No time to do your makeup because you have to be out in 10 minutes? All you need is mascara. If you don’t have the time or inclination to do eye primer, eyeshadow, and eyeliner, these simple mascara techniques will make you look awake, and get you out the door within minutes. While a coat of mascara can open your eyes, and make them stand out, deciding how and where you apply it can give your eyes the “wow” effect. To get the best results, curl your lashes before applying the mascara.
Hold a non-magnifying mirror arms-length away from your face to assess your eye shape. To intensify the shape of your eyes, apply your mascara as close to the upper and lower lash line as possible. Make sure the roots of the lashes are fully coated. Although this can technique can make eyes look more narrow, it intensifies the shape for a more dramatic-looking eye.
For a wide-eyed look, apply mascara at the tips of the upper and lower lashes first. Add more mascara on the area above and below the iris of the eye to create a more rounded eye shape.
One of the best things mascara can do is to camouflage puffy eyelids. Thick lashes which point upwards will call attention to the upper part of the eyes, and away from the swollen eyelids. Start by building the mascara in layers at the roots to help hold that curl and then concentrate it at the tips, using the pointed tip of the wand with a pulling up motion. This technique also opens up a hooded eye.
Downturned eyes can be subtly reshaped by positioning your eyelash curler so that it tilts slightly upward. You may need to hold the curler for more than 10 seconds. This trick helps to lift the outer corners of your eye. Apply mascara in the front and center lashes. Concentrate the mascara where you want the eye to look lifted-this is the spot right before the eye starts to slope downward. No need to put mascara on the lower lashes-we want all of the attention to be on the top lashes for that lifting effect.
Experiment with drugstore mascaras to figure out which one works best for you. Things to take into consideration when choosing a mascara: Type of wand, (large or small), (bristles or smooth plastic), texture (wet, thin, or thick), waterproof or washable, colors (black, brown or brights.) It’s ok to get recommendations from friends, but the best mascara will be the one that works for your eyes.
Thanks for reading and as always, I welcome any comments or questions.
xx Susan
