How do I stop my mascara from smudging under my eyes?

Author: Tressa Renner  |  Last update: Thursday, October 9, 2025

How Can I Prevent Mascara From Smudging?
  1. Cleanse Your Face (and Lashes)
  2. Apply a Primer.
  3. Use a Tri-Locking Mascara.
  4. Lightly Dust Under the Eyes — Never Bake.
  5. (Occasionally) Wipe Your Undereyes.
  6. Apply Mascara Correctly.

Why does my mascara keep smudging under my eyes?

There are so many factors that affect mascara's smudge-ability, like your lash type, your facial structure, your eye shape (which changes over time), your skin type, your skin laxity, the skin care you use near your eyes and how you apply it, the mascara formula, the brush, the freaking weather ...

Which mascara is best for not smudging under eyes?

Our Top Picks
  • Best Smudge-Proof Mascara Overall: Victoria Beckham Beauty Vast Lash Mascara, $34.
  • Best Volumizing: Fenty Full Frontal Volume Mascara, $24.
  • Best Thickening: Benefit Cosmetics BadGal Bang, $16.
  • Best Tubing: Tarte Tartelette Tubing XL Mascara, $27.
  • Best Curling: Tower 28 Beauty MakeWaves Mascara, $20.

How do you make mascara not smudge?

“Applying an eyelid primer can help control oil on your eyelids and create a smudge-proof base for mascara,” even if you're not wearing any other eye makeup, says DiSabatino. For a long-lasting finish, try the Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion.

Does setting spray stop mascara smudging?

By spraying before, you allow the setting spray to lock in your base makeup AND eye shadow without affecting your lashes, ensuring your mascara stays and is smudge-free. This technique provides better longevity and a cleaner finish for your makeup look.

How To Prevent Your Mascara From Smudging & Concealer From Creasing!

Should you put setting spray on before or after mascara?

Setting spray is super easy to use. Start by applying all your makeup, including your mascara and face powder (your skin will remain velvety and matte). Next, shake the bottle well so the ingredients go on without creating splotches. Ready to apply?

Is there such a thing as smudge proof mascara?

If you're looking for a mascara that will keep your eye makeup in place all day long, look no further than smudge-proof mascaras. These mascaras are designed to keep your eye makeup looking fresh and vibrant by coating your lashes with a thin layer of waterproofing that prevents it from smudging.

How to stop eye makeup from smudging under eye?

Prepping with an eye primer creates the perfect surface for makeup application and helps you create eyeliner that doesn't smudge or run throughout the day. How to fix it: Always use an eye primer. But if you're in a pinch, using a lightweight concealer can do the trick.

What does it mean when mascara smudges?

smudges or if someone smudges it, it becomes dirty or not clear because someone or something has touched it: She was crying and her mascara had smudged. Synonym. smear.

How to put mascara on bottom lashes without smudging?

How To Stop Mascara from Smudging Under Eyes
  1. Apply mascara to clean lashes. Always remove your mascara, darlings! ...
  2. Give your lashes time to dry. Mascara is most likely to smudge when it is still wet, so give it time to dry before going about your day. ...
  3. Do your eye makeup before foundation and concealer.

What color mascara is best for older eyes?

Both Brissette and Spieler recommend using brown mascara, rather than black mascara, on mature eyes. “When I do mature women for special occasions, I always use brown or black/brown mascara,” Spieler says.

What does mascara primer do?

Increases Longevity Of Your Mascara -Mascara primers leave your lashes with a tacky yet smooth base. This allows your mascara to stick on and last longer than it would without a primer. Volume And Curl - Applying mascara after a primer helps hold curl for longer too,giving you a voluminous look!

What is the best eyelash primer?

  • Best Overall Lash Primer: Essence Volume Booster Lash Primer. ...
  • Tarte Opening Act Lash Primer. ...
  • Milk Makeup Kush Lash Primer. ...
  • Morphe The Big Prime. ...
  • Milani The Violet One Lash Primer. ...
  • Urban Decay Subversion Lash Primer. ...
  • Lancôme Clis Booster XL Super-Enhancing Mascara Primer.

How to get mascara off under your eyes?

Use a clean, damp cotton swab dipped in a mild eye makeup remover to gently dab at the smudged area beneath your lower lash line to remove just the mascara under your eyes without removing all of your eye makeup.

How to make mascara not smudge under eye?

How Can I Prevent Mascara From Smudging?
  1. Cleanse Your Face (and Lashes)
  2. Apply a Primer.
  3. Use a Tri-Locking Mascara.
  4. Lightly Dust Under the Eyes — Never Bake.
  5. (Occasionally) Wipe Your Undereyes.
  6. Apply Mascara Correctly.

What mascara doesn't smudge under eyes?

More Smudge-Proof Mascaras I Love
  • e.l.f. Lash Xtndr Tubing Mascara. $7 at Amazon $7 at Ulta $7 at Target.
  • Charlotte Tilbury Volumizing and Curling Mascara. $35 at Amazon $29 $15 at Sephora $29 at Ulta.
  • Thrive Causemetics Liquid Lash Extensions Mascara. View on Thrivecausemetics.com.
  • Maybelline Washable Mascara.

Why does my mascara smudge under my eyes throughout the day?

"The oil in our skin, or creamy products applied around the eyes, can make the pigment of the mascara transfer onto skin, even after the mascara is dry," says Nikki Wolff, the global creative director of artistry for KVD Beauty. Even if your skin isn't naturally oily, sweat and heat can cause mascara to run.

What is the best smudge proof eyeliner?

  • Best Budget. Maybelline Hyper Easy Liquid Liner. PHOTO: Walmart. ...
  • Best Brown. Kulfi Underlined Kajal Eyeliner. PHOTO: Sephora. ...
  • Best Smudge. Lancôme Le Stylo Waterproof Eyeliner Pencil. ...
  • Best Liquid Eyeliners. Stila Stay All Day Liquid Eye Liner. ...
  • Best Precision. Too Faced Better Than Sex Easy Glide Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner.

How do I keep my makeup from rubbing off under my eyes?

5 MAGIC TIPS to prevent makeup transfer
  1. Make sure your face is clean and hydrated! For a successful makeup application that stays in place, you should always start with a clean and hydrated canvas! ...
  2. Always use a primer! ...
  3. Apply your makeup in small amounts! ...
  4. Always use a setting spray! ...
  5. Tilbury tip!

How to do smudge free makeup?

Beauty tips: 7 must-know tips to master smudge-proof makeup during monsoon
  1. Stick to a light skincare routine.
  2. Use a primer.
  3. Go easy on the foundation.
  4. Protect your base with a mattifying powder.
  5. Pick waterproof eye makeup.
  6. Opt for transfer-proof lipstick.
  7. Don't forget the setting spray.

How do you keep mascara from smudging and flaking?

How to Prevent Mascara From Smudging
  1. Use a waterproof mascara, such as Superhero Volumizing Waterproof Mascara. ...
  2. With your face looking forward but eyes looking down, apply mascara to your top lashes first and allow it to dry for a few minutes. ...
  3. Give your mascara some time to dry—15 to 30 seconds should be plenty.

Which L'Oréal mascara doesn't smudge?

L'Oréal Paris Voluminous Lash Paradise™ Waterproof Mascara: With its soft wavy bristle brush and silky-smooth formula, this waterproof mascara will leave your lashes with voluptuous volume and intense length sans flaking, smudging, and clumping.

Which Maybelline mascara is smudge proof?

Lash Sensational Sky High mascara delivers full volume and limitless length. Exclusive Flex Tower mascara brush bends to volumize and extend every single lash from root to tip. Waterproof mascara formula infused with bamboo extract and fibers for long, full and lightweight lashes, that don't flake or smudge.

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