple at under ten dollars.
Is this right for you?
- Best for
- Bold, simple everyday volume
- Finish
- Formula
Why it makes the list
- Carbon Black gives a deeper color than standard black.
- It builds up to four times fuller lashes.
What to keep in mind
- Its simple brush gives less lift than newer flexible wands.
Best everyday
MAYBELLINE Maybelline Colossal Waterproof Mascara, Glam Black
$8.98
Colossal plumps lashes with a collagen-infused, no-clump formula that Maybelline says gives 9 times the volume in one coat. The waterproof version comes in Glam Black. It is a fast pick when you only have time for one swipe.
Is this right for you?
- Best for
- Quick volume in the morning
- Finish
- Formula
Why it makes the list
- One coat gives bold volume, which saves time.
- The no-clump formula keeps lashes separated.
What to keep in mind
- It focuses on volume and adds less length than Sky High.
Best upgrade
L'Oreal Paris Voluminous Lash Paradise Waterproof Mascara, Blackest Black
$9.99
Lash Paradise builds a full, feathery-soft lash fringe with intense length and no flaking or smudging. L'Oreal cites 20 times more volume and up to twice the length in consumer testing. The Blackest Black shade suits anyone who wants a soft but dramatic fringe.
Is this right for you?
- Best for
- Full lash fringe
- Finish
- Formula
Why it makes the list
- Lashes stay soft to the touch instead of crunchy.
- It resists flaking, smudging, and clumping.
What to keep in mind
- The 0.25-ounce tube is on the smaller side.
Best defining
L'Oreal Paris Voluminous Panorama Waterproof Mascara, Black
$12.92
Panorama uses a multi-level bristle brush to catch lashes from the inner to outer corner for a fanned-out look. A 5% stretchflex complex wraps each lash, and the formula lasts a full 24 hours. It is ophthalmologist tested and comes in the largest tube here at 0.31 ounces.
Is this right for you?
- Best for
- Wide, open-eye effect
- Finish
- Formula
Why it makes the list
- The multi-level brush coats lashes evenly from corner to corner.
- Wear lasts up to 24 hours without clumps or flakes.
What to keep in mind
- At about thirteen dollars, it costs more than the other L'Oreal picks.
How we made this list
We ranked 9 waterproof mascaras. Silk-fiber kits and novelty multi-packs were cut.
- Stay on the waterproof mascara job. Wrong-category SKUs were cut.
- Check the finish and formula against what your skin or routine needs.
- Mix price lanes when the catalog allows — not eight identical clones.
- Skip junk multi-packs that bury the actual shade or formula.
FAQ
How do I remove it safely?
Use a proper remover and patience — don’t scrub dry lashes.
Waterproof every day?
Only if you need it. Everyday waterproof can be harder on lashes if removal is rough. For humid days with easier takeoff, tubing formulas are often gentler. Ingredient-first shoppers may prefer our clean mascara picks.
How do I choose between waterproof, brown, clean, and green mascaras?
Waterproof formulas use film-forming polymers that lock the coat in place through humidity, tears, and pool water, so they suit long days and warm weather. A brown mascara softens the lash line for a gentler everyday look, and many brown shades come in both regular and water-resistant versions. Clean mascara appeals to you if ingredient lists matter and you want a formula without certain synthetics. Green mascaras are the fun option, adding a flash of colour on the outer lashes or over a black base.
Is this medical advice?
No. Eye irritation needs a clinician.
This is general beauty guidance, not medical advice. Patch-test new products if you have sensitive skin or known allergies.
Affiliate disclosure: we may earn a commission from Amazon links. Prices and availability change.