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How to Apply Mascara

By Alina Bradford on Oct 11, 2009

Long, thick lashes

Applying mascara may seem simple at first, but if your mascara clumps, runs, flakes or makes your lashes look like spider legs, you may not be applying it properly. There are certain steps you can take that will make your lashes look plump and luscious without much added work. All you need are a few inexpensive makeup tools and a little facial powder...continues below

Step 1

Use a clean cotton ball to dust your lashes with a light coating of facial powder. The powder gives the mascara staying power and makes the lashes seem plumper.
Step 2

Remove the brush from the mascara tube and lightly wipe the wand on a facial tissue to remove any clumps.
Step 3

Hold the end of the wand so that it is horizontal with the line of your lashes and brace your hand on your cheek. Do not comb the brush through your lashes yet. Move the brush along the lash line as if you were tracing the edge of the lid.
Step 4

Close your eyes halfway and run the brush through the backside of your lashes, being careful not to touch the lid.
Step 5

Look up at the ceiling to open your eyes wide. Rotate the wand and run it through the front of your lashes, wiggling the brush from side-to-side as you slide it upward.
Step 6

Coat the bottom lashes by repeating Step 2 and placing the brush on the first lash on the inside of the eye and pulling it lightly to the outer corner of the eye.
Step 7

Let the lashes dry for about 30 seconds and repeat Step 6. Another coat makes your lashes darker and plumper.
Step 8

Repeat Steps 2 to 7 for the other eye.

Resource

Curling Lashes

Reference

Ingredients

Mascara
Facial powder
Cotton ball
Facial tissue
Eyelash comb

Keywords

mascara
makeup
eyelashes
apply

Skill

Tips

If several eyelashes stick together, use an eyelash comb (a very small comb on a wand made for lashes) to comb out the tangle. You can also use a clean mascara wand as an eyelash comb in a pinch.
For more curled lashes, use an eyelash curler before applying your mascara.