Mascara comes in two basic types: waterproof and water-soluble. Mascaras should not smudge, flake, or clump, and it is not your fault if they do. As is true for every aspect of the cosmetics industry, price does not tell you anything about how well a mascara performs. Drugstore mascaras can be as good as the more-expensive department-store brands, and sometimes even better. Regardless of where you buy your mascara, you might find that it already seems dried up the first time you open it. This is a recurring problem in the cosmetics world. Take it back immediately and get a refund or another tube.
Because there are two types of mascara available, the one you choose should be based on your needs, both in terms of personal preference and where you’ll wear it.
Water-soluble mascaras: This type of mascara is the most common. A great water – soluble mascara should go on beautifully and wash away easily. The problem with some water-soluble mascaras is that they don’t come off all that easily with water, even though they should.
Waterproof mascaras: This type of mascara is, as the name states, waterproof. Waterproof mascaras cause problems because to remove them you usually need to pull and wipe at the eyes, which can pull out lashes. I understand the desire to go swimming while wearing your makeup, or to cry at weddings and not have mascara streaming down your cheeks, especially if you’re the bride! Waterproof mascara is fine for occasional use, but wearing it every day can cause more headaches in the long run. Another drawback is that although most waterproof mascaras hold up well under water, they can still break down and smear when they meet the oil from your skin or emollients from your moisturizer or foundation. Do not make the mistake of thinking that waterproof means smearproof.
For those times when you do need waterproof mascara, the most effective way to remove it is with a silicone-based makeup remover that won’t leave a greasy film on the skin. To be as gentle as possible, soak a cotton pad with the remover and lightly press and hold this against your lashes (make sure the eye is closed) for a few seconds. This helps loosen the mascara from lashes. Using very light pressure, move the pad down over the lashes and then back and forth, paying close attention not to pull or tug the skin. You can perform this step before or after cleansing.