How to Apply Mascara for Beginners

If there’s one beauty product we can’t live without, it’s got to be mascara. Its ability to instantly enhance our appearance in ways that daily sheet masking cannot has made it a staple in our makeup kits.

This beloved cosmetic is one of the first products we purchase as teens with a newfound curiosity for makeup, probably because it’s one of the easiest types of makeup to apply. Its straightforward application process is so simple that most of us never bothered to look up a tutorial on how to apply it. In fact, we don’t need to!

Mascara is like a signature dish; everyone and their mom has their own way of doing it. But with so many different techniques for applying mascara, it can be pretty confusing for a beginner to figure out what works and what doesn’t.

While there’s no one “correct” way to apply mascara, there are a couple of beginner-friendly tricks that can make all the difference between clumpy, spider lashes and picture-perfect peepers.

Do you want to level up your lash game? This step-by-step guide on how to apply mascara for beginners will ensure your lashes reach their full potential.

Step 1: Choose Your Mascara

There are different types of mascaras and mascara wands available on the market. Choosing the right one is vital to achieving your lash goals. That said, the first step is to identify your lash type and needs. Do your lashes need length, volume, curl, or definition?

Those with short lashes should go for a lengthening mascara with a spiky rubber wand. Anyone with sparse lashes that need thickness, opt for a volumizing formula with dense, fluffy bristles. If you have straight lashes that need help holding a curl, a curling mascara and curved wand is your best friend. For those with naturally thick lashes that are prone to clumping, a comb mascara wand will help separate and define your lashes.

You can also choose a formula based on your situational needs. A waterproof mascara is perfect for environments or events that require some water-resistance, such as the beach, club, or summer months. But be careful because waterproof formulas can dry out your lashes and are more difficult to remove. By contrast, non-waterproof formulas are gentler on the lashes and easier to remove. However, they are more prone to smudging and aren’t as long-lasting.

Step 2: Clean Your Lashes

Just as you would start with a clean face before applying any kind of face makeup, it’s best to start with clean lashes before applying mascara.

Soak a cotton pad with eye makeup remover and gently press it over your lashes. Wait a few seconds to allow the solution to break down any leftover eye makeup. Wash your face with a gentle cleanser and pat dry with a soft washcloth.

Step 3: Curl Your Lashes

If you were born with eyelashes that naturally curl upwards, consider yourself lucky because this creates the illusion of longer looking lashes and bigger, brighter eyes. Thankfully, the eyelash curler exists, so those of us with stick-straight lashes can still achieve this bright-eyed look.

Curling your lashes can really enhance your gaze and help you achieve the lashes of your dreams. Just remember that this should always be done before applying any kind of product to your lashes, as mascara can stick to the curler and pull out your lashes.

Align the rubber pad of the lash curler along the base of your lashes. Gently squeeze for five seconds and release. Tilt the eyelash curler upwards, then curl the middle and top sections of your lashes. Working from the roots to the tips will give you a more natural-looking curl. Repeat this process on the other eye.

Pro Tip: Use an eyelash primer for longer and fuller-looking lashes.

Step 4: Apply Other Eye Makeup

If you’re planning to do a full makeup look with eyeshadow and eyeliner, now is the time to do it. You should apply other eye makeup first to ensure that you don’t smudge any mascara on your lids and ruin the whole look.

Other types of makeup, such as foundation, blush, and bronzer can be applied at any time, though it’s common to apply a full face of makeup first and save mascara for last.

Step 5: Wipe Off the Excess Mascara From the Wand

When working with makeup, it’s always best to start with a small amount. This will give you more control over the application and allow you to build up layers as desired. Having too much product on the mascara wand can lead to clumping and smudging. You can easily avoid these problems by scraping the wand on the lip of the mascara tube to remove the excess product.

Step 6: Coat Each Lash

After all that lash prep, it’s finally time to apply your mascara! The key to gorgeous eyelashes is to coat every single eyelash with mascara from root to tip. To start the application process, you’ll want to apply mascara on both sides of your upper lashes.

Place the mascara brush above your upper lash line and sweep down while twisting the wand inward. Do this looking down or with your eye closed. Then, place the brush under the lashes and pull up towards the tips.

Step 7: Apply Mascara to the Upper Lashes

Once you’ve fully coated your lashes with mascara, it’s time to lengthen, thicken, and define them. Again, there’s no one single way of applying mascara correctly, but there are a few tried-and-tested methods that many professional makeup artists use to create a super glam lash line.

Wiggle Method

This method ensures that every lash is evenly coated and lifted to a curl. It also helps prevent clumps from forming. Hold the mascara wand against the base of your upper lashes. Sweep upwards while wiggling the wand from side to side in a zig-zag motion. Repeat the process until you achieve the desired length and thickness. Make sure to concentrate the product on the roots. Otherwise, your lashes will be weighed down by the mascara and lose their curl.

Fan Method

You can create more separated lashes that fan out by working your way from the outer to the inner corners. Start by applying mascara to the lashes on the outer corner of the eye, holding the wand at an angle so that you’re brushing the lashes upward and outward. Moving to the center of your lash line, brush the lashes that sit above the iris upward. Lastly, you want to apply mascara to the finer lashes on the inner corners of your eyes in upward and inward direction.

Step 8: Apply a Second Coat

One coat of mascara is great for a natural, everyday makeup look. If you’re satisfied with that, you can skip this step. But if you want a little more oomph out of your lashes, a second coat of mascara can further enhance your look.

Coating your lashes a second time can be quite tricky in terms of timing. Letting the first coat dry too much can result in a clumpy look. The key is to wait 30 to 45 seconds between each application. Then you can apply the second coat of mascara using the same method as the first coat.

Another trick you can try is to layer mascaras. This will allow you to combine the special characteristics of each formula. Try applying a coat of lengthening mascara, followed by a volumizing mascara. Just note that some combinations can turn out clumpy, so experiment with different products at home and see what works.

Pro Tip: Stick to a maximum of two coats of mascara. Anything more than that can turn out clumpy and spidery.

Step 9: Apply Mascara to the Lower Lashes

Your upper eyelashes might be the star of the show, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t give some love to your bottom lashes! Defining the lower lashes doesn’t always work with every makeup look, so this step is completely optional. But it can help add more definition to your eyes and balance out the look.

Hold the wand vertically and use the tip of the applicator to coat the tiny bottom lashes, concentrating the product on the roots.

Pro Tip: Place a spoon or tissue under the bottom lashes while applying to mascara to prevent smudging.

Step 10: Clean Up

Mascaras are prone to smudging. If you get any product on your eyelids, you can use a cotton swab and dipped in a small amount of moisturizer to get rid of any mascara mistakes without ruining the rest of your eye makeup. Gently press the tip of the swab on the smudge and spin it in place.

For extra feathery and fluttery lashes, comb through your lashes with a disposable mascara wand or clean spoolie brush. This will help fish out any clumps and give your lashes more definition.

source https://degreesofvanity.com/how-to-apply-mascara-for-beginners/