How to Apply Mascara
Lots of women wear mascara without knowing how to do it right. All eye makeup can be difficult and when applied or worn improperly makes for a really messy appearance.
The whole point of mascara is to alter the look of your eye lashes which in turn alters the look of your eyes. Mascara is a relatively simple application (in terms of makeup) but a process that is ignored by far too many women. By changing a few behaviors you can change the entire look of your makeup.
Here’s ten quick tips on how to apply and wear mascara that may keep you out of your next makeup faux pas.
- Apply mascara properly. It is a simple three-step process. First, wiggle the mascara wand left to right at the base of your lashes. Mascara that is placed near the roots of the lash provides the greatest amount of “length”. Then pull the mascara wand through your lashes, “wiggling” it a little as you go. This wiggling motion is important — it acts to separate your lashes. Finally, close the eye and place the mascara wand on top of your lashes at their base and pull the wand through to remove any clumps. You can skip the final step if you’re confident in your mascara’s anti-clump ability.
- To keep your mascara from clumping, there are a few tricks of the trade. For some women, using a lash comb is just too much to ask. These tools keep your lashes free of clumps while adding a nice amount of separation to your lashes. To use them, just apply mascara at the base of your lashes then “wiggle” the lash comb through to the tips of your lashes. If you’re just not into the lash comb, your best chance at staying clump-free is to remove any extra mascara from the wand before applying. Wipe your wand on some tissue to eliminate clumps before you apply.
- Makeup artists swear by disposable mascara wands — called “spoolies”. The idea here is to use a fresh mascara wand every time you apply. To use, push a clean mascara spoolie through your lashes when they’re wet. You can find these disposable wands at any store that carries beauty products.
- You can and should mix mascaras. This is another makeup artist trick — apply one coat of a lengthening mascara followed by another coat of a mascara that is good at thickening lashes. Yes this is a little time-consuming but the effect is very dramatic, making your eyes really “pop”.
- Whereas most women seem scared to add a colored mascara to their regimen, you shouldn’t be afraid to go for a little color. Your basic black mascara will work for all women but that color can be a little harsh on women with blonde hair or light skin. For light hair or skin, use a combination of brown and black for daytime and go full black at night. If you’re really adventurous, you can try a few other colors. For bright blue eyes, use a blue mascara. For the same effect with brown eyes reach for a purple-colored product.
- You really need to break down and buy (and use) an eyelash curlers. Yeah they look scary and it is time consuming, but curling your lashes will give your eyes a wide and bright look that you can’t get any other way. Mascara curler cold? Put it under a warm blowdryer for a few seconds. Contrary to popular opinion, you don’t have to use an eyelash curler before you apply mascara — it will work just fine afterward as long as the mascara is dry.
How to Apply Mascara
- Blinking after applying will add a few coats to your lash’s ends. Blink directly onto the mascara brush to give your lash ends the boost they need.
- A big tip that most women never learned — powder under your eyes before you apply mascara. You know those terrible mascara smudges you see on so many women? That happens because the mascara is drawn out by concealer or your other eye makeup. Powdering under the eye will protect from the terrible smudge.
- We’ve already talked about “wiggling” the wand — but do you know how to zig zag? “Zig-zagging” the mascara wand back and forth on your lashes while applying the makeup will cut down big time on clumping and other disasters..
- Last but not least — invest in and learn to use a mascara primer. This product will coat your lashes and do much of the work of lash separation well before you apply your mascara.
Some Last-Minute Tips to Keep Your Mascara Nice and Neat
If you want to add a second coat of mascara, make sure and add it before the first coat has dried, otherwise you’ll get clumps.
You may have seen people “pumping” the wand in and out of the mascara tube — don’t do this. All it does is add air to the mascara which dries it out and ruins it faster than normal.
For a steadier hand when applying mascara, bend the wand at a 90 degree angle. You will find your grip is stronger and your lines cleaner.
Finally — please wait at least five seconds before you blink after you apply mascara. If you don’t wait, you’ll get wet mascara all over your lids.