Your eyes are the windows to your soul—or at least, that’s what poems and romance novels will tell you. But it isn’t just the eyeball itself that’s important; this doesn’t give your eyelashes enough credit. Though their (official) job is to protect your peepers, eyelashes do so much more than that. They frame your eyes—and the longer and more voluminous they are, the bigger, brighter, and more open your eyes tend to look. The catch: Not all of us are blessed with long natural eyelashes. Thankfully, that doesn’t mean lengthy, wispy lashes are unattainable. You just need a bit of mascara (and, of course, the know-how to apply it properly). That’s where we come into play. Here, we’ll help you determine what type of mascara is best for your needs. Then, we’ll share a step-by-step breakdown teaching you how to put on mascara like an expert. Get all the details ahead—and prepare for lots of comments about how lovely your long eyelashes look.
What you’ll need:
For a seamless mascara application, you’ll want to have a few tools at the ready. Here’s what we recommend having on hand:
- Mascara
- Eyelash curler
- Cotton swabs
- Eye makeup remover
- Optional: Clean spoolie brush
How To Choose The Best Mascara For You
Mascaras aren’t one-size-fits-all—which is why it’s important to find a formula that suits your needs and preferences. We have a few different formulas to choose from in our lineup. For long, lifted lashes, try On The Rise Volume Liftscara. The vegan mascara adds length and volume and dries down to a matte-black finish. You can use it alone for a more natural look or layer it over On The Rise Lash Booster for added definition. Our tinted lash enhancer helps boost the intensity of your mascara, leaving your eyelashes looking ultra-long and voluminous.
If you need something that can stand up to sweat, rain, and tears, try Worth The Hype Volumizing Mascara. The waterproof mascara adds visible length and volume while leaving your lashes feeling feathery-soft. Plus, the tapered brush tip makes it easy to coat lashes even in hard-to-reach places like your inner corners, so no lash has to go unnoticed.
How To Put On Mascara Properly
Once you’ve found your formula and gathered your tools, you’re ready to go. Keep reading to find out how to perfect your lash look.
Step 1: Prep Your Lashes With an Eyelash Curler
Eyelash curlers are a valuable tool if you’re looking to create a standout lash look. Used to curl your eyelashes from the root, they help visually lift your eyelash hairs, which can make lashes look longer. As for how to use an eyelash curler, it’s pretty simple. First, open the eyelash curler, holding it the way you would scissors. Place your lashes between the two horizontal arms of the curler and clamp down, holding the curler in place for three to five seconds. Then, repeat the process about halfway up the length of your lashes, and again at the very ends to complete the curl. When clamping down with the curler, be sure you’re not pulling or tugging—you want to lift your lashes, not inadvertently yank them out.
Step 2: Brush On Your First Coat
Next, unscrew the top of your chosen formula and take out the mascara wand. Position your hand at the outermost corner of your eye and hold the wand horizontally at the very base of your lashes. Sweep the brush through your eyelashes from base to tip, moving in an upward motion. You can also pull the brush slightly outward at your outer corners to help visually fan out your lashes. Repeat the process, moving along your lash line toward the inner corners as you go. Once you get to your inner corners, you may find it difficult to get the mascara on those thinner, shorter hairs—that’s okay. Rotate your mascara wand and hold it vertically to coat those shorter hairs. Then, repeat the process on your bottom lashes, using a lighter hand to avoid weighing down the finer hairs.
Pro Tip: To avoid getting smudges on your skin while applying mascara to your bottom lashes, hold a clean spoon beneath your eyes with the rounded side out while applying your mascara. Coat your lower lashes in mascara, wait a moment for them to dry, then ditch the spoon.
Step 3: Apply a Second Coat
Repeat the above process on your other eye and let the mascara dry for a minute or two. Then, you can apply a second coat. When you’re at the base of your lash line, wiggle the spoolie applicator back and forth a bit to help create the illusion of thicker, fuller lashes. While two coats of mascara is often sufficient, you can apply a third (or even a fourth) coat for extra-long lashes—just be sure to let each coat dry before applying the next.
Step 4: Clean Up Any Smudges
Clean up any smudges with a cotton swab dipped in makeup remover. If you notice any unwanted clumping, you can also take a moment to separate your lashes with a clean spoolie brush. Run the spoolie through your (dry) lashes once or twice to help break up any clumps and give your eyelashes a more natural finish.
Frequently Asked Questions
Now you know how to get long eyelashes with mascara—an invaluable skill in any makeup lover’s (metaphorical) toolkit. But we’re not done quite yet. Read on for answers to some commonly-asked questions about mascara and how to use it.
Should You Use Mascara If You Have Long Lashes?
Mascara isn’t just for people with shorter lashes—it’s a great product to have on hand, even if you’re blessed with naturally long eyelashes. You can add volume with a volumizing mascara, enhance the color of your lashes with bold black mascara, or play up your natural length with a lengthening mascara. There are no rules when it comes to makeup, so feel free to show off your lashes however you see fit.
Should You Put Mascara On Before or After Eyeshadow?
Generally speaking, mascara should be the final step in your eye makeup routine. The reason why is pretty simple: Mascara can take a second to dry, and applying eyeshadow or eyeliner after doing your lashes increases the likelihood that you’ll smudge the mascara. Eyeshadow fallout can also land on your lashes and stick to your mascara. We recommend starting with eyeshadow (such as our Ultimate Color Palettes), then tracing your lash line with eyeliner, like Epic Ink Liner. Then, you can go ahead and apply your mascara as outlined above.
How Do You Remove Mascara?
Typically, you’ll want to remove mascara with makeup remover (ideally one that’s designed to remove eye makeup). Pour a bit of makeup remover onto a clean cotton round and hold it over your closed eye for five to ten seconds. Then, using gentle pressure, wipe the cotton pad away from your eye. Repeat as needed and be as gentle as possible to avoid damaging your lashes.
PRODUCTS USED
new exclusive try it on
Ultimate Color Palette
Pro-Level 16 pan Palette
vegan try it on
On The Rise Volume Liftscara
Lifting & Volumizing Mascara
exclusive
