8 Best Waterproof Mascaras That Won’t Run, Smudge or Smear

A good mascara should be reliable, if nothing else — especially when it comes to waterproof options. While some mascara can result in smudgy eyes and dramatic mascara tears, the right waterproof formula will stand up against even the sweatiest summer weather. Plus, “waterproof mascaras are typically superior in keeping lashes lifted and curled,” says Sabina Wizemann, senior chemist in the Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab. While “they are usually a bit stickier [and] require more time to dry, once set, they’re designed to not smudge,” she says.

The GH Beauty Lab tests thousands of makeup, skincare and haircare products each year to find the best beauty products that are worth your money. To find the best waterproof mascaras on the market, our experts sorted through more than 96 tubes in our most recent tests to narrow down the top picks. They lab-tested each formula’s ability to resist smudging, smearing and running, and enlisted 402 consumer testers to try the products at home. Over the course of three wears, our testers reported back on the mascara’s wear, ease of use and waterproof capabilities, plus how easy it was to remove at the end of the day (taking off waterproof mascara can be a feat, even with a top-notch makeup remover!).