At $3, E.L.F. Studio Waterproof Mascara Topcoat is a true bargain. This drugstore find has a silicone brush head with spaced-out bristles that makes it easy to coat lashes in a water-resistant, vitamin E-enriched formula.

It's handy to have in your bag if you're going to encounter a bit of rain or head to yogalates, but it does smear a little when splashed with water. In other words: you can wear it to the pool on a hot, muggy summer day, just don't submerge your head underwater.

If crying is in your near future, BareMinerals Locked & Coated, $12, is the topcoat you want on-hand.

The rubber bristles of the wand are packed closely together, so it grabs and coats every lash with the glossy, waterproofing formula. Let it dry for a few minutes, and it will last through any sob-fest. I took the liberty of testing this by wearing it during "The Fault in Our Stars." While my eyes were red at the end of the two hours, my mascara was still perfectly in place. And it didn't get hard and clumpy, like some waterproof mascaras do when they encounter tears.

Anastasia Lash Genius Waterproof Topcoat, $22, is like a bodyguard for your wimpy, smudge-prone mascara: It effectively protects your application from any pesky liquid (sweat, tears, pool water) that tries to mess with it.

Apply the satin-finish, light-as-air gel to both sides of your lashes to keep your mascara flake-proof, smudge-proof and budge-proof all day long. And, invest in a good waterproof eye makeup remover -- the price you must pay for the awesome waterproofing effect is that the removal process is more difficult.

Ulta Raincoat Waterproof Mascara Topcoat, $10, has an asymmetrical brush: the shorter side allows you to coat your lashes with the clear formula, while the longer side combs through lashes to evenly distribute the product without clumping.

The water-repelling formula doesn't change the look or feel of your HG mascara -- no crunchy lashes here -- just be sure to give it enough time to dry (around 10 to 15 minutes).