5 Essential Things to Consider About Waterproof Mascara

Ra'eesah Manack
3 min readJun 9, 2020

--

From picking the best formula to how to apply and remove it, waterproof mascara needs you to be a little more careful when using it. Here are five things you need to know.

Shutterstock

1. When To Wear Waterproof Mascara

Even though it’s tempting to wear every day, it comes with its downfalls too. Before deciding to wear waterproof mascara, first, do your research and pick out the perfect formula. Once you have one, it’s time to figure out when to wear the longer-lasting formula.

Makeup artists advise using waterproof mascara when you need it to last all day, or you’ll be exposed to the elements. Wedding season, summer, and tropical vacations are high on the list of times you should opt for waterproof instead of regular mascara.

Photo by Taisiia Shestopal on Unsplash

2. How to Apply Waterproof Mascara

Applying mascara is not as simple as layering a bunch of coats on the lashes. If you want to achieve stunning movie star worthy lashes, start by curling your lashes. Then gently brush a single layer of mascara onto the lashes while gently wiggling the wand as you apply the product. Allow the coat to dry before following with a second coat.

Remember to also apply a coat of mascara to the top of the lashes as well. Take your time to ensure every lash is evenly coated. Lastly, don’t forget to use a lash comb to separate your lashes so that you do not end up with spider lashes.

Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash

3. Never Fall Asleep With Waterproof Mascara

Dermatologist, Dr. Engelman, emphasizes that one of the worse things you can do at night is falling asleep without removing your mascara. Aside from warning that doing so can cause your lashes to break, she also warns:

Sleeping with mascara can dry out lashes, causing them to fall out”

Photo by Sharon McCutcheon on Unsplash

4. Waterproof Mascara Can Dry Your Lashes

The reason waterproof mascara lasts so long on the lashes is that they are usually formulated with waxes and silicones. However, while this makes the formula more resilient against sweat, tears, and water, it also makes the formula more drying to lashes.

Compared to regular mascara, waterproof mascara also has added ingredients like isododecane and Cyclopentasiloxane, which can also damage lashes. This is another reason always to read the label when picking out the product that best suits your needs.

Photo by Aleksandra Rupar on Unsplash

5. Effectively & Gently Remove Waterproof Mascara

Finally, to truly enjoy the benefits and minimize the adverse effects of waterproof mascara, it is vital to remove it after every use effectively. To break down a durable mascara formula while still protecting your lashes, you need to avoid water-based removers and physical removers like makeup removing wipes.

Instead, opt for oil-based removers. Focus on gently applying it to the area without tugging or vigorously rubbing the lids or lashes. Instead, hold a cotton pad soaked in remover on the area for a few minutes to allow it to break down the product then gently wipe away, ensuring that all the product is removed.

--

--