What Is Tubing Mascara—and Should You Be Using It? (2025)

We've become accustomed to descriptive words like lifting, telescoping, lengthening, and intensifying dominating mascara ads, but tubing is a verb you might be less familiar with. Whether your lashes are short or long, sparse or full, pale or heavily pigmented, there's a mascara to meet your needs. But while there may be plentiful offerings, their formulas are largely composed of the same waxes. Tubing mascaras, however, actually are different—true iconoclasts in the space, shunning age-old formulations that merely coat the lashes with high-tech polymers that sheathe each lash individually.

But what exactly does tubing mascara do, and how does it differ from other options? Ahead, with the help of cosmetic chemist Ginger King, pro esthetician Darya Rzaca, and makeup artist Lex Smith, we break it all down for you.

What Is Tubing Mascara?

According to cosmetic chemist Ginger King, tubing mascaras contain polymers that wrap around the individual lash like a tube, "enveloping the lashes" entirely, unlike traditional mascara formulas that coat each eyelash with a composition that's mostly made of waxes.

"Tubing mascaras have these tiny lengthening 'tubes' that wrap around each lash like your fave cashmere wrap, creating an enhanced lengthening effect," Tarte makeup artist Lex Smith adds. "Every time I wear tubing mascara, I get many compliments on my lashes, and people mistake my natural lashes for extensions."

Benefits

• ​​Less flaking and smudging: If you experience smudging or flaking with your mascaras, tubing mascara might be what you're looking for. "Regular mascaras contain oils and waxes that can weigh your lashes down with pigment and easily smudge," says Smith. "Rather than painting your lashes, [a tubing formula] wraps around each individual lash, creating the ultimate lifted and lengthening effect.
• Easier to remove: "Tubing formulas also help prevent tugging at your natural lashes and are super easy to remove with a little warm water," says Smith. "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 vs. "Regular" Mascara

The main differences between tubing and traditional mascaras are the formulas and removal process. "Anyone looking for a lash extension effect should reach for a tubing mascara," says Smith. "I also recommend tubing mascara for anyone with sensitive eyes, as the removal process is a lot easier than [it is with] regular mascara."

When it comes to longevity, "tubing mascara takes the cake," says Smith. "The polymers in tubing mascara are much more stable and withstand your face oils breaking [them] down, unlike regular wax-based mascaras. Tubing mascaras also dry quicker and are smudge-proof, leaving you with a more reliable eyelash coating—so you don't have to check up on your lashes throughout the day."

"The pro of using a tubing mascara is you don't have to worry about smudging and it's easily taken off with warm water. It is suitable for sensitive skin as well," adds King. "The con is you cannot build it with multiple layers like a traditional mascara for volume, and it can feel drying compared to traditional mascara which contains high amounts of oil and waxes."

Potential Side Effects

According to King, tubing mascaras are generally safe for even those with sensitive skin. "Using warm water to pull off the tubes gently should not damage natural lashes or extensions," she adds. "It's gentler compared to traditional waterproof mascaras that require a special makeup remover." However, if you have a known sensitivity to regular mascaras, it may be wise to check with your dermatologist.

How to Apply

You apply tubing mascara as you would any other mascara. Start at the base of your lash and wiggle the wand to get a good grip from the start. Then extend the brush in an upward motion and slowly coat each lash. Another great benefit of tubing mascara is that it rarely forms clumps, so applying a second coat is easy.

The Removal Process

"The main benefit of tubing mascara is that you can easily remove it using warm water," esthetician, Darya Rzaca, says. "Tubing mascaras don't require any makeup remover. What's more, they do not smudge, crush, or leave so-called 'raccoon eyes' during the removal process."

"For clarity, tubing mascaras are water resistant, not water-proof, so they can be taken off with warm water," adds King, emphasizing that the temperature of the water makes a difference. She explains that traditional waterproof mascaras contain silicones and polymers (in addition to wax, oils, and pigments), making them so notoriously tough to remove.

How to Remove It

If tubing mascara can be removed with water alone, what is the most efficient way to do so? "As simple as it may sound, you just saturate a cotton pad with warm water, gently press and hold it against your lashes for 30 seconds, then gently wipe the mascara off the lashes," Rzaca explains.

How does this removal process compare to that of regular mascara? "When it comes to regular mascaras, using a cleansing oil to remove your makeup is a great solution, especially if the skin around your eyes tends to lack moisture more than the rest of your skin," says Rzaca. "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." Clinique's Take The Day Off Makeup Remover for Lids, Lashes, and Lips is an oil-based cleanser that gets the job done. If you're looking for an oil-free option, try Orveda's Eye Makeup Remover and Pro-Fortifying Lash Serum, which helps remove makeup from even the most sensitive of eyes.

And as Rzaca reminds us, "Never go to sleep with any kind of mascara on. It doesn’t matter whether it is a tubing mascara. When the mascara dries overnight, it can cause your lashes to fall off, and a stiff lash can scratch your cornea while you're sleeping. Mascara can rub against your pillow and get into your eyes. All can lead to eye irritation."

The Final Takeaway

If you're looking for a long-wearing mascara that is easy to apply and can provide smudge resistance, we suggest trying a tubing formula. Tubing mascaras provide a lash extension-like effect and are applied the same as traditional mascaras. Consider us sold.