The best waterproof mascaras in the UK 2023

Nothing better than a waterproof mascara to make a makeup adapted to all the events and all the seasons. But the choice is going to be difficult with the many forms of products found on the market and the brands (Maybelline, L'Oreal...). To help you find what suits you best, check out our guide to the best waterproof mascaras.

L'Oréal Paris Bambi Eye 1
9/10

Best value for money

L'Oréal Paris Bambi Eye

The best waterproof mascara

Thanks to the formula rich in beeswax and carnauba wax, with a wider brush that perfectly follows the shape of the lashes, this waterproof mascara offers a sublime look.

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The Bambi Eye is a waterproof mascara by L'Oréal Paris. It offers a look with delicately curved lashes. The wide brush that comes with it hugs the shape of the eyes for a stunning curve. It curls all lashes, from the inner to the outer corner. Plus, thanks to its microfiber-enriched formula, lashes grow longer after brushing without clumping.

L'Oréal Paris Bambi Eye Waterproof Mascara also contains a conditioning ingredient that protects the eye area from oxidative stress and free radicals. The waterproof formula ensures long wear and is built to withstand any challenge. Finally, this product is suitable for even the most sensitive eyes and contact lens wearers.

Maybelline New York Cils Sensationnal 2
7/10

Best value for money

Maybelline New York Cils Sensationnal

The best entry-level waterproof mascara

More black than black, Maybelline New York Cils Sensationnal draws its success from its waterproof formula, lightened with wax and enriched with intense black pigments. A must have.

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Maybelline New York Cils Sensationnal Mascara is waterproof, won't run even when you cry, and won't clump! Perfectly curling lashes, it adds lots of volume and lengthens without flaking or smudging. Lighter in wax, more fluid and lighter, its waterproof formula coats each lash with intense black volume. Non-irritating, it can be applied even to super-sensitive eyes.

Very easy to use and sold with 6 different sizes of pimples, its brush gives the lashes a pretty shape for an extended look. A few strokes of the brush can be enough to get a good eye makeup. Tested under ophthalmological control, this waterproof mascara offers an unfailing hold. And it is not expensive.

Bourjois Volume Glamour Push Up Effect 3
8/10

Best premium value for money

Bourjois Volume Glamour Push Up Effect

The best high-end waterproof mascara

Volumizing, curling and with a fiber brush, Bourjois Volume Glamour Push Up Effect offers beautifully curled and thickened lashes. It provides instant curl.

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In just one coat, Bourjois Volume Glamour Effet Push Up will lengthen, volumize and separate your lashes. Thanks to its fine and silky push up formula, this waterproof mascara gives volume, without clumping and adjustable at will. It resists well to watery eyes and sweat. The curling fiber brush coats lashes from root to tip, maximizing volume.

Overall, this waterproof mascara offers up to 16 hours of wear. Thanks to the paraben-free formula, it's suitable for sensitive eyes and contact lens wearers alike. Especially since its design with ultra feminine curves that is very trendy. You'll get the lashes you've been dreaming of with this mascara by Bourjois.

L'Oréal Paris Volume Millions de Cils 4
8/10

Volumizing formula

L'Oréal Paris Volume Millions de Cils

For dramatic volume eyes

This L'Oréal Paris Volume Millions of Lashes waterproof mascara offers multiplied lashes for an irresistible unfurled look. This way, your contours will have an extra intense black volume.

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Buying guide • November 2023

Best waterproof mascara

Any specific needs?

The best waterproof mascara

The best entry-level waterproof mascara

The best high-end waterproof mascara

For dramatic volume eyes

Your guide : Samuel

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Comparison table of the best waterproof mascaras

TOP OF THE TOP CHEAP TOP OF THE LINE EXCELLENT
L'Oréal Paris Bambi Eye 5
9/10
Maybelline New York Cils Sensationnal 6
7/10
Bourjois Volume Glamour Push Up Effect 7
8/10
L'Oréal Paris Volume Millions de Cils 8
8/10
OUR SELECTION
L'Oréal Paris Bambi Eye
Maybelline New York Cils Sensationnal
Bourjois Volume Glamour Push Up Effect
L'Oréal Paris Volume Millions de Cils
Thanks to the formula rich in beeswax and carnauba wax, with a wider brush that perfectly follows the shape of the lashes, this waterproof mascara offers a sublime look.
More black than black, Maybelline New York Cils Sensationnal draws its success from its waterproof formula, lightened with wax and enriched with intense black pigments. A must have.
Volumizing, curling and with a fiber brush, Bourjois Volume Glamour Push Up Effect offers beautifully curled and thickened lashes. It provides instant curl.
This L'Oréal Paris Volume Millions of Lashes waterproof mascara offers multiplied lashes for an irresistible unfurled look. This way, your contours will have an extra intense black volume.
Delicately curled lashes
Easy to apply
Curled lashes with no clumps
Increased lashes for a fuller, more expansive look
Microfiber enriched formula
Fan-like effect
Paraben-free formula
Zero-package effect
Fully wearable
Good staying power
Lasts up to 16 hours
Ophthalmologist-tested formula

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Buying guide - waterproof mascara

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How to choose your waterproof mascara

It all depends on how you want your lashes to look. However, there are a few criteria you should consider when buying your waterproof mascara so you don't make the wrong choice.

#1 - The ingredients

First, consider the ingredients used in waterproof mascara. It must contain a solvent, called isododecane, which allows the application, before evaporating. The second ingredient that must be found in this product is the waxes that are the main components of all mascaras. In addition, polymers are essential to coat the lashes and allow the product to hold.

Apart from that, there should be thickeners to provide more body. There may also be kerosene or clay derivatives. It must also contain pigments to avoid problems of sensitization of the eyes (iron oxides, titanium dioxide, ultramarine blue). Like all beauty products, it must have water, which in turn comes from different ingredients.

#2 - The type of brush

It is important to pay attention to the type of brush: its shape and size. The brush you use should feel good. Much easier to handle, small brushes are ideal for people with vision problems. Fine brushes that allow you to divide the lashes individually by combing them upwards. A fan brush and a more liquid paste, on the other hand, give long, defined lashes.

For a volumizing mascara, a small, thick brush is ideal. Curved brushes are for bringing lashes up to the tips. Indeed, it is not only a question of shape. Long bristles are for getting great definition, short bristles for working on thickness, applicator comb for cleaner lashes.

#3 - The formula

You also have to consider the material the brush is made of. The latest trends are silicone. There is waterproof mascara with a brush equipped with a rigid part and soft silicone bristles. With these, you can apply more product than the bristle version.

This is quite possible because the brush can wrap the lashes one by one. But there are also mascaras with curved silicone applicators and different types of bristles. Once applied, they allow for an almost imperceptible zigzag movement, which guarantees a striking effect.

#4 - The color

The quality of a product depends on its formulation, of course. That's why it's crucial to take formulations into account. There are more pasty volumizing mascaras, where the fibers coat the lashes to create greater density and length. There are also more fluid formulas that are easier to apply. They don't weigh down the eyes.

#5 -

The color of the mascara is very important to amplify the look. When we talk about the color, it is always advisable to opt for the shades that are most suitable for the color of our eyes. In fact, today there are many shades of waterproof mascara. For those with heavenly eyes, indigo or turquoise mascara will give light and depth to the eye.

For those with green or hazel eyes, you can experiment with any shade. For dark eyes, finally, you can play with contrasts and apply a mascara tending towards dark blue.

How to remove waterproof mascara?

Easy to apply but difficult to remove, waterproof mascara cannot be removed with a simple cleansing milk. It requires a makeup remover specially made for it. In order to protect the lashes and the skin and to obtain a more effective make-up removal, it is necessary to use an oil or gel based make-up remover. Oil can remove the toughest stuff from your eyes in a flash. It leaves your skin moisturized and non-greasy.

Another option to avoid rubbing your eyes is to use a biphasic makeup remover. It is composed of two phases: a watery phase and an oily phase. The first phase helps to avoid the greasy feeling on the eyelids. The latter helps dissolve mascara and the most stubborn pigments. You should not use an aggressive makeup remover to avoid burns.

Apart from that, micellar oils can also effectively dissolve and remove even the most stubborn mascara. So how do you do it? Apply the makeup remover of your choice to a cotton ball and place it on the closed eye. The mascara will dissolve in a few seconds. In order not to create irritation in the eyes, massage the eyelid in the direction of the lashes and never rub the pad. Be careful not to pull on your lashes.

Waterproof mascaras or water-resistant mascaras?

Waterproof mascaras

Waterproof mascaras keep lashes up and curled. With a waterproof mascara, having a waterproof formulation, your mascara will not run even if you submerge your lashes in water or rub your eyes. It can hold your makeup well throughout the day. It can withstand a lot of heat or sweat.

Moreover, it resists as well to the water of the swimming pool as to the baths of the sea. It is thus an extremely practical make-up product. As it has a more aggressive formula than other mascaras, it is recommended for those who have strong lashes. Indeed, waterproof mascaras contain chemicals that can be dangerous for the lashes. It is therefore better to choose those based on argan oil or castor oil. In addition, they require more difficult removal conditions.

Waterproof mascaras

Waterproof mascaras, as the name implies, offer great water resistance. They can handle rain and tears well, but will not hold up in more intense wet conditions like the pool, the sea or a sauna session. They can, however, withstand greasy formulas such as face creams or excess sebum.

Compared to waterproof mascaras, they are easier to remove at the end of the day and don't need to be treated with strong makeup removers, which could actually contribute to skin irritation. The soft, long-wearing formula is the quality you should look for in a mascara if you don't want to damage your lashes.

Verdict

The choice depends on your personal needs and the result you want. But if you need a lot of holding power, it's better to opt for a waterproof mascara rather than a waterproof mascara.

The advantages of using waterproof mascara

Gives a thicker look

This had to be the first pro for obvious reasons. The product adds more volume to each lash, making it longer and fuller. Most of the products are also quite pigmented, which makes the lashes darker and more defined. Don't forget to cover your lashes from its roots to the tips by waving the wand to give a more pronounced effect.

Make your eyes look bigger

There are a variety of waterproof mascara formulas available in the market. You can choose a mascara depending on whether you want a lengthy or voluminous formula. To make your look more dramatic, you can apply the product to both your upper and lower lashes. This will make your eyes bigger and more visible than before.

Make the makeup fun

Obviously, they can make your makeup fun, as they come in a variety of colors. There was a time when mascaras were only available in the color black. Not that there's anything wrong with that, but as fashion evolved, beauty companies introduced mascara formulas in many other colors. You can opt for blue, white, red, purple or pink - almost any color can give your regular makeup a fun and trendy touch.

Lasts a long, long time

If you have naturally watery eyes, like to watch sad movies or like to get wet in the rain, waterproof mascara should be your new best friend. The staying power of some waterproof mascara formulas is really strong, making them last a whole day without needing touch-ups. If you like defined, curled lashes after applying mascara, use an eyelash curler. You'll be amazed at how defined your lashes will be, making your eyes stand out.

Use frequently

Being light on the lids, they are ideal for frequent use. Waterproof mascaras can be a part of your daily makeup routine because of their ease of use, lightness on the lashes, but most importantly they are waterproof. Even though it has the volume of your lashes, you won't feel like your lashes are wearing out, making it inconvenient and irritating for you. They are really easy to use; just a few taps with the wand and you are good to go.

Tips

Choose a water-resistant formula

If you want your waterproof mascara to be truly effective in any situation, then don't just select a packaging that you like and check that it says "water resistant" on it. Without that, you might end up with a formulation that lacks drying actives.

Give yourself a little treatment

To avoid weakening your lashes, it's advisable to give yourself a little special treatment for a few days once you've removed your makeup. Nothing fancy, just invest in serum of this type, full of vitamins and proteins to strengthen the lashes.

Use it occasionally

The waterproof mascara is ultra practical, everyone will agree. But beware, it's not about using it every day. Because its formula rightly contains drying ingredients, it's imperative to reserve it for special occasions. If you use it every day, it will end up damaging your lashes...

Use a base

To protect your lashes and prepare them as well as possible for the application of a waterproof formula, it is highly recommended to start with a base.

Be careful when removing makeup

Thick and very resistant, waterproof mascara should not be removed with a classic makeup remover. For it to be removed gently, choose a product specially designed for the eyes and especially well oily. Otherwise, you will be forced to rub harder and your lashes may fall off prematurely.

FAQ

What is the best waterproof mascara?

The best waterproof mascara depends on your needs and budget. Read our buying guide for the best products out there.

How to remove waterproof mascara without waterproof makeup remover?

To do this, dip a cotton ball in extra virgin olive oil and gently swipe it over your lashes. Do this as many times as needed, until all the mascara is removed. Another great natural oil to remove waterproof mascara easily is coconut oil.

Can you use waterproof mascara every day?

No, it's better not to use waterproof mascara every day as it can be harsh and so as not to damage your lashes and the skin around your eyes.

How long can you wear waterproof mascara?

It's not every day that you can wear waterproof mascara. Waterproof mascara is great for the summer months or when you know you're going to sweat, but it's not recommended to use it every day. Because it doesn't come off easily, continually pulling on lashes can weaken them and eventually cause them to fall off.

Does waterproof mascara eventually come off?

Removing heavy-duty waterproof mascara is no small feat - but you don't always need makeup remover. Most experts recommend using an oil-based eye makeup remover to break down mascara quickly and easily and avoid waking up with the dreaded panda eyes.

Sources

Note: Below are some of the sources we have consulted in writing this article. Links to other sites are not continuously updated. It is therefore possible that a link may not be found. Please use a search engine to find the desired information.
  1. Which mascara to choose : all our advice on how to choose your mascara, elle.fr
  2. Waterproof mascara : good or bad idea?, grazia.fr
  3. How to choose your waterproof mascara, topsante.com
  4. Why should we limit the use of waterproof mascaras?, blog.tendance-parfums.com
  5. How to remove waterproof mascara ?, refinery29.com
  6. Comparative Toxic Substances in Cosmetics - Mascaras (Makeup), quechoisir.org
  7. How to choose your mascara right?, uniprix.com
  8. 3 tips to remove your waterproof mascara, beaute.fr
  9. How to choose your mascara right?, astuces-pratiques.fr
  10. Eye makeup : choosing the right mascara for skiing, beaute-par-zohra.com
  11. 13 Waterproof Mascaras That Will Stay on Through Anything, iloveski.org
  12. 15 Best Waterproof Mascaras That Won't Smudge Flake or Run, byrdie.com
  13. The 13 Best Waterproof Mascaras That Hold Up No Matter What, cosmopolitan.com
  14. Amazon.co.uk : waterproof mascara, marieclaire.com
  15. Top 5 best waterproof mascaras - aufeminin, amazon.co.uk
  16. Find your perfect waterproof mascara at Lancôme, aufeminin.com
  17. Waterproof mascara SEPHORA, lancome.fr
  18. Waterproof mascara : the best choice of the editors at ..., sephora.fr
  19. Which waterproof mascara to buy ? - Marie Claire, vogue.fr
  20. MASCARAS WATERPROOF - Maybelline, marieclaire.fr
  21. Waterproof mascara | notino.fr, maybelline.fr
  22. Waterproof mascara - L'Oréal Paris, notino.fr
  23. Bio Definition mascara - Avril | AyaNature, loreal-paris.fr
  24. Waterproof mascara: good or bad idea? - Grazia, ayanature.com
  25. Mascara ≡ SEPHORA, grazia.fr
  26. Eyelash volumizers: lengthening and strengthening, sephora.fr
  27. Mascara | Waterproof mascara | False-lash effect mascara, kikocosmetics.com
  28. Mascara Maybelline : Which one to choose? - Maybelline, bleulibellule.com
  29. The best waterproof mascaras : Top 3 with your opinions ..., maybelline.fr
  30. Classification & Buying Guide : Top Waterproof Mascaras In ..., beaute-test.com
  31. Waterproof Mascara | La Redoute, lajoliemaison.fr
  32. Waterproof Volumizing Mascara - Eye Care Cosmetics, laredoute.fr
  33. Waterproof Mascara - L'Observatoire des Cosmétiques ..., eyecare.fr
  34. Best Waterproof Mascaras | Lancôme, cosmeticobs.com
  35. , lancome.ca
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Updates

March 2022 : Translation of this buying guide from our partner meilleurtest.fr

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Our selection
L'Oréal Paris Bambi Eye 9
L'Oréal Paris Bambi Eye
Maybelline New York Cils Sensationnal 10
Maybelline New York Cils Sensationnal
Bourjois Volume Glamour Push Up Effect 11
Bourjois Volume Glamour Push Up Effect
L'Oréal Paris Volume Millions de Cils 12
L'Oréal Paris Volume Millions de Cils

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