Mascara that flakes and falls is never good, but it’s arguably a whole other level of not good after 50. Stray black flecks of mascara disturb the peace I thought I had made with my crow’s feet.
So, I was thrilled to discover a new technology in mascara, which those in the know call “tubing.” It’s an apt moniker because this mascara literally creates tiny tubes around each of your lashes, making them longer and thicker with each swipe of the wand.
The Ins And Outs Of Tubing
Tubing mascara is made with polymers rather than the wax and pigment used in traditional formulas. This makes it water-resistant but gentle. Those with delicate lashes say it won’t cause damage or breaks. Plus, it will stay put even if you have oily eyelids.
When it’s time to remove the mascara, those little tubes stay intact as they disengage from your lashes. So, you don’t get raccoon eyes and smears, just minute cylinders to wipe away, which you can easily do with a warm washcloth. I use a gentle cleanser as well, but experts say water alone will do the trick.
One characteristic to note about tubing mascara is that they are more about length than thickness. If you want fluffy, dense lashes, this might not be the formula for you. More than one coat can lead to clumping, so trying to achieve a thicker lash with more product will likely backfire. But if mile-long lashes are your jam, look no further.
Finding The Right Tubing Formula
I discovered tubing technology when Wander Beauty was doing a big Instagram push, and I bit. I’ve been using the Wander Mile High Club Volume and Length Mascara for about a year now, and I’m hooked. (Although, as I mentioned, and despite the name, I would recommend it more for length than volume.)
Don’t just take it from me: it won the Refinery29 Beauty Innovator Award for Best Mascara, the Allure Best of Beauty Award, and the PureWow x Blink Beauty Indie Beauty Award Winner for Best Mascara all in 2019.
However, if you want to stick with the O.G. of tubing mascaras, then Blinc is your best bet. Blinc claims to be the first brand to utilize a tubing formula and is cruelty-free, clean, and vegan.
