I Found Them: The 15 Best Waterproof Mascaras for Swimming, Summer, and Sobs

Wins: Lifts and curls lashes, sensitive-eye safe, long-wearing

Woes: Expensive, may dry out quickly

Size: 0.33 oz. | Shades: 1 | Key Benefits: Includes conditioning cotton nectar

Celebrity makeup artists Mia Jones and Janice Kinjo praise the waterproof alter ego of Dior's aptly named iconic mascara. If you love a lifted and voluminous lash look with zero flaking, this mascara is worth the investment. "Dior mascaras are so luxurious as an experience and formula, and this waterproof one is exceptional," Jones notes. "It's also safe for my sensitive skin and contact-wearing eyes!"

Customer review: "The look this mascara gives you is fabulous, and the ability to layer it while it still keeps your lashes separated is great. It can also get those harder lashes on the edges to look more cat eye. Easy to remove but stays put until then. Hooked on this mascara, and I have tried them all."

Wins: Lengthening, curl-enhancing, no-flake wear with lots of volume

Woes: Can be messy due to its thick brush and the amount of product

Size: 0.27 oz. | Shades: 1 | Key Benefits: Conditions lashes

Dare we say that we like the waterproof version more than the original? If you want dramatically long and thick lashes in rain, sleet, snow, sweat, and tears, this is the formula you'll want in your arsenal. This volumizing formula packs a punch, leaving lush, thickened lashes in its place without looking goopy. Its inky black lacquer adds considerable length and curl to my lashes without the spider effect that I often get with the regular Better Than Sex formula (I’m sorry, it’s the truth!) and is enhanced with lash- ingredients like omega oils, peptides, and porcelain flower extract. However, I do want to warn you to be mindful of the size of the brush, which is decidedly thick and can create a messy application process on the bottom lashes if you don’t use a light hand.

Customer review: "I've tried hundreds of mascaras, and this one has blown my mind. It's by far the best, and I highly recommend it. I have very small eyes and short lashes, but this holds a curl and adds so much volume and length!"

Wins: Vitamin-enriched formula, comfortable wear, doesn’t flake

Woes: Pricey for size, may smudge if you run oily

Size: 0.17 | Shades: 1 | Key Benefits: Nourishes lashes, staying power

While Chanel makes a few waterproof mascaras that we love, Inimitable is especially loved by editors and makeup artists alike. Its long-wearing formula provides length, curl, and separation with conditioning ingredients like vitamin B5 for extra hydration and lash health.

Customer review: "I have straight, long lashes, and even though I curl them with an eyelash curler, I could never wear mascara because they tend to weigh down my lashes. I've tried so many brands, but this Chanel mascara goes on light and dries fast, so it holds my curl wonderfully. I haven't experienced any clumping issues, and I like that it separates my lashes as it coats them with the product."

Wins: Affordable, thickening, lengthening, even application

Woes: Difficult to remove and may flake or dry out quickly.

Size: 0.28 oz. | Shades: 2 | Key Benefits: Resists clumps while boosting volume

Jones and celebrity makeup artist Tobi Henney cosigned this budget-friendly waterproof mascara as one of the best of all time. "This is a classic mascara, and it creates thick and full lashes," Henney tells me. "It's a great drugstore option that I've loved for years!" (Psst! Jones also says it's an absolute staple for weddings or other big events when emotions—aka tears—may be running high.)

Customer review: "The brush does a great job of grabbing and coating my lashes. The waterproof component also really holds up against watery eyes. Lastly, it has an affordable price tag even though it outperforms brands going for twice the price. I always carry a second one in my purse!"

Wins: Affordable, gentle formula, great for separation

Woes: Can dry out quickly, difficult to remove

Size: 0.25 oz. | Shades: 3 | Key Benefits: Bold color with major staying power

Kinjo has two favorite drugstore formulas, one of which is this top-rated waterproof mascara from L'Oréal Paris, which she says is superb for holding curl and volumizing with absolutely no smudging. Not only is it affordable, but it’s also gentle enough for sensitive eyes, provides lots of length and volume, and offers gorgeous separation thanks to its fanned brush that can catch every last lash in one fell swoop.

Customer review: "This is absolutely the best of the "drugstore" options for waterproof mascara. I have tried them all, and they all flake or smudge or clump. All of them EXCEPT this one. Benefit from my mistakes and just buy this one. You won't regret it."

Wins: Lengthens, lifts, curls, and adds subtle volume

Woes: May transfer after a few hours of sweating or being in the water

Size: 0.23 oz. | Shades: 1 | Key Benefits: Paraben-free, conditions lashes

Our editors have waxed poetic about the regular version of this Milk Makeup mascara, and we found ourselves falling for the waterproof version just as hard. "I love how it separated and lengthened my lashes,” editor Natalie Gray Herder gushed. “The lift lasted all day and even survived a six-hour plane ride. No transfer, flaking, or smudging, but comes off easily with my cleansing balm. Five stars!"

Customer review: "I am in love. This stuff coats every lash, doesn't clump up easy on me, and doesn't weigh down my lashes. Super lengthening and volumizing. I've had people ask me if I have fake lashes on. OBSESSED!"

Wins: Super low price, no-flake formula, lasts in water and humidity

Woes: Not volumizing

Size: 0.42 oz. | Shades: 1 | Key Benefits: Fragrance, oil, and paraben-free

Bethenny Frankel was the first to turn me onto Essence Cosmetics’ ultra-cheap, yet high-performing mascaras, and I was pleasantly surprised when this waterproof formula became one of my favorites. This ophthalmologist-tested formula never irritates my sensitive, contacts-clad eyes, and its fibrous formula makes my flutters look long but never clumpy thanks to its thin wand (which offers the control I crave when coating my lower lashline). I rely on this $5 mascara for everything from beach days to sweaty cycle classes and even funerals… okay, I’ve said enough.

Customer review: "This mascara has all pros and no cons. I have used it for a month so far and my love has only been growing. I have used all price ranges of mascara from ridiculously expensive to drug store brands. This is the first that has not disappointed."

Wins: Natural look, separates lashes

Woes: Not the most noticeable

Size: 0.27 oz. | Shades: 1 | Key Benefits: Ophthalmologist and allergy-tested

If you’re going for a dip, you likely don’t want a full-glam mascara moment happening. This lash-lengthening mascara is a great pick for anyone who wants a natural, my-lashes-but-better look for a day on the beach or in the lap pool.

Customer review: “As an Asian with stubborn, straight lashes, I can say proudly that this holds the curl. Best mascara I've ever tried because normally all mascaras are too wet or too heavy on my lashes. Will forever be my favorite mascara.”

Wins: Lengthens, curls, volumizes; lightweight formula that doesn’t compromise lift

Woes: Expensive, may be difficult to remove

Size: 0.27 | Shades: 1 | Key Benefits: Up to 24 hours of smudge-free wear

This mascara recently won our crowning title for "best mascara" because it checks all our boxes: amazing length, lift, curl, volume, and long-wearing. Not surprisingly, its waterproof counterpart is just as impressive. It gives you that coveted fan effect, and the brush easily grabs and coats every last lash.

Customer review: "Amazing waterproof mascara!! I live in Florida, and it's hot and humid here year-round. This mascara survives and stays where I put it! I haven't had any issues removing this mascara. It easily wipes away with waterproof makeup remover. This one is a keeper."

Wins: Lash-fanning brush, visibly lifts and lengthens

Woes: Lacks volume

Size: 0.24 oz. | Shades: 2 | Key Benefits: Dermatologist, ophthalmologist, and allergy-tested

TikTok might have made this affordable drugstore favorite ultra-famous, but it's always been a favorite among editors and makeup artists. It's an especially great pick if you crave lots of length, lift, and separation. If you want tons of volume, it's probably not what you're looking for. (Just being honest!)

Customer review: "It's so amazing—it makes my lashes pop, and I get compliments every time I wear it. I used to buy the regular, but I switched and tried the waterproof, and it is to die for!!!"

Pros: Great for lower lashes, buildable, contains natural ingredients

Cons: Expensive, may dry out quickly

Size: 0.47 oz. | Shades: 1 | Key Benefits: Sweat-resistant; thin, controllable wand

Nothing is worse than an under-eye transfer that makes you look like a raccoon. Henney says this mascara, in particular, works brilliantly on the lower lash line thanks to a pint-sized brush. "I use this a lot on clients and love it on the bottom lashes. The formula is great, and it also has very cool packaging!"

Customer review: "I found this to be the best waterproof mascara I've tried so far. I have very oily skin, and every other premier waterproof mascara runs on me, even in winter months. I found with this one, as long as you don't use more than one or two coats (and use eye cream only sparingly), it doesn't run! The volume is great. No clumping. Will definitely buy again."

Pros: Smudge-proof, long-wearing, gentle formula

Cons: Tough to remove

Size: 0.20 oz. | Shades: 1 | Key Benefits: Up to 16 hour waterproof wear, mineral-enriched formula

This was yet another waterproof mascara that came highly recommended by our celeb makeup artist experts. "This mascara is beautiful for a more delicate, feathered lash look, and it's smudge-proof, which I love," says Henney. "Plus, the brush wand is super fine, which is great for application and getting even the tiniest lashes."

Customer review: "I use this every day over other more volumizing mascaras. On its own, I don't find it to be very volumizing, but it totally seals whatever mascara I layer it over and makes it smudge-proof and very black. It's also the only mascara I've found I can use on my long lower lashes and not get raccoon eyes. I do a double cleanse to remove my makeup and don't find it at all difficult to remove."

Wins: Natural ingredients, long-wearing, nourishes lashes

Cons: May smudge throughout the day due to natural composition

Size: 0.35 oz. | Shades: 2 | Key Benefits: Sensitive eye-friendly, smudge-resistant

Looking for a supernatural formula with the same, or perhaps even better, efficacy as its less-natural counterparts? Then you'll want to add this best-selling waterproof mascara from Ere Perez to your cart. It provides volume and features strategic ingredients like mamey and avocado oils, which may help stimulate growth and promote lash strength over time. It also won't budge for 24 hours.

Customer review: "This mascara is so amazing. I bought it for my wedding, and it stayed put all day through sweat, tears, and a post-party swim. No flaking, no smudging, nothing, and makes my lashes look great! Easy to remove with an oil cleanser. Will buy again and again!"

Wins: Affordable, separates lashes, lengthens, doesn’t clump

Woes: May dry out quickly, can be difficult to remove

Size: 0.43 oz. | Shades: 1 | Key Benefits: No flaking or clumping, long-wearing

An oldie but a goodie, this as-classic-as-it-gets mascara is Kinjo's other top waterproof pick if you're shopping at the drugstore. "This is such a classic mascara," Kinjo tells me. "It holds a curl, there's no flaking, and it's always reliable. It has never smudged by the end of the day!"

Customer review: "I have been using this waterproof mascara since I was a junior in high school in 1971! I'm 69, and I just bought it again. Easy to use, no clumping, and it stays on. Great product."

Wins: Budget-friendly, buildable for bespoke length and volume

Woes: May dry out quickly and clump

Size: Not listed | Shades: 2 | Key Benefits: 2-in-1 design

The fact that this mascara is two mascaras in one makes the under-$5 price tag all the more amazing. If you want more separation and length (rather than volume), opt for the curved silicone brush. Want more drama? Use the other side, which is fluffier.

Customer review: "It's the best mascara I've ever found. I have light, thin, SUPER straight eyelashes, and I can't keep them curled no matter what I do. This mascara made them longer, thicker, and sky-high all day. I came back here to immediately buy two more bottles because I never want to be without it."