In our series Trial Run, TZR editors and writers put the buzziest new beauty products to the test and share their honest reviews. Clean mascara aficionados rejoice - new beauty brand Caliray (from Urban Decay founder Wende Zomnir and business partner Jenna Dover) recently released its Come Hell or High Water Mascara, a water-resistant formula that promises to lengthen and nourish lashes with zero harsh chemicals.
Now, you might be thinking, "And why exactly should I be excited about a water-resistant formula?" Well, this is a big deal for the clean mascara community since most options flake and smudge easily (due to an absence of waxes that provide hold in traditional mascara formulas). Additionally, most clean mascaras refrain from using waterproof or water-resistant technology as many of those ingredients don’t meet the typical standards of clean. But now, with this tubing option, those tell-tale dark undereyes are a thing of the past.
The lack of chemicals is a huge plus for these types of formulas, but I still find myself reaching for traditional formulas when I know that I’ll have a busy day that requires extra hold from my mascara. Additionally, this mascara contains argan oil to condition the lashes while you wear it, which is a nice plus, since most water-resistant and waterproof formulas tend to be drying.
As explained, most clean mascaras are notorious for smudging or flaking after a few hours of wear - and waterproof options are few and far between. So, what sets this formula apart from the rest, you might ask? Well, it’s a clean tubing mascara, which is very rare in the clean beauty world. If you need a bit of a refresher as to what a tubing mascara is, it’s a formula that contains polymers that bind to one another on the lashes, creating a water- and smudge-resistant tube of product that surrounds each lash. Think of tubing technology as temporary caps of pigment that attach to and surround your individual lash hairs, leading to a smudge-free separation. This is different from traditional mascara formulas that (somewhat haphazardly) deposit pigment onto lashes to make them darker, thicker, and/or longer.
The Come Hell or High Water Mascara isn’t just nice on your lashes - it treats the earth kindly, too. This tube is made from 100% ocean plastic, and its packaging comes from 100% post-consumer recycled paper.
Does This Mascara Live Up To Its Name?
So, yes, on paper, the Caliray mascara has a lot going for it, but I’ve been let down by clean formulas before. However, I’m happy to report that this mascara not only works (meaning my lashes looked beautifully long and fluttery) but it also held up when I used my favorite facial mist mid-day - no running pigment or droopy lashes in sight. I’m finally able to spray my face and keep my skin hydrated and happy without having to get up from my WFH station to fix any smudges in the mirror.
I also noticed that this mascara holds very well throughout the day, even when I walked three miles outdoors. I’ve tried wearing the mascara to the gym as well (which I never do) just to put it to the ultimate test. After my elliptical routine, I was left with a bright red face and zero traces of mascara on my under eyes. Impressive!
The brush itself is fairly thin, which makes applying the Come Hell or High Water formula onto my lower lashes and around the corners of my eyes a breeze. Plus, with just one coat, the color payoff is incredible - the formula is quite black, which helps define each of my lashes from root to tip. I also find that, for a clean formula, this brush does an exceptional job at lengthening my lashes - people have even been asking me where I get my lashes done. They really look that long.
Plus, the removal is incredibly easy (remember, it’s water-resistant, not water-proof). I take a warm, damp muslin cloth and massage my lashes until the dark tubes release. No pulling or harsh tugging required.
Is It Worth the Price Tag?
So, would I recommend the Come Hell or High Water Mascara? Let me frame this rhetorically: Do I recommend a $24 mascara with a clean and water-resistant formula, eco-friendly packaging, intense color payoff, all while supporting an emerging brand? Of course. The $24 price tag is comparable to most mascaras currently on the market, but with remarkable, long-lasting results for a clean formula.
Does this belong in someone’s makeup routine if they’re looking to add va-va-voom volume to their upcoming holiday makeup looks? Perhaps not, since this formula errs on the lengthening side and feels more subtle and suitable for everyday wear. Still, I’d recommend this to anyone looking to up the ante on their daily routine while still keeping their lashes conditioned and their product collection clean.
We only include products that have been independently selected by TZR's editorial team. This Caliray mascara review was a little tricky to write. Especially because there are things I like about this mascara, and things I don’t love. If you’re unfamiliar with Caliray Beauty, let me give you the 411. Caliray was founded in 2020 by Wendy Zomnir and Jenna Dover. Zomnir founded Urban Decay, and Caliray is her latest venture. Plus, the marketing on this product is out of this world.
The packaging on this mascara is pretty standard. It’s a black mascara tube with a “baby teddy bear brush,” according to the description. This brush type helps ensure that you’re coating each individual lash. Another thing to note is that the packaging is made with 100% ocean plastic. One of the things that Caliray prides itself on the most is its clean ingredients. This formula contains 2% argan oil, a triple-wax mix, and film-forming agents, too.
This Caliray mascara review would be pointless without discussing the application of this mascara. To apply this pick, you just swipe it on your lashes just as you would any other mascara. Depending on how thick you like your lashes to be, you might find that you need multiple coats of Caliray Come Hell or High Water mascara. One thing I do like about the applicator is that it’s thinner than the regular volumizing mascaras that I often use.
This tubing formula is a bit tricky. After you apply it to your lashes, it stays a bit wet before drying down. It feels a lot more wet than other mascaras I use. Perhaps that’s because it is a tubing formula. You need to wait a minute or two before applying another coat of this mascara so that it can dry down.
I think this mascara is pretty easy to remove. Especially because it is a tubing mascara-it’s supposed to be easier to remove than a regular mascara. I wouldn’t say that you can easily just remove it with water. This mascara is not the type of formula that I normally reach for (i.e., super volumizing). Personally, I love a heavy mascara that adds a lot of drama, volume, and length. The Caliray mascara is not one of those. This mascara certainly is subtle. Personally, I don’t think it does a ton for my lashes, especially because I have pretty straight lashes that really need a curl. I think this is a good option for anyone who likes a really subtle lash look. I’ve got a few friends who prefer a light layer of mascara, rather than heavily-coated lashes. I do like using this on my bottom lashes, though.
One note: this mascara is water resistant, so I wouldn’t classify it as an easy removal. Obviously, you need to start with clean lashes before applying any mascara to them. You’re definitely going to want to curl your lashes before applying this Caliray mascara, because I don’t think it gives a lot of curl on its own. After you’ve curled your lashes, you can start by applying one coat of mascara onto your top and bottom lashes. Feel free to apply more coats to your lashes while they are still wet. Then, I would wait a minute or two and apply another round of coats to really get the mascara formula onto your lashes.
There are not very many places where you can purchase the Caliray mascara. I hope you enjoyed this Caliray mascara review! Caliray isn’t the only brand that has some products that are a flop, and others that I think are great (I love the Caliray primer and the lip + cheek tint). Check out my Laura Geller makeup review to see what I think is worth buying and what isn’t.
While each product featured is independently selected by our editors, we may include paid promotion. If you buy something through our links, we may earn commission. I'm sure you've heard of Urban Decay. It was founded in 1996 by Wende Zomnir, and it's pretty much taken the beauty world by storm ever since. Now Zomnir, with the help of her business partner Jenna Dover, is launching a brand-new company called Caliray, and it's projected to make waves just like its predecessor. Caliray, which officially hit the market on Oct. 19, launched with two products - Caliray Come Hell or High Water Mascara ($24) and the Surfproof Easy Glider Eye Definer Waterproof Pencil ($20) - in bright, sunny packaging inspired by the brand's birthplace, southern California.
Out of all the beauty products I own - and I own a lot - mascaras are always my favorite to test, and considering I have plenty of Urban Decay products in my makeup collection, I couldn't wait to test out the Come Hell or High Water Mascara. I'm picky when it comes to my formulas, but I don't have a type, per se. It really depends on my mood. Sometimes I like a really skinny wand with short bristles that gives me all the length; sometimes, I want a fat brush in the shape of an hourglass that will give me falsies-level volume. Caliray's debut mascara has a skinny, pointed wand with a slight cone shape and the bristles are soft and dense. It's a tubing formula - meaning polymers in the formula wrap around each individual lash rather than just sit on top of them - which helps lengthen, while the tightly-packed bristles also volumize. It's "clean," in that it doesn't include mineral oils, alcohol, sulfates, parabens, or cyclic silicones, and promises a long-wearing, water-resistant finish. The ultra-black pigment itself is super creamy and contains two percent argan oil to condition your natural lashes.
I've tried my fair share of tubing mascaras over the years and, while I love the result, I usually have trouble with them flaking under my eyes. I was prepared for that with the Come Hell or High Water Mascara but - spoiler alert - it never came, but I'm getting ahead of myself. The first thing I noticed about the mascara when I tried it was how smooth the formula was. When I say there were zero clumps, I mean it. It coated my lashes from root to tip in velvety pigment and built on length in the process. As for the brush, I swear it was plucked straight from my dreams. The bristles gripped each of my lashes without clumping them together. I love how thin it is because it allows you to get in the corners of your eyes and on your bottom lash line without getting everywhere. knowing that I had a long night ahead of me. With a dinner planned for after work, I wanted to test just how long this mascara would live up to its long-wearing claims. While eating, I made a quick trip to the restaurant bathroom to check for smudges but I didn't have any under my eyes like I occasionally do. The only time Caliray's mascara budged was when I went to wash it off with warm water and an oil-based cleanser at the end of the night and even still, I had to gently roll my lashes between my fingers before the pigment came off in tubes.
I could wax poetic about this mascara for hours, but you get the point. If you're someone who prefers your mascara to give you super dramatic, fluffy lashes, you may not love the Caliray Come Hell or High Water Mascara as much as me because it is more on the natural-looking side. But if you want something that makes you look like you just woke up with perfect lashes without even trying, this is for you.