If I had to pick one favorite beauty product (not counting skin care) I would absolutely pick mascara. I love my lip color, but I need the mascara to wake up my eyes or nothing else matters. It seems pretty simple, but here are a few tips to master your mascara for stunning lush lashes.
Curl
Curl your lashes before applying mascara. I’m admittedly very nervous about curling my lashes because the first time I did it I applied my mascara first and my lashes stuck to the curler and got cut off. Eek! I’m still clumsy with my curler but I get it out for special occasions without such disastrous effects. Anyway…
Make up Artist James Vincent explains how to curl lashes in this article from Beautylish
Open the curler completely and bring it to the upper lashes, making sure to get the strip right up to the root of the eyelashes. Check to see that you have all of the lashes inside the curler. Place the tool upright, so the curve faces out.
Close the curler carefully on the lashes and squeeze lightly, with a soft, pulsing grip.
Now turn the curler upwards so that the curve of the curler lines up with the curve of your eyelid’s crease. This is the pro secret. It will give you curl, rather than a crimp effect.
Squeeze the curler handles in small pulses with light pressure, holding the tool in place for several seconds without blinking.
Walk the curler up from the root of the lash all the way to the tip, pressing and pulsing over the eyelash with the same pressure, until you reach the end.
James Vincent
Primer
Using a lash primer with help to protect and moisturize your lashes as well as building them up before applying mascara.
The Brush
The type of brush you use will affect the look of your lashes just as much as the formula. Fat brushes add volume while brushes with short rubbery bristles add more length and definition.
It’s also important to get the right amount of product on your brush. Swirl the brush in the mascara tube instead of pumping. Pumping the brush introduces more air to your tube of mascara causing it to dry out faster and increasing the likelihood of bacterial growth in the product. Swirling also helps ensure that the brush is evenly coated with product, which helps ensure that your lashes get evenly coated.
Too much product can cause your lashes to look clumpy. It’s much better to apply several thin layers of product than one thick layer. Blot your brush on a tissue to get rid of excess product.
Application
Gently coat both sides of your lashes by starting at the lash line and sweeping the brush towards the tips. Add a little wiggle to the brush as it moves to get all those fine lashes. I do the tops of my lashes first then use a little more pressure on the underside to force them up in a little curl.
Comb lashes between coats to help prevent clumping and create a natural looking effect.
Add another layer, or two, or three…
If you are not satisfied with your mascara look, you probably aren’t apply enough layers. 3 is usually the magic number, but you can go for more if the look calls for it. And don’t be afraid to use more than one different formula or brush. Always finish with something water-resistant or water-proof to keep everything in place all day.
Bottom Lashes
So do you apply mascara to your bottom lashes or not? This all depends on what your bottom lashes look like naturally. Do you have full lashes along your bottom lid or are they a little sparse? If you’ve got full lashes you can go ahead and apply mascara if you choose. I prefer mascara to eye liner so I fortunate to have a nice set of lashes on the bottom. If your lashes are a little sparse
Keep lashes healthy
Of course the best lash look is based on healthy lashes. Be sure to remove your mascara every night before bed. Use an oil-free eye makeup remover on a cotton pad to gently swipe from the inner corner of your eye to the outside corner. If your makeup is being stubborn just hold the saturated pad over your eye and allow the remover to soak into lashes instead of scrubbing which can damage your lashes and the delicate skin around your eyes.
Finally, toss your old mascara after three months. I know it’s annoying and sometimes a little painful to throw out a “perfectly good” tube of product, but that dark moist tube is an ideal breading ground for bacteria which can lead to eye infections like pink eye, which is not a good look and can be very uncomfortable (I speak from experience).
I hope you find this guide helpful, but for best results speak with someone trained to help you find the right products and get the most from them. Your local Independent Beauty Consultant has an abundance of products to specialize your skin care and makeup to meet your specific needs. Don’t have an Independent Beauty Consultant? Ask your questions here!
Joy On Pink Wings 