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4 Mascara Topcoats With Magical Waterproofing Powers

These genius products give your mascara magical, water-resistant powers -- with none of the hard, clumpy downfalls of typical waterproof mascara
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If our mascara review section is any indication, the majority of you have found your mascara soul mate: the can't-live-without-it, life-changing product that gives you the fluttery lashes of your dreams. In beauty-speak, we call this a Holy Grail product (HG, for short). But if your HG mascara isn't waterproof, that makes situations that call for budge-proof makeup (e.g. your wedding day, the series finale of "Parks and Rec") pretty tricky. And that's where these waterproof topcoats come in.

"Waterproof topcoats allow you to use your mascara of choice and seal it on," says celebrity makeup artist Taylor Chang-Babaian, author of Beauty Rewind. She also likes to sweep one on midday to refresh flaking mascara. Because lash topcoats are clear and sans fibers, they'll smooth your lashes without adding bulk or making them clumpy. Get the waterproof effect -- without giving up your HG mascara -- by swiping on one of these clear, waterproofing topcoats.

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An Under-$5 Solution
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.

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Lash-Insurance for Your Weepiest Moments
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.

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It's Time to Bring in the Muscle
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.

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Non-Sticky, Crunch-Free Protection
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).

BY ALLIE FLINN | FEB 12, 2015 | SHARES
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