If you don’t have waterproof mascara, you can use hairspray or other makeup products to waterproof your mascara at home.
The DIY methods presented below are easy to do and should take no more than a few minutes each. Note that the results would not be as good as using a waterproof mascara but should get you through most low to medium humid weather situations.
How to Make Mascara Waterproof with Hairspray
The easiest way to make any mascara waterproof is by adding hairspray to it. The silicone-based ingredient dimethicone copolyol in hairspray gives mascara a weightless quality that will keep the shape you make with your eyelash curler. Here are 2 application methods:
Method 1 – Spray (Mist) On Lashes
Many makeup artists swear by this method. It is not recommended to do this by yourself, so make sure to ask a friend for help.
- Close your eyes tightly and have a friend spray your lashes while holding the can about 12 inches from your face. One quick spray should be enough to coat both of your lashes.
- Allow a few minutes for the hairspray to dry. You should feel that your lashes are holding up a lot better. Repeat step 1 if you feel you need them to be stronger.
Method 2 – Saturate the Mascara Brush
If you have sensitive skin or eyes, this next method may be a good alternative. Take a clean spoolie or flat eyeshadow brush and apply hairspray to the brush until it appears wet. Once fully saturated, apply hairspray to lashes with the brush.
How to Make Mascara Waterproof without Hairspray
The best way to make your mascara waterproof without hairspray is to use a waterproof eyelash top coat. Most eyelash top coats feature an invisible gel texture that helps your lashes stay in place and repel water. They usually come with a brush for easy application.
Here’s What You Need To Do:
- Apply your regular non-waterproof mascara and wait for it to dry.
- Apply a waterproof eyelash topcoat by using the brush that it comes with to wiggle in the topcoat from the root of your lashes to the tip. If your mascara has dried completely in step 1, the topcoat will not smudge your mascara.
Note: One thin layer of topcoat is all you need. More layers will not make your lashes more waterproof. Instead, it will weigh down your lashes.