Cargo • Better-Than-Waterproof Black • Mascara

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erincollard on 4/5/2013 3:32:00 PM more reviews by erincollard

Age: 36-43   Skin: Combination, Fair   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Hazel    

I bought this mascara at Ulta and found it was the only mascara I'd purchased that didn't smudge or give me raccoon eyes. I returned it, however, because I hadn't used tubing mascara before and thought I was pulling out my eyelashes.

I'm using the Clinique smudgeproof now and it's pretty good but I think I'll repurchase now that I've read the reviews and I understand how it works. It might just be worth the mess when you remove it. I wish Cargo had given better instructions on the packaging.

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perfectionism on 11/20/2012 3:07:00 PM more reviews by perfectionism

Age: 19-24   Skin: Normal, Fair-Medium   Hair: Black   Eyes: Black    

Finally - no smudges! It definitely doesn't remove quite the same as other tubing mascaras and tends to break off in pieces instead, but there's minimal tugging involved and my lashes are quite happy. I switched to this from MUFE aqua smoky lash (not tubing) which was a huge pain to take off! I get nice length and volume from this drier formula but could use a little more drama for a special event. I'm very pleased with it as an everyday mascara, but I do find that I need 2-3 coats to make my lashes look lush :) I love the tapered wand, too! I do find flakes very rarely with this mascara and wear this to the gym often.

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SwampThing on 9/2/2012 5:51:00 PM more reviews by SwampThing

Age: 19-24   Skin: Normal, Fair   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Green    

This is pretty much the only mascara I use now. I LOVE it. I already have very long eyelashes, and this mascara just makes them insane. People actually ask me if I'm wearing fake lashes. I also live where it is very humid, and not once has this rubbed off, flaked, or smudged AT ALL. It is not too hard to get off with a good makeup remover or good soap.....and it is always weird seeing fibers running down your face- but otherwise, no complaints! My holy grail of mascaras.

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lilly116 on 7/22/2012 5:40:00 PM more reviews by lilly116

Age: 44-55   Skin: Sensitive, Fair, Cool   Hair: Brunette, Curly, Fine   Eyes: Brown    

I am a fan of tubing mascaras because every mascara, even waterproof, WILL smudge on me (unless I use a combination of a primer such as Origins or Clinique under or Clarins Mascara Fix --great product which I have also reviewed-- over, which adds a lot of extra cost and an extra step). If you don't have that problem, I'm sure you could find a mascara that delivers similar results that is cheaper.

That being said, I think this is my favorite tubing mascara out of Clinique High impact Curling (my last favorite -- which flaked a little and was more volumizing than lengthening IMO), Two Faced Lash Injection pinpoint (not enough impact) Lash Injection (flaked a LOT) and Blinc Kiss Me (also not enough impact, but the easiest to remove).

As has been noted, this does not come off in tubes, but if you thoroughly WET with warm water and splash (I kind of hold my lashes gently so the water soaks them) it does comes off without a separate remover, although it is more in pieces.

I got a small sample tube at Ulta which was not at all dry, so if it dries out quickly that would affect my decision to repurchase.

The reasons I liked this one the best was because you could build it some -- do one eye, do the other, and come back and add another coat to the first eye -- which you CANNOT do with most tubing mascaras. Also, as someone else noted -- this works better if you just comb it through without wiggling the brush (wiggling made it clump on me). This allows for IMO a nicely lengthened, slightly thickened, nicely defined lash with no clumping.

I generally prefer a lengthening mascara to a volumizing one, as my lashes are short. It is definitely enough for me for everyday, and even for evening with a heavier liner. It also does not flake and most importantly for me does not smudge, even on bottom lashes. I can't testify that it is waterproof since I haven't tried that yet.

I am not thrilled that for $20 it is more than the Clinique, but I like the lengthened and defined look it gives me better. It also holds my curl (although the Clinique does that too) and it leaves my lashes soft. What more could you ask? : )

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mehays on 6/5/2012 6:49:00 PM more reviews by mehays

Age: 44-55   Skin: Oily   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Hazel    

Best mascara I've found for not smearing on hot summer days by the pool. It does clump alot though. I got it in a mini and usually wipe some off before I apply it to prevent clumping on lashes, This probably wastes a lot, so I wouldn't use it as everyday mascara. No problem removing with DHC cleansing oil

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vaigai on 5/31/2012 11:43:00 AM more reviews by vaigai

Age: 25-29   Skin: Oily, Dark, Warm   Hair: Black, Wavy, Medium   Eyes: Brown    

This stuff is awesome! I got a sample-size in a luxebox and at first, I wasn't too enthused about the 'tubes' concept. I have fairly long and thick eyelashes and I hate wearing non-clear mascara because it looks clumpy and gross on me and doesn't do much.

This stuff though.. amazing. It subtly thickens and lengthens my lashes - they look dramatic and beautiful like falsies - but NO CLUMPS. This formula is super smooth and the brush doesn't look like anything special, but it works.

My only complaint with this mascara is that I don't actually notice the "tube" effect - it comes off in little.. speckles.. which can be irritating to my eyes. And it takes a TON of effort to get this off (which is good..ish..). It is definitely "better" than waterproof. I'm not sure how much it costs full size or in store, but when this runs out.. I will definitely repurchase unless it is crazy expensive.

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*TOP REVIEWER* CarlaN on 4/22/2012 6:04:00 PM more reviews by CarlaN

Age: 44-55   Skin: Very Oily, Fair, Cool   Hair: Brunette, Wavy, Fine   Eyes: Green    

I really like this mascara!

I fell in love with "tubing" mascara after trying MAC Optimum Black, because I found this kind of formula to wear wonderfully on contact-lens-wearing, oily-skinned me. Earlier this year, though, I quit buying MAC, and all other Estee Lauder brands, when EL started contracting for animal testing.

The hunt was on for a tubing mascara from a cruelty-free company. I tried a mascara by Trish McEvoy, and it was way too clumpy. Then it was Too Faced Lash Injection, which gave me "raccoon eyes" in short order. Enter Cargo Better-Than-Waterproof.

It's true that Better-Than-Waterproof does not add a lot of volume, but I'm more interested in length than volume, anyhow, and this mascara lengthens nicely, is a good deep black, is not at all clumpy, and it STAYS ON. I do notice a few flakes by the end of the day, after a nap, but nothing that can't be easily swept off with a tissue. At $20, Better-Than-Waterproof is on the pricey side, but I don't mind paying more for cruelty-free.

I haven't been using Better-Than-Waterproof for very long, and if my opinion changes, I'll update this review, but so far, it's looking good.

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sbiringer on 12/21/2011 7:42:00 AM more reviews by sbiringer

Age: 30-35   Skin: Acne-prone, Olive   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Brown    

I stumbled upon this almost a year ago at the checkout counter at Ulta. I bought the mini size and absolutely love it! So far, this is the only mascara that will not run or give me raccoon eyes.I have been caught in the rain and sat in 90+ degree humid weather and have not had one problem with this. I will continue to buy this.

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*TOP REVIEWER* desertwaya on 10/5/2011 12:35:00 AM more reviews by desertwaya

Age: 30-35   Skin: Combination, Fair, Warm   Hair: Red, Wavy, Fine   Eyes: Brown    

Wow i can't believe how much hate this mascara is getting. My eyes are beyond sensitive (most days i can't even wear mascara anymore). I usually wear Just For Redheads' mascara because of my sensitivity but i needed something waterproof for the coming fall/winter so i just happened to come upon a tube of this at the Ulta counter. I picked it up not having much high hopes but turns out i REALLY like this. I take off my eyemakeup with mu remover cloths & they seem to take this stuff right off w/out any problems. I haven't had any problems with it running, clumping, flaking, stinging my eyes, etc. Ill keep purchasing this for when i need waterproof makeup.

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blu3lagoon427 on 8/12/2011 7:05:00 PM more reviews by blu3lagoon427

Age: 18 & Under   Skin: Combination, Medium   Hair: Black   Eyes: Brown    

So I got this mascara with the thought that it would be waterproof, since it was labeled to be a waterproof mascara. The test to its CARGO's claim of it being waterproof was when i went to an amusement park with my friend and it started raining, but we were in line for a roller coaster. We didn't realize that it would rain so when we were on the roller coaster outside, we were surprised and i remember thinking, "thank god i have waterproof mascara on today". when we got off the ride, completely soaked, i have to admit, i was dissappointed. My curl straightened out, and when we were walking in the rain, or went on a water ride, basically, all the mascara came off. Good note was that it did not smudge. it came off in little tubes/clumps, but still! this mascara is no where near waterproof like it claims to be
HOWEVER
Aside from the false advertisement, i love this mascara. it looks amazing, it feels great, and even though it still does straighten my curl if i apply my mascara from root to tip, i don't mind curling my lashes after mascara (even though we shouldn't). i really don't care about those kind of rules. my tip to get curl is for the first coat, tap the mascara onto your lashes then when the mascara set, keep tapping/swiping the mascara on and your curl will hold better than the root to tip wiggling. This will be a staple in my makeup bag for an everyday use, because it is waxy and dry because it is "waterproof" but it comes off easily with warm water. Just be extremely gentle or your lashes will fall out.
Another downside other than it wasnt waterproof was the packaging. i don't know why, but mascara tends to clump around the cap and where the cap and tube connect, there is a build up of mascara and i feel like its just wasting product, and i find that annoying because this mascara is $20.00. its not cheap. maybe its just my tube, but aside from that, i love it. love it love it love it. just by the effect this mascara gives me makes me want to try the other mascaras that CARGO has to offer. Although, from now on i will be using a different waterproof mascara.
I highly recommend this mascara to people who don't really want a waterproof mascara but do not want raccoon eyes and people who want a mascara that removes easily.

This is an amazing mascara

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*TOP REVIEWER* amaizeingndn on 3/10/2011 11:10:00 PM more reviews by amaizeingndn

Age: 25-29   Skin: Very Oily, Olive   Hair: Black, Wavy, Fine   Eyes: Brown    

I was looking for an alternative to Imju Fiberwig and L'Oreal Beauty Tubes, which are the two mascaras I have been using for the past several years. The Fiberwig is pretty expensive, and the L'Oreal is not that great, so I was excited to see that more brands are coming out with tubing mascaras. I bought this in the small size from sephora, and so far I have been impressed. I really like the brush, it's pretty much a standard brush, but it tapers a little toward the end and the bristles themselves are pretty fine, so you can get the roots of the lashes and the inner corners without blobbing it everywhere. I would repurchase, and if I don't anything in another brand that I like better, I would be totally happy sticking with this one.

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lovenoemie on 2/15/2011 3:13:00 PM more reviews by lovenoemie

Age: 25-29   Skin: Combination, Olive, Warm   Hair: Brown, Curly, Medium   Eyes: Brown    

Glad I didn't read the reviews before I purchased. I originally got a small size of this in a Cargo bronzer/mascara set from ULTA on a whim. I didn't really have any expectations, but this has become my everyday go to mascara! The applicator brush is nice and thick and lengthens and separates my lashes perfectly. It doesn't flake or make my eyelashes "crunchy" looking or hard to the touch and I don't find it incredibly difficult to remove either. Retails for about $20, but I was able to find the full size on eBay for half the price. Definitely one of my fave mascaras in a LONG time.

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lightgreen22 on 10/11/2010 5:53:00 PM more reviews by lightgreen22

Age: 18 & Under   Skin: Normal, Fair-Medium   Hair: Brunette, Wavy, Coarse   Eyes: Green    

Ick, good thing I received this in my Cargo 7 for 7 package, this mascara has got to be one of the worst I've ever worn, hard to handle and clump deluxe

It seems no one on MUA wants this, no no has it on a MUA wishlist

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*TOP REVIEWER* sweetshiningstar on 9/23/2010 5:14:00 AM more reviews by sweetshiningstar

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium, Warm   Hair: Black, Straight, Medium   Eyes: Brown    

I'm not sure if I would buy this again. Maybe for a honeymoon, but not for the summer because I don't go to the beach/pool much. I'd rather just wear non-waterproof mascara that day and take it off before. I used to do that all the time.

This mascara goes on well. I have thin weird Asian lashes and it really brings them out. I like this mascara in the daytime- it doesn't flake or smudge.

However, it's hard to take off, even in the shower where warm water is available (supposed to melt off only by rubbing your lashes in warm water). It flakes off, which I don't like. It flakes of slowly, and never seems to come completely off. When the tube is fresh it comes off easier, but then after it's opened it does. Defeats the purpose. I'd rather have a mascara that melts off easily all the time.

So maybe if you're desperate not to have raccoon eyes this is good. I think I have worn this in the water and it has worked like it's described. But not fun to take off. Too annoying to keep repurchasing, unless it's for a special, special reason.

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MbMinx on 8/30/2010 12:22:00 PM more reviews by MbMinx

Age: 36-43   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium   Hair: Brown, Straight, Fine   Eyes: Green    

This was impossible to get off! Never mind what it did or didn't do while it was on - I had to really fight to get it off.

I've used "tubing" mascaras before, so I'm familiar with the removal process. It's not usually all that hard. This? Gummy and thick and completely resistant to any amount of warm water & pressure, eye makeup remover...Just a nightmare.

I'm very disappointed because I've had very good experiences with everything else I've ever used from CARGO. It certainly was waterproof and it had "good" staying power - but if I can't get it off, I'm not going to put it on again.

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rach82 on 7/8/2010 3:31:00 PM more reviews by rach82

Age: 25-29   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium, Warm   Hair: Blond, Wavy, Fine   Eyes: Brown    

I received this in this summer’s “Get Wet” kit, and this is one of the only waterproof mascaras I’ve actually liked. I live in FL and have oily skin, so a waterproof mascara is a must in the summer, or when I plan to swim/sweat. The formula is thick & very pigmented- it really makes my eyes pop! I enjoy the big fat brush design on most mascaras, this one being no exception- it fans out, plumps & lengthens my lashes nicely. It stays put, holds a curl all day, and removes somewhat easily with cleanser or makeup remover. The dealbreaker, for me, is that it starts to flake after a couple hours wear & continues throughout the day. It can also get a bit clumpy when applying if I’m not careful. The packaging is sleek and sophisticated looking. Overall, a good product that I’ll use up, but will not repurchase due to the flaking.

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rnm3 on 5/6/2010 11:37:00 AM more reviews by rnm3

Age: 30-35   Skin: Oily, Fair   Hair: Blond   Eyes: Green    

this is the mascara for people who even waterproof runs or disappears or flakes. this WILL NOT RUN. waterproof runs on me and this stays all day. i tried it with the lash primer and it did not work as well..unfortunately. it does tend to clump if you put it on with a bump and wiggle. so that is the down side. instead: try coating both sides of your lashes once each and dont wiggle. it works great then:) i do wish i could wear fiber extending and wish it was even better and smoother going on. but until they make one that wont run.- this is the best out there for no running.

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beautynbliss on 5/1/2010 6:36:00 PM more reviews by beautynbliss

Age: 25-29   Skin: Combination, Medium   Hair: Black   Eyes: Brown    

This is my everyday mascara. I wear to work for 8+ hours and it is smudge proof. I really like the fact that you can easily wash it off with luke warm water. For those who find this mascara too thick and clunky, try Fiberwig by Imju sold at Sephora. Fiberwig elongates your lashes with little fibers. It is also waterproof and easy to wash off with luke warm water as well.

I like the Cargo mascara better because I like the dark dramatic look. For those who wants a more natural look, go for the Fiberwig. If you travel to Japan, make sure you pick up a few tubes to save some money.

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reggielover on 4/1/2010 3:25:00 AM more reviews by reggielover

Age: 56 & Over   Skin: Combination   Hair: Red   Eyes: Blue    

Big Disappointment. Wanted something smudgeproof and water resistant. Try to layer this and you get major spider lashes. For the money, never again!

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luckyangelou on 9/20/2009 1:48:00 PM more reviews by luckyangelou

Age: 25-29   Skin: Other   Hair: Other   Eyes: Other    

Hands down, the WORST mascara I have ever used! So thick and clumpy; it was like applying wax to my lashes. I tried using my metal lash comb to separate them, but it was useless. I actually had to use a needle to separate my lashes to be able to go out in public. I almost had to remove all my makeup and start over again because this mascara was so terrible.

I also had horrible flaking and smudging, and I think my eyes got irritated from this, too. It came in the 7-in-7 kit, but this was the only product I absolutely despised! I would not recommend this to anyone! It didn't seem like it was that waterproof, either. I was out in 80 degree heat and it rained, and I looked like a raccoon despite its "Better than Waterproof" claims. Save your money on this one!

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