Tubing formula resists smudging and lifts lashes while removing easily with warm water.
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Smudges, raccoon eyes, and stubborn removal are why many shoppers switch to tubing mascara. I tested Tower 28 MakeWaves on long days, oily lids, and sensitive eyes to see if it really stays clean.
Overview
Tower 28 MakeWaves Mascara is a true tubing formula designed to lengthen, lift, and resist smudging while removing with just warm water. If you often end your day with smeared mascara, this style of formula is worth attention because it wraps each lash in tiny water-resistant sleeves rather than painting on traditional pigment. Those sleeves are what help prevent transfer throughout the day and why removal is so easy at night.
The wand is a curved, triple-wave brush that hugs the lash line. It is meant to push lashes up at the roots, catch shorter hairs at the inner corner, and comb through to the tips for separation. The formula itself is inky black, lightweight, and flexible once dry. One coat gives clean definition that reads polished but not harsh. Two coats add length and a touch of plushness while keeping lashes separated. A third coat moves into soft-volume territory, with a bit more drama for evening.
Across workdays, errands, and humid commutes, the appeal here is simple. MakeWaves aims to stay put on the lash, not on your skin, then slide off in warm water as tiny tubes. That makes it an everyday choice for anyone who is tired of smudging and tiring removal routines.
Who it is for
If your mascara smears by lunchtime, you have hooded or deep-set eyes, or you use rich eye cream and dewy concealer, MakeWaves fits your needs. It is also a smart pick for contact lens wearers and anyone with sensitive eyes who prefers a formula that removes without rubbing. The curved brush and flexible film-formers help hold a curl on straight or stubborn lashes without a crunchy feel, so it suits people who want noticeable lift and length without stiffness.
If you want maximum, false-lash volume from a single coat, this will likely feel too clean and defined. Tubing formulas also are not traditional waterproof. They resist sweat and humidity very well, but a hot shower, tears, or water plus rubbing can loosen the sleeves. For a wedding or a long cry, a true waterproof may be safer. For regular workdays, school runs, and summer heat, MakeWaves strikes a strong balance between clean wear and easy removal.
How it feels and performs
Texture and dry-down: Out of the tube, the formula is slightly wet and very black. It spreads evenly with minimal effort. Dry time runs around 30 to 45 seconds per coat. It sets to a soft, flexible finish that does not feel stiff. That flexibility matters because it keeps lashes from drooping midday and helps the curl hold without flaking when you blink.
Brush behavior: The curved, triple-wave brush is the star. The inner curve fits right against the lash line so you can press up at the roots. The raised waves act like micro-combs that pull pigment through and create separation. On the first try it can feel larger than a straight skinny wand, but after a day or two the curve becomes intuitive, especially for getting outer-corner lift. The bristles pick up enough product to coat evenly without gobs on the tip. If you tend to overload, wipe the tip on a tissue before starting.
Lift, length, and volume: One coat gives a defined, naturally enhanced look that photographs well and suits no-makeup makeup. Two coats increase length noticeably and add lift that opens the eyes. Volume stays soft and feathery rather than thick. A third coat adds more presence, though at that point you should comb through quickly with a clean spoolie to keep separation. The formula does not get spidery unless you zigzag too aggressively after it begins to set.
All-day wear on smudge-prone eyes: The central claim here is smudge resistance. On oilier lids and through a 10 to 12 hour day with air conditioning, outdoor heat, and mask wear, MakeWaves stays impressively clean. No gray haze under the eyes and only the occasional tiny flake by hour 9 when three coats were applied. Setting your under-eye concealer with a whisper of translucent powder further reduces the chance of transfer while the mascara is still fresh. Once set, the tubing sleeves resist oil better than standard wax-based mascaras.
Humidity, sweat, and tears: In humidity and light sweat, it stays put. After a workout that involved sweat plus towel blotting, a few tiny tubes shed at the outer corners, which is typical for tubing formulas. During a tear test, water alone did not smear pigment across the skin, but rubbing did remove a few sleeves. Consider it water resistant, not waterproof, which many shoppers prefer for the easy removal.
Sensitivity and comfort: Wear is comfortable once dry, with no stinging during the day in our tests. Removal is gentle, which is a relief for reactive eyes. If you are very sensitive, avoid applying heavy eye cream right up to the lash line in the morning and give the mascara a full minute to set before blinking normally.
Shade and finish: Currently offered in black, the finish reads glossy for the first minute, then settles to a soft black. It pairs well with both refined daytime looks and a softly smoky eye at night without looking crunchy.
How to use for best results
- Start with clean, dry lashes. If you use eye cream, keep it below the orbital bone. Set concealer with a light dusting of translucent powder so the mascara has less chance to meet fresh emollients while it dries.
- Curl lashes first. Tubing formulas lock onto the shape you create. Press at the base for a few seconds, then again at the midpoint for a smooth curve.
- Wipe excess from the tip of the wand. Place the inner curve at the base of your lashes and wiggle a millimeter to anchor the product at the roots. Pull straight through to the tips. Do one eye at a time.
- For length, turn the wand so a wave ridge faces outward and comb through the mid-lengths to the ends. For lift, roll the curve upward as you reach the tips.
- Let the first coat set for about 30 seconds. Apply a second coat focusing on the outer third of the lashes to create lift and elongation. Use the tip of the wand to tap the tiniest amount on the lower lashes if you like definition there.
- If you want a third coat, comb quickly with a clean spoolie between coats to keep definition. Stop before the formula gets tacky to avoid stickiness.
- Cleanup is easy. If you get a dot of mascara on your lid, let it dry, then flick it away with a dry cotton swab so you do not smear your shadow.
Removal: At night, splash warm water on your closed eyes or let the shower run over them for 10 to 15 seconds. Then use gentle pressure with your fingertips to slide the tubes off. They come away as tiny sleeves, not as gray puddles, so your cleanser will not have to melt pigment. If you prefer a cotton round, soak it with warm water or micellar water, hold for 20 seconds, then slide downward. Avoid oil cleansers on the eyes before the tubes are off because they can make removal feel slippery rather than quick.
Pros and cons
- Pros
- Excellent smudge resistance on oily or hooded lids during long days
- Curved triple-wave brush lifts at the root and enhances length with clean separation
- Flexible film-forming formula holds curl without a crunchy feel
- Removes with warm water, no rubbing or stinging
- Lightweight, comfortable wear that suits sensitive eyes and contact lens users
- Cons
- Volume is moderate, not a false-lash effect
- Can transfer in the first minute if you blink hard before it sets
- Water plus rubbing can shed tubes during tears or heavy sweat
- Third coat may clump without a quick comb-through
- Curved brush has a short learning curve for smaller eyes
Final verdict
Tower 28 MakeWaves Mascara is an easy yes for anyone who struggles with midday smudging and wants the clean removal that tubing formulas deliver. It lengthens, lifts, and stays tidy through heat and humidity while feeling comfortable on sensitive eyes. The triple-wave brush genuinely helps with root lift and separation, which is why even a single coat looks polished. You will not get the thickest, plushest volume in one pass, and it is not the best choice for a day when you expect tears. For everything else, especially long office days and summer commutes, it is reliable, flattering, and simple to take off at night.
See also
If tubing technology is what finally keeps your lash line clean, you may also like the options in Best Tubing Mascaras for Smudge-Free Long Days. For lids that get shiny or for hooded eyes that touch the lash line, check out Best Mascara for Oily Lids as well as our picks tailored to reactive eyes in Best Mascara for Sensitive Eyes.
Prefer a barely-there lash look that still resists smudging for work or weekends, without heavy volume or crunchiness, browse Best Mascara for Natural Look. And if you want the gentlest way to take everything off at the sink, our favorites in Best Micellar Waters for Sensitive Eyes and Waterproof Mascara pair nicely with tubing formulas.
FAQ
Is Tower 28 MakeWaves a true tubing mascara and how do the tubes come off?
Yes. It forms flexible sleeves around each lash that resist oil and humidity during the day. At removal time, warm water loosens those sleeves so they slide off as tiny tubes. Hold warm water on closed eyes for 10 to 15 seconds, then use light pressure with fingertips or a soaked cotton round to glide them away. You will not need rubbing and you will not see gray pigment smeared across the skin.
Will MakeWaves smudge on oily lids or hooded eyes?
In testing on oily lids and hooded eyes, it stayed clean through 10 to 12 hours with minimal to no transfer. The key is to let each coat set for about 30 seconds and to keep fresh emollients away from the lash line while it dries. Setting under-eye concealer with a bit of powder helps. Once set, tubing sleeves resist oil better than standard wax-based formulas.
Does it hold a curl on straight lashes without waterproof stiffness?
Yes. The flexible film-forming polymers help lashes keep the shape you create with a curler. Curl first, press at the roots while applying, and let the coat set before adding more. The finish stays soft and flexible rather than crunchy, so lashes keep lift without feeling brittle.
How many coats should I use for volume, and how do I prevent clumps?
One coat gives clean definition, two coats bring noticeable length and lift, and a third coat adds soft volume. To keep separation, comb quickly with a clean spoolie between coats and stop building before the formula gets tacky. If you accidentally overdo it, pinch the tips gently with fingers to remove excess, then comb through.
Is it comfortable for sensitive eyes and contact lens wearers?
It wears comfortably once dry and removes without harsh rubbing, which tends to suit sensitive eyes and contact lens users. If you are very reactive, avoid heavy eye cream near the lash line in the morning and give the mascara a full minute to set. As with any new eye product, discontinue use if redness or irritation occurs.
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