The Daily Glow is a website I love to peruse through. It gives great tips and tricks for a well rounded healthy lifestyle. When I find something that I think is just fabulous I tuck it away and bring it to you on Monday. I’ve always heard of the stigma surrounding Mondays. It’s the day we don’t want to get out of bed, the start of a work week after a playful weekend, blah blah blah! Let’s change that! Monday is a day of new beginnings. For me, it’s the day after a great Sunday at church listening to great talks, lessons and me taking notes on how I want to better myself. Monday is my exciting “start time”. Am I Pollyanna and love it every week? Of course not, but I don’t hate it more or less than any other day of the week. I want you to be able to wake up to some refreshing tips and tricks every Monday to help YOU have a better day and work on or try something beauty related for the week. Do I expect a report come Friday? No, but I wouldn’t mind it either ;). If you try anything out there in the world of beauty let me know! Write a review! You may just see it published here on the Classy Blog! Okay enough from Chatty Kathy, let’s talk Mascara! Many of you know that I wear false lashes everyday and LOVE them, but for those that haven’t taken the plunge or don’t want to, here are some helpful tips. As always, my comments and opinions are in red.
Time to Lash Out
Mascara has been a cosmetics staple since the
ancient
ancient
Egyptians stained their lashes with kohl about 6,000 years ago.
Now a tube of Maybelline’s iconic Great Lash mascara is sold about once
every second somewhere in the world.
Now a tube of Maybelline’s iconic Great Lash mascara is sold about once
every second somewhere in the world.
When it comes to immediate cosmetic results, mascara is hard to beat.
“It’s the quickest way to frame your eyes and give them instant
definition,” says Carmindy, makeup host of What Not to Wear.
“It’s the quickest way to frame your eyes and give them instant
definition,” says Carmindy, makeup host of What Not to Wear.
Perhaps because we expect so much from a humble tube of pigment, we
experience a range of frustrations with mascara to this day — clumping,
flaking, and smearing. “It takes a lot of trial and error to find the
best mascara for you,” says Ricky Wilson,
a celebrity makeup artist for Dior. “Women sometimes forget that the
lashes are their own hair and just end up buying a mascara based on a
commercial or what their friend uses.”
experience a range of frustrations with mascara to this day — clumping,
flaking, and smearing. “It takes a lot of trial and error to find the
best mascara for you,” says Ricky Wilson,
a celebrity makeup artist for Dior. “Women sometimes forget that the
lashes are their own hair and just end up buying a mascara based on a
commercial or what their friend uses.”
Read on to find out how makeup artists and cosmetics chemists avoid
and address mascara mishaps. Plus, learn which formulas they say are the
best for you.
and address mascara mishaps. Plus, learn which formulas they say are the
best for you.
Clumping
Does your mascara transform you into Tammy Faye Baker? To address clumping, Ni’Kita Wilson,
a cosmetic chemist and vice president of research and innovation at
Englewood Lab, in New Jersey, recommends blotting the brush on a clean
tissue to remove excess pigment that can be deposited in clumps.
a cosmetic chemist and vice president of research and innovation at
Englewood Lab, in New Jersey, recommends blotting the brush on a clean
tissue to remove excess pigment that can be deposited in clumps.
Also, check the product label. “Mascaras with a high wax content will
smear easier and can be prone to more clumping than mascaras with more
gums,” Wilson says. Waxes commonly found in mascara include paraffin,
carnauba, and beeswax. Gums might be gum tragacanth and methyl
cellulose.
smear easier and can be prone to more clumping than mascaras with more
gums,” Wilson says. Waxes commonly found in mascara include paraffin,
carnauba, and beeswax. Gums might be gum tragacanth and methyl
cellulose.
The mascara brush matters just as much if you have trouble with lumpy lashes. Celebrity makeup artist Kristofer Buckle
prefers “a silicone brush that glides through lashes while perfectly
separating them.” He also recommends avoiding brushes that feature a
wide spiral formation. “This allows an uncontrolled amount of product to
be coated onto lashes, leaving them clumpy.”
prefers “a silicone brush that glides through lashes while perfectly
separating them.” He also recommends avoiding brushes that feature a
wide spiral formation. “This allows an uncontrolled amount of product to
be coated onto lashes, leaving them clumpy.”
CoverGirl LashBlast Fusion ($8.99) delivers a separated-lash effect by means of a silicone brush and a slick formula.
Flaking
Just as a little pain is the price we pay for
wearing high heels in the pursuit of mile-long legs, flaking is often
the unpleasant consequence of the quest for longer lashes. The polymers
used to make mascara waterproof and to elongate lashes tend to flake,
says Ni’Kita Wilson. “They are necessary, and it’s difficult to avoid
them in lengthening and waterproof formulas,” she says.
wearing high heels in the pursuit of mile-long legs, flaking is often
the unpleasant consequence of the quest for longer lashes. The polymers
used to make mascara waterproof and to elongate lashes tend to flake,
says Ni’Kita Wilson. “They are necessary, and it’s difficult to avoid
them in lengthening and waterproof formulas,” she says.
The solution is all about application technique. Wilson says the key
is to apply just one or two coats. Also, allow each coat to dry
completely if you apply more than one. If you’re not seeing the results
you want with two coats, consider switching to a cream formula for more
volume and fullness, says Sarah Lucero, a makeup artist with Stila.
is to apply just one or two coats. Also, allow each coat to dry
completely if you apply more than one. If you’re not seeing the results
you want with two coats, consider switching to a cream formula for more
volume and fullness, says Sarah Lucero, a makeup artist with Stila.
For a flake-free option, try Nuance Salma Hayek Full Effect Ultra-Volumizing Mascara ($9.79).
Smearing
Pandas and raccoons are pretty much the only
creatures that look cute with black rings around their eyes. Humans, not
so much. Smearing of mascara is usually more of a problem in warmer
weather, when heat and humidity break down your makeup. Ni’Kita Wilson
suggests wearing a waterproof formula when it’s warm, but one that
contains polymers rather than waxes. “Polymers form a film around lashes
that is more likely than waxes to seal the pigments in place,” she
says.
creatures that look cute with black rings around their eyes. Humans, not
so much. Smearing of mascara is usually more of a problem in warmer
weather, when heat and humidity break down your makeup. Ni’Kita Wilson
suggests wearing a waterproof formula when it’s warm, but one that
contains polymers rather than waxes. “Polymers form a film around lashes
that is more likely than waxes to seal the pigments in place,” she
says.
You can also prevent mascara runoff with some carefully placed
translucent powder, Buckle suggests. He advises patting powder around
your eyes — to cut down on oil and moisture — before applying mascara.
translucent powder, Buckle suggests. He advises patting powder around
your eyes — to cut down on oil and moisture — before applying mascara.
To avoid mascara smear, try Neutrogena Healthy Volume Waterproof Mascara ($7.99). I am a fan of Benefit’s waterproof mascara.
Stubbiness
Ni’Kita Wilson maintains that length is where the
brush is every bit as important as the formula. “You want to make sure
that you’re using a brush that allows you to get to the base of your
lashes without gouging your eyes,” she says. “Women with really short
lashes may want to opt for a thinner brush or a comb-style brush.”
brush is every bit as important as the formula. “You want to make sure
that you’re using a brush that allows you to get to the base of your
lashes without gouging your eyes,” she says. “Women with really short
lashes may want to opt for a thinner brush or a comb-style brush.”
Combing through your lashes can also help prevent a short, stubby
effect, says Brett Freedman, a makeup artist and the founder of Vanitymark. A ‘wetter formula will spread a bit more easily, but it can also fuse lashes together. Freedman suggests using a lash comb to separate and define lashes while the mascara is still wet.
effect, says Brett Freedman, a makeup artist and the founder of Vanitymark. A ‘wetter formula will spread a bit more easily, but it can also fuse lashes together. Freedman suggests using a lash comb to separate and define lashes while the mascara is still wet.
Benefit They’re Real! Mascara ($22) will grab lashes and coat them all the way to the tips for length and definition.
Sparseness
Anyone hoping to fatten up sparse lashes should know
that bigger is better. Ni’Kita Wilson explains that volumizing mascaras
tend to use fat brushes with waxy formulas. “The waxes coat the lashes
and increase the diameter of each lash,” she says.
that bigger is better. Ni’Kita Wilson explains that volumizing mascaras
tend to use fat brushes with waxy formulas. “The waxes coat the lashes
and increase the diameter of each lash,” she says.
Look for a wand with a cone shape — thick at one end and tapering to a
point, says Mario Dedivanovic, a celebrity makeup artist who works on
the impressive lashes of Kim Kardashian. “I use the thick part of the
brush on the upper lashes, and the pointed part for the lower ones,” he
says. “I sweep a few of the lower lashes at a time from left to right to
evenly coat them.”
point, says Mario Dedivanovic, a celebrity makeup artist who works on
the impressive lashes of Kim Kardashian. “I use the thick part of the
brush on the upper lashes, and the pointed part for the lower ones,” he
says. “I sweep a few of the lower lashes at a time from left to right to
evenly coat them.”
For “glam chop lashes” (Mario’s term), try Lancôme’s Hypnôse Doll Eyes Mascara ($25).
Brittleness
“Mascaras that yield both thickness and volume
typically have a dry formulation,” says Ricky Wilson. This allows them
to be built quickly in a few coats, but it can tend to dry lashes out,
making them brittle. He suggests addressing brittle lashes by layering
mascaras with different formulas: “I always use more than one for those
who love lashes because the different formulas provide really
eye-catching effects.”
typically have a dry formulation,” says Ricky Wilson. This allows them
to be built quickly in a few coats, but it can tend to dry lashes out,
making them brittle. He suggests addressing brittle lashes by layering
mascaras with different formulas: “I always use more than one for those
who love lashes because the different formulas provide really
eye-catching effects.”
Think of your lashes as you would your hair, and condition them to
prevent breakage. A dab of Vaseline on your lids at night should do the
trick. Or try a conditioner designed for your lash line, like RevitaLash ($98 for a three-month supply).
prevent breakage. A dab of Vaseline on your lids at night should do the
trick. Or try a conditioner designed for your lash line, like RevitaLash ($98 for a three-month supply).
You can also add “conditioner” to a dried-out mascara tube. Freedman
suggests adding a drop of rosewater to the brush and swirling it around
the tube. Another genius tip is to add a drop or two of SkinCeuticals
Hydrating B5 Gel to your mascara to keep the formula wet.
suggests adding a drop of rosewater to the brush and swirling it around
the tube. Another genius tip is to add a drop or two of SkinCeuticals
Hydrating B5 Gel to your mascara to keep the formula wet.
Avoid dry, brittle lashes with Maybelline’s Great Lash Mascara
($4.99). This iconic formula has been a favorite of makeup artists for
decades because of its lushness and ability to build volume.
($4.99). This iconic formula has been a favorite of makeup artists for
decades because of its lushness and ability to build volume.
Lack of Curl
Curled lashes create a wide-eyed Bambi look that’s
enlivening for anyone who appears tired and dull in the early morning.
You can add curves with a tweak in technique. Freedman advises brushing
the center lashes straight up, sweeping the lashes in the inner corners
of the eyes toward your nose, and angling the outer lashes toward the
temples.
enlivening for anyone who appears tired and dull in the early morning.
You can add curves with a tweak in technique. Freedman advises brushing
the center lashes straight up, sweeping the lashes in the inner corners
of the eyes toward your nose, and angling the outer lashes toward the
temples.
Arched brushes can also mold straight lashes into curved shapes. And there is always the trusty lash curler.
Give your lashes a dramatic turn with Stila’s Forever Your Curl ($22), which reaches each individual lash and even lets you skip the lash curler.