When a woman tells me that she wears no make-up, 9 times out of 10, she isn’t including mascara. No matter how much, or how little make-up goes on, most of the ladies I meet tell me they feel naked until they darken and lengthen their lashes. And I can’t say I blame you….lush lashes are fun, flirty and fabulous.

Today, I am going to offer up all my tips and tricks to ensure that you get the most out of your application and prevent those pesky common problems. For a comprehensive explanation on proper mascara application please CLICK HERE. But, if you just want my secrets, read on…

My Favorite Mascara Secrets

To Prevent Clumps

Have you noticed that big glob of mascara that sits at the end of the wand when you pull it out of the tube? If it’s on the brush, it will end up on your lashes. If you want a flawless application, remove it with a tissue before you begin applying.

To Banish Clumps and Separate Lashes

While the mascara is still wet, lay a clean lash comb on the lashes and quickly pull it through. This will grab every clump while separating your lashes and extending their length. The Tweezerman Lash comb is great. A clean spoolie brush is another option that will work nearly as well (I did say nearly). The Jane Iredale Spoolie is fantastic. Don’t have a lash comb or a spoolie brush, then wait until one of your mascaras run out. Clean the wand with some soap and water and when it dries you’ll have your own spoolie! And, how very green of you to recycle.

To Add Extra Length

After you have applied all your coats of mascara, and let them dry completely, reload the wand and blink into the brush. The ends of your lashes will grab a few extra coats and grow to gorgeous lengths.

Beware: If you wear glasses that sit close to your face, your endless lashes might just be hitting them all day…proceed accordingly….

To Prevent Mascara Smearing/Running

This can happen for two reasons (even with waterproof formulas) and in both cases, your eye creams and/or concealers are the culprits.

1.     Very often mascara runs because it slides into concealers and/or eye creams. Prevent this by sealing them. Dusting a healthy layer of translucent powder under and over the eyes will do the trick. I like the Cover FX Setting Powder, the finely blasted mica will hold the concealer (or cream) in place without looking cakey or settling into lines and creases.

Trust Me: When I tell you it won’t look cakey or settle. The Cover FX Setting Powder has no talc in it. Talc public enemy number one when it comes to caking into creases.

2.     If you get eye or face creams on the lashes, the mascara will not be able to adhere fully. The emolliency of the cream ensures that it will only be a matter of time before the mascara finds its way onto your skin. It is much easier to get creams onto your lashes than you might think…so be careful.

To Prevent Specks on the Upper Lid

If you apply your mascara correctly, the lashes may well be long enough to touch your upper lid when you are done. So, to keep from having to redo your eye shadow, keep the lids half closed for about thirty seconds. Once the mascara is dry, be as wide eyed as you wish and there won’t be an issue. Still getting the specks…a touch of moisturizer on a cotton swab will pull it away with minimal damage to your eye shadow.

To Make Lashes Even Fatter

After your first (and maybe second) coat of mascara, use an eye shadow brush to dust the lashes with a light coat of translucent powder. The mascara will grab the powder, intensifying the thickening effect. Proceed with caution, too much powder will make you look like you just globbed the mascara on. The Cover FX Setting Powder is perfect for this as well.

To Intensify Your Eye Color

Use black on the upper lashes (or brown if you are very fair) for the lushness and length but on the lower lashes, use a shade complimentary to your eye color to make those babies’s pop. DiorShow Plum is a perfectly subtle purple/plum shade that will add extra pop to ANY eye color. Want even more pop, use the plum on the top lashes as well.

To Whiten Your Eye Whites

Blue mascara will brighten the whites of your eyes and add life to your whole face! Benefit BADgal Blue Mascara is exactly what you need to do the trick. Added bonus, the hue of blue (much like the plum) will enhance nearly every eye color.

To Add Bedroom Flirtiness

After you apply a coat or two, apply one more coat only to the outer lashes. Be sure to pull the brush toward the side as you sweep it over the lashes. This will add extra weight and length to the end lashes. Marilyn loved this trick and so do I.

Customize Your Mascara

To get your desired effect, choose the right formula. If you want longer and more defined lashes, choose a one that is formulated for that. If you want them thicker, choose thickening. And remember, if you use a waterproof formula last (over the other layers), you will make all the layers waterproof. The big bonus in this step is the full benefit of waterproof mascara without the aggravation of removal. Because the waterproof formula is not directly on the lashes, it will be easy to remove.

Viola! Now you know all of my secrets to having the most devastating lashes in the room. Get out there and be beautiful!