Mascara Application Secrets

Enhancing the natural beauty of our eyelashes has been something women have done for centuries. Thick, long, dark eyelashes have been considered incredibly beautiful since people dipped a brush in water and ash to perk them up. The methods of beautifying our lashes have changed, but the outcome - thick, sexy lashes - is something that every woman tries to achieve consistently.

Clumping and sticky lashes are the biggest problem mascara brings. It's difficult to create thick and pretty lashes if you have to keep separating them each time you coat them with your favorite mascara. There are easy ways to avoid the clumping problem, though, and it won't add too much time at all to your makeup routine.

Moving the wand back and forth just a tiny bit while you apply your mascara can actually prevent clumping as you're applying, erasing the need to take a separating brush to your lashes once you're finished. Curling a bit upwards with the wand once you reach the tips of your lashes can help coat each centimeter with mascara, making sure that the entire length of your lash is enhanced and darkened.

Many women forget to brush the top side of their lashes too. This is difficult if you're in somewhat of a rush, because it's very easy to shake just a little bit and get mascara all over your face - which is very frustrating if you've just done your makeup! Just keep a steady hand and use one, swift stroke downwards and curling up, and then finish by puffing up the underside of your lashes once more with your wand. If you see any clumps, try pushing them separate quickly with your finger before you waste time with the brush.

One common mistake that women make when applying mascara, is that they go in straight lines upwards. If you pull your lashes up straight when they naturally grow a bit outward and to the side, you'll actually be tugging and stretching the lashes, making clumps more common when they spring back into place. It's easy for lashes taken by gravity to hit each other and become stuck together.

Pay attention to the type of mascara that you use. Some of them are meant to lengthen, some are meant to make them look thicker, and some are just made to darken them and nothing else. If you can't find a mascara that does all three, try using two different kinds and coating them one over the other after the first dries. (A good tip is to always use a mascara that thickens your lashes first.)

It's not only important to thicken and lengthen the lashes on top of your eyes - the lashes beneath your eyes need just as much attention! They are difficult to enhance if you have shaky hands, so having a steady touch is important. You only want to lightly dab your lower lashes with mascara, so that if you close your eyes too quick after applying (like when you blink), you could get some of it in your eye. Trying to keep your lower lashes dark and thick without having them touch the skin beneath your eye is very tricky, but can be done perfectly each time with practice.

Ultimately, practice makes perfect when it comes to applying your mascara. You have to keep your hand as steady as you can, and make sure to move the wand if you want to prevent clumps and sticking!

(Helpful tips at Running With Heels)