Mascara probably has a very comfortable place in your make-up bag, but do you know how to use it to make the very best of your natural lashes? Or is it time to mix it up a bit? We sussed out how to master mascara application and removal, as well as discovering the coolest mascara looks around right now.
Why not water-proof?
Although water-proof mascara can be a pain to remove, using it means you’ll avoid any unwanted smudges under the eyes during the day. You don’t need to splash out to get hold of a long-wearing, blacker than black product either, as the Maybelline Sensational Lash Multiplying Mascara in Waterproof retails at just £7.99 and really works wonders on the lashes.
Curb the clumps
Use the plastic comb on eyebrow brushes like the Real Techniques Lash and Brow groomer to gently comb through the lashes and, when applying mascara, wriggle the wand around to ensure even distribution of the product. Just be careful not to add too many coats as too much product build-up can cause flaking during wear.
Experiment!
If you’re after some subtle definition, a brown mascara is ideal as it will help you to achieve a more natural look. But for those who want to experiment, why not try a blue or even orange-toned mascara? Pictured below is fashion blogger, Megan Ellaby, rocking the In Extreme Dimension Mascara from MAC in the shade ‘Warm Up’ on her lower lashes. We are also crushing on Cara Delevingne’s electric blue lashes; blue mascara certainly makes blue and green eyes pop!
Mascara has a life-span
Mascara lasts around two to three months, so if you still have some old tubes lurking around in your make-up drawer then get rid! To prevent your current mascaras from drying out, avoid pumping the mascara wand in and out of the container during application as this allows air to get into the tube.
Consider consistency
If you want lash separation, purchase a wet formula. If it is volume you’re looking for then a creamy formula is your best bet. The ultimate way to groom your lashes, however, is to always use an eyelash curler. Though a little on the pricey side, the Shiseido The Makeup Eyelash Curler is the tool all the beauty bloggers rave about.
Sharing is not always caring!
Avoid sharing products like mascara with others as wands can carry bacteria, as well as pass on nasty eye infections. Though perhaps don’t go as far as refusing a friend who’s forgotten her mascara a swipe of yours…
Wipe away
Use a cream cleanser to remove all traces of mascara, particularly the waterproof kind. Finish this off by gently rubbing a cotton pad soaked with micellar water over your eyes to give your lashes a final cleanse. Our budget-friendly favourite is the Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water.
Pick up a primer
Lash primers act as a base layer for mascara and help to separate the lashes, preparing them for mascara application. We recommend the Subversion Lash Primer by Urban Decay, which promises to condition the lashes for fault-free mascara application.
Buy a bottom-lash mascara
The miniature wand of the Clinique Bottom Lash Mascara makes often very fiddly lower-lash application super easy, and the product really makes the lower lashes stand out, opening up the eyes.
Edited by Jess Shelton
Sources:
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https://www.instagram.com/p/BSWUtGOFrgE/?taken-by=meganellaby
http://aelida.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/light-top-and-bottom-lashes.jpg
http://static.unica.ro/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/mascara_02.jpg