20 smudge-proof mascaras you can rely on for all-day wear, tested and reviewed from under £5

As many of us will already know, L'Oréal Paris offers some of the most effective – and beloved – mascaras on the high street. Be it its ‘regular’ mascaras or waterproof formulas like this, most are pretty smudge-proof. But the Air Volume Mega Mascara Waterproof is a personal fave, delivering long-lasting, budge-proof results that stay put… even if you’re caught up in a rainstorm! The mascara is volumising (and does its job well), rather than lengthening, so bear that in mind depending on your personal preference and lash goals.

There are several things I adore about this bestselling mascara; first, the brush: it’s a good old-fashioned large bristle wand that coats every lash, from root to tip. Next, the formula: if you want big, bold and glossy lashes, look no further. You’re safe from smudging, making this an ideal party-all-night mascara that won’t let you down.

Makeup brand Kulfi has several stars of the show within its line, but the mascara is the best of the best, IMO. I love the ball tip wand which makes application a breeze, and the fact that the tubing formula features a tri-peptide complex to keep lashes healthy is music to my ears. It’s smudge-free and flake-free, and a worthy new contender, that’s for sure.

As someone who has lived in Australia, I can attest to the fact that MCoBeauty is a big deal down under. Luckily, the affordable drugstore brand has landed onto UK shores recently, meaning one of my favourite high street mascaras is available to purchase here. This does an excellent job at lengthening lashes; I would argue that if you want a lifted curl, this might not be for you though. Oh, and the fact it’s a tubing formula means no smudging or movement, at all.

We all know L’Orèal is no stranger to an epic mascara. I mean, they have earned cult status on many of its formulas, however I do think its latest launch, the Telescopic Extensionist Mascara, is one of the best. Layering on a punchy, jet-black pigment, this wand (which is made from 300 plastic bristles, btw) clings onto every lash to add amazing length and definition. Without ever clumping, you’re left with separated lashes that look like an at-home lash lift.

Maybelline is another drugstore brand that always knocks it out of the park when it comes to brilliant mascaras. Perhaps its best known – and the one that gets raved about the most – is the Lash Sensational Sky High Mascara, which offers dramatic results with minimal effort. The slightly bendy plastic brush allows for ease and effective lash coating, and the formula lasts as it should.

This is categorically one of my favourite mascaras of all time, and the one that properly converted me to high street alternatives. It delivers impressive length and volume, and is super easy to use; you know those mascaras that take WORK? Yeh, this certainly isn’t that. And as for smudging? You’re also very safe with this pick.

Refy’s Lash Sculpt aimed to change the mascara game when it launched a couple of years back. Admittedly, the product offered something a little different, namely in its curved brush, designed to fit the shape of the natural lash line perfectly. While I haven’t always gotten along with the wand itself (I find the middle section of my lashes sometimes don’t get coated in enough product?) I do love the mascara itself, thanks to the super natural, fluffy-looking lash look it offers. And yes, it’s also pretty resilient when it comes to smudging. Claps for you, Refy.

For those of us who struggle with sensitive eyes (join me over here), By Terry mascaras are a great option – particularly the brand’s serum formulation, which is lightweight and offers a natural, flattering flutter. If you prefer a super voluminous look, this may not be for you, but for everyday wear it’s a winner.

For anyone who suffers with particularly oily eyelids and thus finds mascara a bit of a nightmare product, this could well and truly be a game-changer. Genuinely smudge-proof, you can wear Hourglass’ formula all day (and night) and never fear for transfer. I’d argue this mascara offers more of an all-out glam look, so might not be the right choice if you’re more of a natural lash look girlie.

When I first tried this mascara several years back, I was skeptical. There was so much hype surrounding its launch, with some calling it one of the ‘best mascaras’ they’d ever tried. Spoiler alert: it lives up to its reputation. Offering a thick, glossy black coating to the lashes, this has longevity to boot, making it a strong all-rounder. You can now get it with several different brush options depending on your preference, as well as in waterproof.

I’ll be honest: all of Benefit’s mascaras are pretty smudge-proof. But if you want to go the extra mile, I can recommend the Badgal BANG! Volumizing Waterproof Mascara. Whether you’re attending a wedding where emotions could run high, caught in a rain shower or even attending a 2-hour surf lesson, this will have your back.

I think we can all agree that Lancôme does some of the best mascaras in the game. My favourite is Idôle; I love the curved brush and the super glossy formula, which culminate in a mascara that’s just so easy to apply for perfectly separated, lifted lashes. While the original does a great job staying put all day, I’d recommend the waterproof version if you want even more longevity.

A tubing formula that stays clinging to the lashes for as long as you need it to (and can then be removed with just warm water), Clinique’s High Impact Zero Gravity Mascara’s best feature is its curved brush, which allows for easy and effective use. As with all of the brand’s mascaras, this is also suitable for sensitive eyes.

If you’re looking for an affordable option that you can just as easily take on holiday and wear in the ocean as you can everyday to the office (with zero smudging in either scenario), let me introduce you to Revolution’s Big Lash Waterproof Volume Mascara. Honestly, for just a fiver, this is the ultimate bargain.

Member price: £10

This beloved tubing formula is one of Beauty Pie’s bestsellers – and for good reason. It has a dark, glossy formula, a thick bristle brush and can be removed gently and easily with warm water, making it safe for sensitive eyes. You also won’t see a hint of smudging throughout daily (or nightly) wear, trust me.

Bobbi Brown is so proud of its mascara’s budge-proof properties, it literally named it after them. A waterproof, long-wearing option that won’t let you down, the brand notes that you can either wear this alone or on top of other formulas to make them waterproof. Because of its lightweight texture, it’s easily buildable in this way, meaning you can achieve a dramatic or more natural look depending on your preference.

You could call me this mascara’s number one fan: it legitimately performs in terms of volume, as its name suggests. But not only that: the brush is one of a kind, with stacked ‘disks’ cut out into the shape, ensuring every lash is reached and coated with product beautifully. You also don’t have to worry about transfer onto the lids (even if they’re oily), because once applied and dried, it won’t budge.