How to Create Runway-Ready Lashes

Every woman knows how to put on mascara, right? You stand in front of the mirror, and, usually with your mouth open (we don't know why this is a requirement, but it is - watch yourself and see!), swipe the mascara wand through your upper lashes, and if you're brave, the lower ones too. That's it, all done, right? Not if you want to have runway-ready mascara! Then it takes a few more steps and a couple of extra tools.

Model-worthy mascara actually starts the night before you put on mascara, when you remove every single bit of mascara on your lashes. Because this generally can't be done with soap and water, I recommend using Almay Oil-Free eye makeup remover pads (see Photo 1), and since they are the #1 brand in the US, apparently I'm not the only one who recommends them. Whether you need one pad or two depends mainly on how much make-up you're wearing; I often end up using two, one for each eye. (This has the added advantage of ensuring that if anything nasty is stirring in one eye, you won't transfer it to the other.) When the lashes are quite clean, use a conditioner on them. I use Smashbox Lash Revival and Conditioner, which I wrote about here, but you can use any brand, or you can choose to use a small amount of olive oil or my favorite, almond oil, on a cotton ball and swipe it over your eyelashes, while your eyes are closed so you don't get any in your eyes, because red eyes are never pretty.

When morning comes, and you've washed, moisturized, and put on the rest of your make-up, it's time to start with those eyelashes (I save them for last; go ahead, try to put on eyeliner when your mascara is already on!). Start by combing your lashes with the comb side of an eyebrow brush/eyelash comb tool (see Photo 2; it's a travel size, but I find it easier to use than a full-size tool). Next, use an eyelash curler to curl your lashes, especially if your lashes are long; this ensures that your lashes go up and not into your eyes. Photo 2 shows two different eyelash curlers; the one with black handles is by Smashbox, and the one with pink handles is from Mally Beauty. If you look closely you'll see a difference: between the top bar and the bottom bar on the Smashbox eyelash curler, there are bars at each end; there are no bars on the Mally curler. This is important if you're new to the whole curling ordeal; the bars mean that your eyelids can get pinched. Without the bars, you're much less likely to encounter that painful problem. Don't just curl once and try to get all your lashes in. Start with the outer corner of one eye, get about a third of your lashes in, slowly close the curler, and count to 8. Repeat this with the middle lashes, then the inner corner lashes (the hardest to catch), then do it to the other side.

The first thing you put on your eyelashes should be a primer. Photo 3 shows the Smashbox mascara primer, but you can find primers just as good in drugstore brands. Give the primer a minute or two to set, then apply the first coat of mascara. The brand and type you choose depends on you and your lashes; if your lashes are a little sparse, choose a mascara that mentions "volume" in the description, like Smashbox Lash DNA Mascara or CoverGirl LashBlast Volume. If you have a lot of lashes, but they're short, go for length with mascaras like Smashbox Bionic or Hyperlash mascaras, or CoverGirl's LashBlast Length. Swipe the mascara wand onto your lashes the same way you used the curler: first the outer corner of the eye, then the center of the eye, then the inner corner. Take a quick break at this point to run the comb through again to get rid of any clumps, and separate your lashes for a longer, fuller look. Then apply a second coat the same way you did the first one. (Three different mascaras are shown in Photo 4).

Finally, here's a trick for getting maximum coverage. Use a small fanbrush (didn't I tell you you'd love this brush?); sweep the tip of the brush over the mascara wand to pick up some color, then, looking down but with your eyes open, sweep the fan brush over the top of your lashes. You'll be amazed at the difference that little extra bit will make.

And that's all you need to get eyelashes that look like the ones you see on make-up models, or couture models on the runway! Remember, practice really does make perfect; don't expect perfection on your first try.

(Note to editors: I didn't use any on-line sources for this; this is information I learned working with a professional make-up artist.)