I Finally Found a Mascara That Doesn’t Make Me Look Like a Raccoon by 2 PM

By Sarah M. | Updated October 24, 2023

Listen, I’ve spent way too much money on “holy grail” mascaras that end up flaking off into my eyeballs or leaving dark circles under my eyes before lunchtime. I have those typical “stubborn” lashes—they aren’t super short, but they are incredibly straight and refuse to hold a curl. If I don’t use the right formula, I basically look like I have no eyelashes at all.

So, when I kept seeing the O’CHEAL 4D Volumizing Mascara popping up in my feed, I was skeptical. It claims to be waterproof, lengthening, curling, and non-smudging. That’s a lot of promises for one tube. But for $21.95? I figured, why not. I’ve spent double that on high-end brands that did absolutely nothing for me. I’ve been testing this out for the past two weeks, and I gotta say, I have some thoughts.

The First Impression: That Brush is Different

The first thing I noticed when I twisted open the O’CHEAL tube wasn’t actually the formula, but the brush. It’s this slim, spiral-shaped head that looks almost like a little screw. Apparently, it has over 200 alternating bristles. Most “volumizing” mascaras have those huge, chunky brushes that are impossible to use without getting product all over your eyelids. This one is different—it’s thin enough to get right into the roots.

There’s also this “innovative bottle mouth” thing they mention. Here’s the thing: it actually works. You know how with most mascaras, you pull the wand out and it’s covered in a big gloop of black ink at the tip? This bottle seems to scrape off the excess perfectly. I didn’t have to wipe the wand on a tissue once, which is a game-changer for someone as messy as me.

Application: The “Wiggle” Technique

I followed the instructions and started at the base of my upper lashes. I did the “wiggle” thing—you know, moving the brush back and forth as you sweep upward. The first coat was very natural. It definitely lengthened my lashes, but it didn’t give me that “false lash” look immediately.

However, the second coat is where the magic happened. Because the formula is quick-drying, I didn’t have to wait forever between layers. It built up the volume without making my lashes look like spider legs. The 0.15mm tooth spacing on the comb really helps in separating each hair. I’ve used mascaras before where three lashes just clump together into one thick spike, but this kept them all fanned out. It felt very lightweight, almost silky smooth, which I appreciated because I hate that “heavy” feeling on my lids.

Is it Actually Waterproof? (The Sweat Test)

Here’s where I get really picky. I live in a place that’s pretty humid, and I also tend to rub my eyes without thinking. I wore this mascara to a 45-minute spin class—yes, I’m that person—just to see if it would survive.

I was expecting to come out looking like a goth kid in a rainstorm, but honestly? It didn’t budge. No smudging, no “panda eyes,” nothing. The waterproof claim is legit. It resists sweat and humidity like a pro. If you’re looking for the best waterproof mascara for short lashes that actually stays put, this is a very strong contender.

How It Compares

To give you a better idea of where this sits in the market, I put together a little comparison with two other popular mascaras I’ve used recently.

The Pros & Cons: Let’s Be Real

Nothing is perfect, right? While I’m currently obsessed with this mascara, there are a few things you should know before you hit that “buy” button.

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