6 Tubing Mascaras For Brides That Actually Stay All Day
- Paula Pace
- 12 hours ago
- 12 min read
As a Sunderland Bridal Makeup Artist, I’ve recently been reintroduced to tubing mascaras. And as they’ve suddenly taken the social media world by storm (as if they’re something brand new), I thought it was the perfect time to put a few of them to the test and give you a little more insight into these new, but not really new, tubing mascaras.
As a Sunderland bridal makeup artist, I’ve tested 6 tubing mascaras for brides to see which ones really last from ceremony to dance floor. Here’s how they stood up to emotional tears and how well they lasted.
Brand | Best For | Removal | Price | Overall Score | |
Revolution Wrap Lash | Volume | Hotwater/ miceller | £10.00 | 7/10 | |
Elf Lash XTNDR | Budget | Hotwater/ miceller | £8 | 9/10 | |
Boots No7 Stay Perfect | Natural Lashes/ sensitive eyes | Hotwater/ miceller | £14.95 | 5/10 | |
MCoBeauty Xtend Lash | Long Wear | Hotwater/ miceller | £10 | 8.5/10 | |
Barry M It's a Wrap | Defined and Long Wear | Hotwater/ miceller | £8.99 | 9.5/10 | |
Blinc | Hotwater/ miceller | £22 |
So what exactly are tubing mascaras?
How do tubing mascaras actually work?
How do you remove tubing mascaras?
And most importantly — are tubing mascaras good for emotional brides?
Well, I’ve been testing six different tubing mascaras to see which ones truly last from ceremony to dance floor. I’ve really gone to town so I can bring you an in-depth report on these particular tubing mascaras.
Read on to find out what worked… and if any, didn’t.
My First Introduction To Tubing Mascaras
If you read my other post on Tubing mascara's (Link Here) you will learn that tubing mascaras were introduced to us back in the 2010's by the Brand Blinc - a British company that specialised in all kinds of lash solutions. And as a North East Bridal Makeup Artist, I had to have one.
Tubing mascaras took on a role very different to our regular mascaras and was targeted at those who had the reoccurring problem of mascara transferring or spreading onto the skin under the eyes (common for those who have oilier skins and sometimes smaller or hooded eyes)
So What are Tubing Mascaras and why Brides love them?
The formulation of tubing mascaras differs from traditional formulas. They apply like regular mascaras and look like regular mascaras but there composition is very different often containing a completely different set of ingredients, designed to encase the lashes in its own protective lengthening sleeve, hence the name tubing and as they are completely water resistant (well not from hot water) these smudge proof mascaras really do perform for brides and bridesmaids.
How do Tubing mascaras actually work?
This is the exciting bit. Tubing mascaras are applied in exactly the same way as a traditional mascara, using a similar brush, and the formula even looks very similar. However, because of their ingredients, the formulation contains flexible, rubber-like polymers.
What this gives you is a flexible, oil-resistant, lengthening mascara that en-robes each lash to form tiny tubes around each individual lash.
If you wear heavier skincare around the eyes — such as rich creams or facial oils — a traditional mascara will often migrate onto the skin under the eyes. Before you know it, you’ve unintentionally created a smoky eye… even if you didn’t plan for one.
This happens because traditional mascaras rely on waxes and oils that can break down when they come into contact with the oils on your skin. Eye makeup removers were historically oil-based for exactly this reason — oils are the most effective way to dissolve long-wear mascaras and gel eyeliners.
Our tears also contain natural oils and salts, so during an emotional moment (which is almost guaranteed at a wedding), bridal mascara can sometimes migrate onto the under-eye area.
Of course, not on my watch (there's a tissue placement trick to help absorb those happy bridal tears)— but it’s still an important consideration when understanding the common mascara challenges brides can face on their wedding day.
How do you remove Tubing Mascaras?
Now this is another really interesting feature of tubing mascaras.
Unlike traditional mascaras, they are resistant to cold or lukewarm water. However, when they come into contact with hot water, the polymer “tubes” soften and begin to slide away from lashes. Instead of dissolving like a normal mascara, they come away in little pieces that look a bit like a thin film or even rubbery glue.
During my testing, I discovered this quite dramatically. When I went into the bath and dipped my face into the hot water, within a couple of minutes the mascara tubes simply loosened and slid away from my lashes. It was surprisingly clean and easy and absolutely no stinging or irritation and no left over stsaining.
I must report though — there were quite a few little black floaters in the bath, and some residue even stuck to the sides! Not the most glamorous moment, but it certainly proves how the tubing technology works.
Tubing mascaras can also be removed with micellar water or standard eye makeup removers. Interestingly, because they’re designed to resist oils on the skin, very oily removers may not always be the most effective option — although that’s something I might have to test out properly at a later date.
Are Tubing Mascaras Good for Emotional Brides?
Absolutely — and the wedding day is exactly where tubing mascaras really shine.
Brides know that wedding days come with tears of joy, long hugs, and a few emotional moments — and traditional mascaras have a nasty habit of migrating onto the under-eye area, leaving unsightly smudges. Even waterproof mascaras can break down over hours, especially if the skin around your eyes gets a bit oily or if tissues rub at your lashes.
Tubing mascaras, on the other hand, wrap each lash in tiny polymer tubes that are resistant to oils, sweat, and tears. That means you can cry, hug, and dance without worrying about black marks on your skin. The mascara stays on your lashes, not on your cheeks. So a tubing mascara is now an essential addition to my bridal makeup kit.
The removal process is also gentle — a warm water rinse, warm/hot water or micellar water soaked on cotton pads easily slides the tubes off, which is perfect for brides who want a smudge-free day and effortless removal at night.
In short: if you’re planning a wedding or any emotional event, tubing mascaras are a game-changer. They give you the drama and length of a traditional mascara but with peace of mind that your makeup will last from aisle to dance floor.
Yes, these alternative mascaras fill the gap for those who say can't wear lash extensions and have smaller or hooded eyes or those who have oilier skins. Tubing mascaras are becoming a real favourite in bridal makeup kits, and for good reason.
For brides, that’s a big advantage. Weddings are emotional (hello happy tears), long, and often involve warm venues, dancing, and lots of hugs. Tubing mascaras tend to stay put through humidity and tears, helping lashes look fresh from the ceremony right through to the evening reception.
And as the removal is fast and straight forward brides often really appreciate.
Unlike traditional mascaras that coat the lashes with wax and pigment, tubing mascaras use flexible polymers that wrap around each individual lash to create tiny “tubes., perfect for smudge -proof long lasting wedding day eye makeup”
So here are my 6 Tried and Tested Tubing mascaras
Revolution Wrap Lash Tubing Mascara (in shades Plum & Black
Elf Lash Xtndr With Tubing Technology
Boots No7 Stay Perfect tm - Long Wear Tubing Mascara
MCoBeauty XtendLash Tubing Mascara
Barry M Its' a Wrap Lengthening & Tubing Mascara
Blinc Amplified Tubing Mascara
“Tubing mascaras are one of the most reliable options for emotional brides because they resist tears, oil, and sweat — meaning your mascara stays on your lashes, not on your cheeks.”
Revolution Wrap Lash Tubing Mascara (The Plum & Black colour)
Read The Full Review Here
Revolution often makes pretty good budget products so I was excited to test their tubing mascara.
The first thing that impressed me was the packaging. The tube looks surprisingly luxurious for the price. It has a textured patterned finish that feels good quality in the hand, and the colours are gorgeous. The black version comes in a metallic pink tube, while the plum shade is housed in a rich metallic purple, which definitely wins on style.
The brush is well designed and applies the product easily. It gives a nice amount of thickness to the lashes without feeling heavy, and it builds up well if you want a fuller look.
The only issue I experienced was something quite unexpected. I sneeze a lot during the spring months (hay fever sufferers will understand!), and during one of my sneezing fits I noticed my top and bottom lashes briefly stuck together. Not enough to stop me opening my eyes, but just enough to make me aware that the formula had a slight tackiness to it.
I also tested the plum shade, which is quite vibrant. While it does make the eyes stand out beautifully, it can look a little harsh if paired with lighter brown or pink eyeshadows. In fact, my son even commented that my eyes looked a bit sore! I found the shade works much better with cooler greys or deeper browns, which balance the colour and create a much more flattering look.
Removal was very easy. In a hot bath the mascara softened and the tubes slid away cleanly. If you’re not a bath person, you can achieve the same effect by holding a pad soaked in warm water or micellar water over the lashes before gently removing it.
Overall, this mascara scores highly for packaging, colour impact, and ease of removal, although the slight tackiness during wear is something to be aware of.
Packaging The packaging was a winner for me, a textured and luxurious, good quality tube. Application Loaded onto my lashes easily and gave good definition. Wear Test Stayed put all day without smudging or transferring. Did find lashes a little 'gummy' even after a few hours though Removal By holding a pad soaked in warm water or micellar water over the lashes the mascara came way clean and no smudging . Verdict Wasn't my favourite, but lasted well. Score: 7/10 |
Elf Lash XTNDR mascara- with Tubing Technology £8
Read The Full Review
I’ll admit I slightly prejudged this one because it’s the cheapest tubing mascara in the test — but it completely surprised me. The packaging itself doesn’t actually advertise it as a tubing mascara; however, it is mentioned in the small written blurb on the back of the card. I initially assumed this might mean it was more of a hybrid formula, or perhaps a brand simply jumping on the tubing bandwagon.
In use though, it performed really well. It applied beautifully and my lashes stayed comfortable and intact all day. I did wonder if the removal process might be different — would it come away in the same clean sweep as the others I tested?
Well, yes — it absolutely did. It slid away cleanly with warm water just like the other tubing mascaras, with no fuss or smudging.
Considering the price, the quality, and the overall effectiveness, this little number has scored surprisingly highly with me.
Packaging Simple black tube with a turquoise lid. Application Loaded onto my lashes easily and gave good definition. Wear Test Stayed put all day without smudging or transferring. Removal Came away exactly like a true tubing mascara should, sliding off in little tubes with warm water. VerdictProof that budget mascaras can perform just as well as expensive ones. Score: 9/10 |
I
Boots No7 - Stay PerfectTM - Long-Wear Tubing Mascara - £14.95
Read The Full Review Here
I was quite excited to try this one, as products from No7 at Boots are usually a sure thing when it comes to both makeup and skincare.
As with all of my mascara testing, I used disposable mascara wands rather than the brush provided. This is simply because I don’t want to contaminate the products in case I decide to use them in my bridal kit later.
Unfortunately, this one was a bit of an anticlimax.
I applied it the same way I applied the other mascaras in the test, but I struggled to achieve any real length or build on my lashes. I tried applying a second coat, but the formula dried very quickly, which made it difficult to layer or build up the product after the first application.
Curious to see if others had the same experience, I checked the reviews online and found a real mixed bag. Some people love it, while others reported the same issue I had with lack of buildability.
Another comment I noticed in the reviews was that some users felt the mascara pulled at their lashes during removal. Personally, I didn’t experience this. I usually remove tubing mascaras in a hot bath, and like the others I tested, this one slid away easily once the warm water softened the tubes.
In fact, I couldn’t fault the removal process at all, and it did stay firmly in place throughout the day without smudging.
However, if you’re looking for volume, drama, or buildable length, this mascara may not quite deliver that look.
If, on the other hand, you prefer a very gentle, natural-looking mascara that stays put and removes easily, this could be a good option.
Packaging Comes in a box - beige and white plastic tube Application Loaded onto my lashes = but took a while to get a build up and dried very very quickly Wear Test Stayed put all day without smudging or transferring. Watched a sad film, cried and it stayed put. Removal Hold a cotton pad soaked with warm water or micellar water for 30 seconds and then sweep away Verdict If you prefer a very gentle, natural-looking mascara that stays put and removes easily, this could be a good option. Score: 5/10 |
Once tubing mascara has been applied and dried - don't even attempt to comb through your lashes, they will just clog and stick together making it virtually impossible to separate
MCoBeauty XtendLash - Superdrug - £10
Read the full review
This mascara comes in a fairly unassuming white tube with a silver lid, paired with a standard tapered brush.
Application was straightforward and smooth. It applied nicely, although it took around three coats to build up noticeable volume on my lashes.
Once applied, it performed very well throughout the day. Like the other mascaras in my test, it stayed firmly in place with no breaking down or migrating onto the skin, which is exactly what you want from a tubing formula.
Removal was just as easy as the others. With warm water, the mascara softened and the tubes gently slid off the lashes.
I have to admit, there’s something oddly satisfying about this process. If you were the type of person who loved peeling dried glue off your fingers at school, there’s a good chance you’ll find removing tubing mascara equally satisfying… although that might just be me!
The mascara is available in black, brown, and clear versions — and I have to say I’m quite curious to try the clear one next.
Score: 8.5/10
Packaging Simple black tube with a turquoise lid. Application Loaded onto my lashes easily and gave good definition. Wear Test Stayed put all day without smudging or transferring. Removal Came away exactly like a true tubing mascara should, sliding off in little tubes with warm water. Verdict Proof that budget mascaras can perform just as well as expensive ones. Great for a smudge-proof bridal masacara especially for weddings. Score: 8.5/10 Shop Here |
Barry M - It's a Wrap
Read The Full Review Here
For me, Barry M was always the brand I associated with highly pigmented party makeup and bold glitters. In recent years though, the brand has had a bit of a grown-up glow-up, and I have to say I really prefer the newer branding.
The It’s A Wrap fibre-enhanced tubing mascara definitely holds its own in the tubing mascara arena.
The packaging is lovely — a pretty lilac-pink tube with black labelling, which feels modern and quite stylish. But the real USP here is the brush.
Instead of the usual tapered mascara wand, this one starts narrow and then widens into a fuller belly shape, creating something that almost resembles a funnel-style brush. It’s slightly unusual, but it works surprisingly well for grabbing and coating the lashes.And as I decided to keep this one for myself _ i used thee brush and have to say this applied lovely, creating good separated length and volume.
Even using a disposable wand, the mascara performed well. It built up nicely on the lashes, giving good definition and structure, and it lasted comfortably throughout the day.
I even accidentally gave it a rather extreme test. While washing my hair over the bath — something that almost always ruins my mascara, especially when shampoo gets in your eyes and you’re frantically reaching for a towel — this mascara didn’t budge at all.
So in terms of staying power, this one really impressed me.
Packaging Classy looking lilac/pink tube with black labeling. Application Loaded onto my lashes easily and gave good definition. The funnel shape brush gives better application Wear Test Survived the shower and had an emotional day and survived a lot of tears (no one knew I had been crying- lashes looked freshly applied). Removal Came away exactly like a true tubing mascara should, sliding off in little tubes with warm water. Verdict Proof that budget mascaras can perform just as well as expensive ones. I've kept this one for myself and prefer to use tubing mascaras from now on. Much less messy. Score: 9/10 |
One quick way to spot a true tubing mascara is by checking the ingredient list. If you see film-forming polymers like acrylates copolymer or PVP near the top, it’s a good sign the formula will create the signature ‘tubes’ around each lash.
Blinc -Amplified Tubing Mascara
To be tested,
Packaging Application Wear Test Removal Verdict Score: |
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