I’m not even exaggerating when I say that people have been looking for solutions on How to keep mascara from smudging for decades. Say you do a quick search about how to keep mascara from smudging on YouTube, and immediately contents from a couple of months ago to nine-ten years old video would show up.
But here’s the catch, be it a two minutes YouTube video or fifteen, everyone has been giving out the same hackneyed tips for years. This blog does cover those widely known tips but also the ones you didn’t get to know because of the algorithm.
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WHY DOES MASCARA SMUDGE ACTUALLY?
It’s the dewiness around your eye area. After drying out the mascara you applied, if you rub the lashes with a moisturizer or oil, they’ll get runny again.
This is exactly what happens when mascara-coated lashes come in contact with your moist and oily eyelid. Flaking of mascara creates under-eye smudges, and long upper lashes always smudge onto the brow bone and make it look unplucked. Only a tacky finish around your eye area and mascara can make your whole look fab to drab.
WATERPROOF MASCARA ARE THEY ACTUALLY SMUDGE-PROOF?
Well, It depends –
If your waterproof mascara smudges most of the time, then maybe it’s your oily skin (eye area), not the mascara. Only water and soap can’t remove waterproof mascara; an oil-based cleanser or makeup remover with oil in it is a must because waterproof mascara dissolves in oil.
Now, if your eye area is itself an “oil-based product” and yet you applied mascara with the waterproof formula to prevent smudging, what will happen is every time you blink, your upper and lower lashes will briefly get in contact with the oils, especially in cases of hooded eyes and long lashes.
The oils will soften the mascara, and when the mascara breaks down enough, it simply prints dots on the skin leading to smudges. So, waterproof mascara isn’t the holy grail product that most people swear by.
WHICH MASCARAS ARE ACTUALLY SMUDGE-PROOF?
There are mainly two types of Mascaras that are holding the crown of being “SMUDGE PROOF” and they are
- TUBING MASCARA &
- CAKE MASCARA.
TUBING MASCARA
It is the only mascara claiming the smudge-proof throne till now and nobody disagrees.
Tubing mascaras are made of polymers that are also used in hair-care products, unlike regular ones containing heavy waxes and pigments.
The polymers used in this mascara dry up and creates a layer around the lashes; when removed, they look like small tubes, almost like your lash shredded its skin like a snake.
It is guaranteed that tubing mascaras never smudge. But has downsides too. They are not as volumizing as the regulars. It takes numerous coats to achieve the desired effect with tubing mascara Also, people with latex allergies should avoid it.
CAKE MASCARA
Cake mascara is mainly formulated for sensitive eyes, is cruelty-free, and claims to be smudge-proof as well. This product has been around for almost 100 years, and the reviews are flattering.
HOW TO KEEP MASCARA FROM SMUDGING?
The first method is widely known as “Sandbagging.” Probably every beauty guru has a video using this technique.
METHOD 1 – SANDBAGGING
- THINGS YOU NEED –
- A Foundation.
- A Concealer.
- Some Translucent Powder.
- An Eye Primer.
- Your favorite Mascara.
- And, A clean Sppolie.
- STEPS YOU NEED TO FOLLOW –
STEP 1: Apply your foundation and concealer as you usually would, then properly blend them.
STEP 2: Grab a translucent powder with talc and emollients in it, apply a generous amount of it under the eye, and let it sit as long as you can.
EXPERT TIPS: Don’t use loose powder. You can take some solid powder, rub some on the fingers and smooth it out under the eyes.
STEP 3: Take some more translucent powder, brush it through the upper eyelid and lashes to properly mattify the area, and do the eye makeup.
STEP 4: The previous two steps would completely absorb any extra moisture that threatens the mascara. You can apply an eyelid primer on your lashes to enhance your favorite mascara you will use and extend the wear.
STEP 5: Before applying mascara on the lower lashes, apply another layer of powder under the eyes and then use it.
Step 6: After the mascara dries, simply brush off the excess powder. Even if you cause mascara dots on your skin, they’ll go away quickly with the powder.
STEP 7: Getting done with the lower lash line is like half the battle. Upper lashes are long, thus easier to apply. Even if any mascara mishaps occur, just simply let it dry thoroughly. Don’t try to rub it.
STEP 8: Finally, after the mascara on the skin dries up, gently brush it off with a clean spoolie, and the mascara will flake off easily.
METHOD 2 – MAKEUP ARTIST WAYNE GOSS METHOD
- THINGS YOU NEED –
- One Tissue Paper.
- An Eye Primer.
- A Small Eyeshadow Brush.
- Your Favourite Mascara.
- STEPS YOU NEED TO FOLLOW –
This second method is by makeup artist Wayne Goss. He discussed this applying technique a lot and claimed that this method works wonders. So definitely a trick you can look forward to.
STEP 1 – Take tissue paper or the back of your hand and knock off all the excess mascara. You don’t need all that junk simultaneously, which will also prevent you from transferring.
STEP 2 – The second step is to prime the lashes with loose or pressed powder and with a small eye shadow brush simply brush over the lashes; this acts as a barrier and helps to prevent smudging.
CAUTION: Now for the application do not apply mascara all the way to the tips of your eyelashes. You’ll know why if you’ve previously read this article’s section, “Waterproof Mascara, are they actually Smudge Proof?“.
STEP 3: The method here is to start from the root, pull up, and then pull away before you reach the tip.
EXPERT TIPS- Basically, no product in the tip means you can avoid smudging, and you won’t look any different than you would when you apply mascara the usual way.
CAN CONCEALER COVER UP MASCARA SMUDGES?
Covering smudged mascara with concealer is a pretty bad idea. You’ll look like a deranged squirrel by the end of the day.
Your concealer contains castor seed oil, glycerin, mineral, and other nourishing oils, making this product so creamy. And any creamy textured product will oxidize when it hits the heat or humidity. As a result, the concealer will melt and make your eye area tacky. And from this point on, the rest of the story is well-known.
At this point, covering up the smudges with concealer is like repeating the whole story again. Because you already have an excess product under your eyes. And, after some time, when the second layer oxidizes, new mascara smudges will make their way.
This cakey texture by concealer and mascara smudges as a cherry on the top is an absolute nightmare scenario.
IS PUTTING CLEAR BROW GEL ON EYELASHES, A GOOD IDEA?
If you’re looking forward to getting a clean girl makeup look or maybe a no-makeup, makeup look on your lashes you can definitely wear clear brow gel or clear mascara on your lashes However, you need to remember that clear brow gels are neither waterproof nor smudge-proof.
HOW TO MAKE MASCARA LAST LONGER?
Mascara does stay on your lashes till you wash it off. After that, it’s just humidity and oiliness that breaks the mascara formula and causes smudging. Previously mentioned mascara-applying techniques got your back, but here are some additional tips for those extra sunny days.
- APPLYING EYELID PRIMER –
Eyelash primer may seem unnecessary for long thick lashes. Still, a primer can give new volume to damaged or barely visible lashes. This formula is made to lengthen, thicken and nourish the surface so that mascara application can be smooth.
- USING BLOTTING PAPER –
To mattify the eye area before applying the mascara and to control oil throughout the day, blotting paper is a must. Before doing your eye makeup, use blotting paper around the eye area. After you’re done, mattify again, then apply mascara.
Throw some into your bag for safety’s sake. But prevent using blotting paper on your face as it strips natural oils entirely, and the skin compensates by producing more oil.
- AVOID THE EYELASH TIPS –
As makeup artist Wayne Goss suggested, start from the root, pull up, and then pull away before you reach the tip. The best way to avoid smudging.
- USE LESS CONCEALER –
Try using the dot technique. Put a concealer dot in the eye’s inner corner and keep blending to concentrate the color only there. You can go lower as you blend to cover the darkness but avoid direct application on the lower lid as that’s where your concealer and mascara come in touch.
And then, apply a dot or two to the outer corner to give a lifting effect to the face as well as evening the coverage. It’s high time people stop applying a ton of concealer under their eyes.
- GIVE ENOUGH TIME FOR DRYING –
Before you get fed up with that mascara you bought and decide to change formulas, make sure you are patient with the drying process. Allow enough time between the mascara coats. The same goes for setting your under-eye area makeup.
- USE A LASH GUARD –
You will get a perfect application every time, even when careless.
- WIPE OFF THE PREVIOUS APPLICATION RESIDUE –
Bend the wand so it has less product, to begin with. And also, wipe almost all the product off the brush and start applying so the layers are thin. It will help you avoid all the smudging drama.
- BEND THE MASCARA WAND AT A 90-DEGREE ANGLE –
The bent tip of the wand makes the application easier. You can bend the brush over the inner lip of the mascara tube at a 90-degree angle. It will fit right back inside quickly.
BONUS TIPS TO STOP MASCARA FROM SMUDGING
- You’re better off with waterproof mascara if you have excess oily lids.
- Give enough time to absorb your eye cream, oils, or moisturizers. Much better if you leave them for nighttime.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)
DO ALL MASCARA FORMULATIONS CONTAIN HARMFUL CHEMICALS?
ANSWER: No!! Not really!! In fact, the modern beauty industry has seen a massive shift in the ingredients used in mascara and every cosmetic product.
There are huge misconceptions about the ingredients of mascara; for example – ingredients like bat poop and many other harmful chemicals are being used in the production of mascara. But in reality, modern mascaras are made up of not a single toxic chemical; instead, they are made up of various ingredients that are more useful for your lashes than harmful.
Besides, every country has a regulatory body that monitors the production of mascaras and every cosmetics product that numerous brands produce yearly. We have a detailed article on this topic that covers the journey of mascara from its origin to the modern day. “What is Mascara made of? Debunking the Bat Poop Myth” We encourage you to read this article to be confident with your favorite mascara.
FINAL THOUGHTS
So Finally, to sum up, let me tell you this, the oils on your face are likely to cause your mascara to smudge, but tubing mascara is designed to prevent that.
Several tubing mascaras I have accumulated over the years saved my time from constant touch-ups and made my life easier. I have listed down all the Tubing mascara here, which I have acquired over the years. Feel free to test a few of them.
