lashes

Reporting from Washington — President Trump could contain his anger for only so long — about 14 hours — before lashing out on Twitter on Thursday to protest “the single greatest witch hunt of a politician in American history!”

But in attacking Wednesday’s appointment of former FBI Director Robert S. Mueller III as a special counsel to head the investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 election and any role that Trump’s associates may have played, the president risks alienating potential supporters in his own party.

He could create an enemy out of a prosecutor who commands both a vast army of investigators and bipartisan respect.

And, yet again, he has undercut advice from top Republicans inside and outside the White House who say that an independent investigation could help Trump. If only he could control his evident anxiety about the case, the secrecy of a special counsel investigation could keep the story out of the daily headlines, they say. And Mueller’s credibility could provide exoneration for the president and his aides if the investigation finds that they have done nothing wrong.

The mix of grievance, hyperbole and defiance in Trump’s response, however, was hardly surprising at this point in his public life. His statements fit a pattern he long ago established of fighting back against enemies real or perceived and of seldom letting go of a grudge.

In a second tweet, Trump complained that President Obama and Hillary Clinton had not been subjected to the same treatment.

“With all of the illegal acts that took place in the Clinton campaign & Obama Administration, there was never a special counsel appointed!” he wrote. He initially misspelled counsel as “councel” before sending a corrected tweet.

Trump did not specify what he meant by illegal acts.

During a lunch with television anchors ahead of a nine-day foreign trip that is scheduled to begin Friday, Trump continued to criticize the special counsel appointment.

He called the investigation “a pure excuse for the Democrats” for losing the election. “It hurts our country terribly,” he said. “It shows we’re a divided, mixed-up, not unified country.”

At a joint news conference later in the day with the visiting president of Colombia, Trump took a slightly more muted tone.

“I respect the decision” to appoint Mueller, he said, before adding that he believed the “entire thing” was “a witch hunt.”

“There’s no collusion between, certainly, myself and my campaign — but I can always speak for myself — and the Russians — zero,” he said. He appeared to mean that he could “only” speak for himself.

“There is no collusion,” he repeated several times.

He also emphatically said, “No, no,” when asked whether he had urged then-FBI Director James B. Comey to back off an investigation of Michael Flynn, Trump’s former national security advisor. Comey, in a memo reportedly written for his files, said that Trump had made such a request at a meeting in the Oval Office on Feb. 14.

Trump’s lashing out is not unique. President Clinton, for example, was known to rage about what he saw as the unfairness of the long-running special prosecutor investigations his administration faced. Clinton, however, kept his red-faced fury to private conversations, and, of course, Twitter didn’t exist.

But neither is Trump’s very public display of anger a completely irrational move. Trump and some of his advisors clearly see anger over the investigation as a way to unite his core supporters against a common enemy at a time when at least some of his voters have begun showing signs, in polls, of wavering.

In fundraising emails Thursday, Trump boasted that he had set a new postelection high for his campaign in online money raising despite “unrelenting and unprecedented political attacks against a sitting president” by the media and political establishment.

“The American people sent President Trump to Washington not to get along with the establishment but to repair the damage done to our economy and our prestige around the world by their policies and practices,” he wrote.

Trump’s instinct to battle, however, and the political desire to use the fight to unite his supporters is at odds with the strategy that many of his advisors would prefer — one closer to the approach other administrations have used of trying to insulate the White House’s daily functions from scandal.

Clinton’s press office hired an outside agency to handle questions about the investigation that eventually led to his impeachment over the Monica Lewinsky affair. Although it did not end the saga for him, it did take some of the pressure off his White House staff, allowing them to speak more about policy during public briefings.

Wednesday night, the White House seemed to be inching toward a similar goal, issuing a statement that offered muted approval of the investigation and urged a speedy conclusion.

Congressional Republican leaders appeared to be following that playbook Thursday.

After Deputy Atty. Gen. Rod Rosenstein briefed senators on the investigation, several Republican lawmakers suggested that with Mueller in place, the time had come for congressional committees to scale back their investigations, which involve highly public hearings, and allow the special counsel to carry out his probe, which can be expected to offer fewer headlines until it reaches a conclusion.

The appointment of Mueller “has really limited what Congress can do,” said Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.). “This was a counter-intelligence investigation. It is now a criminal investigation.”

Trump’s advisors have been frustrated that he has so often failed to stick to such strategies.

“Clearly they’re not on the same page, but I don’t know why,” said Barry Bennett, a former advisor to Trump’s campaign who has friends serving in the White House.

Bennett said Trump continues to rely mostly on advice from “his New York buddies” — friends closer to his age and wealth whom he respects more, but who lack experience in politics and communications. Like others, Bennett expects Trump to shake up his staff, dispensing with Chief of Staff Reince Priebus, upon his return from the foreign trip.

Anxiety over a potential staff shakeup, Bennett said, has left those inside with even less clout to advise the president.

“It’s a combination of his frustration and people’s exhaustion,” he said.

But another person in close contact with White House staff, who requested anonymity to discuss the issue, said many of Trump’s aides remain devoted and united behind the task of defending him. The stress staffers are feeling is endemic to any White House, the person said.

“Anybody that’s surprised by” Trump’s disdain for listening to his press team and political advisors “should have been paying attention to the campaign,” the person said. “To think it would be any different in the White House makes you dumb.”

With the rush of events at home, Trump’s overseas trip now promises to be even more fraught for the new president.

Trump would like the trip to be shorter, a White House official said. His son-in-law and close advisor, Jared Kushner, orchestrated the stops in Saudi Arabia and Israel, which lengthened a trip that originally was designed to go only to Italy and NATO headquarters in Brussels.

Trump liked the broader mission, but being away from a familiar bed for more than a week is difficult for him. He is often teased by his children as being a “homebody,” the official said.

One person who will be staying behind is Trump’s strategic advisor Stephen K. Bannon. He has stepped back from foreign policy in the last two months as Kushner showed he had more influence with the president in that arena.

The last several days offered a preview of how the current distractions, combined with Trump’s disdain for scripted protocols, could leave the president ill-prepared for his debut abroad.

On Tuesday, Trump repeatedly mispronounced the name of Recep Tayyip Erdogan as the Turkish president stood beside him. He also appeared bored or distracted when Erdogan spoke, coming to life when the Turkish president injected some fulsome praise for Trump and his election victory.

On Thursday, he appeared to struggle to keep focus while Colombia’s president, Juan Manuel Santos, was speaking.

Over the last two weeks, Trump’s official schedule was relatively light as aides made time for him to cram on geopolitics for a trip that will take him from the complexities of the Middle East to summit meetings with skeptical-to-hostile leaders in Europe.

Presidents usually sit through “pre-trip briefings galore” before foreign visits, said Michael Allen, who was an advisor to President George W. Bush.

Before Bush traveled, his White House chief of staff would carve out extensive time for senior directors on the National Security Council and other experts to brief the president. Allen said the briefings could get quite precise: “This is what you will see, what they will say, what you might discuss, what you need to know.”

But with Trump, said a Republican who formerly worked in the White House, “the trouble will be if he goes off script. Trump can’t control himself.”

At the same time, the official said, everywhere “he will be treated to respect and pageantry. Trump will eat of lot of that up.”

[email protected]

Twitter: @noahbierman

Times staff writer Michael Memoli contributed to this article

ALSO:

Arrests on civil immigration charges go up 38% in the first 100 days since Trump’s executive order

Meet Robert Mueller, the former San Francisco lawyer chosen to lead the Trump-Russia investigation

Rod Rosenstein heads to Capitol Hill after appointing special counsel

UPDATES:

2:45 p.m.: This article was updated with quotes from President Trump’s news conference and other additional details.

This article was first published at 7:30 a.m.

Ostapenko unleashed a verbal volley at her American opponent for being disrespectful during their second-round match.

Jelena Ostapenko accused Taylor Townsend of lacking “class” during a furious on-court confrontation between the two players after their second-round match at the US Open, where the unseeded American defeated the 25th-seeded Ostapenko 7-5, 6-1.

Ostapenko spoke sharply to Townsend during a cold handshake at the net at the end of the match on Wednesday.

Townsend at one point said “I don’t have to do anything” to Ostapenko, who repeatedly pointed at her opponent. The American eventually walked away and shook the chair umpire’s hand and proceeded to whip the crowd into a frenzy.

“She told me I have no education, no class, and to see what happens if we play each other outside of the US,” Townsend told reporters after the match.

“I said, I’m excited, bring it. I’ve never been the one to back down from anything like that. I just thought that it was really interesting.

“There’s no beef. But again, like you guys saw, I didn’t back down because you’re not going to insult me, especially after I carried myself a certain type of way with nothing but respect.

“If I show respect to you, I expect respect as well. That’s just the fact of the matter … it was unfortunate, but, you know, it’s something I can put on my TikTok.

“The thing I’m the most proud of is that I let my racket talk. Because ultimately, I’m the one here sitting in front of you guys moving on to the next round, getting the next cheque, moving on … and that’s what’s the most important.

“She’s packed up and she’s gone. I’m here, and that’s the only thing that matters.”

‘Very disrespectful’

Ostapenko said in a post on Instagram that she had been angered by Townsend’s failure to acknowledge a net cord in her favour during the match.

The 28-year-old also accused Townsend of breaching etiquette by starting her pre-match warm-up at the net.

“Today after the match I told my opponent that she was very disrespectful as she had a net ball in a very deciding moment and didn’t say sorry. But her answer was that she doesn’t have to say sorry,” Ostapenko wrote.

“There are some rules in tennis which most of the players follow and it was first time ever that this happened to me on tour.

“If she plays in her homeland it doesn’t mean that she can behave and do whatever she wants.”

Ostapenko’s explanation failed to impress Townsend when she was informed of the Latvian’s remarks.

“I mean, it’s sports,” Townsend said. “I feel like people have gotten a little bit soft. I’m not going to lie. It’s sports. People talk trash. You know, people say things. Whatever, people get mad.

“Everyone has a right to feel how they feel. The problem is, don’t push your expectations on me. If you expect for someone to apologise and they don’t and you get upset about it, that’s your fault, not mine.”

Ostapenko received words of support from world number one Aryna Sabalenka, who revealed after her late-night match that she had spoken with the Latvian following the incident.

“I have to say that she’s nice,” Sabalenka said of Ostapenko. “Just sometimes she can lose control over her emotions, which is pretty tough.

“I’m pretty sure, looking back, she’s not happy with her behaviour.”

Aug. 18 (UPI) — Hurricane Erin’s outer bands were beginning to lash the southeast Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands early Monday after regaining Category 4 strength overnight.

The storm was located about 110 miles northeast of Grand Turk Island and 935 miles south-southeast of Cape Hatteras, N.C., the National Hurricane Center said in its 2 a.m. AST update.

It was moving northwest at 12 mph and was packing maximum sustained winds of 130 mph.

Forecasters are warning of life-threatening surf and rip currents across the eastern United States this week.

The season’s first Atlantic hurricane reached Category 5 status Saturday morning, the highest classification, after rapidly intensifying overnight. It became a Category 1 hurricane on Friday, the year’s fifth named storm.

Erin dropped to a Category 4 and then a 3 overnight into Sunday, but regained Category 4 strength late Sunday.

“Since the large-scale environment is expected to be favorable for about another day, re-strengthening is possible during that time period,” NHC forecaster John Cangialosi said. “However, it should be noted that predicting the intensity evolution from internal dynamics are challenging, and models often provide Little reliability in their solutions.”

The storm was skirting Puerto Rico overnight rather than hitting it directly.

On the forecast track, Erin’s core is projected to pass to the east and northeast of the Turks and Caicos Islands and the southeastern Bahamas over Monday, and then move between Bermuda and the U.S. east coast by the middle of the week

Erin’s outer bands will produce additional rainfall of 2 to 4 inches across the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico, with isolated totals of up to 8 inches through Monday. “Locally considerable flash and urban flooding, along with landslides or mudslides, are possible,” the NHC said.

Also, swells will affect those places, as well as Hispaniola and the Turks and Caicos Islands, during the next couple of days, the agency said.

“Erin is expected to produce life-threatening surf and rip currents along the beaches of the Bahamas, much of the East Coast of the U.S., Bermuda, and Atlantic Canada during the next several days,” Cangialsi said.

He said interests along the North Carolina and mid-Atlantic coasts, as well are Bermuda “should monitor the progress of Erin as there is a risk of strong winds associated with the outer rainbands during the middle of next week.”

Alex Sosnowski, AccuWeather senior meteorologist, said portions of North Carolina’s Outer Banks and coastal Virginia will experience several feet of storm surge, leading to significant coastal flooding and beach erosion.

He said the closest landmass for Erin to hit could be southeastern Newfoundland in Canada on Friday.

Erin became the first hurricane of the 2025 Atlantic storm season two days ago.

There have been four named storms so far this season in the Atlantic. Tropical Storm Chantal caused major flooding in North Carolina but has been the only one of the four to make landfall in the United States this year.

The Atlantic hurricane season began on June 1 and ends on Nov. 30. The peak hurricane season runs from mid-August through September and into mid-October.

Ninety-three percent of hurricane landfalls along the U.S. Gulf Coast and the East Coast have occurred from August through October, the Weather Channel reported in citing data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Last year at this time, there had also been five named storms.

The U.S. East Coast is forecast to have rough ocean conditions through the middle of the week as the storm strengthens, the National Hurricane Center said. Tropical storm warnings were issued for the southeast Bahamas, about 300 miles east of Miami, and Turks and Caicos Islands.

ON the hunt for the best waterproof mascara? We’ve made it easy for you, with our tried and tested top picks for every budget.

Whether you’ve got sensitive eyes that are prone to getting watery, are dealing with humidity and rain, or simply want gorgeous fluttery lashes that are smudge-proof – having a tube of waterproof mascara in your makeup bag is a must.

With so many formulas out there to choose from though, it can be hard to find the best option but fear not: below are 13 of the best contenders for 2024, meticulously tried and tested to deliver flake-resistant perfection.

These waterproof heroes boast buildable formulas, delivering both length and volume to your lashes without compromising on durability.

Each one has been put through its paces, so read on for my honest thoughts on each product – and get ready to say ‘goodbye’ to panda eyes and ‘hello’ to perfect lashes that withstand rain, sweat, and tears…

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Best waterproof mascaras at a glance:

Mac Mascara in Extreme Dimension Waterproof

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Mac Mascara in Extreme Dimension Waterproof, £25

Pros: Seriously thick, great brush

Cons: Quite expensive

Rating: 5/5

Mac says that this is a lightweight, whipped mascara and I can see why.

Honestly, this is hands down one of my favourite mascaras as the wand seamlessly pulls out of the tube, with just enough mascara liquid on the brush.

Applying this mascara is like a dream; I didn’t need many coats for a voluminous, dark look, and despite a few clumps lingering on the brush, my lashes were clump-free.

I loved the look of my lashes after applying this Mac mascara, and it lasted throughout a gym workout, a shower, and the rest of my day.

Plus, when I applied this mascara, the entire lash was coated from root to tip and there was zero smudging. 

Hands down, this mascara is worth every penny and I am already recommending it to all my friends and family.

Shade: 3D Black, Size: 12g, Vegan: No

Lancôme Hypnôse Drama Waterproof Mascara

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Lancôme Hypnôse Drama Waterproof Mascara, £29 £23.20

Pros: Sleek bottle, curved brush grabs all lashes

Cons: Expensive

Rating: 5/5

Lancome is a dream brand; its products do what they claim, and they do it well.

This mascara is essentially the waterproof version of the cult Hypnôse Drama Mascara, and it’s just as good.

I love Lancome packaging; it’s sleek and chic and always looks expensive. For just under £30, though (when not on sale) you’d hope this mascara looks expensive — it costs the equivalent of my weekly food shop. 

The curved brush of this mascara latched onto every one of my lashes and gave my eyes a really nice wide-open look. This is ideal on those mornings when a lack of sleep leaves your eyes looking half-closed.

Lancome says that the waterproof formula of this mascara has up to 24-hour hold, and I can certainly vouch for the claim that it stays put. I had dark eyes and long lashes all day long! Even my tiny lashes were caught by this brush.

Taking this mascara off was also simple and I wasn’t left with awful panda eyes or clumps of mascara that wouldn’t budge.

Shade: Excessive Black, Size: 6ml, Vegan: No

READ MORE:

Mavala Volume and Length Waterproof Mascara

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Mavala Volume and Length Waterproof Mascara, £19.40 £17.46

Pros: Great price, contains healthy ingredients

Cons: A bit clumpy

Rating: 5/5

The Mavala mascara comes in a bottle that looks nothing like the others we tested. It’s white for starters and it looks almost slightly medical, as though it’s filled with health perks.

That sounds odd for a mascara, but when I researched the ingredients, it turns out there are actually several lash-boosting benefits. 

It’s protein enriched, offering your lashes extra nourishment, while its antioxidant ingredients hydrate too. Meanwhile, Bisabolol is soothing, meaning less irritation. This makes it great for sensitive eyes. 

I like the brush as it’s thick and contains zero clumps, plus it just glides out of the tube really nicely. Applying this mascara was a dream as it slid onto my lashes without any bumps and it latched onto every lash offering a nice intense dark colour.

You can pick up this mascara in several different shades too, so if you don’t fancy black, like me, you could opt for a blue or even a plum shade.

Shade: Black, Size: 10ml, Vegan: No

Benefit Badgal Bang Waterproof Mascara

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Benefit Badgal Bang Waterproof Mascara, £27

Pros: Catches every lash, don’t need many coats to achieve an intense black

Cons: A thicker brush would be nice

Rating: 4.5/5

I wore this to the gym and for the rest of my day and it didn’t smudge or budge, so I know this is a reliable mascara.

The bottle is beautifully designed and Benefit tends to be one of those brands that looks good on your bathroom shelf or in your makeup bag. 

I will say that I prefer a thicker brush, and when I pulled this brush out of the tube, I didn’t feel like it would do a great job. But having said that, I managed to achieve a pretty dark intense lash look with just a couple of coats and the brush definitely caught every lash, from root to tip, as the product claims.

It caught even the small lashes on the bottom, which I often find end up carrying big mascara clumps. 

This mascara also contains provitamin B5 which apparently is known to fuel thickness, so that’s a bonus.

Shade: Black, Size: 8.5g, Vegan: No

Clinique High Impact Waterproof Mascara

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Clinique High Impact Waterproof Mascara, £25

Pros: No clumps, smooth application, brush seamlessly pulls out of tube

Cons: None

Rating: 4.5/5

When a mascara starts to veer above the £15 mark, I do expect good things.

Clinique hasn’t disappointed with this mascara; the brush pulls effortlessly out of the tube which is incredibly satisfying and it feels like a nice, expensive product. 

I didn’t need many coats to get a bold colour, and the brush caught every lash easily, with no clumps. Plus, it stuck all day through a workout and a full out-and-about in the city. There was also no smudging around the eyes.

Clinique also says this is ideal for sensitive eyes and contact lens wearers too, so you can rest safe in the knowledge that your eyes won’t suffer.

Another point I will make about Clinique is that its products always feel ‘clean’, from the nice, natural green packaging (including this mascara tube) to the feel of the product itself, which always does what it says without feeling heavy or chemical-heavy.

Shade: Black or black brown, Size: 8ml, Vegan: No

Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky High Waterproof Mascara

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Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky High Waterproof Mascara, £12.99 £9.49

Pros: Love the bottle, cheaper than some alternatives, stayed in place all day

Cons: Ever so slightly clumpy

Rating: 4/5

As Maybelline would say: “Maybe she’s born with it; maybe it’s Maybelline.’

Well, I wasn’t born with incredibly long lashes, but this Maybelline mascara certainly gave me the volume and length I was after.

This lasted through a sweaty run and through the rest of my day, but came off easily when I finally went to bed in the evening. During the day, though, it didn’t budge an inch.

The price is mid-range, which makes it more affordable than many others, and Maybelline is one of those brands you can just rely on. It’s a household name, after all. 

I liked how the brush smoothly pulled out of the bottle, and the brush definitely latched on to all my lashes really well. Plus, the mascara formula has apparently been ‘infused with bamboo extract and fibres for long, full lashes that never get weighed down’.

This mascara was ever so slightly clumpy on the smaller lashes, but it wasn’t too much of a problem. 

I’ll definitely be keeping this in my handbag going forward.

Shade: Black, Size: 9.6ml, Vegan: No

Boots No7 Intense Volume Waterproof Mascara

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No7 Intense Volume Waterproof Mascara, £9.56

Pros: Thick brush, leaves zero clumps, good price point

Cons: Several layers needed to achieve an intense colour

Rating: 4/5

Another brand that can pretty much always be relied on is Boots’ No7.

This waterproof mascara is most certainly waterproof, and only smudged slightly when I rubbed my wet eyes after coming out of the shower; pretty impressive considering how soaked my face was.

I like the brush and how smooth it comes out of the tube, and I like how nice it feels to apply to lashes. I picked up even the smallest of lashes with this mascara wand, though I did need several coats to really get the dark black colour that I love.

I wore this on a Saturday morning following a measly five hours of sleep and it definitely helped me to look more awake. Sometimes, you just need to fake it till you make it!

Shade: , Size: 7ml, Vegan: Black

Freezeframe Instant Lash Xtreme

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Instant Lash Xtreme, £38

Pros: Comes off easily, clings to every lash, sob-proof (I wore it to a wedding)

Cons: Very expensive, not as bold as I’d like

Rating: 4/5

I was hoping for the crème de la crème of mascaras with this one, considering its eye-wateringly high price. 

It didn’t disappoint.

The aim of this mascara is to give the look of professional lash extensions. I’m not sure if it did that, but it certainly brushed on incredibly smoothly, opened up my eyes and stayed put during a very teary wedding ceremony.

I loved the brush too, which caught every lash and made me look awake and alert (despite a groggy wine head…).

Despite this mascara being budge-proof when I cried and sweated, it was easy to remove at the end of the day, which is always a good thing as I find that overly rubbing my eyes to remove makeup ruins the thin skin that sits around my peepers.

Shade: Black, Size: 8ml, Vegan: Yes

Catrice Pure Volume Mascara Waterproof

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Catrice Pure Volume Mascara Waterproof, £3.95

Pros: Feels expensive, thick brush

Cons: A little clumpy

Rating: 4/5

The first thing I noticed about this bargain mascara was how totally non-bargain it felt. The tube feels quality and I love the gold lid. 

Luckily, the mascara itself is of a decent quality. I actually got caught in a classic British downpour whilst wearing this, with zero brolly or hood. My face was dripping, yet my cheap-as-chips mascara stayed put. So it’s certainly waterproof. 

As for the mascara itself, it applies beautifully, and every lash was caught by the brush.

I did apply a few layers for the darkness I desire, but this is my personal preference. As I am dark-haired, I like my lashes to be extra dark! 

This mascara is also enriched with ricinus oil and almond oil to help nourish lashes and promote hair growth, so I was pretty happy knowing that I was showing my lashes plenty of love.

Shade: Black, Size: 10ml, Vegan: Yes

Collection Lash Surge Waterproof Mascara

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Collection Lash Surge Mascara, £5.99

Pros: Smells delicious, dark intense colour

Cons: Brush gets a little clumpy, smudges

Rating: 3.5/5

The dual wand applicator that comes with this mascara means that an even amount of product is layered on the lashes, so there are fewer clumps and less smudging under the eyes, which is ideal for people like me who are always applying their makeup in a rush.

However, over the course of a morning, I did notice some smudging from this mascara which was annoying as I didn’t realise until I looked in a mirror and had to do a cheeky little undereye sweep with my finger.

Generally though, a good amount of mascara came out when I applied this and I did only need a couple of coats for a really intense set of lashes.

Several of the more expensive mascaras didn’t have this level of intensity, so that’s a big positive for this bargain five quid product.

Shade: Black, Size: 8ml, Vegan: No

Catrice Glam & Doll False Lashes Waterproof Mascara

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Catrice Glam & Doll False Lashes Waterproof Mascara, £3.50 £3.30

Pros: Lovely design, smooth application

Cons: Brush feels quite thin, took a few coats to see visible difference

Rating: 3.5/5

This is another bargain mascara which is ideal for carrying around in your handbag. It costs less than a fiver, so I didn’t feel too precious about it and if I had lost it, I wouldn’t have had a meltdown. 

The brush is curved slightly which contributes to the ‘Glam and Doll False Lash effect’ as it latches to every lash for a really wide-eye appearance. But, I needed several coats to see a big difference and the brush did feel quite thin. 

I did like the fact that the mascara lived up to its waterproof claim as it didn’t budge at all throughout the day and I didn’t need to reapply either.

Again, this mascara just goes to show that the cheaper options can deliver really good results.

Shade: Black, Size: 10ml, Vegan: No

Essence I Love Extreme Crazy Volume Waterproof Mascara

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Essence I Love Extreme Crazy Volume Waterproof Mascara, £2.33 (campaign price)

Pros: Smells lovely, thick and bold, great brush, latched onto every lash, super cheap

Cons: Smudged a little, hard to get off completely

Rating: 3.5/5

A £2.33 mascara that’s actually decent is hard to come by. Until now.

For anyone wanting a cheaper option that works, then this fits the bill. The brush is super thick and although I did need to apply several coats, the brush did grab every lash, giving an even coating of mascara. 

Plus, as the name suggests, this mascara does offer mega volume; my eyes were dark! A gym workout, Pilates, meeting and a dinner date were no bother for this mascara as it stayed put throughout.

It was a little tricky to take off, but for £2.33, I really cannot fault this.

Shade: Black, Size: 12ml, Vegan: No

Essence Lash Princess False Lash Waterproof Mascara

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Essence Lash Princess False Lash Waterproof Mascara, £3.29

Pros: No clumps, total bargain, very sweatproof

Cons: Requires reapplication

Rating: 3/5

Essence is a brand that’s been around for a while, and it’s notorious for its low price-point products.

But low price doesn’t mean bad quality, as this mascara proves.

It stood the test of time when I wore it in the gym during a brutally sweaty boxing session on a Friday morning. There was minimal smudging around the eyes, and when I rubbed my eyes with a towel, I didn’t end up looking like a panda. 

Much like the other cheaper mascaras, you do need a fair few coats to really see the benefit of high-impact lashes, but there was actually minimal clumping on the lashes when I applied this mascara and the colour itself is dark. 

I did reapply a couple of times during the day but this was more so that my lashes were lengthened as opposed to wanting a darker eye. 

Big fan of this one; it’s made it into the gym bag makeup case already.

Shade: Black, Size: 12ml, Vegan: No (but is cruelty-free)

Where can I buy waterproof mascara in the UK?

Finding the perfect waterproof mascara can be a daunting task. However, with numerous options available both in-store and online, you’re definitely spoilt for choice.

Not only does investing in a waterproof mascara promise smudge-free, flake-resistant lashes, but it also provides peace of mind in the face of our unpredictable British weather.

Whether you prefer the convenience of online shopping or the experience of browsing in-store, waterproof mascaras are readily available – so you can effortlessly elevate your lash game.

To help you get started, we’ve listed some of our favourite retailers below:

How much does waterproof mascara cost?

Curious about the cost of achieving smudge-free, waterproof lashes? As with most beauty products, prices can vary depending on factors like brand, formulation and retailer.

From budget-friendly options to high-end splurges, you’ll definitely find something that suits your budget.

To give you an idea of what to expect; in our roundup, the most expensive waterproof mascara was Freezeframe’s Instant Lash Xtreme at £38, which certainly didn’t disappoint.

Meanwhile, the cheapest was Essence I Love Extreme Crazy Volume Waterproof Mascara which at a campaign price of just £2.33 definitely fits the bill if you’re on a tight budget.

Can I wear waterproof mascara while swimming?

Yes! Waterproof mascara is designed to withstand moisture and is often marketed as suitable for activities like swimming.

Its formulation creates a barrier against water, helping to prevent smudging and flaking, even when exposed to splashes or full immersion.

However, while it provides enhanced durability compared to regular mascara, its effectiveness may vary depending on the product, application and how long you’re in the water.

Some people find waterproof mascara ideal for swimming, while others prefer additional eye protection like goggles. See how you get on and what you prefer: personally, we love it if we’re headed to the beach and know there’ll be some splashes!

How to remove waterproof mascara

International makeup artist and content creator Sophia Brad says that a cleansing balm or oil-based cleanser is the best way to remove waterproof mascara.

“Gently massage your closed eyes, feeling how the mascara is dissolving and then rinse it off with warm water or a wipe with a damp cloth,” she says.

“I often double cleanse either with a gel or mousse cleanser or micellar water. Keep in mind that any waterproof product takes a bit longer to remove, so be patient. Needless to say as you’re dealing with your eye area it’s important to be gentle.”

What to look for in a waterproof mascara

“One thing to look for is the word ‘waterproof’ rather than ‘water-resistant’, explains Sophia.

“Just like any other mascara it’s down to the effect you want it to have on your lashes, may it be volume, length, curl, etc.

“Waterproof mascaras tend to feel less wet at application as they contain waxes and some of them contain traces of alcohol, and therefore will dry quicker which also means that after using it for a couple of months some of them can start to crumble a few hours into wearing them. So if you’re a contact lens wearer this might cause you some mild irritation.

“This will be your sign to replace your waterproof mascara – probably sooner than your regular mascara.”

How to stop waterproof mascara from smudging

There is in fact a nifty card trick you can try to neaten up your mascara application.

“Position a business card or bank card on your moving eyelid, apply your mascara and any smudges will end up on the card rather than your eyelid,” says Sophia.

“The rule with any fresh mascara smudges is to let them dry and then remove them with a cotton bud.”

United States President Donald Trump has lambasted his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, describing him as “absolutely crazy” after Moscow launched its largest aerial attack of the war on Ukraine, killing at least 13 people.

Trump’s comments, issued on his Truth Social platform late on Sunday, marked a rare rebuke of Putin.

“I’ve always had a very good relationship with Vladimir Putin of Russia, but something has happened to him. He has gone absolutely CRAZY!” the US president wrote.

“I’ve always said that he wants ALL of Ukraine, not just a piece of it, and maybe that’s proving to be right, but if he does, it will lead to the downfall of Russia!” he added.

The comments came as Ukraine’s Air Force said Russia had launched a record number of drones against Ukraine overnight on Sunday. It said Russian forces deployed 298 drones and 69 missiles, but that it was able to down 266 drones and 45 missiles.

The Russian attack was the largest of the war in terms of weapons fired, although other strikes have killed more people.

Ukraine’s emergency services described an atmosphere of “terror” across the country on Sunday, and regional officials said those killed included victims aged eight, 12 and 17 in the northwestern region of Zhytomyr.

More than 60 others were wounded.

“Without truly strong pressure on the Russian leadership, this brutality cannot be stopped,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on social media.

“The silence of America, the silence of others around the world only encourages Putin,” he said, adding: “Sanctions will certainly help.”

Sanctions

Trump has increasingly voiced irritation with Putin and the inability to resolve the now three-year-old war, which the US leader had promised he would do within days of returning to the White House.

He had long boasted of his friendly relationship with Putin and repeatedly stressed that Russia is more willing than Ukraine to reach a peace deal.

But earlier on Sunday, Trump made it clear that he is losing patience with the Russian president.

“I’m not happy with what Putin’s doing. He’s killing a lot of people. And I don’t know what the hell happened to Putin,” Trump told reporters as he departed northern New Jersey, where he had spent most of the weekend.

“I’ve known him a long time, always gotten along with him, but he’s sending rockets into cities and killing people, and I don’t like it at all.”

Asked if he was considering more sanctions on Russia, Trump said, “Absolutely.”

Trump also criticised Zelenskyy, a more frequent target of his ire, in his social media post, accusing him of “doing his Country no favours by talking the way he does”.

“Everything out of his mouth causes problems, I don’t like it, and it better stop,” he said of Zelenskyy.

Europe condemns Russia

A peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine remains elusive.

Last week, Trump and Putin held a two-hour phone call, after which the US leader said Moscow and Kyiv would “immediately start negotiations towards a ceasefire”.

Putin, however, made no commitment to pause his three-year invasion of Ukraine, announcing only a vague proposal to work on a “memorandum” outlining Moscow’s demands for peace.

That conversation occurred after Russian and Ukrainian officials met in Turkiye for the first face-to-face talks since 2022. But on Thursday, the Kremlin said no direct talks were scheduled.

The Russian attack against Ukraine prompted criticism from Europe, too.

The European Union’s top diplomat, Kaja Kallas, called for “the strongest international pressure on Russia to stop this war”. In a post on X, she said the attacks “again show Russia bent on more suffering and the annihilation of Ukraine. Devastating to see children among innocent victims harmed and killed”.

German Minister for Foreign Affairs Johann Wadephul also denounced the attacks, saying, “Putin does not want peace, he wants to carry on the war and we shouldn’t allow him to do this,” he said.

“For this reason, we will approve further sanctions at a European level.”

The massive attacks on Ukraine came as Russia said it had exchanged another 303 Ukrainian prisoners of war for the same number of Russian soldiers held by Kyiv – the last phase of a swap agreed during talks in Istanbul on May 16.

That marked their biggest prisoner swap since Moscow launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022, with 1,000 captured soldiers and civilian prisoners in total sent back by each side.