When it comes to eyelashes, much like eyebrows, no two pairs are quite the same. Just like the hair on your head, lashes can be thick or thin, full or sparse, curly or straight, long or short, and a full spectrum of colors. For this reason, mascara formulas differ just like shampoos and conditioners to give you the end result you want.
From lengthening to volumizing, there’s a mascara for every lash type and every effect. Whether you’re unsure how to apply mascara or which formula is best for your lash preferences, our Global Artistry Lead, Janeena Rumsey, shares her mascara application tips.
How To Apply Mascara
Wondering how to apply mascara for the best-looking lashes? Here are some artistry tips that will get your lashes looking extra in just a few swipes.
Always start by curling your lashes before application. Follow with Lash Thickener and Conditioner if you’re going for a full lash look and let this dry. With the mascara wand, start at the base of your lashes and wiggle it back and forth to coat the lashes evenly while keeping them separated. To prevent your mascara from clumping, let each coat dry for about 30 seconds before adding the next. To remove clumps, run a Spoolie Brush through the lashes to separate.
“To give your eyes an extra lift and a slight winged effect, concentrate most of your mascara application towards the tail end of lashes—outer cluster, and really load them up with pigment for extra drama," adds Janeena.
“For a more open and rounded effect, apply an extra coat (or two) to center lashes. Or for longer looking lashes, apply an extra coat to just the tips of lashes."
If you love length and volume don't be afraid to layer to different formulas. "Try layering our Lash Lengthening Mascara and Volumizing Mascara or use one for upper and the other for lower lashes,” she shares.
Never share your mascara. A tube of mascara is good for about a year after opening, but with regular use, it should only take about 3 to 6 months to finish one up.
The Best Volumizing Mascara
This formula creates a darker and full lashline while creating a volumizing effect with its thick, oversized wand. The tapered end makes applying to the lower lashes easy. Volumizing Mascara is available in one shade: black.
“For the ultimate volume effect, apply your mascara with your brush facing up and outward. This helps to get every lash. Get in at the base of your lashes and wiggle up for even distribution,” shares Janeena.
Lengthening Mascara
This mascara formula is ideal if you’re looking to add length and definition. The long, flexible, silicone brush head is very gentle and evenly distributes pigment over the entire length of the lash. Lash Lengthening Mascara is available in one shade: black.
“To make sure you’re getting good lash separation and to avoid clumping, wipe off any excess formula by scraping the brush against the lip of the wand before applying,” adds Janeena. “Fan out the lashes by starting at the outer corner of your eye, and pull lashes up and out with brush. Move to center of the eye and pull upwards. For shorter lashes on inner eye and lower lashes, try holding the brush vertically and use the tip to coat and separate.”
The Best Water Resistant Mascara
This water resistant, lengthening, volumizing formula delivers high-impact color and conditioning bamboo and provitamin B5 with a straight, spiralized wand for even application. The mascara won’t stand up to a dunk in the swimming pool, but it will stay put for a few tears. This is a great option for anyone with excessively oily lids, as oil comes from the base of the lashes and breaks down your makeup, leading to smudging. Water Resistant Mascara is available in one shade: black.
How To Prime Lashes
Pre-game your mascara with a mascara primer. Lash Thickener & Conditioner is a lash conditioner that adds thickness and volume to the lashes prior to mascara application. It goes on white but will be totally covered after you add your usual mascara. The difference is instantly noticeable.
How To Remove Mascara
Use a cotton pad to remove your mascara and wipe downward in the direction of your lashes, not upward as this can damage your lashes and even pull them out.
Always be gentle when removing makeup around the eye area. Don’t tug, scrub, or rub.
Use a gentle formulation like our Gentle Makeup Remover and keep eyes closed as you easily remove all traces of eye makeup. For more stubborn, water resistant formulas try a cleansing oil like Essential Cleansing Oil.
Have fun experimenting with different effects, mixing and matching your favorite mascaras to create an eye statement that's all you.
Once you find the mascara of your dreams, you probably flick it on every single morning without hesitation. But babe, when was the last time you replaced it?
All beauty products, including mascara, need to be replaced every so often. In fact, using old mascara can result in some… well, very unpleasant side effects. Let’s talk about when to replace your mascara and what could happen if you use expired products so that you can keep your lashes poppin’ and your eyes safe all year round.
The rule of thumb for mascara is that it needs to be replaced every two to three months, starting from when you open the mascara. If you’re storing unopened mascara, it will remain stable for a couple of years, so no need to worry about your makeup stockpile.
Each time you pull the wand out of the mascara tube, air enters the tube and can cause bacteria to grow. This air also alters the formula of the mascara and dries it out, which can lead to clumpy, chunky lashes which are decidedly not the lashes of your dreams.
We want our lashes to look longer and fuller when we use mascara, not clumpy and dry. Stay on top of your period after opening dates to keep your lashes looking their best!
To help remember to toss your mascara, use a dry erase marker to write the period after opening date on your bathroom mirror. You can also add a reminder to your calendar or your phone to reorder. It’s all about planning ahead, babe.
We get why you’re worried, but no! If you’re using the same mascara every day, you won’t have much left after two to three months anyway. It’s just the natural lifecycle of your mascara.
If you’re just an occasional mascara wearer, consider buying smaller tubes or travel-sized tubes to create less waste. Kaja Beauty’s Wink Lash Trio comes with three full-sized mascaras, so you could use them wisely to make sure you’re not wasting any.
#Kutie Tip: Once you find a mascara you like, pay attention to sales! If your fave mascara goes on sale, stock up. Keeping an extra tube or two will allow you to easily replace an old tube without being tempted to use expired mascara.
No one wants clumpy or ineffective mascara, but that’s not the biggest problem that expired mascara can cause. The bacteria in old mascara can result in eye infections and health problems.
Various microorganisms live on our faces and our eyelids, each time we use mascara, these organisms transfer from our face to the wand and back into the mascara tube. It can lead to some pretty gross side effects, like styes and infections.
If you notice anything weird with your eyes, make an appointment with your eye doctor immediately and take a little break from wearing makeup.
Replace any eye makeup after an eye infection, regardless of how long it has been opened. Reusing makeup after an eye infection can reinfect your eye again.
Take a deep breath—no need to panic about your makeup! However, now that you know all the scary things that could happen, you might be feeling a little nervous about your fave mascara.
Luckily, there are a few signs you can look out for that indicate your mascara’s gone bad.
As a general rule, nothing with a funky smell should go on your face. This rule extends to mascara, so if the smell seems off, stop using it.
If your mascara seems sticky or clumpy, it’s time to open a new tube. The mascara should glide one smoothly and give you long, stunning lashes.
Your mascara might be black or blue, and your primer might be clear or white. If the color changes from the original color, it’s time to grab a new bottle.
Mascara has one of the shortest shelf-lives of makeup. Due to its proximity to your eye, it needs to be replaced more often than other makeup. Pay attention to expiration dates and replace your makeup on the following dates:
Replace
eyeliner
every two to three months.
Eyeshadow
and blush can last for up to two years.
Foundation and face primer can last for up to two years.
Replace lipstick after a year.
Like mascara, you can store other unopened makeup at room temperature for a couple of years, so it’s okay to stock up and keep extras on hand. Once you open a new piece of makeup, note the date and when it needs to be replaced.
Mascara needs to be replaced every two to three months. You should also stop using mascara if the smell or texture seems off. Using expired mascara will ruin its effectiveness, as well as potentially cause eye infections.
What does that mean for you? Go clean out your makeup bag and toss that old makeup now!
Sources:
Make-Up Expiry Dates: How To Tell If Your Cosmetics Are Still Safe To Use | Marie Clare
Mascara Eye Infections | Self
How To Extend The Lifespan Of Your Makeup | Shape