How to Apply Mascara

Co-authored by Alicia D'Angelo

Last Updated: December 16, 2024 Fact Checked

Do you wish your eyelashes were thicker? Do you wish you had eyelashes the length of Heidi Klum's legs? Are you afraid you're going to poke yourself in the eye with a mascara wand if you don't know what you're doing? In this article we'll show you how to choose and properly apply the mascara that best suits your lashes and gives you the full, long eyelashes you want.

Applying Mascara for Beginners

Curl your lashes with an eyelash curler.
Wipe off excess product on the mascara wand on the lip of the tube.
Wiggle the wand as you pull it from the base of your lashes to the tips.
Apply a second coat for longer, fuller lashes.
Put on mascara after applying your other eye makeup.

Part 1

Part 1 of 4:

Choosing your Mascara

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1
Decide what you want out of your mascara. There is a mascara for just about any kind of lash enhancement--volumizing, lengthening, defining, faster growth, waterproof--plus many products that combine these effects. Take a look at your lashes and decide what sort of enhancement they need.
- For sparse lashes, look for a thickening or volumizing mascara with a large, round brush with lots of bristles. You can also find a combination primer and mascara formula, which is perfect for bulking up lashes and keeping them healthy.
- If you have short lashes, look for a lengthening mascara with a smaller brush with thick bristles. A small wand will allow you to get very close to your eye and make sure you coat each lash.^{[1]
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  Makeup Artist & Hair Stylist
  
  Expert Interview. 10 April 2020.}
- If your lashes are full but you want length and definition, choose a lengthening mascara, but one with a long brush with evenly-spaced bristles to separate your lashes.
- If your lashes are uneven in length or damaged, check the ingredients on the mascara. Phyto-keratin and panthenol can help your lashes grow. Use a fatter brush on your lashes.^{[2]
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- You should only use mascara for three months before replacing it, so go ahead and experiment with different brands and formulas until you find your perfect mascara.
- Use waterproof mascara only for special events, like if you’re going to a pool party or a movie that might make you cry. It’s difficult to remove and can dry out your lashes, making them brittle.
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Pick your shade. For the most part, black is the way to go. It gives the illusion of thickness and length and can really make your eyes pop. If your lashes are red or blonde, however, make brown your go-to shade, wearing light brown for everyday and a dark brown to amp up the drama.
- Experiment with colored mascaras. Green can bring out violet in blue eyes, purple can enhance green eyes, and blue and purple can brighten your complexion.^{[3]
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Invest in an eyelash curler, while you're at it. If you're serious about getting knock-out lashes, an eyelash curler is key. This will lift your lashes and allow more light to hit your eyes so they look bigger and brighter.^{[4]
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Research source} It may not seem like it, but an eyelash curler can make a huge difference.
- Look for a curler with a rounded rubber pad, which will help curl your lash instead of bend it at a sharp angle.^{[5]
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Part 2

Part 2 of 4:

Applying Mascara to Upper Lashes

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1
Apply any other eye makeup first. If you’re planning to wear eyeshadow, eyeliner, or any other eye makeup, brush it on before you do your mascara. This will ensure that you don’t smudge any of your mascara by trying to put other products on around it.
- Other non-eye makeup, such as foundation or blush, can be applied at any time. Most people choose to apply full-face makeup first, then finish with eye makeup.
2
Curl your lashes first. Position the curler as close to the base of your lashes as possible without pinching your skin. Close the curlers and gently squeeze for about 10 seconds. Then, release the curler.^{[6]
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- If you don't have a curler or you're too afraid to use one, use your fingertips to push up and curl wet lashes.^{[7]
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  Alicia D'Angelo
  Makeup Artist & Hair Stylist
  
  Expert Interview. 10 April 2020.}
Twisting will allow the brush to pick up the mascara, which is what most people think they are doing when they pump the brush in the tube. What they are actually doing is forcing air into the tube, which dries out the mascara.^{[8]
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Too much product can lead to clumping. Giving the wand a little wipe will leave you with just the right amount.^{[9]
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Find help for makeup struggles. "I was so lost when it came to doing my makeup nicely. After tons of googling, I finally found this site. The step-by-step instructions walked me through everything clearly. Now I know how to curl my lashes and put on mascara without making a mess! I'm so happy I found an easy tutorial to help my makeup skills." - Jessica H.

Overcome fear of eyelash curlers. "I was scared to death to try an eyelash curler for the first time. But this article made it so simple with the close-up videos and details for beginners like me. After following along, I was curling my lashes like a pro! Now I can make my eyes really stand out." - Alexa W.

Stop clumpy, messy mascara. "My mascara always got gross and clumpy by lunchtime. Thanks to the tips here on wiping extra mascara off the wand first, my lashes now stay clean and separated all day. I also learned to comb through my lashes with a clean brush to fix any clumps. This article fixed my mascara issues for good!" - Jos T.

Know how to apply mascara the right way. "I'm so thankful for the easy-to-understand steps here on applying mascara properly. The pictures walked me through it like I had my own makeup coach. Now, I know the right techniques to make my lashes look amazing. This site breaks everything down into simple steps." - Chaaru C.

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5
Look up to lift your lashes. You should still be able to see yourself in the mirror out of your peripheral vision.
- If you are afraid you are going to blink when you approach your lashes with the wand, open your mouth. It's harder to blink when your mouth is wide open.^{[10]
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Place the wand against the base of your lashes and wiggle it back and forth a little. You want the most product to be applied to the roots, which will make your lashes look longer and keep them from getting weighed down on the tips.
- The wiggle will also help lift and curl your lashes.
The zig-zag adds length and volume, and can reduce clumping.^{[11]
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Go over your lashes with a second coat. Try to leave it at that--do a third coat at the most. The more you layer on the mascara, the more likely it is the mascara will dry on your lashes and cause the new coat to clump.^{[12]
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- Mix mascaras to combine their specialties. For example, you could use lengthening mascara for one layer, then add a layer of thickening mascara on top. Try this at home before you wear it out, as some mascaras might not blend well and cause clump.^{[13]
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Don't neglect the lashes on the inner and outer part of your eyelid. A lot of times, people apply mascara only to the very center of their eyelid, which can actually make your eyes look narrower.^{[14]
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- If you are having trouble reaching your inner lashes with your brush, you can very carefully bend the brush to a 45 degree angle (don't worry, you can bend it back). This will make it easy to brush those inner lashes without getting mascara all over your face.^{[15]
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- You can also apply the mascara to the back side of the lashes for an easier application.

Part 3

Part 3 of 4:

Applying Mascara to Lower Lashes

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This will allow you to apply mascara without getting it all over your skin.^{[16]
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2
Put mascara only on the roots of the lower lashes. Brushing on mascara on the full length of your lower lashes, from the roots to the tips, creates an unnatural, spidery effect. Instead, apply your mascara at the roots of the lashes and lift up and away as you get closer to the tips. If you apply too much, simply brush or pull it off of the tips with your fingers.
3
Use the very tip of the brush to apply mascara to your lower lashes. If you have a very small wand, you'll want to use that. It will be easier to control the application and get close to your eye.^{[17]
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- If you have brown mascara, consider using that on your lower lashes, even if you used black on your upper lashes. It's not quite as heavy as black and can add some dimension to your look.^{[18]
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Part 4

Part 4 of 4:

Addressing Common Problems

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If you get mascara on your face or eyelid, allow it to dry so you don't smear it and make things worse. Once dry, put a bit of moisturizer on a cotton swab and press it to the mascara spot. Spin it gently in place. This should remove the spot without messing up your eyeshadow.^{[19]
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De-clump with a clean mascara wand. Either use a disposable wand or repurpose an old one (wash it thoroughly with soap and water first). Comb through the top and bottom of the lash, spinning the brush as you sweep forward. This should remove clumps and give your lashes definition.^{[20]
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- Try to comb through your lashes while the mascara is still wet.
- If you don't have an extra wand on hand, try using a clean toothbrush to comb out any clumps.^{[21]
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3
Thicken your lashes even further with baby powder. If you don't feel like you're getting the thick, voluminous lashes you want, try this trick. Apply one coat of mascara , then dust your lashes with translucent powder or baby powder (you can use a makeup brush or a cotton swab dipped in powder). Then add another coat of mascara.^{[22]
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- The powder gives the mascara more to cling to, which allows you to build more volume.^{[23]
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^{[24]
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Expert Source

Alicia D'Angelo
Makeup Artist & Hair Stylist

Expert Interview. 10 April 2020.} It might not seem like a big deal, but it can dry out your lashes at night and cause them to become brittle and fall out.^{[25]
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Expert Q&A

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Question

Do you use an eyelash curler before or after putting on mascara?

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist based in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been working as a hair stylist since 2007, and began a career as a cosmetology teacher in 2013. She worked as a teacher at Arrojo Cosmetology School, teaching cosmetology practices, hairstyling, and hair color application. She also brought her cosmetology expertise to her work as a staff writer for fashion blog Style Noted, writing pieces related to hair and fashion. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University, where she was also an English Teaching Fellow. Additionally, she received a BA in Creative Writing and Literature from New York University.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

Use an eyelash curler before applying mascara. Using it after can cause eyelashes to clump or stick to the curler.

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Question

How do I take off mascara?

Alicia D'Angelo
Makeup Artist & Hair Stylist
Alicia D'Angelo is a makeup artist based in New York City. She currently works for teams with Dior Makeup, YSL Beauty and Pat McGrath Labs as well as bridal companies Once Upon A Bride and Miss Harlequinn. Her work has been featured in Today.com, New York Live, Forbes.com, VH1, MTV, Vevo, Entertainment Weekly, Refinery 29, and NYXCosmetics.com. She has a Visual Communications degree from FIDM-Los Angeles.

Alicia D'Angelo

Makeup Artist & Hair Stylist

Expert Answer

Eye makeup remover will be the most efficient way to clean off your mascara, but you can also use a cotton swab with coconut oil.

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Question

How do I put on mascara without it getting in my eyes?

Alicia D'Angelo
Makeup Artist & Hair Stylist
Alicia D'Angelo is a makeup artist based in New York City. She currently works for teams with Dior Makeup, YSL Beauty and Pat McGrath Labs as well as bridal companies Once Upon A Bride and Miss Harlequinn. Her work has been featured in Today.com, New York Live, Forbes.com, VH1, MTV, Vevo, Entertainment Weekly, Refinery 29, and NYXCosmetics.com. She has a Visual Communications degree from FIDM-Los Angeles.

Alicia D'Angelo

Makeup Artist & Hair Stylist

Expert Answer

Use a smaller applicator wand so you don't apply your mascara as close to your lash line.

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