You leave the house feeling great, with your lashes on point, but two hours later you see yourself in the mirror and see black streaks under your eyes. When mascara runs, it doesn’t just ruin pictures; it also makes you feel bad about yourself, especially on important days. The good news is that you can greatly lower your risk of panda eyes by making a few smart choices about products and habits.
Waterproof mascara: for when you really need it to last
When it’s humid, hot, or emotional, most makeup artists reach for waterproof products right away. They are made to keep water and sebum from getting in, which are the two main things that cause smudging.
On rainy days, at weddings or during long commutes, waterproof mascara is your first line of defence.
Look for labels that say “long-wear” or “waterproof.” These formulas have stronger film-forming agents, which help the product hold on to the lashes and not break down. That being said, they can feel a little drier than regular options, so curl your lashes first. Once waterproof mascara sets, it can be hard to reshape them.
One problem is taking it off. Rubbing your eyes hard at night can break lashes and irritate the skin around your eyes. Use a bi-phase eye makeup remover or an oil-based cleanser, and then press a cotton pad that has been soaked over your lashes for 15 seconds before gently wiping.
- For events, hot weather, and days when you’re feeling down, use waterproof mascara.
- To keep your lashes from getting too dry, make sure to use a nourishing lash serum or conditioner.
- Always take it off with an oil-based product, and never with force.
- Powdering the face keeps oils from making mascara run.
Oily skin and creamy concealers around the eyes can make pigment slide down as the day goes on. It really does make a difference to put everything in its place.
Setting powder around the eyes keeps shine and movement in check, which cuts down on smudging.
Put a thin, clear powder on your T-zone and under-eye area after your foundation and concealer. Use a small, soft brush to tap off the extra so you don’t make fine lines look bigger. Pay special attention to the lower eyelid and the top of the cheekbone, where mascara usually ends up.
A light veil of powder is still good for people with very dry skin, but they should choose a formula that is finely milled and hydrating. The goal is not a matte mask; it’s just a surface that is smoother and doesn’t transfer product.
| Skin Type | Best Powder Approach |
|---|---|
| Oily | Apply a slightly generous layer of powder under the eyes and lightly set the eyelids to control excess shine. |
| Combination | Focus powder on the T-zone and under-eye area only, keeping the cheeks more natural. |
| Dry | Use a very light dusting of hydrating or luminous powder to avoid emphasizing texture or dryness. |
Putting on layer after layer until the lashes clump looks great at first, but then they start to flake and smear. The product stays soft longer as it builds up and goes on easily to the skin.
Two thin coats of mascara last longer and look cleaner than four thick coats.
Before putting the brush on your lashes, wipe off any extra product on the neck of the tube or a tissue. Start at the bottom, move the brush back and forth, and then pull it up. If you want more volume, do it again after you’ve done both eyes.
If you see big clumps forming, you’ve gone too far. A clean spoolie brush or a metal lash comb can save the day by getting rid of extra product before it dries.
Patience pays off: let your mascara dry all the way.
A lot of smudges show up in the first few minutes after you put it on. If you blink too hard, look up too quickly, or touch your lashes, the wet pigment will get on your eyelids or the area under your eyes.
Before you do anything else, let your mascara set for at least 30 seconds.
After putting it on, keep your eyes slightly down and don’t blink too much. Some people even use their hands or a small fan to gently fan their lashes. You should only use setting spray, cream blush, or any other product near your eyes after you feel the lashes stiffen.
If you see a new mark, let it dry completely before using a dry cotton bud to wipe it away. If you try to erase it while it’s still wet, the pigment will smear and make things worse.
Permanent makeup is a more extreme choice.
Permanent makeup techniques can help you use less mascara every day if you’re tired of the drama. Lash line enhancement, which is also known as “eyeliner tattoo,” involves putting pigment along the roots of the lashes.
Even without mascara, permanent lash line enhancement makes your lashes look fuller.
A trained professional does the procedure with a small needle. Results usually last between one and three years, depending on the type of skin and how much sun it gets. The look is less obvious than a traditional eyeliner tattoo, so you can wear it every day.
Anyone considering this route needs to research practitioners carefully, ask about hygiene protocols, and check healed results rather than fresh ones. Before getting this, people with very sensitive eyes, certain skin conditions, or a history of keloid scarring should talk to a dermatologist.
Fake lashes: make a difference without running pigment
Another way to change things up is to switch from mascara to fake lashes. Strip lashes or individual clusters make lashes longer and thicker, and a lot of people don’t use any mascara or only a little on top.
Using fake lashes cuts down on the amount of wet product that could smudge.
If you want to use them every day, you need lightweight, flexible bands and a strong glue. Put a thin layer of glue along the band, wait a few seconds for it to get sticky, and then place it as close to the natural lash line as you can.
There are also semi-permanent extensions that salons put in hair by hair. From the moment you wake up, they give you a full, camera-ready look. The trade-offs are that it costs more, needs to be maintained every two to four weeks, and you can’t use oil-based products around your eyes.
Extra tips to keep your mascara from smudging all day
Get the area around your eyes ready right
Taking care of your skin can help you stay healthy. When you use rich eye creams in the morning, your makeup may slide off.
Use a lighter lotion or gel during the day and save the heavier balms for night.
Put on eye cream at least ten minutes before you put on makeup so it can soak in.
Before putting on mascara, use a tissue to get rid of any shine.
An eye primer made for eyelids can help makeup stay on even better on really hot days. Some people put a little powder on their bare lashes before putting on mascara to help it stick better, but this works better on lashes that are already healthy and strong.
Pick the right mascara for your eyes.
Waterproof products work for a lot of people, but some people’s eyes do better with tubing mascaras. These have polymers that wrap each lash in a small “tube.” Instead of regular remover, they often come off with warm water and gentle pressure.
People who usually get mascara under their eyes like tubing mascaras because they don’t flake as much.
If you have allergies or sensitive tear ducts that make your eyes water easily, look for products that say they have been tested by an ophthalmologist or are safe for contact lens wearers. Stay away from products with strong scents, as they can hurt and make you cry more, undoing all your hard work.
Smart combinations and real-life situations
Take a moment to think about your normal day. A commuter who has to deal with crowded trains and changing weather might use a tubing mascara on the bottom lashes and a classic or waterproof one on the top, along with careful powdering around the eyes. That keeps smudging to a minimum where it shows the most.
A person going to a summer wedding could get lash extensions a few days before the event and then put on a thin coat of waterproof mascara on the top lashes to make them look fuller. Don’t worry about crying during speeches or being too hot during photos.
Many dermatologists say that for workouts or runs, you should skip mascara altogether to avoid irritation and rubbing. If you still want definition, a subtle permanent lash line or a lash tint can give you the look you want without the risk of black streaks on your cheeks while you work out.
