I’ve tried a lot of mascaras. Most of them promise the world—length, volume, "life-proof" wear—and then promptly flake into my eyes by noon or give me raccoon streaks the second I get misty-eyed over a Thai life insurance commercial. But Caliray Come Hell or High Water is different. It’s a tubing mascara, which already puts it in a specific lane, but the way it handles humidity and actual, literal water is kind of wild.
Jenni Kayne’s sister, Wende Zomnir (you might know her as the mastermind behind Urban Decay), launched Caliray with a vibe that feels very "California surf culture meets clean beauty." It isn't just marketing fluff. The brand leans hard into sustainability, but honestly? Most people just want to know if their lashes will look like spider legs or if the stuff will actually stay on during a sweaty hot yoga session.
Tubing mascaras work by creating tiny polymer "tubes" around each individual lash. They don't just paint the hair; they encase it. This is why Caliray Come Hell or High Water doesn't smudge. It physically can't. Smudging happens when oils from your skin break down the waxes in traditional mascara. Since this is a film-forming formula, oil doesn't really stand a chance.
What's actually inside this ocean-friendly tube?
If you look at the ingredient list, you’ll see stuff like 2% Argan Oil. That’s not just there to sound fancy on the Sephora page. It keeps the lashes from feeling like crunchy twigs, which is a common complaint with long-wear formulas. It’s also "clean," a term that gets thrown around a lot, but here it specifically refers to the absence of certain parabens and silicones that some people prefer to avoid.
The packaging is where the brand gets nerdy. The tube is made from 100% upcycled ocean plastic. The box is FSC-certified paper. Even the shipping materials are compostable. Usually, "eco-friendly" mascara is synonymous with "smudge-prone mess," but Zomnir seems to have cracked the code by using high-performance polymers that mimic the staying power of her old-school waterproof hits without the toxic baggage.
It feels light. Like, really light. You know that heavy, "I can feel my eyelashes" sensation? You don't get that here.
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The brush is weirdly small, and that's the point
The wand is a classic teddy-bear style brush but scaled down. It’s small. Portable. Great for getting into those tiny inner corner lashes without poking your eyeball out. If you’re looking for that massive, fake-lash, drag-queen volume, this might actually disappoint you at first. It’s a lengthening and defining situation.
I’ve found that it takes about two coats to get a "noticeable" look. One coat is very "no-makeup makeup." It’s subtle.
Why the removal process feels like a horror movie
Here is where people freak out. To take off Caliray Come Hell or High Water, you don't need makeup remover. In fact, oil-based removers barely touch it. You just need warm water and a little bit of pressure.
When you wash it off, the "tubes" slide off your lashes. They look like little black hairs or legs in the sink. The first time I did it, I genuinely thought my eyelashes were falling out. They weren't. It’s just the polymer sleeves sliding off. It’s strangely satisfying once you get used to it, and the best part is you aren't scrubbing the delicate skin around your eyes with harsh chemicals.
Does it actually hold up to the name?
Let’s talk about the "Hell or High Water" claim. I wore this to a funeral in Florida. If that isn't the ultimate test of a mascara—extreme humidity combined with actual crying—I don't know what is.
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It did not budge. No flaking. No gray shadows under my eyes.
However, there is a catch. Because it’s a tubing formula, it doesn't hold a curl as well as a traditional waterproof mascara containing heavy waxes and resins. If you have bone-straight lashes that refuse to stay up, you’ll want to use a lash curler extensively before applying, and maybe even hit it with a hair dryer for two seconds (carefully!) to lock the shape.
How it stacks up against the competition
You’ve probably heard of Blinc or Thrive Causemetics Liquid Lash Extensions. Those are the big dogs in the tubing world. Caliray is more "natural" looking than Thrive. Thrive gives you that dramatic length that can look a bit chunky if you aren't careful. Caliray is more fluttery.
- Caliray: Soft, natural, extreme comfort, easy removal.
- Thrive: Dramatic length, fiber-heavy, can sometimes flake if you rub your eyes.
- Glossier Lash Slick: Very similar vibe, but not a "true" tubing mascara in the sense that it doesn't slide off in perfect tubes as easily.
One thing people get wrong is thinking "water-resistant" means "I can swim laps in the pool for an hour." While it can handle a splash or a rainy walk, if you soak your face in warm water and then rub your eyes, the mascara will come off. That’s literally how it’s designed to be removed. So, if you’re a competitive swimmer, stick to the heavy-duty, waterproof stuff that requires industrial-grade solvent to remove.
Sustainability isn't just a buzzword here
The beauty industry produces a staggering amount of waste. Most mascara tubes are made of mixed materials that can't be recycled. Caliray’s use of Oceanworks reclaimed plastic is a legitimate step toward circularity. It’s not perfect—no consumption is—but it’s better than adding more virgin plastic to the landfill every three months.
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And you should be replacing your mascara every three months. Seriously. The bacteria buildup is real.
Common mistakes when applying Caliray
Don't let the first coat dry completely before adding the second. If you do, the tubes can get a bit clumpy because they're trying to grip onto a hardened surface. Work one eye at a time. Wiggle the wand at the base to get the pigment deep into the lash line, then sweep up.
If you find it’s flaking during the day, it usually means you’ve applied it over an oily eye cream that hasn't sunk in yet. Give your skincare ten minutes to dry before you go in with the mascara.
Final verdict for the skeptical buyer
If you hate the "raccoon eye" look and have sensitive eyes that get irritated by traditional waterproof formulas, Caliray Come Hell or High Water is a solid win. It’s not a miracle worker for volume, but for daily wear that survives sweat, tears, and humidity, it's one of the best on the market right now.
It feels like a product made by people who actually live in their makeup, not just people who look at it in a studio. It’s messy to remove (visually), but kind to your lashes.
Next steps for your lash routine:
- Check your current mascara's expiration date. If you can’t remember when you bought it, toss it.
- Prep your canvas. If you struggle with curl, use a high-quality curler like the Kevyn Aucoin or Shiseido ones before applying any tubing formula.
- Try the "Warm Water" test. Next time you're in the shower, don't use soap on your eyes. Just let the warm water hit your lashes and gently pinch with your fingertips to see the tubes slide off.
- Recycle the wand. Once you finish the tube, clean the wand with soap and donate it to organizations like "Wands for Wildlife" that use them to groom small animals.