Six ways to make your mascara work for you
Lush lashes are having a moment. Forget kohl and eyeliner, it's time to pull out those mascara wands. From runways and catwalks to night's out and lunch with the girls, dramatic lashes are in.
If you thought it was as simple as pulling out that trusty, dried up mascara from the back of your makeup kit, forget it. There's a whole new range of mascaras to suit every mood. Starting with lash building primers—think of them as underwear for lashes for added staying power—to mascaras for every look and ending with a finish wand for building up tiny bottom lashes, there are more variants than you can possibly imagine.
Here’s a lowdown on the different kinds of mascaras.
1. One size doesn't fit all
Sure there are mascaras that promise the earth, defined, mile long lashes and perfect curls in one swipe, but a single formulation can offer just so many benefits.
If you want a specific look, say thickened curled, voluminous or lengthened, look for a specialized mascara, says Nykaa makeup artist Arshis Javeri. For instance, curling mascaras like Maybelline Volum Express Hyper Curl Mascara contains resins and waxes that lift and bend straight lashes. Similarly, lengthening mascara like Deborah Black + Long Mascara contain nylon fibers that work at elongating spiky lashes, making them look longer.
2. Curl to perfection
Invest in an eyelash curler, even if you think it resembles a medieval torture device. Eyelash curlers like Colorbar Showstopper Eyelash Curler and Konad Eyelash Curler can make your eyes look wider and prettier in seconds.
Ideally, use it before applying mascara because the product can stick to the curler tugging at lashes causing breakage. It's really quite easy to use. Stand close to a mirror, lift up your chin and adjust the curler to hold the lashes close to the rots for about five seconds. Then pulse halfway down the lashes thrice for a second each time. Voila! Gorgeous curvaceous lashes to bat at your boyfriend.
3. Dramatic fullness
If you're looking for naturally defined, effortlessly dramatic lashes then right after curling load up with lengthening mascara like L'Oreal Paris Lash Architect 4D Mascara to the upper and lower lashes.
Let dry before wiggling the brush of volumizing mascara like Maybelline The Colossal Volum Express Mascara against the roots and pull it through, swishing the wand, windshield-wiper style, across your corner lashes to really enhance them. Arshis says this little trick really elongates the lash edges, giving a doe-like eye-popping effect.
4. Go from stubby to long in minutes
Everyone isn't blessed with lashes that literally fringe their peepers. Just get hold of a formula like L'Oreal Paris Volume Million Lashes Mascara to lengthen stubby lashes into lush fanned look. Apply to one eye, then the other. When the formula dries, apply another coat, shimmying the formula into the lash line and swiftly pulling it through the lashes. Arshis says this rapid wriggly movement separates lashes, instantly lengthening and thickening them.
5. Waterproof for special occasions only
Pull out the big guns only when you expect the waterworks to flow. Waterproof formulas like Revlon Water Tight Mascara can be tough to remove and all that tugging and cleaning can be harsh on lashes and delicate skin around the eyes. Save it for your best friend's—or your—wedding. A clever trick you might want to try for painless removal. Apply over a coat of regular mascara to make removing a breeze.
6. Avoid the clumpy look
Bits of mascara stuck between lashes looks tacky. Avoid this beauty faux pas by tidying your lashes by sweeping a clean spooley brush like the one in Vega set of 20 brushes. Run the applicator through clumps while the mascara is still wet for a well finished look.
7. And finally take it all off
Try using a specialized eye makeup remover. Effective brands like H2O+ Dual Action Eye Make-Up Removerand Vichy Purete Thermale 3 in 1 One Step Cleanser are strong enough to dissolve the most stubborn formulas without being too harsh on your eyes. The trick is to soak a cotton pad with the formula and gently press down on the eyes for a few seconds to allow it to soak into the mascara. Then slowly wipe the pad across the eyes.
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