There’s something about back-to-school time that calls for a refresh. That’s why this week, we’re throwing it back to the basics: putting “easy” makeup hacks to the test and a spotlight on the simple products that’ll make a big difference. Class is now in session.

Sometimes I think the lash gods have it out for me. How else do I explain the fact that every single mascara, even the most smudge-resistant, waterproof of the bunch leaves me with dark circles ringing my eyes? “Stays in place all day long!” “Won’t come off without 14 gallons of makeup remover!” “This will be on your lashes for the rest of your life!” Yeah, I’ve heard all of the claims. Maybe for someone blessed with less oily lids than mine, but “on for the rest of my life” in my case means “on until you order lunch.”

I’d resigned myself to a life of accidental walk-of-shame mascara smears until I stumbled upon L’Oréal’s Double Extend Beauty Tubes Mascara. This unsung hero of the mascara world launched way back in 2008, when I was nothing more than a wee baby beauty editor. It’s a double-sided situation, with one end housing a primer and the other a lash “topcoat” (marketing speak for mascara, apparently).

What makes this particular lash lengthener so special is the technology. You’ve probably heard of mascara tubes before—they were a big thing back in the ’00s—but at the time it was revolutionary. For those unfamiliar, tube mascara involves a formula that uses a type of polymer to create a physical coating around the lash, physically lengthening and thickening each strand.

I’m not big on primers, so I ignored the nourishing basecoat and zeroed in on the mascara. The brush is nice and fluffy, as I wholeheartedly believe all mascara brushes should be. I swiped it through my lashes and applied a second coat for good measure. Then I went off along my merry little way.

Fast forward a few hours to the afternoon and my daily bathroom-mirror check. Usually, this would be the part of the day where I would be dabbing a tissue under my eyes, trying to get rid of the dark shadows while simultaneously maneuvering to avoid rubbing off the undereye concealer hiding my hereditary dark circles. Instead, I was staring confusedly at a conspicuous lack of smearing. What was this, a trick mirror?

As the day wore on, my mascara stayed right where I’d put it, never migrating or succumbing to the oil attempting to dislodge it. Convinced it was a fluke, I used it all week, checking the mirror each afternoon and finding the same smudge-free results. It even lasted through a happy hour turned margarita rager I felt the need to partake in on a weeknight. I suffered mightily for that one, however my mascara did not.

Now, you would be forgiven for thinking that a mascara this hearty would require a complicated removal process involving multiple rounds of cleanser. The really high-tech aspect here is that you actually don’t need product to remove it—the polymer casing detaches when it comes in contact with warm water and some gentle smoothing with your fingers. Fair warning: The tubes come off whole, so they resemble your actual lashes. I had a mini-stroke after the first wash after looking down into the sink and seeing what looked like my lashes molting.

Ever since that first week of testing, I’ve been hooked and use it religiously. My lashes look longer, are clump-free, and are cured of the chronic smudges that plagued me for the majority of my makeup-wearing years. Suck on that, lash gods.

L’Oréal Double Extend Beauty Tubes Mascara, $9, amazon.com

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