If you know how to wield your wand, you can really create some lash magic. Read on …
Clean Slate: Always start with clean lashes. If there’s any day-old mascara hanging around, soak a cotton pad with makeup remover (an oil-based one if the mascara is a waterproof variety) and hold it over lashes for ten or so seconds. Gently wipe residue away.
Before & After: Should you apply mascara before or after rest of makeup? Experts disagree on this one. Some say slicking on mascara at the end will ensure the glossiest effect. Others counter that you risk smudging and messing up your carefully applied face and eye makeup if you leave mascara to the very end. Your call.
Go Curl: If you curl your lashes, do so before applying mascara. Curling afterwards can damage or break lashes. For best results, start by clamping the curler at the base of hairs, and work up in several stages. This gives a more natural-look sweeping effect curl, as opposed to the right-angled kink that a single curler clamp can often create.
In the Mix: Choose your wand carefully. If you have lots of short lashes, especially if they’re fair, buy a mini-combed mascara, which will much more easily reach every hair (alternatively, have your lashes regularly tinted). If you exercise, swim, sweat or even cry a lot, your preference is probably for a waterproof - just be aware that they can be drying. Volumising mixes give a similar effect to waterpoof mascaras, but are much easier to remove. And then there are defining, lengthening and curling varieties. Remember, you should ditch your mascara after three months so that’s an opportunity to play around and experiment with different formulations and effects.
Lining Up: If your lashes are sparse, you may want to line your lashline first - this will create the illusion of thicker, lusher lashes. Make sure to push your pencil down between hairs, rather than tracing a line across the top of lashline, which will only make the sparseness between hairs more obvious.
Apply Now: Before slicking on mascara, use a tissue to wipe any excess formulation off the bristless. No mascara wand will coat all lashes in one sweep, so it’s best to work in two or three sections. Firmly place the wand underneath and at the very base of lashes, then literally wiggle it up to the tips of hairs. Repeat for the next section. If necessary, use a lash comb to declump lashes.
Ready Set: While mascara is drying, lashes are setting. At this time you can push lashes upwards with your fingertips, to help further enhance the curl and lift of lashes.
NB: Repeat the above two steps if you want a more dramatic lash look.
The Lowdown: For lower lashes, hold wand vertically and lightly move bristles across hairs a couple of times. Again, use a lash comb to remove any clumps and neaten things up - you don’t want to go too heavy here or you’ll create an obviously fake look. Also be aware that mascara on the lower lashes can exacerbate any dark circles.
