Best Japanese Mascara Top Coats

Must-Buy Waterproof Mascara Top Coats for Smudge-Free Eye Makeup 

Do you want your favourite mascara to be smudge-free and hold curls all day? If you find your mascara is smudging or your lashes going downwards especially in hot and humid weather, I’d highly recommend you to try using a mascara top coat.

Mascara top coat is a makeup product that you apply over mascara to make it last longer and maximize the results. With just one coat, mascara top coat transforms mascaras to be waterproof and smudge-proof and helps to hold beautiful curls for hours.

Here are my picks of the best Japanese waterproofing mascara top coats to achieve smudge-free eyelashes with a long-lasting curl.

*Please note that this article contains affiliate links.


1. CANMAKE Quick Lash Curler

Copyright © CANMAKE

CANMAKE Quick Lash Curler (キャンメイク クイックラッシュカーラー) is a 3-in-1 beauty product that can act as a lash primer, mascara and top coat. The product won multiple beauty awards including the Best Cosmetics Awards by @cosme. It’s design to create long-lasting curl and enhance the effects of mascara when you apply it on top. The double sided comb lifts up the lashes with the short side and separates them beautifully with the long side. With the waterproof formula, it prevents smudging due to water, sweat and humidity, and keeps the bold and curly lashes. It contains treatment ingredients to condition the lashes. It’s available with 5 shades(clear colour, black, brow, mauve and orange).

Price: 748 yen 【Shop Online】

2. KOSE Curl Keep Magic

Copyright © 1996–2020 KOSE Corporation.

KOSE Curl Keep Magic (コーセー カールキープマジック) is a multi-functioned eye makeup product that can be used as a primer, mascara and top coat. It helps to create upwards eyelashes, lock them in place quickly and hold curls for hours. It beautifully separates the lashes and gives a natural glossy finish without clumping. With fibers, it also adds natural length to the lashes. The waterproof formula withstands water, sweat and sebum, and prevents mascara from smudging. Contains lash nourishing ingredients such as camellia oil and squalane.

Price: 990 yen 【Shop Online】

3. MAQuillAGE Full Vision Gloss Coat Mascara

Copyright © Shiseido Co., Ltd.

MAQuillAGE Full Vision Gloss Coat Mascara (マキアージュ フルビジョン グロスコート マスカラ) is a translucent top coat that gives lashes a natural length and glossy finish. It prevents smudging and enhances luster when you apply over mascara. The three-effector comb lifts up the lashes from the roots, comb every lashes even around corners of eyes and lower lashes, and separate them beautifully. It’s blended with eyelash repairing and moisturizing ingredients.

Price: 2,200 yen 【Shop Online】

4. DHC Eyebrow & Mascara Coat

Copyright © DHC Corporation

DHC Eyebrow & Mascara Coat (DHCアイブロー&マスカラコート) is a coating agent that prevents your eyebrow and lash makeup from fading and smudging, and keeps a beautiful finish for long time. The fast-drying transparent formula contains “keep coat” ingredients and coats eyebrows and lashes quickly. With excellent waterproof and oil-proof effects, it prevents makeup smudging by sebum, sweat, water and friction. The lightweight “soft keep” formula gives a natural finish without stickiness. The soft brush is specially designed to apply evenly without putting burden on the skin. It’s blended with treatment ingredients to condition the eyebrows and lashes. It’s free of paraben, oil and fragrance.

Price: 1,100 yen 【Shop Online】

5. UZU BY FLOWFUSHI MOTE MASCARA CLEAR

© FLOWFUSHI, Inc.

UZU BY FLOWFUSHI MOTE MASCARA CLEAR is a transparent mascara that repairs and gives luster to the lashes damaged by dryness or extensions. It can be used as a mascara base and top coat, and provides a beautiful finish that lasts 1.5 times longer. It features WP Film that combines world-class water resistance and a bold finish. Although it’s waterproof, it can be easily washed off with lukewarm water. Inspired by the biomimetics, the brush is fully customized for ideal results, using the latest technology. It contains 100% natural derived ingredient Endmineral that gives the lashes a skin care effect with every use. It’s hypoallergenic and free of alcohol, paraben and fragrance.

Price: 1,980 yen 【Shop Online】

6. Pmel Perfect Lash Base & Coat

Copyright © 2021 pdc,INC.

Pmel Perfect Lash Base & Coat (ピメル パーフェクトラッシュベース&コート) is a multi-functioned eye makeup product that acts as mascara primer, top coat and clear mascara. The fast-drying curl keep formula quickly locks an ideal curl of the lashes and keep it for hours. The soft slim brush makes it easy to create beautifully separated lashes without making clumps. It’s waterproof and highly resistant to sweat, water and smudging. 3 kinds of beauty oils ( camellia oil, kreatin and squalane) are blended to nourish the lashes.

Price: 1,100 yen 【Shop Online】


Mascara topcoat enhances the effects of mascara and locks in the perfect look of eyelashes for hours, therefore, you may sometimes find it hard to remove by regular soap or face wash. For gentle cleanse without putting burden on your skin or lashes, I’d highly recommend to use special makeup removers to cleanse waterproof and stubborn makeup.

Please check out the link below for the best Japanese waterproof makeup removers!

Listed mascara topcoats are widely available at drugstores, variety stores and cosmetics shops in Japan, but you can also purchase some of them from abroad! Check an online store Kokoro, offering a wide range of Japanese beauty products with worldwide shipping. Visit their website (Kokoro: http://bit.ly/32HfNbi) to check more Japanese cosmetics products!

For more latest Japanese beauty products, please check out these articles, too!

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"The world is my oyster" A globetrotter 🌎 and hammock lover 🌞 who loves taking adventures to fuel wanderlust. Born and raised in Japan, I have spend almost a decade living and exploring countries across the world. Based on my travel experience, I'd love to share my knowledge and tips for travelling with my readers. I hope my stories help you plan your trip and have a great time in Japan 🌈