Hot Tip: Make the Most of Your Mascara

Dixie

As you may know, I am always on the search for the Holy Grail of mascaras. The longer my search goes on, the more I start to think that I will never find my dream mascara that volumizes and lengthens without clumping, flaking, or running. However, whatever mascara I happen to be experimenting with or settling on until I find The One, there are a few things I do to make the most out of each application.

A theater friend in college told me that the easiest way to plump up your lashes is to apply mascara on the tops of your lashes. Sounds a little difficult, but once you've done it a couple of times, it becomes second nature.

First, curl your lashes and apply your mascara on the undersides starting at the very base of the lashes, as usual. This will help the lashes hold their curl. Next, close your eye very slightly and hold the mascara over the ends of your lashes, top side. Then, open your eyes all the way, dragging your lashes across the brush. Finally, separate your lashes using a metal lash comb. The tines on plastic lash combs are too close together to separate, metal lash combs are far more effective. Sephora and Sonia Kashuk both have excellent combs. And viola! More well-defined lashes.


Another trick you can employ to maximize your impact is to apply two coats...the proper way. If you are using a regular mascara, apply your second (and third) coat(s) right away. If you wait until the mascara dries before applying another coat, you are more likely to end up with clumps. But, a if you are using a waterproof or water-resistant mascara, wait 15-30 seconds for the first coast to dry before applying a second. Applying a second coat of waterproof mascara before the first one dries is likely to cause flaking. Plus, I can never get a second coat to stick to a wet first coat, it seems to just kind of glide right through without sticking.

And there you have it. Ladies, if you can't have the mascara you love, then love the one you have.