Nothing Irks Me More Than a Mascara That Smudges, So I Found 7 That Never Budge

Hi, I'm Grace, and I've had oily eyelids for as long as I can remember, which means I've made it my mission to find the best smudge-proof mascara on the market. Finding the best mascara in general is no mean feat, but finding a formula that doesn't budge has seemed somewhat impossible at times. However, as a beauty editor, I'm nothing if not dedicated to my job, so over the past few months, I've been putting some of the most popular formulas to the test, from the best affordable mascaras to the best tubing mascaras and even the best mascaras for sensitive eyes, to see if they'll deliver impressive staying powers or leave me with black under-eyes at the end of the day.

I've been wearing lots of these mascaras to work, on nights out and even tested some at the gym, to create the ultimate edit of smudge-proof formulas that I know will hold up against my oily eyelids. Below, I've shared my top picks, so if you're looking for a mascara that will stay in place all day long, I highly recommend that you keep on scrolling...

I've been testing the best smudge-proof mascara formulas.

The Best Smudge-Proof Mascaras, Tried and Tested

1. MAC MACStack Waterproof Mascara

Best smudge-proof mascara overall

Mac

MACStack Waterproof Mascara

First up is somewhat of a cult product in the mascara world, the Mac MACStack Mascara. As an oily gal, I always like to opt for the waterproof version, and trust me when I say that this formula will not budge. Not only is it a super buildable mascara that gives an amazing false-lash effect, but the long-lasting product stays in place all day long and keeps your lashes looking long and lifted. This mascara always gets a 10/10 from me.

Pros

• Buildable formula
• Delivers length and lift
• Long-lasting

2. Victoria Beckham Beauty Vast Lash Mascara

Best natural smudge-proof mascara

Victoria Beckham Beauty

Vast Lash Mascara

Next up is a more natural-looking formula from none other than Victoria Beckham Beauty. The smudge-proof mascara works to add natural volume to the lashes, and I always find that it adds a beautiful, fluttery finish that makes it look as if I've been gifted with long lashes all along. It never clumps (even though I like to wear two to three coats), and you'll never see this mascara transferring under my eyes at the end of a long day either.

Pros

• Adds natural volume
• Not clumpy
• Chic packaging

3. Clinique Bottom Lash Mascara

Best smudge-proof mascara for bottom lashes

Clinique

Bottom Lash Mascara

Because of my oily eyelids, I never really tend to wear mascara on my bottom lashes. However, when I do fancy amping up my makeup, this is the best smudge-proof formula for the lower lash area. It has a teeny, tiny wand that makes it easy to apply (and also helps to get into those hard-to-reach areas), and the long-lasting mascara never transfers onto my under-eye area.

Pros

• Tiny wand makes it easy to apply
• Doesn't transfer

Cons

• Only works for the lower lashes

4. Benefit BADgal BANG! Volumizing Mascara

Best voluminous smudge-proof mascara

Benefit

BADgal BANG! Volumizing Mascara

I've tested every single Benefit mascara, and this is my favourite for a voluminous, smudge-proof finish. I like to reach for this in the evenings when I want that false-lash effect, as the slim brush makes it easy to coat every single eyelash. It also adds pretty good length, too, making it a great all-rounder in my opinion. Plus, it's water-resistant. Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't go swimming while wearing this, but it definitely helps when it comes to its long-lasting abilities.

Pros

• Adds volume
• Thin brush makes it easy to coat every lash

Cons

• Can be a little clumpy at times

5. L'Oréal Paris Paradise Castor Oil Enriched Mascara

Best smudge-proof mascara for sensitive eyes

L'Oréal Paris

Paradise Castor Oil Enriched Mascara

As well as oily eyelids, I have pretty sensitive eyes (I know, makeup artists hate to see me coming), which is why I'm a big fan of the L'Oréal Paris Paradise Mascara. I know what you're thinking: won't the addition of castor oil make this a nightmare for smudging? Believe it or not, this formula is actually really long-lasting. I wear it almost every single day as it's been designed for those prone to eye irritation, and the gentle formula always lasts.

Pros

• Safe for sensitive eyes
• More affordable

Cons

• Not as volumising as others in this roundup

6. Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Push Up Lashes Mascara

Best lifting smudge-proof mascara

Charlotte Tilbury

Pillow Talk Push Up Lashes Mascara

I originally bought this mascara to see if it would help my lashes look full and voluminous, but ended up being very impressed by how well it lasted throughout the day, without smudging under my eyes. Adding both lift and length, it does a great job of finishing off my makeup, and the diamond-shaped bristles ensure that every lash gets coated. The smudge and humidity-proof formula gets a huge thumbs up.

Pros

• Coats every lash
• Adds a lifted effect

7. Merit Beauty Clean Lash Lengthening Mascara

Best lengthening smudge-proof mascara

Merit Beauty

Clean Lash Lengthening Mascara

You already know by now that the whole Who What Wear UK team is obsessed with Merit Beauty, and this mascara is no exception. The slim, tapered wand makes coating each lash as easy as ever, and the lengthening formula never looks clumpy. Sure, it's not as volumising as other mascaras in this roundup, but if you like a natural, fluttery effect, then you will love this. Plus, smudging and flaking are non-existent.

Pros

• Chic packaging
• Lengthening formula

Cons

• Doesn't add as much volume

Why Trust Us

At Who What Wear UK, we know that beauty isn’t one-size-fits-all. Our editors have tested thousands of products, including skincare, makeup, hair and nails, over the years and work closely with trusted experts—dermatologists, make-up artists and leading industry insiders—to ensure every guide is well-researched, inclusive and relevant to you.

We focus on formulas that deliver, whether they’re affordable favourites or luxury investments. Our product selection is based on tangible results, ingredient know-how and what we’d truly recommend to a friend.