Hourglass to cylindrical, curvy to slender – there’s one of each kind in your beauty arsenal. We’re talking about mascaras, the key to unlocking fluttery, long, and voluminous lashes. Mascara is quite the game-changer; it can take your eye makeup look from subtle to OTT in just a few swipes. In recent times, mascaras have been enjoying the spotlight from both consumers and brands. From spider lashes to colourful ones, runways and celebrities have propelled a bunch of mascara trends into the orbit of eye makeup, leaving users intrigued and inspired in equal parts.
But if you find yourself wondering how to stop mascara from smudging every time you wear it, we have celebrity makeup artist, Flavia Giuliodori, here as a guide to copping lashes on fleek.
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First step—prep:
According to Giuliodori, the prep before applying your mascara makes a huge difference in preventing smudging and adding longevity. “To start with, you’re going to ensure that your lashes are clean, with no residue. Use a face cleanser or makeup remover if need be. Now it’s time to curl your lashes with a quality eyelash curler. This will allow your mascara to adhere better to your eyelashes,” she says.
Mascara overdose:
When it comes to mascaras (especially if you’re a sucker for volume), more is always more. As long as you know when to stop, continue to layer your mascara incessantly to avoid clumps and clunky-looking lashes. “Layering is crucial to get the best overall mascara look. Not every mascara can do everything,” says Giuliodori, hinting at mascara cocktailing, where you combine different formulas and wands to create a custom look. “I recommend buying a couple of mascaras that cater to your needs. For example, you can apply a coat of volumising mascara to your eyes, let it dry, then put a lengthening or waterproof formula on top.”
Invest in a lash primer:
Don’t underestimate the power of an effective lash primer. “A lash primer makes any mediocre mascara work better,” says Giuliodori. This is because it creates a barrier between the oils that naturally condition our lashes and the drying lacquer of the mascara. “The primer helps protect the lacquer from oils that break it down and cause transfer under/over the eyes, and protect the lash hairs underneath from any damaging effects. A lash primer adds overall volume, separation, and lash density. Mascara primers leave your lashes with a tacky yet smooth base, which allows your mascara to stick on and last longer than it would without a primer,” elaborates the makeup artist.
Think skin(care):
Most times, when we think of prep, we only consider a lash curler and lash primer. There’s more that can make or break the final outcome of your lashes. “Pay attention to the skincare you’re using,” cautions the makeup artist, since products that contain oil or feel super slippery can cause your mascara and eye makeup to smudge and run. “Make sure that if you apply an eye cream, it’s fully absorbed and dry before moving onto your makeup,” she says.
Colour it up:
Using coloured mascaras can sound intimidating, but, as Giuliodori suggests, “if you want to ease into the technicolour trend, layer a coloured mascara over your black mascara to add a fun tint to your lashes.Burgundy shade is the next best thing to black. It adds a little dimension and can only be seen in certain lighting.” We also love pops of blue, green, pink, orange…the list is endless. A white lash primer can help accentuate the true colours of the mascara while also creating a sticky base for it.
The good ol’ trick:
“Similar to the use of translucent setting powder to give more longevity to lipstick, the same trick can be used to add longevity and a boost to the lashes,” shares Giuliodori. “Lightly dust your lashes in between coats of mascara. Tap the excess powder before applying and use a light touch to avoid clumps,” she concludes.
