Learn how to apply mascara to eyelids by following these simple makeup tips.
- If your mascara is over three months, it’s time to consider replacing it.Your mascara should not be older than 3 months old, 6 months the most. Yes! This is where the bacteria starts. If your mascara begins to dry out the day you open it, and by the third month or beyond, the mascara will not apply smoothly, and it may cause excess clumping, and flake/smudge sooner than usual.
2. Don’t pump the mascara tube. Pumping the brush in and out won’t get more mascara on your wand. Remember, the mascara is mainly at the bottom of the tube, so push the wand slowly down inside the tube, against the side, and rotate around once (like you’re scraping the batter off a cake bowl.) Then take out the wand and apply. Again, pumping the wand will put air INTO the tube, causing it to dry out too soon and bring in all sorts of bacteria.
3. If you removed old mascara just before you apply new mascara, remember to make sure your lashes are dry and free from oil. Wipe a damp tissue over each eye to make sure all the remover is off, then let them dry in the air for a minute or two. A brush with residue foundation or veil powder on it can be dusted over them lightly to absorb any moisture or oils as well.
4. Don’t be afraid to mix your mascaras. When applying two mascaras, check if one is waterproof, then you use that one last!
5. Curl them lashes!! Even if you have never mastered mascara, learn to master curling your lashes. Some very lucky people have gorgeous lashes, but they are just straight. Find a good eyelash curler, get it as close to the lash line as possible and curl, hold for 5 seconds. If you can be really careful, run the eyelash curler under hot water for a couple of seconds, then curl your lashes. It will work like a curling iron! (Make sure the lashes are dry when you are done.) Don’t forget to change the curling pad on your eyelash curler every three months for hygiene and curling performance purposes. They do wear down and may cause damage to your lashes.
6. Don’t brush your lashes… get jiggy with them! Merely brushing your lashes from base to tip can cause clumps no matter what type of brush or mascara you are using. If you put the brush at the base of your lashes then zig-zag up to the tips; it will not only reduce clumping, but it will also help to coat and separate each lash.
7. If you can, bend your brush when you take it out of the tube. This is a great professional makeup artists’ trick. Applying your mascara with a brush at a right angle will; naturally cover more of your lashes at one time, making them look their fullest. It will also save your hands and wrists from any unnatural positions that make it difficult to apply. If you do bend your brush, you should be able to bend it back without much hassle when you put it into the tube.
8. DON’T BLINK! Let your coat(s) of mascara dry before you blink. Once your lashes are completely dry, give them one good blink to make sure everything stays where it should. If you get any residue, remove with a dampened Q-tip and give it another minute.
- For longer lashes don’t be scared to try a product that will add length and volume to your eyelash.
Dramatic eyes don’t have to be just for special occasions. You can have killer lashes any day of the week. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist (although some still say it does) to apply mascara. When you are practicing, don’t rush, take your time, and try different techniques. Before you know it, you’ll be in the Beauty Olympics…. the Mascara-thon!
