To Wear Mascara or Not to Wear Mascara? That Is My Constant Summer (AKA Smudgy) Dilemma—Until Now

It’s like the good-hair-day effect: Somehow, one swipe of mascara can bring on a rush of feeling-yourself confidence that has you taking on the day with a little more oomph. And yet, that single swipe can also usher in a non-stop assault of under-eye smudges and face smears (not exactly the definition of a self-esteem boost).

I can attest to that. On one especially hot afternoon a few summers back, I was celebrating at a well-attended (read: sweaty) outdoor party when a friend whispered that I had something under my eyes. Panic set in as I ran to the bathroom, glanced in the mirror, and saw that my mascara had smeared and spread to peak panda levels—and not in a cute way. Since then, I’ve been *extremely* wary of mascara—especially in the summer, when sweating, eye rubbing, and the occasional tear make for a very smudgy situation.

But after a recent chat with celebrity makeup artist Brielle Pollara, I realized my stubborn use of shoddy, sample-size mascaras might be to blame. Instead of living in an anxiety-ridden, no-mascara zone, Pollara had a recommendation: Test a variety of high-quality formulas, and invest in one that can handle all the elements. After a bit of trial and error, I came to a verdict: Tartelette™ tubing mascara is a long-lasting formula that lives up to its rep of lash extensions in a tube—and now through August 31, you can snag a three-piece set for only $40—just $13 more than the price of one.

Tarte Tubing Mascara Trio — $40.00

Originally $58, now $40 through August 31

Pros:

• Smudge-proof tubing formula
• Curls and lengthens even the shortest lashes
• Easy to remove

Cons:

• Set requires you to purchase three mascaras

What sets this mascara apart from the others I tested? “Tubing mascara is a type of formula that coats each [lash] in polymer ‘tubes’ rather than pigment like traditional mascara, making it more resistant to wear, sweat, tears, and more,” Pollara says. “The tubes around each lash tend to hold up great throughout the day without breaking down.”

This kind of mascara is especially beneficial for people with shorter or straighter lashes, she says. That’s me—and Tartelette gives my set some serious volume with just one coat (although I usually go for two, because self care). Plus, it gives lift I’d normally only dream of getting from an eyelash curler. Bonus: The formula is incredibly easy to wipe off with any typical eye-makeup remover. Seriously, when you remove Tartelette mascara, it’s actually gone—no waking up with remnants on your face or pillow.

After using my lengthening, flake-free tubing mascara all summer long, my habit of running to the bathroom for a makeup check feels like a distant memory. (Shout out to my friend at the infamous party whose nudge kickstarted this whole journey.)

Ultimately, when it comes to your beauty routine, you do you. But if you find yourself ruminating over a “to wear mascara, or not to wear mascara” debate in your head every morning, don’t let the fear of smudges dictate your decision. Grab the Tartelette trio while it’s on sale—and make the good-lash-day effect a year-round kind of thing.