How To Keep Mascara From Smudging, According To Makeup Artists

Skip to content

CONFIDENCE, COMMUNITY, AND JOY

Subscribe Email Address Subscribe Thank you for signing up. Please enter a valid email address.

• Skin
  • Skincare Ingredients A-Z
  • Skin Type
  • Skin Concerns
  • Sun Care
  • Body
  • Hair Removal
  • Facecare
  • Moisturizers
  • Fragrance
  • Devices
• Makeup
  • Tools and Techniques
  • Face
  • Eyes
  • Lips
• Hair
  • Hair Care
  • Hair Types
  • Hair Concerns
  • Scalp Care
  • Hair Styling
  • Hair Color
  • Haircuts
• Nails
• Style
  • Fashion Trends
  • What to Wear
  • Shoes
  • Accessories
  • Clothing and Apparel
• News
  • Celebrities
  • Product and Brand News
  • Trends and Innovation
• What to Buy
  • Shopping
  • Amazon Picks
  • Gift Guides
  • Product Reviews
• Health and Wellness
  • Nutrition
  • Mental Health and Mood
  • Fitness
• About Us
  • The Byrdie Team
  • Editorial Guidelines
  • Contact Us

Email Address Subscribe Thank you for signing up. Please enter a valid email address.

• Contact
• Editorial Policy
• Careers
• Advertise
• Terms of Use and Policies
• Privacy Policy

Search Search Close search How to Keep Mascara From Smudging, According to Makeup Artists By Ashley Rebecca Ashley Rebecca Ashley Rebecca is a NYC-based contributor for Byrdie, where she covers makeup, skincare, and more. She has 20+ years of experience as a makeup artist and has contributed to Byrdie for the past ten years. Byrdie's Editorial Guidelines Updated on August 27, 2024 02:12PM Reviewed by Jaleesa Jaikaran Reviewed by Jaleesa Jaikaran Jaleesa Jaikaran is a New York-based makeup artist who specializes in the transformative powers makeup can have. About Byrdie's Beauty & Wellness Board Makeup Artist Close

In this day and age, nobody has time for smudged mascara in their lives. Whether it's a mid-makeup application cleanup, or an unfortunate realization in the mirror after it's far too late, we've all been there and we're over it. We should all be free to enjoy a date night or power through a pitch without the risk of fears of racoon-eyes hijacking the moment. While some mascaras may perform better than others, we're convinced proper application does most of the heavy lifting. Ahead, we tapped NYC-based makeup artist Shaina Ehrlich and LA-based makeup artist Stevi Christine for the best ways to keep your mascara from smudging. Read on to learn more.

Meet the Experts

• Shaina Ehrlich is a professional makeup artist and hairstylist based in New York City.
• Stevi Christine is a brow expert, celebrity makeup artist and founder of Naturally By, a beauty boutique located in Beverly Hills, CA.

Why Does My Mascara Always Smudge Under my Eyes?

According to Christine, oily skin, eye shape, your eyelids, and certain skincare products can all contribute to mascara smudging."My advice is to wait about 10 minutes until your eye cream or setting spray settles [to apply mascara]. If you are hot/sweating or getting ready in hot climates, I would also wait until you cool down as sweating prior to applying mascara can cause the mascara to smudge."

01 of 08

Curl Your Lashes

What most people don't realize is that the prep work you do prior to applying your mascara makes a huge difference. "To start, you're going to want to really curl your lashes with a quality eyelash curler," says Elrich, who explains that curling ensures that you give your lashes a lift, helping prevent smudges.

02 of 08

Pay Attention to Skincare

If mascara continues to smudge, pay attention to the skincare you're using. Make sure that if you apply an eye cream, it's fully absorbed and dry before moving onto your makeup, Christine advises.

Skincare that contains oil or feels extra slippery can aid in causing your mascara and eye makeup to smudge and run, so give yourself plenty of prep time before moving on to your makeup application. Carve a half hour to an hour in between skincare and makeup to let your products absorb and not interfere any further.

Byrdie Tip

If your skin tends to become oily throughout the day, you can also use oil-blotting papers to minimize shine and smudging.

03 of 08

Utilize Eyelash Primer

After your eyelashes have been curled, apply a primer. "Let the primer dry first before moving on to your mascara application," says Ehrlich. Primer adds curl and definition to the eyelashes, and helps mascara formulas adhere to lashes more cleanly. In short, you'll see less smudging.

Christine adds, "The primer not only assists with the ease of execution of mascara application but a lash primer helps by preventing smudges and aids to lengthen your lashes." When it comes to application, apply one coat to your top and bottom lashes if you plan on wearing mascara on both. If you're just going to apply mascara to your top lashes, one coat of primer on the top lashes will get the job done.

04 of 08

Apply Slowly

Just as excess moisture in skincare or on the skin poses a threat to a seamless mascara finish, so does the product itself. If you're keen on multiple applications, make sure to give each layer plenty of time to dry before topping up. Bottom lashes won't need more than one coat.

05 of 08

Lock It In With a Waterproof Topcoat

If you find that your go-to formula is prone to smudging, Ehrlich suggests applying "one coat of waterproof or water-resistant mascara on top of your [favorite mascara] to lock it in."

Byrdie Tip

Ehrlich adds that if you have watery eyes or notice that your mascara smudges every time you apply mascara on the lower lashes, try applying mascara to the top lashes only. Less product means less smudging.

06 of 08

Use Transluscent Powder

Dusting translucent powder under your eyes will help keep the skin matte and free from oil, which can be a major contributor to smudging. "I love the Laura Mercier Secret Brightening Loose Powder," says Christine. "Use this lightly with a brush prior to applying your mascara to prevent it from running and also brighten your under eyes."

Before applying mascara, take a small brush and lightly apply translucent powder or a blurring type powder to the eyes. It still gives a very natural appearance and doesn't look too heavy.

07 of 08

Try Tubing Formulas

If you're on the hunt for a new product altogether, waterproof options may be the first to come to mind. While some can truly live up to their durability and longevity claims, many are turned off by how difficult waterproof mascaras can be to remove and running the risk of compromising the health of the lashes in any attempt to do so. Tubing mascaras offer a gentler option that also don't pose the risk of running down your face. "I am obsessed with Kevyn Aucoin's The Volume Mascara," says Christine, "I refer to it as the first ever tubing mascara."

08 of 08

Keep Your Hands Off Your Face

Touching your face is easy, and can lead to major eye makeup messes. The next time you're tempted to rub your eyes, use a tissue or blotting sheets to lightly blot instead, you'll create a new habit of keeping your fingers off your face in no time.

FAQ

• Does setting spray stop mascara smudging?

  "I am not into setting sprays for stopping mascara smudges," Christine says. Instead, she recommends a lash primer and powder applied to the under-eyes to prevent smudging.

• What powder stops mascara from smudging?

  Christine recommends applying a light dusting of the Laura Mercier Secret Brightening Loose Powder to the under-eyes before applying mascara to prevent smudging and add brightness.

• What mascara doesn't smudge under the eyes?

  Look for waterproof or tubing mascara if you're prone to smudging. Christine's go-to is Kevyn Aucoin's The Volume Mascara.

Read more:

• Makeup
• Eyes
• Lashes

Related Stories

• The 13 Best Mascaras That Impressed Us the Most After Testing Over 100
• The 9 Best Eyelash Curlers for Fluttery, Lifted Lashes, According to Testers
• The 11 Best Curling Mascaras, Tested by a Makeup Artist
• The 5 Best Lash Glues to Keep Your Falsies in Place, Tested & MUA-Approved
• Your Guide to Finding Your Eye Shape—and Using Makeup to Accentuate It
• These 8 Waterproof Mascaras Withstand Humidity, Sweat, and Tears, According to Testers
• The 10 Best Brow Gels for Beautiful, Bold Arches
• The 11 Best Tubing Mascaras I Swear by for Impressive Length and Lift

• Eyebrow Tinting May Be All You Need for Fuller Brows
• The 5 Best Brow Powders for Fluffy, Defined Arches
• What the Heck Are We Doing With Our Eyebrows in 2026?
• The 8 Best Volumizing Mascaras for Full, Fluttery Lashes, According to Testers
• The Best Mascara for Mature Women That Won’t Irritate Sensitive Eyes or Damage Fragile Lashes
• The 5 Best Eyeshadow Primers I've Tested for Pigmented, Budge-Free Eye Makeup
• The 13 Best Cream Eyeshadows for Crease-Free Looks, Approved by Testers
• The 11 Best Drugstore Mascaras for Volume and Length, Editor-Tested