How to Apply Mascara for Your Fullest-Looking Lashes Yet

Of all of the many face and eye makeup products out there, mascara is the one beauty item that most women just can’t leave the house without. And, let’s be real: Why would they? Just a few swipes of mascara can instantly transform any makeup look, making your eyes look brighter and bolder. If you’re working on three hours of sleep (we’ve all stayed up late to catch up on our favorite TV show), you probably need whatever help you can get to look your best the next morning. But when it comes to mascara, it’s not just about the formula. It turns out that there are quite a few tricks you can use while applying mascara to get the lashes of your dreams. Keep reading to find out how to apply mascara and use it to its full potential with these eight lash hacks.

MASCARA TIP #1. PICK THE RIGHT MASCARA FOR YOU

Want a va-va-va-voom fringe in just one step? First off, you need to choose the right mascara for whatever it is you’re going for. Whether you want lashes that look thicker, longer, more curled, or all of the above, we’ve got a mascara for you. Here are our best options:

For extreme volume and length…try the L'Oréal Paris Voluminous X Fiber Mascara. First, apply the primer, which will help build volume and prep your lashes for color. Then, apply the fiber-infused smudge proof mascara for next-level lashes.

For feathery fringe…try the L'Oréal Paris Voluminous Lash Paradise Washable Mascara. The soft wavy bristle brush on this mascara wand catches every lash for a full fringe effect.

For a lash lift effect…try the L'Oréal Paris Unlimited Lash Lifting and Lengthening Washable Mascara. This intensely lengthening mascara comes with a bendable brush, allowing you to access hard-to-reach inner and outer corner lashes.

For an intense (waterproof) look…try the L'Oréal Paris Voluminous Feline Waterproof Mascara. Instant volume and full lash density are achieved with just a few coats of this black, waterproof mascara. 

MASCARA TIP #2. CONSIDER USING MULTIPLE MASCARAS TO ACHIEVE YOUR GOAL

Sometimes, one mascara isn’t enough to fulfill your lash needs. If you have more time to spare, mix up your own mascara cocktail to enhance the look of your lashes.

Step 1: Prime your lashes. With a lash primer, start at the bottom of the lashes and use gentle wiggle motions as you glide the wand upward. This helps make sure your lashes are covered and prepped for mascara layering.

Step 2: Use a curling mascara. To add curl and width to the center of the lashes, choose a mascara that has a wider, fatter brush. Apply mascara to the middle of your lashes and move the wand upward. You can do this one or two times, but make sure it doesn’t get too thick or clumpy—there’s one more layer to go!

Step 3: Finish with a volumizing mascara. For the final coat, it’s all about volume. Apply a volumizing mascara that can help pump up the appearance of lashes and you’ll have fringe that makes everyone envious!

MASCARA TIP #3. LOOK DOWN

OK, this is probably going to sound like the easiest tip in the world, but many women forget to do this when applying mascara, so it’s worth repeating! The next time you apply mascara, instead of looking at the mirror, just look down. This technique shifts the lashes lower and helps prevent them from hitting your lids when you put on mascara, which means you won’t have to deal with mascara smudges ruining your eye shadow ever again. Who knew such a small change could make such a big difference?

MASCARA TIP #4. GO FOR COLOR

Sleepless night? Sometimes all it takes to look a little more bright-eyed and bushy-tailed is a quick coat or two of mascara. And, while we often reach for black, why not opt for a colored formula instead? Ditch the black and go for a blue or burgundy to help bring out the whites of your eyes. Plus, colored mascara is great for making a major statement with your lashes. Our favorite colored mascara is the L'Oréal Paris Voluminous Original Mascara, which comes in Deep Burgundy and Cobalt Blue shades.

MASCARA TIP #5. FOCUS ON YOUR BOTTOM LASHES

Truth: When it comes to mascara, we often neglect our bottom lashes. It doesn’t have to be that way, though. Give them the TLC they deserve by applying some mascara onto your lower lashes. Doe-like eyes are a possibility when you swipe a coat or two of mascara onto your bottom lashes.

MASCARA TIP #6. BEND THE BRUSH

Applying mascara on those shorter lashes at the innermost corner of your eye without poking your nose seems impossible, right? Well, get those hard-to-reach lashes by using this next mascara hack: Bend the handle of your mascara so that it’s perpendicular to the brush. This will allow you to reach corners without struggling. Of course, you could also just grab our aforementioned Unlimited Mascara, which comes with a bendable wand to help you reach every last lash.

MASCARA TIP #7. WIGGLE YOUR WAND

You probably learned to apply mascara by just swiping the spoolie brush upward in a single motion. But, if you want thicker-looking lashes, you have to wiggle. Yes, you have to wiggle your wand as you work your way through the entire lash to make sure your fringe is coated from root to tip!

MASCARA TIP #8: condition your lashes

That’s right—just like your hair, your eyelashes can benefit from conditioning, too! Swipe on some lash conditioning serum to give your lashes a hair care routine all their own. As for our lash serum rec, we’re obsessed with the L’Oréal Paris Lash Serum Solution Eyelash Serum with Lash Caring Complex.

Next up: Let’s brush up on some more eye makeup application tips, shall we? Check out our articles, How to Apply Gel Eyeliner and How to Experiment with Colorful Eyebrows.