Testing the internet’s most viral tubing mascaras
Alleyoop vs. Thrive
Maggie Jones - July 1, 2024 | It Girl Finds
Maggie Jones - August 13, 2024 | It Girl Finds
Testing the internet’s most viral tubing mascaras
Alleyoop vs. Thrive
Tubing mascara is sweeping the lashes of the nation and, I’m embarrassed to say, it took me far too long to hear about it. After one internet search vortex, I found rave reviews boasting no smudge, no budge, everlasting lash perfection and easy removal. Tubing mascara wraps around each lash for a natural coat using flake-free polymers (apparently regular mascaras use wax and oils that easily smudge and smear). Cut to me frantically adding to cart.
If you hate mascaras that flake and give raccoon eyes, tubing mascara is the newest makeup craze. It creates tiny tubes around each lash instead of painting your lashes in oils and waxes – and it’s truly life-changing. But tubing mascaras aren't all made equal! My most recent makeup rabbit hole revealed two viral mascaras that I was stoked to test out in a Battle of the Lashes: Go The Distance by Alleyoop and Thrive’s Liquid Lash Extension. To my surprise, this experiment reignited my passion for eye makeup. Here’s how it went:
In true It Girl fashion, I’m committed to being the tubing-mascara-guinea-pig to find you the best one out there. After much deliberation, I narrowed the choices down to these two cult-favorites: Go The Distance by Alleyoop and Thrive’s Liquid Lash Extension. I tried them both so you don’t have to. Here’s how it went:
Both Alleyoop’s and Thrive’s tubing mascaras claim superior length. However, after doing a side-by-side with one mascara on each eye, Alleyoop's Go The Distance seemed to “grab” each lash in quick easy strokes, whereas Thrive required some considerable effort to avoid clumping and spidery lashes.
The Lengthening /Anti-Clump Round
1
Both Alleyoop’s and Thrive’s tubing mascaras claim superior length, and if I tried each mascara separately, I probably would have been happy with either one. However, after doing a side-by-side with one mascara on each eye, Alleyoop's Go The Distance seemed to “grab” each lash, whereas Thrive clumped up some of my lashes a bit more.
The Formula Round
A notable difference between these two mascaras is that Alleyoop’s is infused with natural strengthening and boosting lash-serum-esque ingredients. After using each mascara over the course of a couple of weeks, I did notice some surprising growth! While Thrive claims “healthy looking lashes”, I can’t say I noticed a difference over time like I did with Alleyoop.
2
After using each mascara over the course of a couple of weeks, I noticed some surprising growth from my Alleyoop eyelashes, which sent me on a side quest to look deeper into each mascara’s formula. I did a bit of research, and was pleasantly surprised to find that Alleyoop is actually a 2-in-1 lash serum and mascara. Go The Distance actually grows your lashes over time, whereas Thrive is just a tubing mascara.
The Longevity Round
I’ve just never been a makeup re-applier, so longevity is high on my priority list. Both mascaras did a great job at staying on my lashes for most of the day. After getting home from the gym, I thought that Alleyoop’s formula held on a little stronger–even after the stairmaster.
3
My toxic trait is that I will not reapply makeup throughout the day. Both mascaras did a great job at staying on my lashes for most of the day. After getting home from the gym, though, I thought that Alleyoop’s formula still looked the slightest bit in-tact after my incessant sweating. I was super impressed that I didn't have to reapply the Alleyoop mascara post-gym, even after 30 minutes on the stair climber and weightlifting.
The Freshness Round
There’s nothing worse than a mascara that dries out quickly, so I kept a close eye (pun intended) on how long these mascaras stayed fresh in their tubes. I noticed that Thrive’s formula got tacky and dry quickly – and to my disappointment, it was harder to get the mascara out of the tube. I didn’t have this problem with Alleyoop, and I’m assuming that its serum gave it a nice “slip” that makes the formula move freely throughout the tube.
4
I was most excited to see which of these mascaras came off easier. I was eager to see if either of these formulas would simply melt off with warm water. In all honesty, I had to call a tie on this round. I was so relieved to find that my Alleyoop eye got clean pretty quickly, and that the Thrive mascara followed suit. Just as both brands claim, these mascaras can, quite literally, just be removed using warm water.
I added this round for the sensitive eye girlies and I was blown away by how gentle Alleyoop was on my incessantly irritated eyes. I completely forgot I was wearing mascara until looking in the mirror. Thrive actually left my eyes red and itchy at times–it turns out, I’m not the only one. After some research I found that the Thrive mascara has an irritating ingredient called LAURETH-21, which is a type of alcohol with a D score on the EWG. To me, that's a big no. Ophthalmologist-approved Alleyoop wins this one.
Sensitive Eye Round
5
After my all-day experiment, I decided that I was partial to Alleyoop’s Go The Distance Mascara. I think this mascara gives you more bang for your buck (it’s also $3 less than Thrive Causemetics’ Liquid Lash Extensions), and it truly looks gorgeous on your lashes. Plus, it was so fun to get back to my roots to find the mascara that would have completed little me’s eye makeup dreams!
I have sensitive eyes and after wearing both mascaras all day, the Alleyoop mascara didn't irritate my eyes at all! Thrive left my eyes slighty red and itchy. I did some research and found out that the Thrive mascara has an irritating ingredient called LAURETH-21, which is a type of alcohol with a D score on the EWG. To me, that's a huge win for Alleyoop.
My Final Thoughts
After this two-week experiment, I’m passing the gold medal to Alleyoop’s Go The Distance Mascara. The bang for your buck (it’s also $3 less than Thrive Causemetics’ Liquid Lash Extensions), the natural fluttery look, its gentle lash-boosting ingredients, and its sensitive-eye-approved formula made this an obvious choice. It took me long enough, but I’m finally a tubing mascara convert and officially part of Alleyoop’s diehard fan base.
6
I was most excited to see which of these mascaras came off easier. I was eager to see if either of these formulas would simply melt off with warm water. In all honesty, I had to call a tie on this round. I was so relieved to find that my Alleyoop eye got clean pretty quickly, and that the Thrive mascara followed suit. Just as both brands claim, these mascaras can, quite literally, just be removed using warm water.
After my all-day experiment, I decided that I was partial to Alleyoop’s Go The Distance Mascara. I think this mascara gives you more bang for your buck (it’s also $3 less than Thrive Causemetics’ Liquid Lash Extensions), and it truly looks gorgeous on your lashes. Plus, it was so fun to get back to my roots to find the mascara that would have completed little me’s eye makeup dreams!
It Girl Finds. | All Rights Reserved
Tubing mascara is sweeping the lashes of the nation and, I’m embarrassed to say, it took me far too long to hear about it. After one internet search vortex, I found rave reviews boasting no smudge, no budge, everlasting lash perfection and easy removal. Tubing mascara wraps around each lash for a natural coat using flake-free polymers (apparently regular mascaras use wax and oils that easily smudge and smear). Cut to me frantically adding to cart.
In true It Girl fashion, I’m committed to being the tubing-mascara-guinea-pig to find you the best one out there. After much deliberation, I narrowed the choices down to these two cult-favorites: Go The Distance by Alleyoop and Thrive’s Liquid Lash Extension. I tried them both so you don’t have to. Here’s how it went:
The Lengthening /Anti-Clump Round
1
Both Alleyoop’s and Thrive’s tubing mascaras claim superior length. However, after doing a side-by-side with one mascara on each eye, Alleyoop's Go The Distance seemed to “grab” each lash in quick easy strokes, whereas Thrive required some considerable effort to avoid clumping and spidery lashes.
The Formula Round
2
A notable difference between these two mascaras is that Alleyoop’s is infused with natural strengthening and boosting lash-serum-esque ingredients. After using each mascara over the course of a couple of weeks, I did notice some surprising growth! While Thrive claims “healthy looking lashes”, I can’t say I noticed a difference over time like I did with Alleyoop.
The Longevity Round
3
I’ve just never been a makeup re-applier, so longevity is high on my priority list. Both mascaras did a great job at staying on my lashes for most of the day. After getting home from the gym, I thought that Alleyoop’s formula held on a little stronger–even after the stairmaster.
The Freshness Round
4
There’s nothing worse than a mascara that dries out quickly, so I kept a close eye (pun intended) on how long these mascaras stayed fresh in their tubes. I noticed that Thrive’s formula got tacky and dry quickly – and to my disappointment, it was harder to get the mascara out of the tube. I didn’t have this problem with Alleyoop, and I’m assuming that its serum gave it a nice “slip” that makes the formula move freely throughout the tube.
Sensitive Eye Round
5
I added this round for the sensitive eye girlies and I was blown away by how gentle Alleyoop was on my incessantly irritated eyes. I completely forgot I was wearing mascara until looking in the mirror. Thrive actually left my eyes red and itchy at times–it turns out, I’m not the only one. After some research I found that the Thrive mascara has an irritating ingredient called LAURETH-21, which is a type of alcohol with a D score on the EWG. To me, that's a big no. Ophthalmologist-approved Alleyoop wins this one.
My Final Thoughts
6
After my all-day experiment, I decided that I was partial to Alleyoop’s Go The Distance Mascara. I think this mascara gives you more bang for your buck (it’s also $3 less than Thrive Causemetics’ Liquid Lash Extensions), and it truly looks gorgeous on your lashes. Plus, it was so fun to get back to my roots to find the mascara that would have completed little me’s eye makeup dreams!