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For every person who goes to the gym totally barefaced, there’s a dedicated makeup wearer who remains steadfast in their search for the best sweatproof mascaras—and when summer comes around, there’s all the more reason to find eye makeup that really, truly does not budge when things get steamy.
“If you're expecting to sweat from activities like exercise, an outdoor event, or simply in hot weather—a waterproof or water-resistant formula is your best bet,” Sandy Skotnicki, MD, FRCPC, FABD, a board-certified dermatologist, assistant professor at University of Toronto, and the co-host ofSkin To It, tells SELF. “These mascaras are specifically formulated to withstand moisture.” She notes that no-smudge products are worth a try, too, depending on your skin type.
Even when you narrow your search down to those formulas, there’s still a world of mascaras to try (and potentially many days of streaky, teary makeup ahead of you). So we cut to the chase and asked staffers and experts which mascaras are actually worth your time if sweat is in the forecast. Check out which products made the cut below, then read on to learn more about which formula is best for you.
Our top picks
- Best Overall: L'Oreal Original Waterproof Lengthening Mascara, $13
- Runner-Up: Lisa Eldrige Kitten Lash Mascara, $36
- Best for Sensitive Eyes: La Roche-Posay Toleriane Waterproof Mascara, $26
- Best Tubing Formula: Wyn Beauty Big Vision Lengthening & Defining Tubing Mascara, $19
- Best Splurge: Bobbi Brown Smudge-Proof Mascara, $41
In this article
Shop the best sweatproof mascaras
Say goodbye to streaks, smears, and smudges with these mascaras that actually stay put.
Best Overall: L’Oreal Original Waterproof Lengthening Mascara
One SELF staffer swears by L’Oreal’s regular Lengthening Mascara for everyday wear—and the waterproof iteration is her new drugstore go-to for sweaty situations. “This mascara is full-on waterproof and does NOT budge,” she says. “If you are looking for a mascara that will stay in place for hours then this is perfect!”
You can trust that the waterproof formula reaches every single one of your lashes, thanks to the brush’s flexible, comb-like bristles. “I can literally comb each of my lashes with the wand, and I have so much control over how they look,” our tester says.
Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Stays put for hours | A little hard to remove |
| Separates lashes for a clump-free effect | |
| Fragrance-free | |
| Under $15 |
Other notable ingredients
Rice bran wax (a skin- and hair conditioner that also helps keep formulas smooth)
Runner-Up: Lisa Eldrige Kitten Lash Mascara
Willing to spend a little more for your mascara? SELF’s senior commerce editor makes a compelling case for her current favorite: “This mascara is the most long-wearing, non-waterproof formula I've ever used. I have oily skin, especially on my eyelids, which tends to make my mascara smudge and flake throughout the day (times two if I'm working out).”
She describes the Kitten Lash formula as “borderline indestructible,” as well as “bulletproof,” adding that her “lashes look longer, fuller, and more voluminous all day long.” We’re sold.
Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Great for oily skin and eyelids | Pricier than our overall pick |
| Long-wearing formula | Not technically waterproof |
| Lightweight |
Other notable ingredients
Nourishing moisturizers like olive oil, jojoba oil, and vitamin E
Best for Sensitive Eyes: La Roche-Posay Toleriane Waterproof Mascara
Amy Spizuoco, DO, FAOCD, a board-certified dermatologist and dermatopathologist based in New York City, previously recommended La Roche-Posay’s Toleriane Waterproof Mascara to SELF specifically for its gentle formula. It’s fragrance-free, ophthalmologist-tested, and easy to remove (so you don’t have to rub your already-sensitive eyes raw at the end of the day). Plus, it contains ceramides, which strengthen and condition your skin and hair.
Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Made with sensitive skin and eyes in mind | Over $25 |
| Easy to remove for a waterproof mascara | |
| Nourishing formula |
Other notable ingredients
Rice bran wax, jojoba oil
Best Tubing Formula: Wyn Beauty Big Vision Lengthening & Defining Tubing Mascara
Alicia Zalka, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and associate clinical professor of dermatology at Yale University School of Medicine, tells SELF that she personally prefers tubing mascaras for workouts. “[They contain] film-forming polymers [that] create a tube-like coating around each individual eyelash that is pretty soft and flexible, but also smudge-proof and very easy to wash off with warm water,” she says. So they’re not a great pick if you’re heading to the beach or watching a tear-jerker, but tubing mascaras can hold up under sweat.
Specifically, our tester found that Wyn Beauty’s Big Vision Lengthening & Defining Tubing Mascara was made for sweltering moments. “It gave me a great application that lengthened and gave me volume,” she says, adding that it stayed 100% sweatproof when she wore it for extended periods.
Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Easy to remove | Not good for water-related activities |
| Holds up to lots of sweating | |
| Precise applicator | |
| Under $20 |
Other notable ingredients
Jojoba oil, olive oil
Best Splurge: Bobbi Brown Smudge-Proof Mascara
We love when a luxe product proves its worth, and that certainly applies for Bobbi Brown’s clump- and flake-free Smudge-Proof Mascara. “This product did not budge at all,” our tester says. “It is most definitely sweatproof.” With just a few swoops, it creates a natural look—but you can layer it for a more dramatic aesthetic too.
In addition to its staying power, it also checks basically all the boxes we’d want any mascara to: It curls, volumizes, and lengthens lashes—and helps them stay that way all day long.
Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Non-clumping | Over $40 |
| Buildable formula | Somewhat imprecise applicator |
| Stays put through moisture |
Other notable ingredients
Skin- and hair-strengthening cholesterol
What’s the difference between waterproof and smudge-proof mascaras?
Waterproof mascaras
You have ingredients like waxes, oils, petroleum, and silicones to thank for waterproof mascaras, Dr. Zalka says. Dr. Skotnicki explains that these water-repellent additives cause water to bead—rather than sink into—your skin. As a result, your makeup is less likely to run when you jump in the pool, sweat it out, or have a good cry.
This also means waterproof mascara is harder to remove. Both Dr. Zalka and Dr. Skotnicki recommend taking a two-step approach to washing off waterproof mascara: Start by massaging your eyes with a cleansing oil, micellar water on a cotton pad, or makeup remover wipe, then wash your face as usual.
Smudge-proof mascaras
Smudge-proof mascaras, on the other hand, aren’t quite as impervious to water. They’re less likely to contain waxes and silicones and, instead, use film-forming agents to prevent products from smearing, Dr. Skotnicki says. She adds that this type of formula is considered especially helpful for people with oily skin, since it’s less likely to run if you get a little greasy midway through the day. Another plus: Cleanup is usually easier with smudge-free mascaras. It may take a little rubbing, but they can usually come off with water or a gentle cleanser.
What type of mascara is the best option for sweat?
Both waterproof and smudge-proof mascaras are worth a try—depending on your skin type and how much you usually sweat, one might work better than the other for you. (Dr. Zalka says even regular mascara can make it through a workout intact if you’re a light sweater—just try not to touch your eyelids to avoid leaving with raccoon eyes.) So if you’re just starting to look for your holy grail gym mascara, don't be afraid of a little trial and error. If you want to go with the surest option first, though, our experts lean a bit toward fully waterproof products.
Just keep in mind that waterproof formulas can dry out or irritate the delicate area around your eyes, Dr. Zalka says. Consider wearing your favorite one only when you really need it, rather than daily.
Related:
- The Very Best Deodorants for Your Sweatiest, Stinkiest Days
- Here’s How to Actually Clean Your Sweaty Workout Clothes
- The 15 Best Shoes for People With Sweaty Feet
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