We Tested the New $8 Essence Lash Princess Tubing Mascara for 12 Hours
The $8 Essence tubing mascara was sitting on the shelf at Ulta. The tube was small, black, and covered in the brand’s signature lace pattern. It promised “dramatic false lash effect” and “smudge-proof wear through heat and long days” . I had been curious about tubing mascara for months. Everyone on TikTok was talking about it. But I had also seen the mixed reviews. Some people loved it. Some people hated it.
I bought it. I took it home. I applied it at 7 AM. I checked it at 9 AM, 12 PM, 3 PM, 6 PM, and 7 PM. I documented everything.
Today, I’m sharing the full 12-hour wear test of the Essence Lash Princess Tubing Mascara. What worked. What didn’t. And whether it’s worth the $8.
Jump Links
- What Makes Tubing Mascara Different (And Why It Matters)
- The $8 Essence Tubing Formula: What You’re Actually Getting
- How We Tested It (The 12-Hour Method)
- Hour-by-Hour: The 12-Hour Wear Test Results
- The Good: What This Mascara Does Brilliantly
- The Bad: Where It Falls Short
- How It Compares to Traditional Mascara and Other Tubing Formulas
- How to Apply Tubing Mascara Without the Clumps
- How to Remove Tubing Mascara (The Easy Way)
- The Math: What I Saved by Switching
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Final Thoughts: The Best Mascara Is the One You Don’t Have to Think About
What Makes Tubing Mascara Different (And Why It Matters)
Before we get into the test, let me explain what tubing mascara actually is. Because it’s not like regular mascara.
Traditional mascara works by coating your lashes with pigment. The formula sits on the surface of the lash. Over the course of a day, it can smudge, flake, or transfer to your under-eye area. If you have oily skin or watery eyes, traditional mascara is a constant battle.
Tubing mascara works differently. Instead of coating the lash with pigment, it creates tiny tube-like sleeves around each individual lash . The polymers in the formula wrap around the lash and grip it, forming a flexible “tube” that stays put until you remove it.
Why this matters:
- No smudging or flaking. The tubes don’t transfer to your skin because they’re bound to your lashes, not sitting on top of them .
- Oily skin friendly. If your skin produces oil throughout the day, traditional mascara will smudge. Tubing mascara won’t. It’s “the unbothered version of all mascaras” .
- Easy removal. Tubing mascara comes off with warm water and gentle pressure. You wet your lashes and slide the tubes off with your fingers. No makeup remover, no rubbing, no panda eyes .
- Sensitive eye friendly. Because the formula doesn’t flake or smudge, it’s less likely to irritate sensitive eyes .
The catch: Tubing mascara doesn’t give the same dramatic volume as some traditional formulas. It’s more about length and definition than thick, fluffy lashes. And if you apply too much, it can clump. The key is a light hand and one or two coats maximum .
The $8 Essence Tubing Formula: What You’re Actually Getting
The Essence Lash Princess Tubing Mascara is part of the brand’s Lash Princess line. It’s a 100% vegan formula, cruelty-free, and paraben-free .
What it claims:
- Tubing formula for a dramatic false lash effect
- Smudge-proof wear through heat and long days
- Easy removal with warm water – no panda eyes or rubbing
The price: Around $8 at Ulta, Amazon, and drugstores. Compare that to the Tarte Tartelette Tubing Mascara ($24), the Thrive Causemetics Liquid Lash Extensions ($25), or the Blinc Tubing Mascara ($26). The Essence version is a fraction of the price.
The brush: A conical fiber brush designed to coat each lash from root to tip. The tapered shape helps reach smaller lashes in the inner corners without getting product on your eyelids .
The packaging: A standard mascara tube with the Lash Princess lace design. Nothing fancy, but functional.
How We Tested It (The 12-Hour Method)
I wanted this test to be realistic. Not a lab test. Not a “perfect conditions” test. A real-world, full-day test.
The setup:
- Applied at 7:00 AM on clean, dry lashes
- One coat on the left eye, two coats on the right eye (to compare)
- No primer, no lash curler
- Wore it through: a full workday (indoor, air-conditioned office), a walk outside (humid, 75°F), a meal, and normal daily activities
- Checked at 9 AM, 12 PM, 3 PM, 6 PM, and 7 PM
- No touching up, no blotting, no powdering
What I was looking for:
- Smudging (transfer to under-eye area)
- Flaking (bits of mascara falling onto cheeks)
- Volume and length retention
- Comfort (any irritation or stiffness)
- Overall appearance at the end of the day
Hour-by-Hour: The 12-Hour Wear Test Results
7:00 AM – Application
The formula went on smoothly. The conical brush separated my lashes well. One coat on the left eye gave me length and definition. Two coats on the right eye gave me slightly more volume and a bit more drama. No clumps. No spider lashes. The finish was natural—not dramatic, but polished.
9:00 AM – Two Hours In
Both eyes looked the same as when I applied. No smudging. No flaking. The mascara felt lightweight on my lashes. No stiffness, no irritation.
12:00 PM – Five Hours In
Still holding strong. No smudging under my eyes. No flaking on my cheeks. The length and definition were still there. The volume on the right eye had softened slightly, but the overall look was still good.
3:00 PM – Eight Hours In
This is where most mascaras start to fail. Traditional formulas would be smudging by now. The Essence tubing mascara was still intact. No smudges. No flakes. The lashes looked slightly less defined than the morning, but nothing that would make me self-conscious.
6:00 PM – Eleven Hours In
Still no smudging. Still no flaking. The mascara was starting to look a little “tired” on the right eye (the two-coat eye), with some lashes slightly clumped together. The left eye (one coat) looked better—more natural, more separated.
7:00 PM – Twelve Hours In
The final check. No panda eyes. No black smudges under my eyes. No flakes on my cheeks. The mascara was still on my lashes, still holding. It wasn’t as crisp as the morning application, but it was still presentable. I could have walked into a dinner without touching up and felt fine.
The verdict: This mascara passed the 12-hour test. No smudging. No flaking. No irritation. The only decline was in the volume on the two-coat eye, which started to look slightly clumpy by hour 11.
The Good: What This Mascara Does Brilliantly
1. It doesn’t smudge.
This is the headline. Tubing mascara is designed to resist smudging, and the Essence version delivers. Through a full workday, a humid walk, and 12 hours of wear, I had zero smudges under my eyes. If you have oily skin or watery eyes, this is a game-changer.
2. It doesn’t flake.
I checked my cheeks multiple times throughout the day. No black specks. No flakes. Nothing. The tubing formula stays bound to the lashes until you remove it .
3. It’s comfortable.
The mascara felt lightweight. No stiffness. No irritation. No burning. If you have sensitive eyes, this is a gentle formula .
4. It gives good length and definition.
One coat gave me natural, defined lashes. Two coats gave me more length and a bit more volume. It’s not a “false lash” effect in the dramatic sense, but it’s polished and pretty.
5. It’s affordable.
At $8, this is one of the cheapest tubing mascaras on the market. Comparable formulas cost $24-26.
The Bad: Where It Falls Short
1. The volume is limited.
If you want thick, fluffy, dramatic lashes, this isn’t the mascara for you. Tubing formulas prioritize length and definition over volume. Two coats gave me some volume, but not the “false lash effect” the packaging promises. One reviewer noted that “it doesn’t give me much volume on each lash, just length. Even after applying multiple layers (3-4) it still only gives length” .
2. It can clump if you over-apply.
The formula sets quickly. If you try to apply too many coats, it can clump and create a “spidery” effect. The key is to apply slowly, root to tip, and stop at two coats .
3. The brush isn’t for everyone.
One reviewer said: “I HATE the brush head. The plastic bristles on the head are short and the brush holds a LOT of extra mascara between the rows… so I have to basically smash the brush into my lash line to get it to adhere to my lashes” . The conical brush works well for some people and not for others.
4. It’s not waterproof.
The standard Lash Princess tubing mascara is not waterproof. It’s smudge-proof and flake-proof, but if you cry, sweat heavily, or swim, it will come off. If you need waterproof, look for the waterproof version of the Lash Princess line .
5. Removal takes practice.
Tubing mascara removes with warm water and gentle pressure. You wet your lashes and slide the tubes off. It’s not difficult, but it’s different from traditional mascara removal. Some users find it takes a few tries to get the technique right .
How It Compares to Traditional Mascara and Other Tubing Formulas
| Feature | Essence Lash Princess Tubing ($8) | Traditional Mascara ($5-15) | High-End Tubing ($24-26) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Smudging | None | Common | None |
| Flaking | None | Common | None |
| Volume | Moderate | High | Moderate |
| Length | Good | Good | Good |
| Removal | Warm water | Makeup remover | Warm water |
| Price | $8 | $5-15 | $24-26 |
The bottom line: If you struggle with smudging and flaking from traditional mascara, tubing mascara is the solution. The Essence version delivers the core benefits—no smudging, no flaking, easy removal—at a fraction of the price of high-end alternatives. The trade-off is volume. If volume is your priority, stick with traditional mascara.
How to Apply Tubing Mascara Without the Clumps
Tubing mascara requires a different application technique than traditional mascara. Here’s how to do it right:
Step 1: Start with clean, dry lashes. Any moisture or oil can interfere with the tubing formula.
Step 2: Apply slowly, root to tip. Tubing mascara sets faster than traditional mascara. Work in slow, deliberate strokes from the base of the lash to the tip .
Step 3: One or two coats maximum. “Aim for one or two coats because anything beyond that could result in spidery lashes” . If you want more volume, use a lash primer underneath rather than adding more mascara.
Step 4: Don’t pump the wand. Pumping pushes air into the tube and dries out the formula.
Step 5: Let it set before touching. Once applied, don’t touch your lashes for at least a minute. The tubing formula needs time to set.
How to Remove Tubing Mascara (The Easy Way)
This is one of the best things about tubing mascara. Removal is simple—if you do it right.
Step 1: Wet your lashes with warm water. Not hot, not cold. Warm. The tubes are designed to slide off with warm water .
Step 2: Gently pinch and slide. Using your thumb and forefinger, gently pinch your lashes and slide downward. The tubes should come off as small, dark fibers.
Step 3: Don’t rub. Rubbing can cause irritation. Gentle pressure is all you need.
Step 4: Avoid oil-based removers. Oil breaks down the tubing formula prematurely and creates a mess. Use warm water or a gentle micellar water instead .
The result: No panda eyes. No raccoon look. No leftover residue. Just clean lashes.
The Math: What I Saved by Switching
If I used a $26 high-end tubing mascara:
| Item | Cost | How Often | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| High-end tubing mascara | $26 | Every 3 months | $104 |
What I actually spend (Essence Lash Princess Tubing):
| Item | Cost | How Often | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essence Lash Princess Tubing | $8 | Every 3 months | $32 |
Annual savings: $72
Over 5 years: $360
And the core benefits—no smudging, no flaking, easy removal—are the same.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What is tubing mascara and how is it different from regular mascara?
Tubing mascara creates tiny tube-like sleeves around each lash instead of coating the lash with pigment. This makes it smudge-proof, flake-proof, and easy to remove with warm water .
2. Does the Essence Lash Princess Tubing Mascara smudge?
No. In my 12-hour test, there was zero smudging under my eyes or on my cheeks. The tubing formula stays bound to the lashes until removal .
3. Does it flake?
No. I checked my cheeks multiple times throughout the day and found no flakes. The tubing formula is designed to resist flaking .
4. Is it waterproof?
The standard Essence Lash Princess Tubing Mascara is not waterproof. It’s smudge-proof and flake-proof, but it will come off with heavy sweating or crying. If you need waterproof, look for the waterproof version of the Lash Princess line .
5. How do I remove tubing mascara?
Wet your lashes with warm water, then gently pinch and slide the tubes off with your fingers. Avoid oil-based removers, which break down the tubing formula prematurely .
6. Does it give volume?
It gives moderate volume. One coat gives length and definition. Two coats give more volume. But it’s not a dramatic, thick, false-lash effect. If volume is your priority, a traditional mascara may be a better fit .
7. Is it good for sensitive eyes?
Yes. The formula is vegan, cruelty-free, and free from parabens. The tubing formula doesn’t flake or smudge, so there’s less chance of irritation compared to traditional mascara .
8. How many coats should I apply?
One or two coats maximum. Applying more can result in clumps and spidery lashes. The formula sets quickly, so work slowly and deliberately .
Final Thoughts: The Best Mascara Is the One You Don’t Have to Think About
The $8 Essence tubing mascara passed the 12-hour test. No smudging. No flaking. No irritation. It’s not the most dramatic mascara I’ve ever used. It’s not the most volumizing. But it’s the one I didn’t have to think about all day.
The honest verdict: This is an excellent tubing mascara for the price. It delivers the core benefits—smudge-proof, flake-proof, easy removal—that make tubing mascara worth trying. The trade-off is volume. If you want thick, dramatic lashes, this isn’t it. If you want a reliable, comfortable, no-fuss mascara that stays put all day, it’s perfect.
The key tips:
- Apply one or two coats maximum
- Work slowly, root to tip
- Let it set before touching
- Remove with warm water and gentle pressure
The math: You save $72 a year compared to high-end tubing mascaras. The core benefits are the same.
I’ve been using this mascara for weeks. My under-eyes are clean. My cheeks are flake-free. And I’ve stopped checking my makeup every two hours.
That’s not cheap. That’s smart.
That’s the frugal glow. And it’s waiting for you at the drugstore. 👁️💛
*For more budget beauty reviews, product comparisons, and money-saving makeup tips, visit The Frugal Glow.*