Should You Apply Mascara Before or After Curling Your Lashes?

From applying eyeliner to mixing foundation, you can find a ton of beauty hacks all over the internet. But with so many unique ways of applying makeup going viral on social media apps like Instagram and TikTok, knowing what works and what doesn’t can be quite tricky, especially for a beginner.

It might be tempting to try all these popular makeup hacks, but some can do more harm than good. One of the things you should be more cautious about is how to curl your lashes. More specifically, when it comes to using an eyelash curler and mascara.

Do You Put Mascara on Before or After Curling?

If you’ve ever wondered whether to curl your lashes before or after mascara, you should know that plenty of people have struggled with the same predicament. As much as we wish the answer was straightforward, it isn’t.

Plenty of beauty buffs curl their lashes before applying mascara to get a dramatic look that’s similar to falsies, while others prefer to curl eyelashes after mascara because it allows your lashes to better hold a curl throughout the day. Some curl lashes pre- and post-mascara to get the maximum amount of curl possible. So is there actually a “right” way to do it? The simple answer is: You should apply mascara after curling lashes.

Why You Should Apply Mascara After Curling Lashes

No matter what makeup hacks you see online, you should avoid using eyelash curlers after putting on mascara because doing so can actually damage your eyelashes.

Mascara contains ingredients like waxes and oils that have a slightly sticky consistency, even when it has fully dried. Besides causing your lashes to clump together, curling eyelashes coated with mascara can stick to the lash curler and get pulled out, resulting in shedding. Moreover, lashes are more prone to breaking when coated with dry mascara.

How to Curl Your Lashes

If your lashes have a natural curl, consider yourself lucky because you might not even need to use one! But for those who are lacking in the curl department, eyelash curlers are a great tool to have in your makeup kit. They can help lift and curl your lashes, giving you the appearance of bigger and brighter eyes. Here’s how to get the best curl:

1. Position the rubber pad of the lash curler as close to the base of your lashes as you can without touching your eyelids.
2. Slowly squeeze the eyelash curler to clamp your lashes, being careful not to pinch your skin.
3. Pulsate the curler for two to three seconds.
4. Tilt the eyelash curler upwards, moving the rubber pad to the middle of your lashes. Squeeze again.
5. Tilt it once more to curl the tips of the lashes.
6. Once your lashes are curled, apply your favorite mascara.

Eyelash Curler Tips

For the best results, you should curl your eyelashes before and after applying eyeshadow instead. The first curl tends to fall slightly after completing other eye makeup, such as shadow and liner, so a second curl will give your lashes another boost before applying mascara.

Curling your lashes from the roots to the tips will give you the best curl.

Heated eyelash curlers work like a curling iron; it can give you a long-lasting curl without having to squeeze your lashes (and risk pulling them out.) All you have to do is brush your lashes upward, and this will encourage your lashes to form and hold a curl.

If you don’t have a heated lash curler, you can heat a traditional metal one for 10 to 20 seconds using a hair dryer or hot water.

source https://degreesofvanity.com/mascara-before-or-after-curling/