What Is Tubing Mascara And Why Is It Suddenly Everywhere?

Do you suffer from chronically oily eyelids? Do your lashes flake within a few hours of applying mascara? Look no further — tubing mascara is here to save the day. While there's nothing new about waterproof mascara, tubing mascara is made from smudge-free ingredients rather than the wax material of traditional mascara formulas. "Think of it as the saran wrap on your lashes," cosmetic chemist Ginger King said in an interview with Allure. "They add some bulkiness and are flexible enough to stretch for an eyelash extension look."

It's also incredibly easy to remove. Rather than repeatedly washing your face and picking at the mascara pieces that haven't come off, tubing mascara can be removed with warm water and a gentle scrub. There are an endless number of pros for switching your current mascara out for a tubing mascara, and we'll have you convinced by the end of this read.

The toughest part of applying mascara is avoiding clumps. Tubing mascara is unique for its water-resistant polymers, creating a tube-like coating on each individual lash. Some of the most precise tubing mascaras include Tower 28's MakeWaves Lengthening and Volumizing Mascara ($20), Tarte's Tartelette Tubing Mascara ($24), and Trish McEvoy's Lash Curling Mascara ($34). These are just a few fan favorites that will leave your lashes feeling effortlessly light, long, and securely coated.

If you struggle with applying mascara to your bottom lashes — often more thin and fragile — a tubing mascara can help provide a light coating that still leaves your lashes looking defined. If you're a victim of "raccoon eyes," or black under eyes after a long day of wearing so-called waterproof mascara, then you'll appreciate the sustainability of tubing mascara even more. You'll apply it with the same method as traditional mascara, but you'll see a lash-extension-type effect that's different from anything you've seen before.

When it comes to removing mascara, it can be easy to lose several lashes in the process. Since tubing mascara is made with a more efficient formula than traditional mascaras, it doesn't require makeup remover to be taken off. The recommended makeup removal process involves gentle strokes with a cleansing oil and cotton pad. "Oils simply slide mascara off of your lashes. Use a saturated cotton pad and gently press and hold it against your lashes for at least 30 seconds, then gently wipe the mascara off your lashes," says esthetician Darya Rzaca in an interview with Byrdie. 

You can also soak a towel in warm water and place it on your eyes to achieve the same result. The warm water helps soften the polymer formula and individually remove the tubes that surround your eyelashes (you might see these tubes on your towel — don't panic! It's just mascara residue). Some of the best makeup-removing oils include Neutrogena's Ultra-Light Cleansing Oil ($10), Pai Skincare's Light Work Organic Cleaning Oil ($29), and Tatcha's Pure One Step Camellia Cleansing Oil ($50).

We've all had moments where we go to bed without fully taking off our makeup (although it shouldn't be too frequent). Since tubing mascara is much easier to remove, it can prevent you from going to sleep without taking off your makeup. If you have sensitive eyes, sleeping in your makeup overnight can cause serious damage to your lashes and lead to thinning and falling out. With a simple cotton pad and oil, you can remove your mascara in less than a minute. As makeup artist Lex Smith told Byrdie, "​​My favorite thing has to be how easy it is to remove, but [it] also has incredible staying power that doesn't flake or budge."

Tubing mascara is a reliable, smudge-proof, and effective alternative to mascara formulas that can leave your lashes feeling dry, clumpy, or even falling off. You'll also never have to apply fake lashes again, as tubing mascara provides similar results. We're sold — how about you?