It’s the one product we never go without but are we giving our lashes the full mascara magic? New CID Cosmetics Brand Ambassador, James McKnight provides his top tips on getting a flawless flutter.
Full on flutter? Then apply mascara to top and bottom lashes for a defined and “open” eye look. Avoid mascara on the bottom lashes if they are sparse or short as this only highlights the sparsity and can appear ageing.
Lift and curl lashes by placing the wand on top of your lashes at the roots and brush through, turning the wand towards you as you work towards the tip, this will encourage the lash to curl back on itself like a gift ribbon.
Upward strokes along the lash line if your eyes are hooded. This creates a wider and more open look to the eyes.
Thicker, fuller lash? Place the thumb of your free hand on your brow bone and pull your lid up slightly. This will allow you to get right into the roots of your lashes. Look down into your mirror and place the wand in at the roots and wiggle slightly.
Try other shades of mascara to experiment with different looks:
- Black – A classic, elegant defined effect which can be built from natural to dramatic.
- Blue – Use alone on the lashes for a more striking effect or apply just to the tips over black mascara for soft hint of colour. Blue works especially well on brown eyes, offering a more amber hue to the eyes.
- Plum – A great alternative to brown mascara and for those who prefer a softer look. Brown mascara can make the eyes look tired where as a plum shade will work to enhance any eye colour, specifically green or hazel eyes.
Ensure lash separation on the bottom lashes by pointing the mascara wand upwards and passing along your lashes in a side to side motion. Use only the tip of the wand for maximum control. For the top lashes brush the wand slowly though your lashes in a straight line, the brush will do the work for you and deposit an even distribution of mascara all the way from root to tip. Avoid building up product on the tips of your lashes if you find they lose the curl throughout the day, just reapply to the root only.
Remember these mascara rules!
Always apply mascara to the bottom lashes first, otherwise you may get spotting onto your upper lid if you start with the top lashes.
- Don’t “pump” your mascara, this introduces air into the container and dries out your mascara faster.
- Don’t try and remove mascara smudges straight away. Wait for the smudge to dry then rotate a clean, dry cotton bud over the smudge to lift the smudge away cleanly.
- Replace your mascara at least every 3 months to avoid infection risk and to ensure your mascara is still performing at its best.
