People often mistake this product's results for a lash lift—here are the best formulas

Although mascara is a staple in many of our make-up bags, it’s difficult to know which to choose. There are hundreds of formulas, wands and even shades to choose from, making it hard to know what the best mascara is to choose. This is especially true when battling oily eyelids, hot climates and teary situations. And sure, waterproof mascara is a match against those elements, but it's not for everyone. Most of all, because of the removal. Even with the best makeup remover, waterproof mascara can require scrubbing and pulling to get the formula off the lashes. 

That’s where tubing mascaras come in. Praised for their ability to make lashes look fluttery with a long-lasting, flake-free finish—all without the faff of laborious removal, risking precious lash strands. If you’re unfamiliar, unlike traditional waxy mascara formulas which coat lashes in a pigment, tubing mascaras are tube-like polymers (hence the name) that wrap themselves around each lash. The way these polymers wrap around each eyelash means they just slip off with water without much pressure needed. 

It’s not just the removal that makes people tubing mascara fans, it’s the way they look. Dubbed as the alternative to eyelash extensions or LVL lashes for their ability to stretch and add impressive length without bulking out the lashes too much. To find a tubing mascara, generally you want to look for polymers in the ingredients.

This natural finish might be a downside for some because it’s not as buildable as a formula, which comes down to personal preference. If dramatic, can-see-from-a-mile-away eyelashes are your jam, you won’t love this type of mascara. Tubing mascara formulas are also slightly wetter in consistency which means they take a lot longer to try, so whatever you do, don’t sneeze in between coats. 

Intrigued? Welcome! Here are our Marie Claire UK favourites...

Best tubing mascaras

1. Victoria Beckham Future Lash Mascara

Victoria Beckham has mastered many beauty products with her eponymous brand but the Future Lash mascara is by far a standout. At first, it might seem underwhelming (because we’ve become so used to dramatic lashes in a single coat) but its magic happens in its subtlety. It gives the most enhanced natural-looking eyelashes I’ve come across in a mascara. Basically, it’ll give you a lash lift in a bottle. All it takes is a little swipe of warm water to remove it completely. 

2. Hourglass Unlocked Instant Extensions Mascara

The length and volume this mascara gives without any clumps has given me more compliments than any other mascara, which as a beauty editor, is saying something. Unlike a lot of tubing formulas, I find that this one is buildable but one coat is enough for me to give a tiny bit of volume and a whole lot of length. Although it comes off with a bit of warm water, I prefer a little micellar water to swipe away. 

3. Milk Makeup Rise Mascara

Now, this mascara won’t give volume but it sure will give you length. This won’t give you dramatic lashes, but more of a fluffy, naturally-lengthened look. If you aren’t a fan of the really wet formulas, you’ll probably like this one as it’s more on the dry side. Plus, I really love that the tube has a texture, which makes it easy to grip. 

4. Beauty Pie Wrap Star Tubing Mascara 

Price shown is members' price.

For the price, I'd say this is one of the most impressive formulas of the bunch. Although it doesn't give as much volume as traditional formulas, it gives more than lots in this list. It has a good balance between volume, curling and lengthening to enhance your natural lashes. It's also buildable so you can pack the layers on without a clump in sight, which is no easy feat for a mascara. Our only downside is that we wish it came in brown, too. But for a tenner, you really can't go wrong with this. 

5. Chanel Inimitable Intense 

If you like to reach every single lash easily, the small tapered brush on this is ideal. It’s great for sprucing up sparse lashes and coating those hard-to-reach bottom ones. It’s also incredibly easy to remove, which is a bonus—especially if your lashes are on the thin side. 

6. MAC Extended Play Gigablack Lash Mascara 

The brush is what makes this formula unique, as it is tapered to reach each and every eyelash. It’s a great lengthening mascara and lives up to its promise of feeling lightweight. However, if you're a dramatic lash lover, or have shorter lashes, this might not give you the results you’re after. It’s definitely a more natural-looking finish. This really does just need a bit of water to fully remove it, which is ideal if you have sensitive eyes or are a little lazy on the night time cleaning.

7. Eyeko Lash Alert Mascara

The curved brush helps to get more volume in there, the downfall of a lot of other tubing formulas. It also comes in a bunch of different shades, which are really pigmented making it a great choice for colourful makeup enthusiasts. Although I’ve found this mascara can be hit or miss on its longevity, it can flake off a little on longer days, which is something to bear in mind. 

8. Kevyn Aucoin The Curling Mascara

This is the holy grail of tubing mascaras, favoured by make-up aficionados and beauty editors everywhere. As well as proving to have excellent lengthening power, it forces even the straightest lashes into an upward curl, making your eyes appear bigger. Think separated, long lashes with an anti-gravity lift without the need to faff around with lash curlers.