How to Apply Mascara

Learn how to apply mascara with this easy step-by-step tutorial and instructional video. Mascara is not difficult to learn, it only takes practice.

Try to select a mascara which coordinates with your hair color, eye color and lash type. This is important: if you don't select a good product, you may subconsciously find yourself not wanting to apply mascara or thinking it makes you look ugly.

Also be clear what look you're going for. Do you want to make your eyes look wider, more dramatic, less conspicuous, more conspicuous, longer, thicker or both? Are you accentuating your eyes, or your lips, or some other part of your face?

If you're going for a dramatic look, only apply mascara to your upper lashes. For wider eyes, apply (a little) mascara to the bottom lashes. To make your eyes pop, find a color that matches your eyes, or a dramatic color like pink eyeshadow.

If you want to curl your eyelashes, use an eyelash curler before you apply mascara.

You can also use a mascara primer, to make your mascara last longer.

Once you've decided on a look, it's time to learn how to apply mascara. Here we go!

1. Wiggle the mascara wand, from left to right, at the base (roots) of the lashes. This gives the appearance of length.
2. Pull the wand up and through the lashes, while still wiggling it.
3. Close the eye; put your mascara on top the lash, and pull through, to remove any clumps.

If you're not sure how to apply mascara to the bottom lashes, put a small tissue paper under them until you perfect your technique.

You can also use multiple mascaras. Many makeup artists combine colors, or apply lengthening mascara, then thickening mascara, to give the eyelashes length and thickness.

If you're a visual learner, see this excellent video tutorial:

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Some of this information came from About.com's webpage on how to apply mascara, and Wikihow's page.

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