How to Apply Mascara Like a Pro

There’s a reason mascaras come with a wand. With just a simple swipe, this magical makeup bag staple can brighten your face and highlight your eyes. For voluminous clump-free lashes, read on for tips on how to apply mascara that lasts like a professional (open mouth optional). 

How to choose the right mascara 

Before you learn how to put mascara on, it’s important to choose the right type. Whether you’re after length, strength, or volume, there’s a formula for you.  

Types of mascara 

All mascara coats and defines lashes to make your eyes pop, but there are a few different variations to be aware of. 

• Non-clumping mascara separates and lifts lashes individually for a clump-free finish.  

• Volumizing mascara lifts and fans out each lash, boosting volume to eye-opening effect. 

• Lengthening mascara uses a special wand to evenly coat and curl lashes to create a dramatic look.  

• Long-wearing mascara is designed to last all day with thicker, glossier formulas.  

• Waterproof mascara is designed to stay smudge-proof even in damp, humid conditions.  

Brush types 

Just as you’ll find a variety of different mascara formulas, the wands – or spoolies – come in a selection of shapes to dial up precision when applying mascara.  

Thick brushes with dense bristles are best for those with curly lashes and bigger eye shapes. On the other hand, if you have short or fine lashes, you’d be better suited to a long, fine-toothed mascara wand designed to lend length and definition.  

An hourglass-shaped brush is one of the most popular, suitable for all lash types. These boost volume and length at once by distributing product evenly from root to tip.  

Preparing your lashes 

Prepping your lashes is the key to a clean, even mascara application.  

Clean your lashes 

The best way to apply mascara is onto clean lashes. Use a cotton pad dipped in micellar water to remove all traces of old makeup, bacteria and dirt and cleanse your full face before you start applying any new makeup. Not only does this give a fresh foundation for applying your mascara, but it also prevents eye infection and irritation.  

Use an eyelash curler 

Always curl your lashes before applying your mascara to minimise the risk of pulling out your lashes. Tilt your head back and hold the lash curler at the base of your eyelashes before gradually working the curler upwards. Keep the pressure light to avoid breakages too. Warming your curler with a hairdryer before you use it can also help to hold your curl in place and encourage long-lasting mascara. 

Applying your mascara 

Wipe away excess 

To avoid clumping and applying too much product, make sure to gently wipe any excess product off your mascara wand with a tissue before applying to your lashes. Avoid scraping the excess off at the opening of the mascara tube, so product doesn’t accumulate here every time you use it. 

From root to tip 

To ensure you cover the entire length of every lash and add volume, work your wand upwards from the root to the tip. Gently comb our buildable Hypnôse volumising mascara, which is enriched with ProVitamin B5, to leave lashes feeling soft and supple and encouraging up to eight times the volume. 

The zig zag method 

For complete coverage, it’s all about the technique – more specifically, the zig-zag technique. Move your wand from side to side to coat all angles including the tips and sides of your lashes. 

Apply to both sides 

When it comes to fuller lashes, a simple swipe of your wand isn’t always enough. Apply lengthening mascara to the topside and underside of each lash for a darker, more intense look. Lancôme’s first serum-infused mascara, Le 8 Hypnôse lengthening mascara, is another shortcut to voluminous lashes. Enriched with eight amino acids and conditioning black balm with shea butter, it helps to rebuild, strengthen and soften lashes, too. 

Don’t forget the bottom lashes 

Your lower lashes need love too. You may find it easier when applying mascara to your bottom lashes to use a smaller wand or the tip of your brush for a more precise application though. 

The Lancôme Lash Idôle Mascara comes with an innovative wand that has 125 different bristle sizes and 360 micro-bristles. Coupled with its gel emulsion mascara formula, it provides a feather-light feel, zero clumps and long-lasting wear for up to 24 hours.  

Capture all corners 

Don’t leave any corner unturned. The inner corner of your eye can sometimes also get overlooked when applying your latest coat of mascara. Turning your brush vertically, using the tip of the brush and a prodding technique can all help you to get to the lashes in the inner corners. 

Don’t pump the brush 

If you need more product, gently twist the wand back into the tube to pick up more. Repeatedly pumping the wand can trap air into the bottle, which can cause your mascara to dry out faster and clump.

Give it time to dry 

If things don’t go quite to plan, wait for your mascara to dry before you wipe away your makeup mishaps. Attempting to remove mascara while it’s still wet will only smear it across your face. To remove waterproof mascara, gently scrape it off once it’s dry or, if it’s a little tougher to remove, dip a cotton bud into micellar water before applying. 

Fixing common mascara mistakes

Even seasoned pros are prone to clumps and smears, whether due to an ill-timed blink or accidental eye rub. Here’s how to tackle the top three mascara mistakes.  

Clumps 

If you follow our tips for applying mascara, you should have a clump-free finish. But if you spot the odd blob or two, there’s no need to redo your whole look. If you’ve applied one too many coats and your mascara is still wet, it’s an easy fix. Simply use a dry spoolie and comb it through your lashes to lift unwanted layers. 

If your mascara has already set, you can still remove the clumps. Dip your clean spoolie in micellar water and brush it through to loosen mascara and remove clumps. Once it’s dried, apply a fresh layer as needed.  

Smudges 

Let smears and smudges dry before removing them. If you try to wipe away wet mascara, you could end up smearing it further. Once dry, use a clean spoolie or dry sponge to lightly scrub away the smudge. It should flake off without any further mess.  

Flaking 

Flaking is usually caused by dry, expired mascara. You can prevent this mistake by replacing yours every six months and avoiding pumping the wand during application, which fills the tube with air. If your mascara’s fresh and you’re still seeing some flakes, it’s probably due to dry air conditions, a big problem in the winter months. In this case, you can give your eyelashes a hit of hydration using a gentle face mist or setting spray.  

Key takeaways for a polished finish 

Flawless, fluttery, swoon-worthy lashes can be yours with a few expert mascara tips. With our handy advice above and a wide selection of eye makeup formulas, you’ll be able to apply mascara like a true pro. Take your pick from lengthening, volumizing, clump-free mascaras that leave your lashes looking better than ever and book a Live Video Consultation for personalised advice.