Beauty Diorshow Style Mascaras Compared: Volume Showdown for 2026
Three takes on lash drama from Too Faced: maximum volume, natural polish, and bulletproof waterproof. Here is how they compare.
| Factor | Too Faced Better Than Sex Volu | Too Faced Naturally Better Tha | Too Faced Better Than Sex Wate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Formula | Volumizing, dramatic | Natural volume | Waterproof volumizing |
| Brush | Hourglass | Hourglass | Hourglass |
| Finish | Bold, intense | Soft, natural | Bold, drier |
| Best for | Evenings, drama | Daytime, work | Humidity, tears |
| Removal | Standard remover | Standard remover | Oil remover required |
| Comfort | Very comfortable | Most comfortable | Slightly drier |
| Wear time | All day | All day | Longest |
| Price | Mid range | Mid range | Mid range |
Our Verdict
Choose the original Volumizing if you want maximum lash drama, it is the icon for a reason. Choose Naturally Better Than Sex if you want the same quality in a daytime-appropriate finish. Choose Waterproof if humidity, tears, or oily lids destroy your mascara by noon. The smartest buy is the original for most days plus Waterproof for the days that demand it, which covers every situation for the price of two.
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Not sold on either of these two? Here are more bestselling options worth considering.
Best for: Humidity, tears, and all-day bulletproof wear
Too Faced Better Than Sex Waterproof Mascara
- Waterproof volumizing
- Holds curl in humidity
- Same hourglass brush
- Smudge-proof
Pros
- Truly waterproof
- Great volume
- Survives everything
Cons
- Needs oil remover
- Drier formula
- Not for daily use
Want the Full Picture?
Mascara on Hooded Eyes: Beating the Transfer Problem
Hooded eyes defeat mascara at the brow bone and lid crease, where the hood presses against the lashes and transfers product within hours. Volumizing formulas like the Too Faced Better Than Sex line are the highest-risk category here because their bulky, wet formulas offer maximum transfer surface. The hooded-eye test is the four-hour mirror check: transfer at the brow bone means the formula, not the application, is wrong for the eye shape.
The system that works starts with eyeshadow primer across the full lid including up to the brow bone, which blocks the oil that carries the transfer. Setting the primer with translucent powder adds a second barrier. Formula choice is the decisive step: tubing mascaras transfer least on hooded eyes because the polymer sleeves resist the pressure and oil of the hood; the Naturally Better Than Sex formula's lighter texture transfers less than the original's dense volumizing formula. The waterproof version holds best of the three for long days but demands the oil-removal routine. Curling lashes before application also helps by lifting the lash tips away from the hood's contact zone.
Heated Lash Curlers: Pairing With Mascara for All-Day Hold
Heated lash curlers are the curl-hold solution for straight, downward-pointing lashes that mechanical curlers cannot keep up all day. The technique order is curler first on bare lashes, then mascara; applying mascara first and then heating bakes the product and creates the clumpy, stuck-together result nobody wants. The heated curler reshapes the lash's keratin with gentle warmth, and the mascara applied after locks the curl in place.
The combination that holds longest is heated curler plus a tubing or waterproof formula, since both resist the moisture and gravity that drag curls down. Volumizing formulas' weight works against curl hold, which is the trade-off with dramatic formulas like Better Than Sex: maximum volume with softer curl retention. Temperature discipline matters; the curler should feel warm, never hot, against the back of the hand, and contact time stays under ten seconds per section. Daily heated curling plus volumizing mascara is heavy maintenance; reserve the full combination for days when curl truly matters. For sensitive-eye formula considerations, our mascara tips for sensitive eyes cover the ingredient watch list.
Hygiene Habits That Extend Tube Life Safely
Mascara hygiene determines both safety and performance, and the habits are specific. Never pump the wand; the plunging motion forces air into the tube, drying the formula and introducing contaminants, while a slow twist loads the wand properly. Never share mascara under any circumstances; eye infections transfer directly through shared wands. The three-month replacement clock starts at opening, not purchase, so mark the opening date.
Contamination signs are a sour or chemical smell change, sudden clumping in a previously smooth formula, and eye irritation that tracks to a specific tube. The Better Than Sex waterproof version needs the same replacement discipline despite its tougher film; waterproof does not mean preservative-forever. Storing mascara in a cool, dry place rather than a steamy bathroom extends formula stability. If an eye infection occurs, discard every eye product in current use, not just the mascara, since cross-contamination is certain. Removal methods that protect lash health are detailed in our makeup removal guide, and volumizing technique in our volumizing mascara guide.
Brush Cleaning: The Overlooked Maintenance
Mascara wands accumulate dried product between uses, and a clogged wand applies clumpy no matter how good the formula. Every few weeks, wipe the wand with a makeup wipe to remove the buildup caked between bristles, which restores the separation the brush was designed to give. Never wash the wand with water and return it to the tube, since water introduces contamination into the formula. If the wand is permanently gunked, the tube is likely past its prime anyway and due for replacement. A clean wand is the cheapest performance upgrade any mascara can get.