Oh, Katy Perry! How we adore you!
As a bridal makeup artist, I have received numerous requests for “Katy Perry Lashes” from brides, hoping to achieve that wide eyed, full fringe eyelash look. Although false lashes have always been a beauty staple, it seems that lash enhancement has become the quite the rage again with the sheer number of false lash styles, types, and new products to help all of us with a meager lash line feel like the newest pinup girl.
Over the next few days, I’m going to go over the different types of lash enhancements, from the very basic to the newest trends.
Today’s topic: Mascara
From Tammy Faye’s clumpy, black-tear-streaked lash line to clear gel filled with bubbles, mascara has been a favorite product among women for creating easy, one step lashes that separates us from the boys. (And yes, it’s unfair that so many men have gorgeous lashes from birth, but that’s life!)
Throughout the years, mascara has come in several different forms- mainly cake, liquid, creams, and gels. Though cake mascara has enjoyed a slight rise in popularity, (probably due to increasing interest of all things vintage-inspired. Again- oh Katy Perry, how we adore you!) the most common and easy-to-use form of mascara is found in the basic tube & wand applicator. Walk down any beauty aisle in any drug, department, or specialty beauty store and the sheer variety of mascara is enough to make any seasoned makeup wearer bat an eye.
Waterproof? Fibers? Polymers? Mineral? The newest formulas all make wonderful claims (Self-curling! Thickening! Conditioning! Lengthening!) due to new ingredients, fancy applicators, and good advertising, and many of them do exactly what they say they will… within reason. The one thing to remember about any fantastic mascara claims is the one limitation mascara will always have- it’s applied over your own lashes, so if your own lashes are thin and short, there’s only so much a mascara on it’s own can do for you.
Waterproof vs. Washable:
Waterproof mascaras are a necessity for most wedding makeup artists for obvious reasons. These formulas create a nice, smudge-proof seal that a few tears of joy won’t ruin, unlike regular formulas that run easily with any introduction of liquid. The downside- these waterproof formulas need to be removed using a makeup remover that can break it down to avoid pulling or breakage of the lashes. Waterproof mascara can also feel drier and stiffer on the lashes than regular formulas. Many mascara formulas usually come in both regular and waterproof.
When choosing a formula, whether waterproof or regular, first decide what you want to accomplish- length, thickness, curl, etc. (Quick tip: I often find that volumizing formulas can be a little heavy. I’ve found that these formulas work fantastic on anyone who has natural curl to their lashes.) If you’re trying to decide between a drugstore brand versus a department store brand, it really comes down to personal preference. Many makeup artists, including myself, believe there are formulas for $6 that are just as phenomenal as the formulas that sell for $36. Once you have selected a mascara try these tips for a great application.
- If your lashes are straight and need curling, begin your lash routine by taking a lash curler and curling the lashes. I find that warming the curler with a hair dryer for a couple of seconds warms the metal and helps create a beautiful curl. Touch the warmed curler on the inside of your wrist to make sure it’s not too hot before using on your eyes. For the best curl, press the curler together at the base of the lashes for a second, release, and move a few millimeters up and out and squeeze again. Repeat the press and release process several times until you reach the end of the lashes. By curling the lashes at the base, middle and top, you will have a pretty, wide-eyed curl instead of a unnatural looking bend.
- Starting from the base and outside corner of the eye, sweep the mascara slowly from the bottom all the way to the top. Some makeup artists recommend wiggling the wand slightly as you work your way up. This technique works to fully coat the lashes, but I’ve also found that some formulas can clump more if used this way. It just depends on the formula.
- Continue sweeping the mascara from the base to the top of the lashes from the outer corner to the inner corner. To really define the inner corner lashes, use the smaller end of the mascara wand to reach the finer hairs. If your wand doesn’t taper, turn the wand vertical and use just the tip of the wand to reach the fine inner eyelashes.
- If you want to add a second coat for additional thickness, color, and length, give the mascara 10-30 seconds to dry and reapply. Some newer polymer formulas that coat or “tube” the lashes (Kiss Me Mascara- Click here for more info!) don’t work in the same way- they recommend reapplying a second coat before the first coat dries.
- For the bottom lashes, use the smaller, tapered end of the wand in the same way as the inner lashes. If you tend to smear or get mascara on the skin easily, place and hold a single piece of tissue under the eye while you apply your mascara or use a damp cotton swab to remove any blobs that occur.
- If the mascara is heavy or damp, it may have straightened out the curl- if this is the case, just go back to step one and re-curl after the mascara is fully dry.
Have fun- be fabulous!
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