The Good Housekeeping Research Institute tested 12 of the newest waterproof black mascaras (and one classic) by having testers apply 10 strokes to top lashes and splash their faces with 10 handfuls of warm water, and then visually evaluating each eye for smudging. Testers also took the mascaras home and rated the products on how they performed through sweaty workouts, weddings, and more. Our winners below will pump up the volume - plus length and curl, too.
1. Best Overall
Maybelline New York Great Lash Waterproof Mascara ($6.16, available at drugstores nationwide)
This longtime best-selling mascara with the iconic pink tube received the highest score in our lab's waterproof test - demonstrating its ability to resist smudging. Our testers also gave it high marks for its ability to volumize, lengthen, and separate lashes.
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2. Best for Lash Lengthening
Christian Dior DiorShow Blackout Waterproof Mascara ($24, beauty.dior.com)
Dior's waterproof mascara was the highest rated by our testers for producing long lashes, and it received the best scores in our lab for both its lengthening and volumizing performance. This product has an oversized brush and a particularly dark pigment that our consumers liked. Plus, it earned high marks for ease of use and its nonirritating properties in our lab test.
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3. Best for Volume
Maybelline New York Define-a-Lash Volumizing Waterproof Mascara ($7.95, available at drugstores nationwide)
Many of our testers noted the volumizing effect of Maybelline's Define-a-Lash formula - even for those notoriously wispy bottom lashes. It also proved to be nonirritating and resisted smudging in our lab tests. This mascara's thickening effects will last throughout your day. It earned high marks for being easy to apply in our lab tests.
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4. Best Blackest Lashes
Max Factor 2000 Calorie Extreme Lash Plumper Waterproof ($10)
Our testers loved the deep, rich black color of this mascara, and it got good scores for volumizing and not clumping. Some testers found its flexible, bristly brush unique, while others thought it was too chunky for easy application. This product received fairly good marks in our lab for resisting smudges, but our testers weren't as sold on its waterproofness. One commented, though, that she would continue to use the product anyway because it was so volumizing! This mascara also scored well for not irritating eyes. (drugstores nationwide)
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5. Best for Curling
Wet N Wild Beauty Benefits Waterproof Mascara ($6, available at drugstores nationwide)
Our testers generally liked how this mascara curled and lengthened lashes. "This made my lashes look...almost like false lashes!" said one. This mascara got good scores overall for not clumping in our lab tests, although some testers thought that it clumped and smudged more than they'd prefer. It scored okay on our lab's waterproof test, so your curly lashes should last. It also earned good marks for not irritating eyes.
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What kind of product tests are you most interested in?
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