Mascara is an effective makeup tool after lipstick. It will give more emphasis on lashes as a result your eyes will be looking much opened. Number of color choices and many brands promising thicken, lengthen, darken, volumes and condition your lashes are available. It is available in waterproof and regular formulas.

Mascara is an amazing invention and is considered fundamental to any kind of makeup application. Many makeup artists, including myself, say that if you’re not wearing any other makeup but still want to wear something, wear mascara. On the other hand, many of us and I’m guilty of this too get carried away and wear way too much mascara.

Proper application technique is very important to apply mascara to get the required finish. Make sure that the mascara covers the lashes from the root to the tip. While you apply mascara on your upper lashes, wiggle the mascara rod back and forth at the base of the lashes to deposit color before rolling the brush through your lashes. The lashes should be coated from very base to the tip with full strokes. By this method the mascara will look much thicker with ends separated and base well defined.

Types of Mascara:

Mascara comes in two basic types: waterproof and water-soluble. Mascaras should not smudge, flake, or clump. It is not your fault if they do. Price does not tell you anything about how a mascara will perform. Drugstore mascaras can be as good as any on the market, and sometimes even better.

Steps for Mascara Application:

Make an appropriate selection of mascara taking into consideration its suitability to your eyelashes and the occasion. You can choose formulas for lengthening and thickening your eyelashes.

You can also have an option of adopting long wearing and waterproof formulas. You can add length for the day whereas during night you can adopt long wearing or thickening formulas.

• Make sure that mascara is not too thick. Thick mascara makes application little difficult. In addition to this it gives unappealing spider look to your eyelashes.
• Select an appropriate color. You would better apply brown mascara if you have blond or red lashes. For darker-lashed women it is advisable to use brown to get a casual look. They can also use black or brown-black to make their lashes more pronounced and dramatic.
• Use eyelash curler for curling of your lashes in accordance with your need and then apply all other eye makeup before using mascara.
• Take out the wand from the tube in one pull. Air will enter into the tube through pumping of mascara leading to the possibility of drying out the formula and bringing bacteria into it.
• Initially apply mascara on the underside of upper lashes by gradually moving the brush upward up to the tips of eyelashes. It is essential to hold the wand parallel to eyelid. Promote the separation of the lashes by gradually rolling the brush on the upward stroke.
• Wait till the first coat of mascara dries and then apply the second coat in the same way.
• Separate the wet lashes with the use of an eyelash comb. Use tissue paper to blot the lashes and also remove excess mascara.
• You must apply less mascara on the lower lashes. Begin with the point where the lashes meet the rim of the lower eyelid and then gradually apply downward stroke.
• Dip a cotton swab in a small amount of eye makeup remover and is it for removal of stray mascara surrounding the eye.

How To Apply Mascara: Tricks

• Wash hands before applying mascara.
• Never use saliva or water to moisten mascara. Bacteria in saliva or water can overpower the mascara’s preservative capabilities. If the mascara is dried out, throw it out.
• Never borrow or share mascara or any eye make-up. Conjunctivitis, or pinkeye, is a common and extremely contagious viral eye infection which is infectious even before symptoms appear.
• Don’t use mascara if you have an eye infection and discard any mascara you were using when the infection occurred. If not, you run the risk of re-infecting yourself.
• Stay away from multiple use testers at pharmacies or makeup counters. Use single use applicators such as disposable mascara wands.
• Discard mascara after three months. The preservatives that guard against microorganisms become less effective with time.
• Store cosmetics at temperatures under 85° F (29° C). Higher temperatures decrease the preservative’s effectiveness, allowing growth of bacteria and fungi. Note: Hot cars can easily reach these temperatures in summer. So don’t store mascara in cars for long periods of time.
• Remove mascara before going to sleep. Flakes of mascara that fall off eye lashes can end up in the eye, causing irritation and infection.

Mistakes to Avoid:

• Do not wear colored mascara such as blue, purple, or green if you’re going for a professional daytime look.
• Do not tolerate mascara that smears; there are lots that don’t.
• Do not use waterproof mascaras on a daily basis; they are too difficult to remove and too hard on your lashes.
• Do not forget to apply mascara evenly to lower lashes.
• Do not over-apply mascara; your lashes will look clumpy.