Trend Test: Totally Tubular

loreal double extend mascara.jpg In the history of mascaras, first came the primer craze, then there were fibers, followed by vibrating wands, and now tubes take their turn as the latest lash craze.

The original tube mascara, Blinc, was a cult hit, lauded by beauty editors near and far. Naturally, L’Oréal and Stila have followed suit.

For the uninitiated, tube mascaras contain lengthening tubes that are created using heat-sensitive polymers that wrap around the lashes, forming a literal tube that adheres to individual lashes for both a water and smudge-proof finish. They also claim to wash off with just warm water and a little bit of pressure.

L’Oréal’s Double Extend Beauty Tubes mascara launched earlier this year, which comes with primer on one end to (supposedly) give you salon-extension worthy lashes. Meanwhile, Stila launched their Convertible Mascara last month, another double-ended deal, only this one has a regular-sized lengthening brush on one end and a smaller defining brush on the other.

I tried out both mascaras and while I definitely got some added length, I wasn’t exactly creating a breeze with ginormo feather lashes. The one claim that did hold true was the ease of removal. It was actually a little creepy to see the little tubes fall off and into the sink; I looked like I was molting.

I was a little skeptical of the tubes at first but after years of dealing with smudgy mascara after smudgy mascara, these were a welcome relief. I might even give up my Becca Ultimate Mascara in favor of one of these. So what do you think, are you a tube convert or is this just a passing fad?

—MEGAN MCINTYRE

posted by guest

Mar 13, 2009 11:36AM

I love Loreal Double Extend!!! It's by far my favorite mascara and sometimes I almost feel like my lashes look TOO long. I love that he doesnt flake at all.

Mar 13, 2009 12:21PM

I'm wearing it right now!
It definitely adds a subtle length to your lashes, which I love. :)

Mar 13, 2009 2:25PM

I like tubes way more than fibers. The fibers would shed sprinkles below my eyes. The Cargo tubes mascara is the best I have tried so far.

posted by teamgingerbread

Mar 13, 2009 3:36PM

I've used the L'Oreal Double Extend, I like the mascara side, I'm not sold on the primer part. I found the addition of the primer led to way more clumping and flaking but the mascara is good for lengthening.

It's not like it's an entirely new concept, Maybelline has had a 2-in-1 for ages; it wasn't that great, but it used to do the trick until I discovered Lancome's Hypnose.

posted by emilyebba

Mar 13, 2009 6:12PM

tubes are fantastic. i've been using the blinc forever and i'm so excited to have more options now.

posted by zerbit

Mar 13, 2009 8:03PM

I haven't tried the tubes yet but I love my Lancôme Ôscillation.

Mar 14, 2009 12:43AM

Becca?!?!?! I have never had anything run so badly. It was all over my face.

But I am intrigued the tubes. Best mascara ever was Revlon Colorstay, it never ever ran and really would stay on until removed. Discontinued last year :( Why do beauty companies do this?

posted by ohmychuck

Mar 14, 2009 10:43AM

I wore it yesterday! i love them they are tooo perfect, but sometimes i do like that smudgy look.

posted by vicki

Mar 14, 2009 11:54AM

My holy grail of mascaras is the Double Extend! I have already been through 3 tubes snce it launched late last year! This stuff make my lashes look incredibly long. I let the primer dry for a few seconds in between putting on the actual mascara part. I also love fake lashes looking lashes so I might be in the minority :).

Mar 14, 2009 4:19PM

every woman in my family has had lots of problems with mascara smudging. my mom used to get her eyelashes dyed until she discovered blinc about 6 years ago. ive been using it for ages and i think it's the best product out there. i've also tried fiberwig which is more dramatic but clumpy.

all my friends use blinc now, as do my boss, my sister, my grandmother, etc etc. its a great product.

posted by tinkalicious

Mar 14, 2009 8:05PM

I tried the L'Oreal tubes but was not impressed, in fact it was a pain to apply. Having tried almost every single brand out there, the winner for me is Maybelline XXL with L'Oreal Telescopic on top of the XXL primer. I hear the vibrating ones are pretty impressive, but cannot personally vouch for them.

Mar 15, 2009 3:02AM

Are you seriously blogging about this now? Blinc was the original mascara that washed off in tubes. BUT have you tried Imju Fiberwig mascara? Washes out in tubes, smudge-proof AND you can LENGTHEN and VOLUMIZE. It really extends the length of your lashes. So completely amazing!

Mar 15, 2009 11:20AM

i'm late to the game--started using Imju Fiber Wig last year and love it b/c i always get panda eyes. i'm going to try all these other brands. Esp. excited about Loreal Double Extend b/c their Voluminous is hands down THE BEST lengthening and volumizing mascara, but unfortunately gives me pandas. Fiber Wig stays on but doesn't do that great at length or volume so I'll gladly try other 'tube' mascaras.

Mar 15, 2009 11:21PM

I love my Imju Fiberwig, it's brought my waspy wimpy lashes to a new thickness, never flakes for me, and is super easy to remove. If it flakes on you, it simply might be to old, you can't use it for ever, it dries out. Is blinc better? Should I switch? B/c I need all the lash help I can get!

posted by bluue

Mar 16, 2009 4:00PM

this has been out forever...did we just come across it? :-) its a great mascara as an alternative for nights out and for those of you who don't mind spending a bit more time on your eyelashes

posted by neenersh

Mar 16, 2009 6:43PM

I don't know why but the idea of my mascara coming off in tubes is kind of gross. I'm a dedicated Diorshow gal.

Mar 17, 2009 4:40PM

I can't get past how disgusting it seems to me. ugh like really skeeves me out! Korres all the way

Mar 20, 2009 5:36PM

It's wonderful for during the week. Much easier to remove at the end of the day. But when i need my lashes to be serious... I have to give it to diorshow, everytime.

Mar 21, 2009 1:40PM

I love the l'oreal mascara.
so easy to wash off and makes my lashes look phenomenal.

and if you sleep with it on when you wake up it still looks like it did the day before!