Lashing Out: Mascara Basics

Posted on March 1st, 2009 / Filed under Beauty , For the Face:

A gorgeous set of lashes can complete any look, make your eyes look wider, and brighten your face. But the number of mascaras on the market is staggering. Each brand has several different types, making it difficult to figure out which one to choose. It’s best to start with what you want your lashes to do: Look longer? Thicker? Defined but natural? Lengthening mascaras have cylinder-shaped brushes with tightly-spaced bristles. Look for words like extend, lengthen or fiber. Mascaras that will give thicker-looking lashes are usually labeled volume, building or thickening, and have more widely-spaced, stiffer brushes. If you just want to define and darken your lashes, look for mascaras that are labeled natural or basic.

How to apply

1) Prime your lashes. Run your fingers under warm water and smooth your lashes upwards, so they’re all in the same direction. Let dry.Mascara

2) Lashes that are curled open the eye, making you appear more awake, and brightening your face. Before applying mascara, heat an eyelash curler under warm water — don’t use a hair dryer, it gets too hot and can damage your lashes — then dry. Place the curler close to the lash line and gently press down. Eyelashes can take a long time to grow back, so go slowly and be gentle. Try: Revlon Professional Eyelash Curler ($3.99, drugstore.com), Shiseido Eyelash Curler ($16, amazon.com) or Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler ($18, sephora.com).

3) Dip your mascara wand in the tube then wipe it on a tissue — not against the inside rim of the tube — a couple of times to remove excess product. Wedge the wand against the roots (i.e. the lashline) and wiggle it back and forth slightly. Then pull it forward to the end of the lashes. Wait a few seconds, and then apply a second coat if needed.

4) Gently run a metal eyelash comb through to remove any clumping.

5) Leave your lower lashes untouched during the day, especially if you have dark under-eye circles. If you want to add mascara to the lower line for evening, hold a piece of thin tissue behind the lashes and apply a thin layer of mascara. The tissue will catch any smudges and prevent it from getting under your eyes.

Suggested Products

Natural/Define

Clinique Naturally Glossy Mascara ($13.50, clinique.com)
Maybelline Full n’ Soft ($5.99, drugstore.com)
Pout Mascara ($16, sephora.com)
Shu Uemura Mascara Basic ($27, sephora.com)

Thicken

Almay One Coat Nourishing Thickening ($6.59, drugstore.com)
Bourjois Pump Up the Volume ($13.50, sephora.com)
Jane Hi-Fiber ($3.89, drugstore.com)
L’Oreal Voluminous ($6.99, drugstore.com)

Lengthen

Cover Girl Lash Exact ($7.49, walgreens.com)
Lancôme Défincils ($22, lancome.com)
Maybelline Illegal Lengths ($5.89, buymebeauty.com)
Tarte Lights, Camera, Lashes! ($14, beauty.com)

Tips & Tricks

  • During the summer (or if you live in a hot climate), it’s better to go with water-resistant formulas; they’re thinner and therefore less likely to smudge. Waterproof formulas can clump and drip in humid weather.
  • Replace mascara every three months, and don’t pump the wand — that pushes air and bacteria into the tube, and dries out the mascara faster.
  • Believe it or not, it’s the mascara brush, not the formula, which makes the real difference. Bristles that are close together are better for achieving thicker lashes; longer bristles are better for longer, defined lashes.
  • If you’re pale or have naturally light lashes, try using dark brown mascara instead of black. It looks less severe, and more natural, against very fair skin.
  • If you wear contact lenses or have sensitive eyes, avoid mascaras with words like “fiber” in them. Fibers can flake and fall into the eyes, causing irritation and redness.
  • Always apply mascara last; otherwise, you’ll end up with a smeared mess.
  • Dip a Q-tip in makeup remover and gently dab to remove any smudges or marks.
  • To minimize damage to your lashes, use a gentle makeup remover and be careful not to tug or pull when you’re taking off mascara.