How to Get Bold Bottom Lashes Without Extensions

Bold bottom lashes — we all want them, but mastering this makeup look is easier said than done. Don’t worry though, with the right tips and tricks, you can expertly apply bottom lash mascara without it looking clumpy or smearing under your eyes. Keep reading for nine eye makeup tips that will help you emphasize your lower lash line with mascara, plus — for those who can’t live without their falsies — how to get bold lower lashes using  eyelash extensions.

How to Get Bold Bottom Lashes With Mascara

You know what they say — fake it ‘til you make it — and that’s exactly what we’re going to teach you how to do. Here are nine tips for getting bold bottom lashes with mascara.

1. Always Apply Bottom to Top

You might feel like you should apply mascara to your top lashes before your bottom, but that’s not actually the case. When you apply your mascara to your lower lashes first, you're able to look up to swipe on top lash mascara without messing up your perfectly blended smokey eye. A solution, at last!

2. Prime Your Lashes First

If you want your mascara to look flawless and last all day, eyelash primer will be your best friend. Add a tube of the L’Oréal Paris Voluminous Lash Primer or the L’Oréal Paris Voluminous Lash Paradise Mascara Primer/Base to your arsenal and swipe on before applying mascara. Not only will your mascara stick to your lashes for longer, but it will also make your lower lashes look even longer and more voluminous.

3. Use A Waterproof Mascara

When it comes to bottom lash mascara, it’s best to use a waterproof formula — like the L’Oréal Paris Telescopic Original Waterproof Lengthening Mascara — if you want to avoid looking like a raccoon by the end of the day. 

If you have long bottom lashes, there’s a good chance that they’ll graze your under-eye area, which can result in your mascara mixing with your foundation or concealer. Keep a waterproof makeup remover, like the L’Oréal Paris Micellar Cleansing Water Complete Cleanser Waterproof - All Skin Types, on hand so you can easily remove your mascara at the end of the day.

4. Swipe Mascara On Side-to-Side 

We’ve all been taught to apply our mascara in up and down swipes, but have you considered wiggling the wand from side to side? If you ever find yourself clicking through social media videos from fashion week and behind-the-scenes photoshoots, you’ll notice that makeup artists apply mascara this way to achieve a really bold bottom lash look reminiscent of the sixties. Give it a try next time you apply mascara to your lower lash line.

5. Use A Smaller Mascara Wand

Beyond your bottom lash mascara formula, the spoolie you use to apply it matters, too. Your lower lashes are shorter than your upper lashes, so it only makes sense to use a smaller mascara wand to get the job done. When you use a smaller wand, you’ll be less likely to smear mascara along your lash line or under your eyes.

6. Switch Up Your Mascara Colors

Black is the most common mascara shade (it’s a classic for a reason) but that doesn’t mean you always have to stick with that tried-and-true hue. Think outside the box and apply a colored mascara to your bottom lashes for an eye-catching look. Try the L’Oréal Paris Voluminous Original Washable Bold Eye Mascara in Cobalt Blue, and as always, use a lash primer first so that the color really stands out. This mascara also comes in other unique colors you can try, such as Deep Burgundy or Deep Violet.

7. Put The Excess To Use

You know that irksome moment when you’re applying mascara to your lower lashes, and you accidentally clump some between your lashes and along your actual lash line? Instead of getting annoyed, grab an angled eyeliner brush and swipe the mascara along your entire lash line. Besides giving you the look of thicker lashes, this little trick will also give you an eyeliner look that’s perfectly matched to your mascara.

8. Brush Through Your Bottom Lashes

Both before and after applying mascara, run a clean spoolie through your lashes. This will help your lashes look fuller while ensuring that you avoid any clumps.

9. Ditch Creamy Under-Eye Concealers

Sometimes your mascara isn’t the reason for smudged mascara under your eyes — it’s your under-eye concealer. If you apply a formula that’s too creamy under your eyes, there’s a good chance it will crease and also cause the mascara on your bottom lashes to leave a black residue. 

To avoid this, apply a long-wear, waterproof concealer, like the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Full Wear Concealer Waterproof, Full Coverage, under your eyes, or bake your makeup so that your concealer fully sets.

How To Get Bold Bottom Lashes With Lash Extensions

If you’ve ever wondered if you can apply eyelash extensions to your bottom lashes, you had the right idea. You can get bottom lash extensions from a salon if you’re looking for a more permanent bold lower lash look. If you want to DIY the look for a day, you can with the help of individual lashes. Here’s how:

1. Apply Your Eye Makeup

To start, apply your eye makeup as you normally would — up until when you’d typically apply mascara. Applying your individual lashes should be the last step in your routine.

2. Grab Your Lash Glue

Reach for a lash glue and squeeze a small amount onto a piece of foil or cardboard. Let the glue set for a few seconds until it’s tacky.

3. Dip Your Lash

Use a pair of tweezers to pick up your individual lash, taking care to hold it in the position you’ll be applying it. Dip the end into your lash glue.

4. Apply Your Lashes

Apply your first individual lash to your lower lash line, then repeat the process until you have two sets of bold, fake bottom lashes.

Next: The Best L'Oréal Paris Mascara For Your Lash Type

Edited by: Shannon Stubbs, Photo Credit: Sanaz Fakhra @sanazfakhramakeup