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CHOOSING YOUR MASCARA APPLYING MASCARA TO UPPER LASHES

EYE MAKEUP » MASCARA

How to Apply Mascara

Co-authored by Alicia D'Angelo
Last Updated: November 22, 2022 References Approved

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Do you wish your eyelashes were thicker? Do you

wish you had eyelashes the length of Heidi Klum's
legs? Are you afraid you're going to poke yourself in
the eye with a mascara wand if you don't know what
you're doing? In this article we'll show you how to
choose and properly apply the mascara that best suits
your lashes and gives you the full, long eyelashes you
want.

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Part 1 of 4:
1 Choosing your Mascara

Decide what you want out of your mascara.

1 There is a mascara for just about any kind of
lash enhancement--volumizing, lengthening,
defining, faster growth, waterproof--plus many
products that combine these effects. Take a look at
your lashes and decide what sort of enhancement
they need.

For sparse lashes, look for a thickening or

volumizing mascara with a large, round brush
with lots of bristles. You can also find a
combination primer and mascara formula, which
is perfect for bulking up lashes and keeping
them healthy.[1]
If you have short lashes, look for a lengthening
mascara with a smaller brush with thick bristles.
A small wand will allow you to get very close to
your eye and make sure you coat each lash.[2]
[3]

If your lashes are full but you want length and

definition, choose a lengthening mascara, but
one with a long brush with evenly-spaced
bristles to separate your lashes.[4]
If your lashes are uneven in length or damaged,
check the ingredients on the mascara. Phyto-
keratin and panthenol can help your lashes
grow. Use a fatter brush on your lashes.[5]
You should only use mascara for three months
before replacing it, so go ahead and experiment
with different brands and formulas until you find
your perfect mascara.
Use waterproof mascara only for special events,
like if you’re going to a pool party or a movie
that might make you cry. It’s difficult to remove
and can dry out your lashes, making them
brittle.

Pick your shade. For the most part, black is

2 the way to go. It gives the illusion of thickness
and length and can really make your eyes pop. If
your lashes are red or blonde, however, make brown
your go-to shade, wearing light brown for everyday
and a dark brown to amp up the drama.

Experiment with colored mascaras. Green can

bring out violet in blue eyes, purple can enhance
green eyes, and blue and purple can brighten
your complexion.[6]

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Invest in an eyelash curler, while you're at it.

3 If you're serious about getting knock-out lashes,
an eyelash curler is key. This will lift your lashes and
allow more light to hit your eyes so they look bigger
and brighter.[7] It may not seem like it, but an
eyelash curler can make a huge difference.

Look for a curler with a rounded rubber pad,

which will help curl your lash instead of bend it
at a sharp angle.[8]

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Part 2 of 4:
2 Applying Mascara to Upper Lashes

Apply any other eye makeup first. If you’re

1 planning to wear eyeshadow, eyeliner, or any
other eye makeup, brush it on before you do your
mascara. This will ensure that you don’t smudge any
of your mascara by trying to put other products on
around it.

Other non-eye makeup, such as foundation or

blush, can be applied at any time. Most people
choose to apply full-face makeup first, then
finish with eye makeup.

Curl your lashes first. Position the curler as

2 close to the base of your lashes as possible
without pinching your skin. Close the curlers and
gently squeeze for about 10 seconds. Then, release
the curler.[9]

If you don't have a curler or you're too afraid to

use one, use your fingertips to push up and curl
wet lashes.[10]

Remove the wand from the mascara tube by

3 twisting back and forth instead of pumping it
up and down. Twisting will allow the brush to pick
up the mascara, which is what most people think
they are doing when they pump the brush in the
tube. What they are actually doing is forcing air into
the tube, which dries out the mascara.[11]

Wipe off excess mascara on a tissue or on

4 the lip of the tube. Too much product can lead
to clumping. Giving the wand a little wipe will leave
you with just the right amount.[12]

Look up to lift your lashes. You should still be

5 able to see yourself in the mirror out of your
peripheral vision.

If you are afraid you are going to blink when you

approach your lashes with the wand, open your
mouth. It's harder to blink when your mouth is
wide open.[13]

Place the wand against the base of your

6 lashes and wiggle it back and forth a little.
You want the most product to be applied to the roots,
which will make your lashes look longer and keep
them from getting weighed down on the tips.[14]

The wiggle will also help lift and curl your

lashes.[15]

Pull the wand out toward the tips of your

7 lashes with a zig-zag motion, or another little
wiggle. The zig-zag adds length and volume, and
can reduce clumping.[16]

Go over your lashes with a second coat. Try

8 to leave it at that--do a third coat at the most.
The more you layer on the mascara, the more likely
it is the mascara will dry on your lashes and cause
the new coat to clump.[17]

Mix mascaras to combine their specialties. For

example, you could use lengthening mascara
for one layer, then add a layer of thickening
mascara on top. Try this at home before you
wear it out, as some mascaras might not blend
well and cause clump.[18]

Don't neglect the lashes on the inner and

9 outer part of your eyelid. A lot of times, people
apply mascara only to the very center of their eyelid,
which can actually make your eyes look narrower.[19]
Make sure you apply to the inner, middle, and outer
lashes.

If you are having trouble reaching your inner

lashes with your brush, you can very carefully
bend the brush to a 45 degree angle (don't
worry, you can bend it back). This will make it
easy to brush those inner lashes without getting
mascara all over your face.[20]
You can also apply the mascara to the back side
of the lashes for an easier application.

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Part 3 of 4:
3 Applying Mascara to Lower Lashes

Take a spoon, a kleenex or the thin wedge of

1 a makeup sponge and hold it underneath
your lower eyelashes. This will allow you to apply
mascara without getting it all over your skin.[21]

Put mascara only on the roots of the lower

2 lashes. Brushing on mascara on the full length
of your lower lashes, from the roots to the tips,
creates an unnatural, spidery effect. Instead, apply
your mascara at the roots of the lashes and lift up
and away as you get closer to the tips. If you apply
too much, simply brush or pull it off of the tips with
your fingers.

Use the very tip of the brush to apply

3 mascara to your lower lashes. If you have a
very small wand, you'll want to use that. It will be
easier to control the application and get close to
your eye.[22]

If you have brown mascara, consider using that

on your lower lashes, even if you used black on
your upper lashes. It's not quite as heavy as
black and can add some dimension to your
look.[23]

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Part 4 of 4:
4 Addressing Common Problems

Remove any mistakes with a cotton swab. If

1 you get mascara on your face or eyelid, allow it
to dry so you don't smear it and make things worse.
Once dry, put a bit of moisturizer on a cotton swab
and press it to the mascara spot. Spin it gently in
place. This should remove the spot without messing
up your eyeshadow.[24]

De-clump with a clean mascara wand. Either

2 use a disposable wand or repurpose an old one
(wash it thoroughly with soap and water first). Comb
through the top and bottom of the lash, spinning the
brush as you sweep forward. This should remove
clumps and give your lashes definition.[25]

Try to comb through your lashes while the

mascara is still wet.
If you don't have an extra wand on hand, try
using a clean toothbrush to comb out any
clumps.[26]

Thicken your lashes even further with baby

3 powder. If you don't feel like you're getting the
thick, voluminous lashes you want, try this trick.
Apply one coat of mascara , then dust your lashes
with translucent powder or baby powder (you can
use a makeup brush or a cotton swab dipped in
powder). Then add another coat of mascara.[27]

The powder gives the mascara more to cling to,

which allows you to build more volume.[28]

Remove your mascara every night with an

4 eye makeup remover.[29] It might not seem
like a big deal, but it can dry out your lashes at night
and cause them to become brittle and fall out.[30]

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Expert Q&A

Question

Do you use an eyelash curler before or after

putting on mascara?

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Expert Answer

Use an eyelash
Supportcurler before
wikiHow by applying
unlockingmascara.
Using it after
thiscan cause
expert eyelashes to clump or
answer.
stick to the curler.
Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0

Question

How do I put on mascara without it getting in my

eyes?

Alicia D'Angelo
Makeup Artist & Hair Stylist
Expert Answer

Use
Use aansmaller
eyelashapplicator
Supportcurler wand
before
wikiHow so you don't
by applying
unlocking apply
mascara.
your
Usingmascara
it after as close
thiscan cause
expert toeyelashes
your lash to
answer. line.
clump or
stick
Helpful to 0the curler.
Not Helpful 1

Question

How do I take off mascara?

Alicia D'Angelo
Makeup Artist & Hair Stylist
Expert Answer

Eye makeup remover

Support will be
wikiHow bythe most efficient way
unlocking
to clean off your
this mascara,
expert but you can also use a
answer.
cotton swab with
Use a smaller coconutwand
applicator oil. so you don't apply
your
Helpful mascara
0 asHelpful
Not close to
1 your lash line.

See more answers

Ask a Question

What is your question?

Eye makeup removerSubmit

will be the most efficient way
to clean off your mascara, but you can also use a
cotton swab with coconut oil.

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