This short timescale may inform how much you’re willing to spend on a tube of mascara. How much should I spend? Our panel of 295 women trialled 18 waterproof mascaras over a two-week period. They assessed a range of properties for each mascara, including the design, the finish it gave lashes, how waterproof and smudge-proof it was, and how easy it was to remove at the end of the day.

No makeup routine is complete without a crucial finishing touch: mascara. If you’re in search of the perfect formula to maximise your lashes, you’ve come to the right place. Too Faced is the ultimate destination for premium, Peta-approved mascara. We recommend using a cotton or reusable makeup-removal pad to gently press onto your closed eye, gently swiping it down your lashes to remove any makeup or mascara. If your mascara is a waterproof formula, invest in a bi-phase makeup remover, which combines oil and water to dissolve even the toughest of waterproof formulations. How often should I replace my mascara? Caitlyn Martyn is a commerce writer on staff at Byrdie, where she covers beauty and style-related topics. She is an experienced product tester and has tried hundreds of mascaras over the years, including a number of the formulas that appear on this list.

Meet the Experts

The only downside is that we noticed a pretty strong fragrance, which isn’t ideal, especially for eye products, since it can be irritating. However, it is very common in waterproof formulas. Alyssa also spoke to experts to discuss important things to consider when purchasing mascara. Those experts included: This will depend on the overall effect you’re striving for. For a daytime look where you simply wish to frame your eyes, a single sweep will suffice. However, for a more dramatic, faux-lash look, apply several coats of mascara to achieve eyelashes with more impact. Each of the mascaras on our list works well applied as a single coat, or layered several times. Make up remover: Even the best cleansers don't always cut the mustard when it comes to removing waterproof mascaras. Instead, invest in a dedicated make-up remover.Your lashes will thank you.

Waterproof mascaras normally require more effort to remove. If the eye area is rubbed too hard, it could pull the lashes and cause eye irritation, so it’s important to be gentle. When waterproof mascara dries, the lashes become stiff and are therefore more prone to bending and snapping, which is why it’s especially important to remove it at the end of the day. While some waterproof formulas can be nearly impossible to remove without harsh rubbing with makeup remover, this one came off surprisingly well with just a few swipes of a cotton pad soaked in makeup remover.

Best waterproof mascaras at a glance:

Formula:Waterproof mascaras can be seriously drying, so look for formulas with nourishing ingredients to avoid causing unnecessary damage to your lashes. Charlotte Tilbury’s Pillow Talk line is iconic, and this mascara is too. Created to provide length and volume, it features a unique double-sided paddle brush that works to load and comb product onto the lashes while giving them a lift. It’s also smudge-proof and humidity-proof, making it a fitting choice if you’re traveling or you live in a humid climate. The formula and brush work together to lengthen and volumize the lashes while giving them a lifted effect. The wand contains staggered bristles to effectively grip each lash, and we found that the bristles did a great job of separating lashes for a more wide-eyed look. The bristles on the tip of the brush also helped to coat the lashes in hard-to-reach areas, making for a full, even application. How to choose the best volumising mascara for you What different types of volumising mascaras are available?