How To/Tips

Correct me if I’m wrong, but I don’t think any girl wishes for stubby, short and sparse eyelashes. Although I hate the way it has become part of a beauty ‘standard’ for women, simple mascara can make anyone – regardless of their eyelashes – have lush long lashes, so why not give it a try? I sure did and now I’m in love. :)

I can be really honest and say I love eyelashes – on everyone! It just gives such an innocence beauty to the face and really compliments the eyes. (Cue in point: babies! Don’t you think they’re so adorable with their tiny lashes, or am I the only dork that notices it?!) Anyway, here are some of my tips to getting the full potential from your eyelashes, without falsies.

Treat them.

There are plenty of mascara conditoning serums out there that claim to make lashes grow longer, thicker and darker.

I’ve tried Mavala Double Lash in the past and though I can’t say I saw any miracles, my lashes did become stronger and darker, so I find these conditioning treatments work to ‘protect’ the lashes. I suppose our eyelshes are like the hair on our head – when conditioned and treated kindly, it does look much healthier! Another option I tried in the past that I’ve heard works (though I stopped due to greasiness and fear of milia seeds) is to take a clear plastic wand (steal them from MAC like me, hehe), apply a VERY thin coat of Vaseline, and gently apply to lashes.

Curl them!

Never underestimate the power of a few ‘presses’ from an eyelash curler! I am always so lazy about this and don’t like to destroy my lashes too much so I don’t do this often, only on special occasions – but daamn! They really do make all the difference. Another trick to get the most of your eyelash curler is to curl your lashes like this:

• Apply your eyelash curler to the base of your lashes and press gently, increasing in pressure slightly. Hold for about 10 seconds.
• Next, hold your eyelash curler mid-lash, and press ever so gently for a few seconds.
• Lastly, aim your eyelash curler at the very tips of your eyelash, and hold for a few seconds – this last tip really ‘pops’ your eyelashes out even more.

Build the base.

There are two options for this next step; the powder trick or the base mascara.

• The powder trick is really simple, I’ve read that this simple trick is used on the runways! All you have to do is close your eyes, and sweep some loose powder over your lashes. (Careful they don’t go into your eyes.) The powder ‘sticks’ to your lashes, making them more dense and thicker when applying mascara next.

• Base/primer mascaras are sold separately and are normally white in color – they are the step right before applying mascara, and are said to thicken and lengthen your lashes with its fibers and formula. L’Oreal has put out some mascara that has both the base and mascara that are quite afforable, you should check them out.

Last but not least, mascara!

And finally, the next step is to apply the mascara. If you don’t know how to apply mascara, you can read my post, Make Up 101 – How to Apply Mascara.

Also, one of the best tips I heard when applying mascara is to position your mascara wand at the base of the root, and ‘wiggle’ it in a zig-zap motion as you apply the mascara, root to tip.

Another tip I’d like to share is to use two mascara formulas; a lengthening mascara and a volumizing mascara. (Although, if you had applied a base coat mascara, you should probably skip these two formulas and just apply your regular mascara – too much product and your lashes might weight down, or even worse, end up falling out!) I used to do this tip until I found my favorite mascara that does both! All you have to do is this: Apply your lengthening mascara first (one coat) and then finish off with a thickening mascara, which is heavier in product. This thickening formula thickens the lashes you just lengthened, so voila, you get the best of both worlds!

I recommend.

As always, here are some mascara recommendations that I have found and loved – please feel free to add your own recommendations in the comments, and thanks in advance!

• Lancome Virtuose - I know I’m always singing it’s praises but it really is a great mascara. I’ve tried some other great mascaras after finding Virtuose, but I always come back. It has the perfect formula of length, volume and not to mention, it holds a curl like nobody’s business, which is a huge plus for me – like I said above, I don’t like using a lash curler too much for fear of breakage. This mascara creates a curl as well. You can read my full review here.

• Clinique Lash Power – Another great mascara. In fact, I really, really, like this one – I would love it more than Virtuose but it lost out on it’s curling power. There are two versions, the normal one, which my friend Christine reviewed here, and the Curling version, which I reviewed here. I really loved this mascara, but like I said in my review, it lost out a bit in the thickening department. It’s still amazing, though.

• Maybelling Great Lash – This is either really loved or hated (from what I’ve read) but I do like it – it gives a very natural, lengthening look. Great for an everyday look. Also, it is very dark which I really liked! You can read the full review here.

• Chanel Exceptionnel – I wrote in my review that this mascara had many ‘flaws’, and I still believe it does, as it gets dry and clumpy very easily. However, when it’s brand new (the first 2 weeks) it’s fantastic and really ‘lifts’ the lashes up.

I hope my tips have helped! Have you heard any of these mascara tricks before? What do you do to get your best lashes ever? :)

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