Best Mascara for Oily Eyelids: Smudge Proof Winners

If you have oily eyelids, even the best rated mascaras can slide, smear, or leave gray half moons under your eyes by mid day. The picks below are standouts for grip, longevity, and clean removal so you can get defined lashes without constant mirror checks.

Quick picks

• Heroine Make Long & Curl Waterproof Mascara – Best for extremely oily eyelids and all day wear. A Japanese style waterproof formula that locks in curl and does not budge through heat, sweat, or humidity when paired with a proper remover.
• Caliray Come Hell or High Water Mascara – Best clean tubing formula for smudge prone lids. Lightweight tubes wrap each lash, giving fluttery volume that resists oils but slides off with warm water.
• Clinique Lash Power Mascara Long-Wearing Formula – Best for sensitive eyes with oily lids. This gentle tubing mascara offers natural length and definition and is ophthalmologist tested for contact lens wearers.
• L’Oreal Voluminous Lash Paradise Waterproof Mascara – Best drugstore volume for oily eyelids. The waterproof version of this cult favorite delivers plush, dramatic lashes that stay put on a budget.

What to look for in mascara for oily eyelids

With oily lids, the natural oils on your skin slowly break down creamy, wax heavy mascaras. The key is choosing formulas that form a flexible film around each lash rather than sitting on top like a traditional cream.

Look for words like “tubing,” “film forming,” or “24 hour smudge proof” in the description. These formulas use polymers that shrink wrap the lash so oils have a harder time dissolving the product. Truly waterproof mascaras can also work very well, but they usually need an oil based remover at night.

Brush style matters too. If you have sparse lashes, a volume brush with dense bristles or a wavy shape will help build fullness. If your lashes are already thick or you often get clumps, choose a slimmer or comb style brush that focuses on definition instead of bulk.

• Skip heavy conditioners during the day. Mascaras loaded with oils or butters feel pampering but often smear faster on oily lids. Save lash oils for nighttime.
• Check for “ophthalmologist tested” if you have sensitive eyes or wear contacts, since you may need a more tenacious formula on oily skin.
• Think about removal. If you dislike rubbing with remover, opt for a tubing mascara that comes off with warm water instead of a traditional waterproof formula.

In-depth reviews

Heroine Make Long & Curl Waterproof Mascara review

Heroine Make Long & Curl Waterproof Mascara is a powerhouse for anyone whose mascara melts within hours. The curved brush hugs the lash line, grabbing even short lashes and pulling them upward so you get a lifted, fanned out effect with strong curl hold. The formula is very resistant to oil, tears, and humidity, which is why it has such a loyal following among people with extremely oily eyelids.

This is the one to reach for if you live in a hot climate, have hooded lids that touch your lashes, or work long shifts and need your look to last. Compared with L’Oreal Voluminous Lash Paradise Waterproof, Heroine Make gives more length and curl and slightly less plush volume, with noticeably better resistance to smudging for many users. The tradeoff is removal; you will need a dedicated oil based or dual phase eye makeup remover and a gentle touch to avoid tugging on your lashes.

Caliray Come Hell or High Water Mascara review

Caliray Come Hell or High Water Mascara is a great option if you want something that behaves like waterproof mascara on oily lids but removes like a tubing formula. The brush is medium sized with flexible bristles that build soft volume and length without big clumps. On the lashes, it feels lightweight and flexible rather than stiff, so it is comfortable for all day wear.

Because it forms tiny tubes around each lash, natural skin oils have a harder time breaking it down, which helps prevent the gray haze and transfer that often show up under oily eyes. Removal is simple; warm water plus gentle pressure from your fingers or a soft cloth will slide the tubes off in little flakes. Compared with Clinique Lash Power, Caliray gives more volume and a slightly more dramatic look, but it can flake a bit during removal, which some people find messy around the sink.

Clinique Lash Power Mascara Long-Wearing Formula review

Clinique Lash Power Mascara is ideal if your eyelids are oily but your eyes are also easily irritated. It is a long wearing tubing formula that is ophthalmologist tested and often recommended by makeup artists for contact lens wearers. The narrow, precise brush excels at coating even very short or fine lashes without smearing along the lash line.

On the lashes, Lash Power gives clean, defined length and a subtle boost in volume, making it perfect for office days or minimal makeup looks. It resists smudging on oily skin impressively well, especially on the lower lashes where transfer is common. Compared with Caliray, Clinique is a bit more natural and less volumizing but tends to flake less during removal and may be the safer bet if your eyes are sensitive or easily water.

L’Oreal Voluminous Lash Paradise Waterproof Mascara review

L’Oreal Voluminous Lash Paradise Waterproof Mascara is a strong choice if you want dramatic volume that survives oily lids without the prestige price tag. The densely bristled, wavy brush loads up lashes quickly, creating a full, fluffy effect with just a couple of coats. The waterproof formula holds that volume much better on oily skin than the regular version, which tends to smear more easily.

On very long or straight lashes, Lash Paradise Waterproof can give a glamorous, almost false lash look, especially when paired with a lash curler. Compared with Heroine Make, it is easier to find at the drugstore and slightly easier to remove, though still best tackled with an oil based remover. If your lids are extremely oily or you deal with heavy humidity, Heroine Make is more bulletproof, while Lash Paradise is better for those who want big volume and do not mind a bit more maintenance if it starts to clump with multiple coats.

Application and prep tips to prevent mascara smudging

The right mascara helps a lot, but your prep and application technique can make or break wear time on oily eyelids. Start with clean skin and avoid heavy eye creams in the morning, or keep them strictly to the orbital bone so they do not migrate to the lash line. If your lids get noticeably shiny, gently blot them with tissue before you begin makeup.

• Use an eye primer or a bit of concealer. A thin layer on the lids and right under the lower lash line creates a dry, grippy surface that makes mascara less likely to transfer.
• Set with translucent powder. Dust a small amount of translucent powder over primer or concealer, especially where your lashes touch the skin, to absorb oils throughout the day.
• Curl before mascara, not after. Curling first lets you apply thin, even coats rather than layering to chase lift, which keeps product from getting thick and smudge prone.
• Go lighter on lower lashes. If you always get smudges under the eyes, use just a light coat of tubing or waterproof mascara on the lower lashes, or skip them entirely and focus on the upper lashes.
• Avoid midday touch ups. Adding wet mascara on top of worn product can create a sticky layer that transfers easily. If lashes droop, gently recurl with a clean, dry curler instead of adding more mascara.

At night, take your time with removal so you protect your lash line. For waterproof formulas like Heroine Make or Lash Paradise, saturate a cotton pad with dual phase remover, press it against closed eyes for 15 to 20 seconds, then wipe gently. For tubing mascaras, use warm water and light pressure until the tubes slide off cleanly without rubbing.

Final thoughts

For the most stubborn oily eyelids or steamy climates, Heroine Make Long & Curl Waterproof Mascara is the best place to start, especially if you need curl hold and ironclad wear. If you prefer easier removal and a softer feel, reach first for a tubing formula such as Caliray Come Hell or High Water Mascara or Clinique Lash Power Mascara Long-Wearing Formula, depending on how dramatic you like your lashes.

When you want bold, affordable volume that still stands up to oily lids, L’Oreal Voluminous Lash Paradise Waterproof Mascara is a smart drugstore pick. Whichever formula you choose, pairing it with smart lid prep and light, even coats will give you the best shot at smudge free lashes that last all day.

See also

If you struggle most with smudging, take a look at our tubing mascaras for smudge-free long days and compare them with our picks for everyday mascaras that wash off with warm water.

• Need long wear that is also gentle on your eyes? Explore our best mascaras for sensitive eyes.
• If sparse lashes are part of the problem, see the best mascaras for thin lashes for more targeted volume and definition.
• For a closer look at one of our top tubing picks, read the full Caliray Come Hell or High Water mascara review.

FAQ

Why does mascara always smudge on my oily eyelids, even when it says waterproof?

Oily eyelids slowly break down the waxes and pigments in many mascaras, especially if you use creamy eye creams or concealers near the lash line. Some products labeled waterproof are really just water resistant and are not tested against high oil levels. Choosing truly film forming or tubing formulas and setting the skin around your eyes with primer and powder makes a big difference.

Is waterproof or tubing mascara better for oily eyelids?

Both can work well, but they behave differently. Traditional waterproof mascaras like Heroine Make Long & Curl or L’Oreal Lash Paradise Waterproof are very resistant to oils and give bold results, yet they require an oil based remover. Tubing mascaras like Caliray Come Hell or High Water and Clinique Lash Power rely on polymers that resist oils but come off with warm water, so they are often more comfortable if you dislike heavy removers or have sensitive eyes.

How can I stop mascara from transferring to my brow bone on hooded, oily lids?

For hooded lids, the tips of your lashes touch the skin above your crease, so any excess product can stamp onto the brow bone. Wipe extra mascara off the wand, focus application at the roots of the lashes, and avoid loading the tips. Combine that with an eye primer and a light layer of powder where your lashes touch, and choose a tubing or very long wearing waterproof formula for the best results.

Can I wear mascara on my lower lashes if I have oily skin?

You can, but you will need to be strategic. Use a tubing mascara or a very dry, waterproof formula on the lower lashes and apply just a light coat, concentrating on the outer third of the eye. Setting your under eye area with a thin veil of translucent powder before and after mascara helps catch oils that would otherwise cause smudging.

How do I remove long wear mascara without damaging my lashes?

The key is patience and the right remover for your formula. For waterproof mascaras, soak a cotton pad with dual phase or oil based remover, gently press it on closed eyes for several seconds to dissolve the product, then wipe without rubbing hard. For tubing mascaras, use plenty of warm water and light pressure with clean fingers or a soft cloth so the tubes slide off intact, rather than scraping at the lash line.

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