2026 update: Apparently I was onto something. Chartreuse has only gotten bigger this year, showing up everywhere from designer collections to street style. I've also found even more versions of this weird yellow-green: citron, acid green, avocado, olive-gold, that work beautifully with the colors already in my wardrobe. So I'm updating this post with some of my current favorite finds.

Shop the Collage: purse | earrings (ALISON10 for 10% off) | ring | eyeshadow quad | jacket (32-42) | loafers | glasses | cream shadow | gloves | beaded bag | sweater (XS-3X) | necklace | flats | nailcolor | wallet

Why I Now Love the Color I Used to Hate

Berry and fuchsia and hot pink? So fun. But those colors with chartreuse or avocado? Divine. And this color with navy, with chocolate brown, with gray, with dark forest green or teal, deep jewel tones of amethyst and garnet and sapphire and ruby… oh it feels so modern and sophisticated and gives it all a new fresh life.

Shop the collage: blazer (0-14) | shoulder bag | cashmere tee (XXS-XXL) | suede clutch | skirt (XXS-XL) | sunglasses | face mask | earrings | silk scarf | glasses pouch | ring | crossbody | sequin fringe bag | jacket (XS-XL) | suede sling bag | pashmina

Chartreuse, Citron, Acid Green: Finding Your Shade

The color I used to hate goes by so many names, and not all of them are entirely accurate. But finding pieces for this article I found the color names chartreuse, avocado and avocado oil, pistachio, peridot, golden pear, green tea, slime, olive gold, moss, woodbine, celery, citrus, citron, and bamboo. Some are brighter, some are more muted, some have more yellow or brown. There is variety to this color, so you can find the version that feels the most right for your existing wardrobe and your personal taste.

Shop the Collage: sneakers | eyecolor (ALISON20 for 20% off) | scarf | bracelet set | jacket (XS-3X) | glasses | belt | pumps | pants (XS-XL) | ring (I own) | bandana | sweater (XXS-XXL) | bag | gloves

What Colors Look Good With Chartreuse?

This is the kind of color that can change with what it's paired with. With brown and gold, it's luxe. With neon pink and white it's modern and fun. With purples and teals it takes on an almost metallic effect. It makes red go from cliche to edgy. It's great with denim, morphing with each wash or color and it emphasizes texture when paired with or offered in angora, tweed, leather, suede, velvet, chenille.

And if you're chartreuse-curious but not ready for a whole sweater or dress, start with an accessory. A shoe, scarf, bag, or earring gives you that jolt of strange green without asking it to take over your outfit.

Shop the collage: sweater (00-40) | sunglasses | skirt (XXS-XL) | bag | nailcolor | earrings | ring | necklace | top (XS-1X) | wallet | scarf

Embracing Change and Evolving Style

Don't like this color? Don't worry, it's not a necessity to be stylish. I just love the idea of how we as humans keep growing and learning and changing. What we may have hated in the past, including the color I used to hate, we may not find we love; we continue to have the ability to change our mind and embrace new ideas as we get older and wiser!

Weekend Reads

Politics News Site NOTUS Rebrands as The Washington Sun. (New York Times – gift link)

Inside the Perimenopause Industrial Complex. (Wired)

Gotta say these earrings are even more beautiful in person.

What if America Went Completely Dark? (New York Times – gift link)

You’re Mad at the Wrong Influencers. (Side Chat on Substack)

I think I need this for the lapel of my wool coat this winter.

A middle schooler said she was r*ped. Then she was suspended from classes. (The 19th)

Why are men’s dragons ‘serious’ but mine are ‘smut’? (The Female Lead on Substack)

I really want this shirt.

How a Restaurant at the Top of the World Trade Center Changed New York. (Wall Street Journal – gift link)

The Upsides to Downsizing Dinner. (Cup of Jo)

The color of these loafers is delicious!

70s Feminism Screwed Gen X Women. (Another Jane Pratt Thing on Substack)

We Are Not Canceling Gloria Steinem. (More to Hate on Substack)

These are the latest Adidas I got that are wide-foot friendly!

What’s Fueling Loneliness—and Polarization—in America Today? (The Nation)

How I Tried to Make New Friends in Midlife. (Gloria)

I'm seeing ballet wrap tops trending for activewear and athleisure; I love the gray color of this one and this one is a nice price.

The ‘Odyssey’ Scholar Emily Wilson, a Critic of the Movie, Is Redoing Her Translation. (New York Times – gift link)

Could the Galliano Met Gala Fiasco Mark the End of Anna Wintour’s Reign? (The Hollywood Reporter)

I now have multiple piercings on my lobes, but if I didn't I'd be getting these.

Trying to Make Peace with My “Berthas.” (Oldster on Substack)

Ectopic Pregnancy Deaths Have Nearly Doubled. It’s Worse in States With Abortion Bans. (Propublica)

What Ted Lasso Can Teach Us About Democracy. (The Preamble on Substack)

Margaux keeps getting better and better and I am in love with these flats.

Home From College, 2 Weeks Later. (New York Times – gift link)

How Would AI Actually Kill Us All? What to Know About the AI Doomsday Debate. (Wall Street Journal – gift link)

Style Inspo & Sale Alert

Sale Alert

Soma has 30% off sitewide! This is a stellar sale, because it's on everything: the turnaround tank I recommend in my best white tanks, the Embraceable Wireless and Vanishing Front-Close bras I recommend in my guide to creating a bra wardrobe, these undies and these undies that I love and wear because they disappear under linen, leggings, and knit dresses, this gorgeous yet comfy robe and matching gown, and these soft knit dresses with pockets and built-in bra.

Style Inspo

Since summer of 2024, I need to wear glasses 90% of the time (I don't when I am reading or using a computer or at dinner… close up stuff). I got LASIK about a decade ago, but my retina surgery changed my prescription. I have several frames, but most often wear my tortoiseshell Pradas or my gold aviator Ray-Bans.

I think both are pretty classic, but this year I have been desiring something that fits with the current trends… and I decided a pair of crystal acetate frames fits. I just got these from Warby Parker, but above I have some other styles that I think are a great choice for now and for seasons to come.

I have always been a fan of calfhair, pony hair, and textured accessories, especially in an animal print. Since 2005 I've been saying leopard is a neutral and Fall 2026 is where that neutral is a big trend. You will also see tiger, cheetah, zebra, deer, and other animal spots.

As accessories, this is a good way to update your existing closet; they go with leather and suede, brown and black, as well as pretty much any color. And take it from me, someone who has had calfhair shoes, bags, and belts in her closet for decades, they remain stylish, working with a range of trends for years to come.

I have August's bestsellers up on ShopMy. These are the items that were most popular with the Wardrobe Oxygen community across the blog, Facebook, Instagram, and Substack.

See/Hear/Read

We're watching Project Runway (Hulu) and it's a major disappointment. The tactics they're using to try to make the show engaging cheapen the concept and honestly feel dated in 2026. It doesn't feel like a show about fashion, but a show about fashion people. To have designers judged for what they wear to the show and never show the designers actually sewing, to use saves for people who taped dresses together and wait to share who got kicked off for the next episode… I really don't care who wins because I don't even really know if they're any good.

While looking for a photo for Season 22 of Project Runway I found this ridiculous AI-version of the team. How utterly creepy and utterly racist… I hate it all.

We're still watching The Shards (also Hulu) and I gotta say, this is such ridiculous camp I'm really into it. It's so beautiful to look at, the guy playing Bret (Igby Rigney) I think is a great actor, I still think the guy playing Robert (Homer Gere) has a punchable face, Debbie (Hayes Warner) has a face you can't stop looking at, Susan (Kaia Gerber) proves why her mother is an American icon, and Jamie Dutton/Seneca Crane (Wes Bentley) plays such a good slimeball.

For books, I was in a between stage on Libby with all my requests on hold or arrived too soon. I sought something available and got The Calamity Club by Kathryn Stockett, which came out this May. This is the second novel from Stockett, best known for The Help. It takes place in Mississippi in 1933. I went into this book not knowing anything; the only way I knew Stockett wrote The Help is because that's mentioned on the cover. However, to write this I did a little digging and I seem to be too early in the book (a little less than halfway through) to pass judgement. Many feel the book takes a big turn halfway through and I have a feeling I will come upon that big turn very soon. So we'll see what I think when it's finished!

That being said, what I still believe is that the right bra can completely change how your clothes fit and how you feel about your body.

A bra can make your dress finally hang correctly, keep buttons from gaping on a blouse, create smooth curves under a knit top, or make an outfit you've been struggling with finally work. It can make you stand taller and better appreciate your body's proportions. But that doesn't mean you need a drawer overflowing with bras for every conceivable occasion.

You don't need every type of bra. You just need the right bras for your body and the clothes you actually wear.

Someone who loves crewneck sweaters and relaxed button-front shirts doesn't need the same bra wardrobe as someone who feels at home in v-necks and wrap dresses. And that person doesn't need the same bra wardrobe as the person who loves spaghetti straps and off the shoulder sweaters. There is no list of “essential” bras that fits every person; if anyone is telling you that they're full of it.

I've been writing about bras and bra fit on Wardrobe Oxygen for years, and I've tried a heckuva lot of bras along the way. I'm also a woman with a large bust whose body, breast shape, and bra size have changed over the decades. If there's one thing I've learned, it's that the bra your best friend swears by (or even the bra that I swear by) may be completely wrong for you.

Instead of giving you another list of bras you're “supposed” to own, I'm here to help you figure out which bras earn a place in your drawer. We deserve an intimates drawer that works with us: our unique bodies, our unique lives, and our unique closets.

Start With Your Clothes, Not Your Bra Drawer

Before buying another bra, take a look at the clothes you actually wear.

This is not your fantasy wardrobe, not the dress you might wear someday if the right invitation appears, and it's not the wardrobe of Future You. Think about what you wore last week, what you're wearing this week, and the pieces you repeatedly reach for. Now consider what happens underneath them.

Do your bra seams show through your favorite tees and sweaters? Have you ever had your bra peek out of your neckline? Are your button-front shirts pulling at the bust? Do you avoid activities because you don't have a bra that is supportive or comfortable enough? Do you find through the day you need to adjust straps, tug down bands, or soothe a part that is itchy or being poked?

Those are the problems your bra wardrobe should solve.

For example, if most of your wardrobe consists of opaque tops with conventional necklines, one really great everyday bra may work under almost everything you own. If you wear a lot of fine-gauge knits, you may want a second style specifically for creating a smooth finish. Love interesting necklines? A plunge or balconette may be far more useful to you than another t-shirt bra.

And yes, sometimes the answer is don't buy the bra. Especially as grown women, we have come to find we know what we don't like even more than what we do. And just because it appears on every “lingerie essentials” checklist on the internet doesn't mean we need a bra for what we know we won't wear.

The Bras That May Belong in Your Bra Wardrobe

Notice I said may. There won't be a quiz at the end to ensure you own one bra from every category. Depending on your clothes and lifestyle, one bra may handle several of these jobs while another category may be completely irrelevant.

1. Your Everyday Bra

This is the bra you can put on half-asleep at oh-dark-thirty and know it will work with whatever you're wearing. It should fit well, feel comfortable enough for a full day, give you the shape and level of support you desire, and work under the clothes you wear most often.

For years, lists of “essential bras” treated a smooth molded bra as the default. That's great if it's what works for your breasts and wardrobe. But plenty of women get a better fit and shape from seamed, unlined, wirefree, spacer, or other styles.

Like me, you may find as you get older and/or your body changes, you may find a different kind of bra a better choice. I used to be one of those daily molded cup bra people, but in the past year or so I've been rocking the Norah Seamless Comfort Bra from Chantelle. One place where change is good is our intimates drawer; it makes sense to try different styles every so often to ensure your everyday bra truly works for your everyday.

I hate how brands use “nude” as the name of a color. We're all different shades, and honestly, that “nude” color doesn't work for the majority of the population. If you want a bra that disappears under light-colored clothing, look for a shade relatively close to your skin tone. Depending on your skin tone, that might be anything from pale pink or caramel to deep brown or even plum.

If you find an everyday bra that really works for you, this is the category where I recommend buying duplicates. First of all, you should give your bras days off to maintain shape and stretch. Secondly, why buy a bunch of different bras when you know what works? Keep it simple!

2. A Smooth Bra for T-Shirts and Fitted Knits

Your everyday bra and your t-shirt bra may not necessarily be the same bra.

My everyday bra gives me the shape and support I like under button-front shirts, jackets, and heavier knits, but it isn't completely invisible under every fabric. When I'm wearing a fitted tee, fine-gauge sweater, or knit dress where every seam is determined to announce itself, I want something smoother.

For years, my go-to has been the Fantasie Smoothing T-Shirt Bra. My bra size has changed over that time, but this style has continued to work well for my breast shape. I own it in both black and beige.

What I especially like is how clean the design is. The straps run relatively straight and the cups are smooth, so it works under far more than t-shirts. I'll wear it under wide-strap sundresses, dressy pantsuits, and open-work tops where my bra may be visible.

My Fantasie bra used to be both my smooth bra and my daily bra; it's proof you don't need a different one for both, but likely you do need both capabilities from your bra wardrobe.

3. A Wireless Bra for Comfort

There was a time when “comfortable bra” was that years-old stretched out thing you never wore past your front door (personally, I kept my nursing bras longer than what should be legal). Thankfully, wireless bras have come a long way. My longtime lounge favorite is the Soma Embraceable Wireless Unlined Full Coverage Bra. I've recommended this bra for years, through plenty of changes to my body and bra drawer. In fact, I'm wearing one as I type this!

This isn't the bra I choose when I want maximum lift or a sculpted shape. It's the bra I reach for when I want support without feeling overly bra-ed. I wear it at home, for casual days, and I love it when on travel with family (I know many of you also like it as a sleep bra).

I also love the Evelyn & Bobbie Defy Wireless Bra. It looks enough like a cropped tank that I can wear it with pajama pants or shorts around the house on a hot day without looking half-dressed. That being said, it offers so much support I often wear it out of the house as it disappears under tanks and tees.

These two bras also illustrate why “wireless bra” isn't really one job. One may be your comfortable everyday bra; another may essentially be your supportive lounge top, one may be your everyday bra. Choose based on your unique life and needs.

4. A Bra for the Clothes That Never Quite Hide Your Straps

Not every tricky neckline requires a plunge, strapless, or complicated convertible bra. Sometimes you just need the straps to sit somewhere different.

I used to have a convertible bra but realized the only way I converted it was to have the straps be more narrow. I love the Soma Vanishing Lightly Lined Perfect Coverage Front-Close Bra for cutout tanks and tops where conventional bra straps tend to peek out. The back and strap placement work for me and the bra is far simpler and more comfortable than the high-tech wear-25-ways one I used to have because it was “versatile.”

I do need to mention one consideration with a front-close bra: you lose the band adjustability of multiple rows of hooks. Depending on your measurements and where you fall between sizes, you may find going up a band size more comfortable. This is definitely a style I'd buy based on fit rather than automatically ordering your usual size.

And this is exactly the kind of bra I mean when I say to shop your clothes first. Don't buy a “versatile” bra because an essentials list tells you to. Look at the tops and dresses you own but struggle to wear, and figure out what bra would solve the actual problem.

5. A Summer Bra That Lets Your Body Breathe

You know how I know most bra guides aren't written by folks with large breasts? Because they usually state that a wire-free bra is universally more comfortable than one with underwires.

I've found as I have gotten older that sometimes I want an underwire because it lifts my breasts away from my ribcage. That means less skin-on-skin contact and less fabric required to provide support, both of which are particularly welcome when it's hot and humid out.

The Better Than Braless Underwire Bra from Wacoal has become a summer favorite for this reason. It doesn't hoist my breasts high and tight or even hide “headlights.” However, it gives me comfortable separation, airflow, and enough support to wear all day while being incredibly lightweight and comfortable.

This isn't necessarily a bra category everyone needs. But if you live in a hot and/or humid climate and/or have larger or teardrop breasts, you may want to seek out a bra that makes your summers a bit more comfortable.

6. A Strapless Bra… If Your Wardrobe Requires One

You do not need a strapless bra simply because some style “expert” says you do.

But if you wear strapless, one-shoulder, spaghetti-strap, or certain wide-necked styles of fashion, a good strapless bra can make a significant portion of your wardrobe easier to wear.

My personal favorite is the Wacoal Red Carpet Strapless Bra. I've tried plenty of strapless bras that feel like they're made to withstand an atom bomb. This isn't one of them.

I can wear the Wacoal Red Carpet for hours without discomfort, it doesn't feel excessively heavy-duty, it's not miserable on a humid day in July, and the shape disappears nicely under my cocktail and summer dresses. Most importantly, I don't even think about it when I'm wearing it.

Even I, someone who wears a strapless bra often, doesn't have an arsenal of them. You very well may only wear one a couple of times a year, and therefore only need one. If it's something you wear, take the time to find the right one. They do exist!

7. A Sports Bra Appropriate for What You Actually Do

Sports bras… a lot of activewear garments receive this name, but they sure don't act like bras made for sports. And from those actually designed for sport, what works for one doesn't necessarily work for another.

Think about what you actually do in your activewear. Walking, running, strength training, Crossfit, yoga, pilates, tennis, cycling, and golf don't all require the same level of support.

For serious support of a large bust, my favorite is the Panache Ultimate High Impact Underwire Sports Bra. I can run, jump, and literally go upside down in this thing and everything stays where it belongs.

It's also comfortable, and I appreciate that it looks like an actual piece of athletic clothing. That's rare for what this body considers a sports bra; I've even worn it to gyms without a tank or tee over it!

If your exercise is primarily lower-impact, you may have absolutely no need for this level of engineering. Again: buy for your life, not a checklist.

How Many Bras Do You Actually Need?

There is no magic number of bras every woman needs. Your ideal number depends on how often you do laundry, how much you sweat, whether you exercise, what you wear, and how many different jobs you need your bras to perform.

What I don't recommend is wearing the same everyday bra day after day. Bras benefit from a break between wears, especially those with elastic bands. If you've found an everyday bra you love, this is a perfectly good reason to own two or three of the same style.

I currently own my favorite Fantasie T-shirt bra in black and two in beige because I wear it so often. I'd rather have multiples of a bra I know works with my body and wardrobe than six different bras that seemed exciting in the store but never make it out of my drawer.

Your own bra wardrobe may end up being three bras or ten. The goal isn't to hit a number; it's to have enough that you're not constantly wearing the same bra while still actually wearing what you own.

When Should You Replace a Bra?

Bras don't last forever, and your body doesn't stay exactly the same forever either.

Weight changes, hormones, age, fitness, medications, pregnancy, menopause, and our good friend gravity can all change how a bra fits. I've worn the same bra style in several different sizes over the years because the bra continued to work for my shape even when the size on its tag changed.

Signs that I start looking for a replacement include having to go the final set of hooks, having to tighten straps more frequently, cups that no longer sit properly, and wires or edges that suddenly drive me bonkers.

If you find you don't fill out the cups in the same way you used to, it doesn't necessarily mean that style no longer works. You very well may just need a different size. Our bra size can change even if our dress size does not.

The older we get, the more our bodies change. It makes sense to get professionally fitted once a year or two. A good way to be sure you do it semi-regularly is schedule it the same week as your mammogram. I've had both traditional in-person and virtual fittings over the years, and a knowledgeable fitter can sometimes put you in a size or style you never would have picked for yourself.

For example, when I did a virtual bra fitting with Bravissimo, my fitter suggested both a different size and a different style than I was used to and both were spot-on!

How to Make Your Bras Last Longer

If you've invested in bras that actually work, take care of them.

Don't wear the same bra two days in a row, and I never put them in the dryer. Heat is no friend to elastic.

Molded bras deserve some drawer space. Don't flip one cup inside the other to make them smaller; that can distort the cup. Let them keep their shape.

Hand washing is ideal, but I'm also a realist. If hand washing means your bras will sit in the hamper until you have nothing left to wear, use a lingerie bag, a gentle cycle, and cool water, then let them air dry. Connect all hooks before laundering so they don't catch on anything else. No need for a fancy drying rack; hang them off the finials of your bedroom curtains or a hanger on your shower curtain bar. I've been giving this same advice on Wardrobe Oxygen since the original version of this article.

My Curent Bra Wardrobe

After all this talk about how there isn't one perfect bra wardrobe, here's mine. Again, I am not suggestion you need to buy these bras, I just personally find them great for my life, body, and wardrobe:

It's so interesting to update this article from over a decade ago because everything is different. The bras I wear, the bras I recommend, and my attitude about having a bra wardrobe.

Back then, I prescribed specific quantities and colors: two nude molded T-shirt bras, one black, and so on. Since then, my body changed, my clothes changed, my lifestyle changed, but so has my attitude about personal style. I'm older, I'm wiser, and I see how valuable the person is when it comes to personal style. Every person is different, and our differences are what make us great.

Dress for the you that you are now. Heck, that may not even include wearing a bra and that's totally cool. Trust yourself, care for yourself, and dress yourself the way you deserve.

You May Also Like:

The Best Moisture-Wicking Underwear

My Favorite Wireless Bra

Build the Bra Wardrobe You Need

Before buying your next bra, look through your closet and ask yourself a few questions: What do I wear most? Which clothes are difficult because of my current bras? Which bras do I reach for again and again? And which ones have been sitting untouched in my drawer for a year?

Those answers will tell you far more than any list of “10 bras every woman must own.”

Maybe you need two fantastic everyday bras and a sports bra. Maybe you need a drawer full of plunges and balconettes because you love interesting necklines. Maybe comfort is your highest priority right now. Maybe you finally need to invest in a great strapless bra because half your summer wardrobe requires one.

Your bra wardrobe should support your wardrobe, your body, and your life—not somebody else's checklist.

And if you have a bra that has earned permanent residency in your drawer, share it in the comments. Some of my best discoveries over the years have come from Wardrobe Oxygen readers, and your favorite may be exactly what another member of this community has been trying to find!

Mascara is my desert island beauty product; lashes make me feel complete. I don't like messing with false lashes, and with a good curler, maybe a bit of lash serum, and a great mascara, I'm a happy camper. I found my perfect formula in my 30s and thought I was set for life… then I hit 40 and everything changed. Suddenly, my ride-or-die DiorShow was leaving smudges under my eyes.

As my eye area changed with age, my lashes started hitting differently (figuratively and literally). Waterproof mascara would stay put, but it was a beast to remove. Add allergy eyes and oily eyelids, and I needed a mascara with serious staying power that wouldn't smudge or flake.

That's when I found out about tubing mascara. Unlike traditional mascara, tubing formulas form tiny tubes around each lash. The result is mascara that stays put through tears, sweat, eye-rubbing, and 14-hour days, yet removes surprisingly easily with warm water and gentle pressure. I've tested dozens of tubing mascaras over the past decade, and these are the nine I think are worth your money.

Best Tubing Mascaras: My 9 Picks for 2026

I first published this guide to the best tubing mascaras in 2017 and have updated it almost every year since. As new formulas launch and others are discontinued or reformulated, I continue testing. If a new tubing mascara gets enough buzz, I'll buy a tube and put it through its paces. If it's better than something already on this list, I update my recommendations.

What is Tubing Mascara?

Most traditional mascaras essentially coat your eyelashes with pigment and waxes. Tubing mascara works differently: polymers wrap around each individual lash, forming tiny tubes that add color, length, and definition.

Application is also a little different. I find I get the best results by starting at the roots, gently wiggling the wand between my lashes, and slowly pulling it through to the tips. If it's still wet, you can usually add another coat for more length or volume.

The biggest difference, however, is removal. Press a warm, wet washcloth against your lashes for a few seconds, then gently wipe. The tubes slide off in little black threads that can look alarmingly like eyelashes the first time you see them. But don't worry they're not; it's just the mascara coming off.

Tubing mascara is generally water-resistant, not waterproof. A good formula can handle humidity, watery allergy eyes, a sad movie, and a hardcore workout, but I wouldn't choose it for swimming laps. Unlike waterproof mascara, you don't need an oil-based or special eye makeup remover to take it off.

Tubing mascara can be especially helpful for oily eyelids, watery eyes, and bottom lashes because it is far less likely to leave traditional mascara smudges under the eyes. As a woman over 40 with oily lids and allergy eyes, it's now the only kind of mascara I wear.

Tubing mascaras are now available at every price point, and after years of testing them, I've learned that price doesn't necessarily predict performance.

How I Test Tubing Mascaras

I typically test each tubing mascara for at least two weeks through workouts, allergy attacks, humid weather, and 12-hour days. I pay attention to application, length and volume, curl retention, smudging, flaking, longevity, and ease of removal.

I also check performance when the tube is fresh and again after its been used for a while. I get it, nobody, myself included wants a mascara that's amazing for three weeks and then turns into a flaky or sticky mess.

Look, I'm over 40 with allergy eyes that water constantly and oily lids that can turn regular mascara into a smudgy disaster. When I discovered tubing mascara actually stayed put, I made it my mission to find the best of the bunch. I figure if a mascara can survive my hot-mess eye situation, it's worthy of your time and money.

I also bring professional experience to these reviews. Before Wardrobe Oxygen became my full-time career, I spent three years as a trainer for a beauty brand and a decade working in retail management, training, and merchandising. I've now spent more than 20 years researching and reviewing fashion and beauty for Wardrobe Oxygen. Tubing mascara is the only kind I wear anymore, so every recommendation below comes from actual use.

The Best Tubing Mascaras at a Glance

Not sure which tubing mascara is right for you? Here’s the short version of why each one remains in this guide. Caliray, Thrive, and Kulfi are the three I currently use most, while other picks may be a better fit depending on the lash look you want, your budget, or how much effort you’re willing to put into application.

What I actually use: After years of testing tubing mascaras, Caliray, Thrive, and Kulfi are the three currently in regular rotation in my makeup drawer. That doesn’t mean the others aren’t good; some simply suit different lashes, preferences, budgets, and lifestyles better than mine.

What Wardrobe Oxygen readers are buying: Thrive, Kulfi, and Sarah Creal are currently the three bestselling mascaras through this guide.

A note about price: Drugstore options like e.l.f. and L’Oréal are under $12, mid-range mascaras are generally in the $20s, and luxury options are $30+. After years of testing them, I’ve found that price doesn’t necessarily predict performance.

The 9 Tubing Mascaras I Recommend

Testing tubing mascaras for nearly a decade has been eye-opening (har har, get it?). I've learned that not all tubing mascaras perform the same way… and, more importantly, not everyone wants the same thing from their mascara.

I personally like noticeable lashes: length, volume, rich pigment, definition, and maybe a bit of glossy shine. But I know plenty of folks who want a softer, more natural effect. I've also tested many highly rated tubing mascaras that left me wondering what all the fuss was about.

Of all the mascaras I've tested for this guide, Caliray Come Hell or High Water, Thrive Causemetics Liquid Lash Extensions, and Kulfi Badi Lash are the three currently in regular rotation in my makeup drawer. The others remain on this list because I think they're good choices for different lashes, preferences, budgets, or lifestyles, even if they're not what I'm personally reaching for these days.

Caliray Come Hell or High Water Mascara

I've used Caliray Come Hell or High Water Mascara on and off for several years, and somewhere along the way “on and off” became simply on. Of all the tubing mascaras I've tested for this guide, Caliray is probably the one I use most often these days.

This isn't the mascara I choose if I want huge, dramatic lashes for a night out. That's actually why I spent years continuing to test other formulas: I kept looking for more oomph. But my life doesn't require dramatic lashes very often anymore, and Caliray turns out to be exactly the amount of mascara I want these days.

It's reliable, it doesn't smudge or flake on me, and it gives me defined everyday lashes without looking too “done.” I don't find it particularly good for building multiple coats (the formula can get too heavy for my liking), but for the way I actually wear mascara now, I don't need it to be.

I also appreciate Caliray's approach to sustainability, which is another reason I'm happy to keep buying it. Caliray offers a travel size, which I appreciate for mascara since I don't always finish a full tube before it's time to replace it. And if you prefer brown mascara, Come Hell or High Water is also available in Espresso, a rich brown alternative to the traditional black.

My verdict: This is my current everyday tubing mascara and the one I reach for most often. If you want dramatic, high-impact lashes, keep reading; I'd choose Kulfi, MILK, or Sarah Creal instead.

MILK Kush High Roll Tubing Mascara

I was in Sephora with my teen, wandering around to let her have her friend time giggling over glosses, when I saw that MILK had a tubing mascara. A salesperson told me she was wearing it, and her lashes looked fantastic. Sold!

MILK KUSH High Roll Tubing Mascara is one of the better tubing mascaras I've tried for lush, more dramatic lashes. It gives me length and volume without clumping my lashes together, holds a curl, dries relatively quickly, and leaves the glossy finish I prefer. I also found that the tube lasted longer than many tubing mascaras I've tried without drying out.

For a while, this was my everyday mascara. These days, I reach for Caliray and Kulfi more often, but that has more to do with my life than MILK's performance. I just don't need dramatic lashes as often as I used to, and I hate having a good tube of mascara dry out before I've gotten my money's worth.

If my life involved more nights out, events, or other occasions when I wanted lush, dramatic lashes, MILK KUSH High Roll would absolutely still have a place in my makeup drawer.

My verdict: Still one of my favorite tubing mascaras for lush, dramatic lashes; I just don't need that much mascara often enough anymore.

Alleyoop Go The Distance Tubing Mascara

Alleyoop originally asked if I would like to try Go The Distance Tubing Mascara. For sure! I mean, I had already been reviewing tubing mascaras for years and this was one I hadn't heard of. And I became a fan… enough of a fan that when my gifted tube ran out, I bought another one myself.

Go The Distance gives me defined, lengthened lashes without clumping or flaking. Where it really impressed me was longevity. I've worn this mascara to hot and sweaty general-admission concerts, gym sessions, and plenty of long days and it kept up.

I haven't repurchased it recently, but that's not because I stopped liking it. I don't regularly shop Alleyoop, and while Ulta carries the brand online, it isn't something I encounter when I'm out shopping. With Caliray, Thrive, and Kulfi already in my rotation, Go The Distance just hasn't given me enough reason to go out of my way to reorder it.

If you're interested in trying it without committing to a full tube, Alleyoop also makes a travel size, and both the full and mini sizes are available in black and brown.

My verdict: A genuinely good, reliable tubing mascara with impressive staying power. I've purchased it with my own money after first receiving it as a gift; it just isn't one I currently go out of my way to repurchase.

Thrive Causemetics Liquid Lash Extensions Tubing Mascara

For many, Thrive Causemetics Liquid Lash Extensions Tubing Mascara is the G.O.A.T. (greatest of all time) of tubing mascaras. It was my favorite tubing mascara for a very long time, and while I've strayed over the years, I keep coming back to it.

There's a reason: Thrive is incredibly reliable. When I want really black, defined, lengthened lashes and don't want to wonder how my mascara will behave that day, I reach for Thrive. Brynn, the Rich Black shade, is a seriously good black, and I also really like Crystal, the Brown Black, when I want something softer.

Color is also where Thrive leaves almost every other tubing mascara in the dust. Liquid Lash Extensions currently comes in eight shades, from black and brown-black to berry brown, grey, blue, navy, purple, and green. Whether you want a softer alternative to black or actually want to have some fun with your mascara, there are options.

Thrive is one of the three tubing mascaras I currently keep in regular rotation, along with Caliray and Kulfi. Caliray is probably the one I use most often, but Thrive is the one I come back to when I want that reliably rich, dark finish.

My verdict: A longtime favorite that has earned its place back in my makeup drawer again and again. It's especially good if you want serious length, rich pigment, reliable wear, or more color choices than the typical black-or-brown tubing mascara.

e.l.f. Lash XTNDR Tubing Mascara

I was highly impressed when I first tried e.l.f. Lash XTNDR Mascara. It's inexpensive, easy to apply, didn't clump or go on watery, and gave my lashes serious length without flakes. If you're curious about tubing mascara but don't want to spend much to try one, this is a very good place to start.

That being said, after trying two tubes of Lash XTNDR, I discovered a downside that kept me from repurchasing it: my tubes dried out surprisingly fast. The first tube I felt I got three months out of it, but that could have been because I was trying other formulas at the same time. The second tube hardly lasted six weeks before drying out.

At this price, replacing a tube after six weeks isn't the financial sting it would be with a more expensive mascara, but I still don't love replacing a product that frequently. That's ultimately why Lash XTNDR didn't earn a permanent place in my makeup drawer.

My verdict: One of the better inexpensive tubing mascaras I've tried, with impressive length and wear for the price. I recommend it if budget is your priority or you want an affordable introduction to tubing mascara, but in my experience the formula dries out faster than I'd like.

MERIT Clean Lash Lengthening Mascara

I keep trying MERIT Clean Lash Lengthening Mascara because so many people whose beauty opinions I trust swear by it. And every time I try it, I come to essentially the same conclusion: this is a very good mascara for someone who doesn't want what I want from mascara.

Clean Lash gives a softer, more natural-looking effect, defining and separating the lashes without clumping. I've even found it stays clump-free as I get toward the end of the tube, which isn't something I can say about every tubing mascara I've tried.

But I like noticeable lashes. I want length, volume, pigment, and a bit of oomph, and MERIT just doesn't give me enough of that to make me want to repurchase it. I have friends who absolutely love Clean Lash, though, and I understand why: they have different lashes, different makeup preferences, and different lives than I do.

My verdict: A great choice if you want defined, separated, natural-looking lashes without clumping. If, like me, you want your mascara to bring more drama, I'd choose something else on this list.

L'Oréal Double Extend Beauty Tubes Mascara

If you are patient and methodical and can handle a two-step mascara, L'Oréal Double Extend Beauty Tubes Mascara can give you utterly fantastic length. Folks may wonder if you got lash extensions.

The process is where it loses me. You first apply a white primer and then cover it with the black tubing mascara. I inevitably make a mess of the whole thing, ending up with either some of the white primer still showing or a black blob from my attempts to cover it up. There are too many excellent one-step tubing mascaras for me to work this hard before I've had my coffee.

But I keep L'Oréal Double Extend in this guide because Wardrobe Oxygen readers love this mascara. It has been recommended to me again and again over the years, and I completely understand why. If you have the patience and technique to master the two-step application, the length is seriously impressive and you may very well become a lifelong fan.

My verdict: A Wardrobe Oxygen community favorite that can deliver incredible length at a drugstore price. It's too fussy for me personally, but if you don't mind the two-step application, don't let my lack of coordination stop you.

Kulfi Badi Lash Mascara

I had to update this guide to include the latest tubing mascara I happily used all the way to the end of the tube: Kulfi Badi Lash Mascara. I kept seeing Kulfi all over social media for its lip stain/oil, and based on the marketing, I assumed the brand was geared toward a younger demographic. But after another influencer whose beauty recommendations I trust raved about Badi Lash, I took the plunge… and I'm so glad I did.

Kulfi Badi Lash Mascara gives me the combination I keep looking for in mascara: length, separation, rich pigment, and serious oomph without my lashes becoming clumpy or sticking together. There's something about the combination of the formula and plastic brush that just works for my lashes. The brush keeps the product on my lashes instead of collecting between them, while the ball at the tip helps reach those tiny lashes a traditional wand can miss.

This has actually replaced MILK as the mascara I reach for when I want more impact. Kulfi gives me plenty of drama, but it's easy enough to apply that I don't feel as though I need a special occasion to justify wearing it. That's why it's now one of the three tubing mascaras I regularly keep in my makeup drawer.

It's also still the mascara I'd choose for a wedding or special event. I've found it stays put through the things that actually happen at weddings: dab your tearful eyes during the vows, rest your cheek on someone's shoulder while dancing, rub your sleepy eyes at the end of the night, and your mascara is still there.

My verdict: One of my current favorites and my pick when I want more impact than Caliray without dealing with clumps or stuck-together lashes. It gives me dramatic, defined lashes with surprisingly little effort.

Sarah Creal Back of the Cab Tubing Mascara

I had to update this guide when I tried Sarah Creal Back of the Cab Mascara because this luxury tubing mascara seriously impressed me. The hourglass-shaped brush catches my lashes beautifully, the formula is neither gloppy nor dry, it holds a curl, and my lashes look thick and lush without clumping together. I've even found it doesn't flake when I'm rubbing my eyes.

Back of the Cab gives me the kind of dramatic lashes I love, but these days I don't have enough occasions when I want this much mascara to justify always keeping a tube in my makeup drawer. If my life involved more nights out and events, this and MILK would both be contenders for a permanent spot.

That said, Sarah Creal has become one of the most-purchased mascaras by Wardrobe Oxygen readers through this guide, along with Thrive and Kulfi. Considering it's also one of the priciest mascaras on this list, I think that's worth noting.

My verdict: A splurge, but a dang impressive mascara. If you want lush, dramatic, expensive-looking lashes without clumps and don't mind paying luxury-beauty prices, I recommend this one.

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Tubing Mascara FAQ

What’s Your Favorite Tubing Mascara?

Mascara is incredibly personal. We all have different lashes, eyes, makeup preferences, and lives, which is exactly why a mascara I don't repurchase may be someone else's holy grail.

If you have a tubing mascara you love (or one you think isn't worth the hype) please share your experience in the comments. Wardrobe Oxygen reader recommendations have helped shape this guide over the years, and your favorite may be exactly what another reader has been searching for.

And if black or brown mascara isn't quite right for your coloring, you may also enjoy my guide to mascaras for strawberry blondes and others who want softer mascara colors.

I appreciate that J. Crew Factory offers its apparel in sizes XXS-3X, the jeans in sizes 24-35, with many styles in petite and many of the jeans and pants also in tall. This is not a sponsored post, it's creating what I saw in my mind when I personally was shopping the retailer's sale offerings.

Early Fall Capsule Wardrobe: Classics Updated

This capsule wardrobe features only J. Crew Factory, but I think you'll find that with the classic silhouettes and colors, you may be able to recreate parts of it with items you already own or from other retailers. I believe this color palette, these patterns, and these silhouettes encompass the Americana Chic trend for Fall 2026 and many of these pieces will work into winter and likely into spring, as well.

Shop the Capsule: jeans | loafers | bag | sweater vest | pants | belt | blazer | tee | shirt | dress | cardigan | flats

I purposefully mixed colors and prints that work with both black and brown. A leopard-print belt is that pattern mixing and neutral that goes with all of it. Also, have fun with pattern mixing of classic prints: plaids, argyle, tweed, houndstooth, and polka-dots.

Shop the Capsule Wardrobe

Sample Outfits for This Capsule Wardrobe

I created 15 looks from this capsule of eight garments and a few shoes and accessories. These looks can work for the office, for everyday, and a few for special occasions. They work now, and with a few modifications, will transition beautifully from fall into winter.

Tap any thumbnail to see it larger. Use arrows, click, or swipe to go through the carousel of 15 images and click outside the slideshow to return to this screen.

For some of the outfits, I added more summery of pieces, also from J. Crew Factory, so you could see how to make these pieces work now as well as when the temps drop. I included this mini canvas tote, which I personally own and love, this plaid baseball cap which I also own and love for some subtle pattern mixing (and bad hair days), these chic sunglasses, this silky scarf that matches the dress, and a pair of canvas sneakers.

You could dress up the dress with a clutch purse and dressier flats or heeled sandals for a day wedding or date night. Add a fitted turtleneck and ankle boots to take the blazer into colder weather. Throw in a Breton striped shirt, a white tank, a denim or corduroy midi skirt to get even more mileage out of these pieces.

Fall Trends Incorporated Into This Capsule Wardrobe

I will be writing about fall and winter trends very soon, but a lot of them are incorporated into this capsule:

• Straight-leg classic jeans (check out my denim trends guide)
• Ruffles: from boho-inspired blouses to just a little ruffle on your cuff, you are going to see these everywhere
• Loafers: this and higher-vamp “glove” flats will be the shoe of fall
• Bucket bags and bigger purses in general

You never need to adopt a single trend to look stylish, but I wanted to call these out as you may have these things already in your closet collecting a bit of dust. This is the season to bring it out.

Us grown women will see a bit of 80s prep, 90s classics, and Y2K silhouettes we may have already experienced. It's okay to pass on doing it a second (or even third) time. The most stylish thing is to wear what feels good, and sometimes what feels best is leaving the past in the past!

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