The short answer: both stay put. The difference is removal — waterproof mascara needs a solvent and rubbing, tubing mascara slides off in whole pieces with warm water. And since lashes take most of their punishment during removal, that is not a small detail.
Two different ways to stay on a lash
Waterproof mascara holds thanks to water-repelling components — typically waxes and oils. Water will not shift them, which is why you need an oil-based or biphase remover to dissolve the wax. And because dissolving takes time, in practice it almost always ends in rubbing.
Tubing mascara works another way entirely. Instead of coating the lash surface, film-forming polymers wrap each lash in a thin tube — hence the name. The tube sits snugly, does not smudge or run, but warm water makes it swell and release. You do not dissolve it; you slide it off.
Afterwards you will see small dark pieces in the sink. Those are the tubes. It is an odd sight the first time — but it is proof the mascara came off intact rather than being rubbed off your lashes.
Why removal matters most
Lashes are usually lost not while wearing mascara but while taking it off. Eyelid skin is among the thinnest on the body and lashes sit in it loosely. Daily rubbing with a cotton pad is mechanical stress, and it adds up over time.
If you have ever noticed a stray lash on the cotton pad next to the black smudge — that is what this is about.
Who each one suits
Tubing suits you particularly well if you have sensitive eyes or wear contact lenses, if your eyes water easily, if you wear glasses, if you have lash extensions (oil-based removers break down the adhesive), or if you simply do not want to rub your eyes every night.
Waterproof still has its place for swimming, saunas or a long sweaty day — anywhere the product must survive prolonged direct contact with water. Tubing mascara handles rain, tears and sweat, but warm water is exactly what releases it in the end.
One more honest note: tubing mascaras tend to give length, separation and a clean line rather than heavy dramatic volume. If maximum thickness is what you are after, that is a trade-off worth knowing before you buy.
How to remove tubing mascara properly
- Wet your lashes with warm water — lukewarm is not enough.
- Wait a moment. The tubes need a few seconds to let go.
- Slide your fingers gently from the lash root towards the tips. The tubes come with them.
- No cotton pad, no remover. If you are rubbing, you are doing work that does not need doing.
If the tubes will not budge, the water is probably too cool.
What “with serum” means on a mascara
Some tubing mascaras contain conditioning ingredients alongside the pigment and the film former — the same ones found in lash serums. GlamUpper’s tubing mascara includes hyaluronic acid, the peptides Myristoyl Pentapeptide-17 and Oligopeptide-10, and plant extracts: pumpkin seed, ginseng, swertia and saw palmetto. The black comes from CI 77499, an iron oxide.
What that means, and what it does not: the mascara conditions your lashes while you wear it. It is not a lash serum and does not replace one, and no mascara grows lashes. If you want care, that comes separately, as a serum.
Frequently asked questions
Will tubing mascara come off in the rain?
No. The tubes hold through rain, tears and sweat. What releases them is warm water combined with a gentle sliding motion — not incidental moisture.
Can I wear it with lash extensions?
The big advantage of tubing with extensions is that removal needs no oil-based remover to break down the adhesive. There are no oils in GlamUpper’s mascara. Lash technicians still differ on whether to wear mascara over extensions at all — check with yours.
Can I build it in layers?
Yes — apply the next coat before the previous one has dried completely. Layering onto a fully set tube gives an uneven result.