Tubing Mascaras
Tubing mascaras’ formulas wrap each eyelash with a water-resistant “tube” that adds volume and some length. This type of mascara can be really helpful especially for lashes that are sparse and somewhat shorter. They can make lashes look more lush and noticeable.
Another potential benefit of tubing mascaras is that you remove them with water rather than makeup remover or oil.
This year, I have tried two new-to-me tubing mascaras, and I’ve gone back to my tried and true tubing mascara.
My Experience with 3 Tubing Mascaras
I have used several tubing mascaras over the years, and by and large, I’m not a huge fan to begin with. If my memory serves me well, I started out with a Lancome tubing mascara at least 5 years ago. Honestly, I don’t remember how it performed on my lashes, but if grossed me out when I removed it because it flaked into ugly little tube all over my skin. Ugh.
I recall that a couple of years ago, I switched to Half-Caked Tubing Mascara, “The Ultimate”, and I had good experiences with it.
Nevertheless, I decided to continue searching and I tried different brands as the years passed. So far in 2025, I have tried two new-to-me tubing mascaras:
- PrimeLash Lengthening and Volumizing Mascara
- Blinc Amplified Tubing Mascara
and I recently opened a new tube of Thrive Causemetics, a brand I’ve used on and off for about 3 years.
I should mention that when applying tubing mascara, you apply it to one eye at a time completely, putting on more than one coat before it dries.
PrimeLash Lengthening and Volumizing Mascara
A few weeks ago, I reviewed PrimeLash Lengthening and Volumizing Mascara here. It was a failure for me. It made my lashes stick together. The worst offense was the big black splotches that ended up under my eyes. Very embarrassing to be out and about and glance in my mirror to see that I had large black flakes on my skin. I wish I had thought to snap a photo so you could see it. Even if it had applied perfectly to my lashes, it is unacceptable to end up with big black flakes under my eyes.
Sadly, I bought two tubes of PrimeLash so even though I threw away the first tube, I have another one in my stash.
I’ve read from other brand users that it’s not worth it to complain to PrimeLash because they don’t have a customer service phone number. And I don’t want to spend more money trying to return them.
Unfortunately, my advice is buyer beware.
Blinc Amplified Tubing Mascara
In my last Boxycharm box, I chose the Blinc Amplified Tubing Mascara as one of my choices. I figured it would give me the opportunity to try another tubing mascara without having to spend extra money on it. Plus it was the most intriguing of the makeup options that I could select from.
Blinc has a normal straight brush-style mascara wand that has two different size brushes on either side, one to apply the mascara and the other to comb through the lashes to separate. So far, so good.
I applied it to my lashes, and Blinc turned out to be even worse than PrimeLash, though for different reasons. The Blinc formula either wouldn’t adhere to some of my lashes, and it globbed onto some other of my lashes and made them stick together.
Honestly, because it applied intermittently, half of my lashes didn’t look like they had anything on them and the outer lashes on my left eye were completely stuck together.
As you can see above, a number of my lashes are stuck to their neighbors, and others (especially my inner lashes) have almost nothing on them. Also, you can see the flaking on both the upper and lower lashes. I got out my lash comb and tried to separate them to little avail.
Here’s a top-down look at my lashes with 2 coats of blinc:
Because I was late, I didn’t have time to remove the mascara and try again with a different brand. So I let the Blinc mascara dry and attempted to apply a “regular”, non-tubing mascara from Benefit over it. That wasn’t the best solution but it was easier than starting all over again. Ugh.
Another tubing mascara failure for me.
Thrive Causemetics LiquidLash Extensions Mascara
I’ve reviewed Thrive Causemetics LiquidLash Extensions Mascara a couple of times over the past couple of years (here). I have had generally very good experiences with it, though I don’t use it all the time. Recently, I opened a new tube of Thrive LiquidLash, and again it was fine. The formula is easier for me to apply because the formula seems thinner to me.
Also, it has a wand with small plastic teeth that I find much easier to use. With the small-toothed wand, I am able to easily separate any lashes that still together.
My Feelings About Tubing Mascara
To be honest, tubing mascara isn’t my favorite overall. I prefer regular mascara that coats my lashes that I can remove with micellar water or makeup removing oil or cream. Since I have been using Scorolash Eyelash Volumizing Growth Serum (a non-prostaglandin formula) for the past couple of years, my clear eyelashes are definitely longer and much less sparse. I primarily need mascara in order to darken my invisible lashes rather than to make them thicker or a lot longer. IMO, the formulas for a number of tubing mascaras makes my thicker lashes more likely to stick together and separating them afterwards is a problem.
If your lashes are sparse and/or short, do consider giving tubing mascara a try if you haven’t already. Although everyone’s lashes are different, I suggest starting with Thrive Causemetics LiquidLash Extensions Mascara or the more affordable Half-Caked Totally Tubular Mascara (that’s on sale on their website for Memorial Day Weekend for $12.70). The three brands I reviewed are all around the same price, $26, so I still recommend Thrive.
So far Thrive is my favorite of the tubing mascaras I’ve tried. But their tubes seem hit or miss to me. Some work great
and then another won’t. Lately I’m sticking with regular mascara but I might still have another Thrive in my stash
and I’d use that.
It amazes me how difficult it is to find tubing mascaras that are usable! Glad you agree that Thrive LiquidLash Extensions is the best of the tubing group. Last night I removed Thrive with water and it worked really well, but I’m not sure what you’re supposed to do when wearing a lot of different types of eye makeup?
Try wow combo.
It’s a little difficult to remove, but have patience.
I have only tried one tubing mascara and I truly appreciate your honest and sincere advice. This definitely helps in case I decide to try another one!
Just curious, Gabrielle, why haven’t you wanted to try more tubing mascaras? Wondering if you have similar issues to me?
I used Thrive tubing mascara for a couple of years. Then, it seemed to change. The formula would thicken and dry out soon after opening. I went back to my tried and true Lancome. But, I’m ready to try a tubing mascara again. I just have to check to see if they have prostaglandins in them because I’m having some issues with my eyes. My eye doctor said to avoid anything with that in them. Thanks for the reviews, Allison!
https://marshainthemiddle.com/
I agree with you, Marsha. Tubing mascaras thicken much faster than normal mascaras. If you do decide to try one again, go with Thrive Causemetics. No prostaglandins in it. It is some eyelash serums (e.g. GrandeLash, RapidLash) that you will find prostaglandins. If you ever want to use a lash serum, go with Scorolash: no prostaglandins and my eyelashes are very long.
I don’t see them here yet. But will watch for it. Always good to try something new.
I just began using Thrive and I absolutely love it! Its my first time experiencing tubing mascara and i was wondering what took me so long! This is a game changer! Give it a try
One of my favorite tubing mascaras as well, Karen. Yay!