The best tubing mascara formulas for long, smudge-free lashes

WORDS Emily Algar PUBLISHED Sat, 7 Oct 2023 - 10:00 am

Sometimes, society forgets about something great only to rediscover it at a point in time years later. Ballet flats are a great fashion example. And the beauty equivalent? Tubing mascara.

Tubing mascara was very much a thing at the turn of the century when the brand Blinc launched its original formula in 1995, leaving other makeup brands in a proverbial cloud of dust, wondering why they hadn't thought of it sooner. Tubing mascara solved a series of beauty conundrums without any real sacrifice. Instead of depositing tonnes of product, tubing formulas made little sleeves around each individual lash, eliminating the risk of smudging, flaking and fallout. This science also made removal a breeze. There was no need for biphase makeup remover and countless cotton rounds. Instead, the little 'sleeves' could simply be wiggled off with warm water and slight pressure from your fingertips. It was genius really, and it's no surprise that the concept blew up.

Lots of great alternatives followed — Kevyn Aucoin's comes to mind — but when big Bambi lashes came into vogue, thick, buildable mascara formulas followed, stealing some of the spotlight (think Too Faced Better Than Sex, Diorshow and Maybelline Colossal Volume).

But now, as it goes on the internet machine, tubing mascara is blowing up on TikTok. And if you've ever battled with smudgy, watery panda eyes or just hate removing your makeup, it might be exactly the type of content you need.

@marinabarnoo Replying to @sophieziah i hope this helps !! #fyp #tubingmascara #mascara ♬ Aesthetic - Tollan Kim

What is a tubing mascara?

As mentioned, tubing mascara is similar to the regular stuff but instead of building onto the lashes, it creates tiny little 'tubes' (think of them as socks). These tubes sit around the lash, adding volume, length and pigment.

How do I apply tubing mascara?

The key difference here is that you can't apply coats and coats of tubing mascara. You really just need to move the wand through your lashes once or twice, and step away. Because of this, you might not get the level of crazy-insane length or volume you dream of, but the tradeoff is you won't experience flakes or smudging. The choice is yours!

How do I remove tubing mascara?

If you're using a true tubing formula, the removal process is easy, enjoyable even. Simply run or submerge your eyes in warm water, and gently twist/tug on your lashes. The tubes should slip right off. You can then continue with the rest of your skincare routine.