Tubing mascara: What is it and do you need one?

If you want to get rid of panda eyes, you’ve come to the right place

Your friends may be flaky but your lashes needn’t be with this nifty invention (Getty/iStock)

If you love the way mascara makes your lashes look super-long, fluttery and full but hate the way it smudges under your eyes throughout the day, you are not alone.

The good news is you needn’t suffer the pitfalls of panda eyes anymore because the beauty industry has a solution.

Enter: tubing mascara.

In fact it’s been around for quite some time, but since very few beauty brands use the not-so-pretty word on their packaging, beauty buffs have been left none the wiser. Until now that is.

So, what exactly is it?

Instead of using waxes and oils in the formula like regular products, tubing mascara is effectively a polymer that coats lashes evenly and rather than building up a coloured paste, wraps tightly around them for precision.

Kevyn Aucoin, The Curling Mascara, £22.50, Cult Beauty

Smooth to apply and great for adding length, the tubing holds its own all day long just like waterproof mascara, however, it won’t dry your lashes out or be a real hassle to remove.

Not only do the formulas create a smooth, pigmented surface, they’re also water soluble. So while sweat or tears won’t budge it, all it takes is a warm damp cloth to cause the tubes to swell and rinse off.

Blinc Mascara, £22.20, Beauty Bay

They’re also a great option for those whose sensitive under-eye areas can react to the residue so many of us experience throughout the day. This is simply because tubing mascara does not flake, also making it a must-have alternative for those who wear contacts.

Mac Extended Play Gigablack Lash, £16.50, Mac Cosmetics

Estée Lauder, Double Wear Zero-Smudge Lengthening Mascara, £19.55, John Lewis

Clinique, Lash Power Mascara Long-Wearing Formula, £20.50, Feel Unique