The Best Musician-Tested Waterproof Mascaras for Riding Out Summer
Lorde’s summer surprise—the music video for her latest single “Solar Power”—served up spectacle and sunny music, not to mention one of the best new waterproof mascaras designed to breezily withstand it all. “Working on ‘Solar Power,’ that was a really important consideration,” says New Zealand–based makeup artist Lochie Stonehouse, as we discuss the heat-wave staple and year-round essential for musicians. Stonehouse, whose clients include the musical artists Grimes, Billie Eilish, and Camilla Cabello, understands the stakes. Long hours filming on a secluded beach known as Cactus Bay, near Auckland, meant that Lorde’s breezy return to the spotlight would involve blaring sun and “inevitable moments of sea spray from the waves,” explains Stonehouse. “I used Byredo’s Tears in Rain waterproof mascara after curling her lashes with Kevyn Aucoin’s eyelash curler”—a strategic duet that kept Lorde’s gaze fresh and clear.
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As the world dips a toe back into live music, opportunities for gentle thrashing and air moshing slowly steadily multiply for artists and showgoers. It all makes water-resistant makeup crucial, especially onstage. “The strong lights, heat, and physical output mean that makeup will want to move,” says Stonehouse, speaking for more than just lashes. He recently used Diorshow waterproof mascara in 698 Chestnut as a recent sweat-proofing solution for Troye Sivan’s eyebrows, giving them a stronger, thicker look. “Regardless of who you are, you’re going to sweat!” explains Stonehouse of why even the “regular, carefree babe” can benefit. “Whether it’s an impromptu, fully-clothed dive off the wharf with your friends or an on-stage performance, we’re all at the mercy of environmental and lifestyle factors that can shift around our makeup.”
Reporting from London, makeup artist Ana Takahashi talks about bonding over this topic with Rina Sawayama, the multihyphenate musician cast to star alongside Keanu Reeves in the upcoming fourth installment of the actor’s cult-favorite John Wick series. “Rina’s Japanese like myself, and she and I always talk about how we need to use waterproof mascara,” says Takahashi. “That’s the only thing that will hold up a curl on stubborn Asian eyelashes, which are usually short and extremely straight.” The pair like recommend Maybelline formulas for shoots and day-to-day wear. “Whatever you desire—whether it’s volume, length, thickness—they’ve got you covered.”
For neo-metal queen Poppy, her image is as experimental as her music. “We’ve created so many epic looks together,” says Los Angeles–based makeup artist Jessica Monzalvo. She relies on waterproof mascara as the “one thing that doesn’t budge” when swapping out Poppy’s cosmetics, a carousel of choices for YouTube channel shoots and music videos. “During her Grammy performance, it was extra imperative to use a mascara that kept her lashes curled and didn’t flake or smear,” Monzalvo says of this year’s ceremony. “The Diorshow lash was perfect!”
Below, ten formulas that withstand the elements, from soundwaves to beach waves—plus an eyelash curler infused with “Solar Power.”