BY CAITLIN
CORSETTI
CORSETTI
Mascara
is one of those beauty products that can make or break your look. It makes
smoky eyes look more sultry. It can make you look awake when you’re running on
two hours of sleep. It can make you look put-together even when you have
nothing else on. It makes your lashes look longer, curlier, and more lush. Who
doesn’t want that?!
Sure,
mascara seems like a pretty self explanatory product, right? Just swipe it on.
Except, it’s not necessarily that easy. If you want your best-looking lashes
ever, you’ll want to avoid the following 10 mistakes at all costs:
mascara seems like a pretty self explanatory product, right? Just swipe it on.
Except, it’s not necessarily that easy. If you want your best-looking lashes
ever, you’ll want to avoid the following 10 mistakes at all costs:
You
wear waterproof regularly
wear waterproof regularly
You
might think waterproof mascara lasts longer and doesn’t smudge, and it’s true.
But it’s called waterproof for a reason: it’s meant to be worn in situations
when you’re exposed to water. Like going to the beach or pool. Or if you’re
doing a synchronized swimming routine. Waterproof mascara is not meant for
everyday use because it’s difficult to remove. Wearing it on the daily can
cause your lashes to dry out and become weak. Plus, trying to remove waterproof
mascara daily can even lead to lash loss.
might think waterproof mascara lasts longer and doesn’t smudge, and it’s true.
But it’s called waterproof for a reason: it’s meant to be worn in situations
when you’re exposed to water. Like going to the beach or pool. Or if you’re
doing a synchronized swimming routine. Waterproof mascara is not meant for
everyday use because it’s difficult to remove. Wearing it on the daily can
cause your lashes to dry out and become weak. Plus, trying to remove waterproof
mascara daily can even lead to lash loss.
You
pump your bottle
pump your bottle
If
you want to get the most out of your mascara, do not pump the wand into the
bottle. Ever. I learned this the hard way by pumping the wand of my first
expensive Diorshow mascara purchase. This pumps more air into the tube than
it’s exposed to normally, causing your mascara to dry out. Dry mascara leads to
clumpy lashes. Plus, your tube won’t last nearly as long.
you want to get the most out of your mascara, do not pump the wand into the
bottle. Ever. I learned this the hard way by pumping the wand of my first
expensive Diorshow mascara purchase. This pumps more air into the tube than
it’s exposed to normally, causing your mascara to dry out. Dry mascara leads to
clumpy lashes. Plus, your tube won’t last nearly as long.
You’re
not applying correctly
not applying correctly
Don’t
just apply by swiping a few coats on the under side of your lashes. After years
of trial and error and chatting with makeup artists, I’ve learned the key is to
wiggle the wand. To get the best looking lashes, start at the base of your lash
line and wiggle the brush as you move upward. You also want to swipe a coat on
the top side of your lashes as well.
just apply by swiping a few coats on the under side of your lashes. After years
of trial and error and chatting with makeup artists, I’ve learned the key is to
wiggle the wand. To get the best looking lashes, start at the base of your lash
line and wiggle the brush as you move upward. You also want to swipe a coat on
the top side of your lashes as well.
You
curl your lashes after applying
curl your lashes after applying
Curling
your lashes after you apply mascara will mess up the hard work you just did!
Trust me. The first time I used a lash curler on wet lashes, my lashes got
stuck together and ruined my eye makeup. I had to start over. Curling freshly
coated lashes will cause them to smudge, clump, and get gross. Not to mention
that curling your lashes when wet or with mascara on can be dangerous. Doing so
can cause your lashes to stick to your curler and pull them out. No thank you.
your lashes after you apply mascara will mess up the hard work you just did!
Trust me. The first time I used a lash curler on wet lashes, my lashes got
stuck together and ruined my eye makeup. I had to start over. Curling freshly
coated lashes will cause them to smudge, clump, and get gross. Not to mention
that curling your lashes when wet or with mascara on can be dangerous. Doing so
can cause your lashes to stick to your curler and pull them out. No thank you.
You
share mascara with friends
share mascara with friends
You
might not think it’s a big deal to use your BFF’s mascara, but you’d be wrong.
Sharing eye makeup is a dangerous move. Think about how often you use your
mascara. Your wand is crawling with your microorganisms and bacteria from your
own lashes. And then if someone else uses that mascara, it’s now hanging out
with their bacteria. And that goes back onto your lashes. You never know what
your friend’s lashes might be harboring, so sharing your mascara can lead to
pink eye or even more serious eye infections.
might not think it’s a big deal to use your BFF’s mascara, but you’d be wrong.
Sharing eye makeup is a dangerous move. Think about how often you use your
mascara. Your wand is crawling with your microorganisms and bacteria from your
own lashes. And then if someone else uses that mascara, it’s now hanging out
with their bacteria. And that goes back onto your lashes. You never know what
your friend’s lashes might be harboring, so sharing your mascara can lead to
pink eye or even more serious eye infections.
You’re
using old mascara
using old mascara
Speaking
of eye infections, using old mascara can lead to infections too. Whether you
want to accept it or not, you need to toss your mascara after three months.
Like we mentioned above, eye makeup is a breeding ground for bacteria. Your
mascara tube is crawling with it, especially over time. Using old mascara
increases your risk for various eye infections, so don’t risk it.
of eye infections, using old mascara can lead to infections too. Whether you
want to accept it or not, you need to toss your mascara after three months.
Like we mentioned above, eye makeup is a breeding ground for bacteria. Your
mascara tube is crawling with it, especially over time. Using old mascara
increases your risk for various eye infections, so don’t risk it.
You’re
not using primer around your eyes
not using primer around your eyes
If
you have a problem with your mascara smudging on your lids or under your eyes,
there’s a solution for that. Even if you’re not wearing any other makeup,
applying primer around your eyes can fix this issue. As someone with oily skin,
I always apply primer to my eyelids. However, that didn’t stop the dreaded
lower lash residue which always popped up in the afternoons. If primer helps
makeup stay put, surely it could help prevent makeup from rubbing off in
unwanted areas so I gave it a shot, and it worked! Primer around the eyes has
been one of my go-to tricks ever since. Raccoon eyes, no more!
you have a problem with your mascara smudging on your lids or under your eyes,
there’s a solution for that. Even if you’re not wearing any other makeup,
applying primer around your eyes can fix this issue. As someone with oily skin,
I always apply primer to my eyelids. However, that didn’t stop the dreaded
lower lash residue which always popped up in the afternoons. If primer helps
makeup stay put, surely it could help prevent makeup from rubbing off in
unwanted areas so I gave it a shot, and it worked! Primer around the eyes has
been one of my go-to tricks ever since. Raccoon eyes, no more!
You’re
not removing it completely
not removing it completely
It’s
a big no-no to go to bed with makeup on. You know that. But it’s also a big
no-no to be lazy when removing your mascara. Leaving mascara residue on your
lashes, and then reapplying mascara on top, can cause lash breakage, eye
irritation, and even infections. Not to mention, it’s gross.
a big no-no to go to bed with makeup on. You know that. But it’s also a big
no-no to be lazy when removing your mascara. Leaving mascara residue on your
lashes, and then reapplying mascara on top, can cause lash breakage, eye
irritation, and even infections. Not to mention, it’s gross.
You’re
not separating your lashes
not separating your lashes
Spider
lashes might look dramatic on a runway, but they’re not cute in real life.
Separating your lashes after applying mascara is essential. I was handed a
spoolie brush the first time I got my makeup professionally done back in the
day, and have used the separation trick ever since. Use a clean spoolie brush
or a lash comb to spread out your lashes after your mascara dries for a natural
look.
lashes might look dramatic on a runway, but they’re not cute in real life.
Separating your lashes after applying mascara is essential. I was handed a
spoolie brush the first time I got my makeup professionally done back in the
day, and have used the separation trick ever since. Use a clean spoolie brush
or a lash comb to spread out your lashes after your mascara dries for a natural
look.
You
rush
rush
We’ve
all had that moment where you hit your face with your mascara wand or you
sneeze right after applying. It happens to me all the time. In fact, this
morning, my dog excitedly bumped me mid-mascara swipe, and I smudged it all
over my cheek. Don’t panic. Instead of rushing to fix your smudges, wait until
it dries on your skin. It’ll wipe right off with a Q-tip!
all had that moment where you hit your face with your mascara wand or you
sneeze right after applying. It happens to me all the time. In fact, this
morning, my dog excitedly bumped me mid-mascara swipe, and I smudged it all
over my cheek. Don’t panic. Instead of rushing to fix your smudges, wait until
it dries on your skin. It’ll wipe right off with a Q-tip!
Try
other options
other options
And
if you’re sick of smudged mascara or simply don’t have the time to apply makeup
every day, you might want to explore other options. From tinting to eyelash
extensions, there are a ton of alternatives that might be better suited for
your lifestyle.
SOURCE: THE LIST
if you’re sick of smudged mascara or simply don’t have the time to apply makeup
every day, you might want to explore other options. From tinting to eyelash
extensions, there are a ton of alternatives that might be better suited for
your lifestyle.
SOURCE: THE LIST
Kayode Emmanuel Ojo is the Co-Founder and Managing Director at SHEFFA Limited. He is presently studying Computer Science at the National Open University, Victoria Island, Lagos.