HOW TO APPLY MASCARA – 5 THINGS TO NEVER DO!

Even if, as a rule, you prefer to go ‘barely-there’ with your makeup, we bet you still give your lashes a couple of swipes with your favorite mascara, right? But do you ever wonder if you’ve got your mascara application spot on? Then read on for five important no-nos to help you majorly (and easily!) up your mascara game.

Don’t get us wrong, we love foundation, blush, eyeshadow and concealer, but when it comes to makeup staples – the ones of which we always, without fail, have at least three on the go – lip gloss and mascara are everything. And while lip gloss is pretty easy to get right (although if you want it to really stay put, we have some great tips, right here!), mascara can be tricky to nail. Clumpy lashes, dried out mascara, flaky bits around the eyes… the struggle is real!

But it doesn’t have to be that way. Of course, our Like Magic Mascara cuts out most of those annoying flaking and clumping issues thanks to its clever tubing formulation that wraps every single hair in lash-loving product. But still, you’ve got to put in a little time and effort if you want the best lashes of your life. Sweat and tears? Totally not necessary. But a smidgen of knowhow and an extra side of patience? Priceless.

Feel like getting on that? Then read on for five common bad mascara habits you need to break right now.

1. NEVER Pump Your Mascara Wand Up & Down

This has to be one of the most common mistakes everyone’s guilty of, and it happens before the mascara wand gets even close to your lashes.

The truth is, pumping the wand in and out of your mascara tube in a bid to drown it in product is bad news. Not only do you absolutely not want to overload your wand (more on that in a second) but any pumping action forces unnecessary air into the tube, making your mascara dry out lightning fast. The result? You’ll have to trash your mascara way before it’s finished. Super annoying. Instead, twist the wand as you slowly pull it out.

2. DON’T Apply Tons Of Product At Once

Like nail varnish and winter fashion choices, thin layers of mascara are always better than one super thick one.

If you apply too much mascara in one heavy coat, your lashes are likely to stick together and get clumpy. It’s also safe to say that if you blink mid-application with too much product on your lashes, you are inevitably going to get some mascara on the skin around your eyes. Sure, you could always take that risk out of the equation by using our Mascara Shield (smart choice!) but we still recommend opting for the layering approach.

Apply one thin coat, allow it to dry for a minute, then check out your handiwork and, if you need a little more, repeat. We also recommend combing through your lashes between each coat to ensure they don’t clump. Lucky you, because our Mascara Shield also doubles up as a lash comb. You’re welcome.

3. DON’T Forget To Coat The Tops And Bottoms

Most of us coat just the underside of our top lashes – this is what you see in the mirror, after all. However, it’s important to apply mascara to both the top and bottom of your upper eyelashes, especially if you have fair or barely-there lashes.

To avoid overweighing your lashes with product, look down and coat the top first (with a thin layer, remember?), then look up and do the underside.

And don’t dismiss your bottom lashes because adding a little color to these can really open up your eyes and finish your makeup.

Your bottom lashes are notoriously tricky to get right – spidery doll lashes, anyone? – but this is when your Mascara Shield comes in handy again. Simply hold it underneath your bottom lashes and a clean slate is yours for the taking!

We also recommend using just the tip of your wand rather than the whole brush (wipe it with a tissue first to ensure there’s not too much mascara on there). This will help you apply your mascara with a more precise, delicate hand while targeting each and every one of those tiny bottom lashes.

4. DON’T Zig Zag Up And Down Your Lashes

It’s tempting to wiggle your mascara wand as you work it through your lashes but this can make the hairs sit in awkward positions which isn’t the best idea if you want to create length.

Zig zagging can be a great trick for adding volume to thin lashes, for sure, but if you’re looking for length, do this instead. Hold the wand at the base of your lashes and give it a gentle wiggle. Then pull your wand straight through your lashes, lifting and curling them up and out as you go. You could also try rolling the brush as you work it through to the ends to help give your lashes extra curl.

5. NEVER Curl Your Lashes After Applying Mascara

Curling your eyelashes is a great way to add extra lift and length (it’s also an awesome anti-aging trick!) but you must do it before, rather than after applying your mascara.

If you curl your lashes afterwards, your mascara can get stuck to the eyelash curler which is a sure fire way to break or pull out your lashes. Yes, ouch! Not only that but curling lashes that have been coated in mascara means you’ll end up with product all over your curler which can clog it up and make it kind of gross. 

Curling is great, yes, but only ever do it on clean lashes. Understood? Good.