This mascara convinced me of the power of waterproof formulas, though I eventually stopped using it because it made my inner corner lashes grow unexpectedly long.

Before trying GrandeLash Mascara, I wasn’t a fan of waterproof mascara—I disliked the extra effort required to remove it, and the way it often made my lashes feel dry and crunchy. I always curl my lashes before applying mascara, but with regular formulas, the curl never holds. It’s strange, because if I curl my lashes without any product, they stay curled all day. Once I tried waterproof mascara, though, I noticed that my lashes stayed lifted throughout the day. I’d heard this before but avoided it due to the hassle of removal.

Curious about the science behind it, I did some digging:

Regular mascaras contain water, which makes them water-soluble. When you curl your lashes and apply regular mascara, the moisture causes the curl to drop, similar to curling your hair and then going out in the rain. The water disrupts the hydrogen bonds that create the curl. Waterproof mascaras, on the other hand, are oil-based, and oil repels water—so when you curl your lashes, waterproof formulas don’t disturb the curl, as there’s no water to break it down. Science!

The GrandeLash mascara is designed to support lash growth while delivering long-lasting definition. I wasn’t particularly interested in the growth claims, but surprisingly, it worked. I already have relatively long lashes, but I started noticing that my inner corner lashes were growing extra long. They became so long that they began brushing against my eyelid and tangling with my lower lashes. Eventually, it got so annoying that I either trimmed or plucked them—anything to stop the irritation!

This past year, I’ve been sticking to the recommended six-month usage for each mascara tube, especially since eye products have sensitive expiration timelines. So after six months, I decided I was done with this one. I wouldn’t repurchase this specific mascara, though it did make me consider waterproof formulas more seriously.

One downside was the packaging—a brushed aluminum tube with a texture that felt unpleasant, especially if you accidentally scrape your nails on it. Not ideal!