Pro Tips for Luscious Lashes

Now here's an interesting fact for you - over 60 million women in the USA wear mascara. If you don't wear mascara, you might want to think again. A quick swipe defines, brightens and opens up your eyes. Even better, it's a simple way to instantly look more pulled together.

Here's how to pick the best mascara for your needs and get the lashes you've always wanted.

Thickening

Give a sparse lashline a boost with thickening mascara. Pigments, waxes and film formers in the formula build up individual lashes to create a denser look.

Thickening formulas usually come with brush wands that have tightly-packed bristles to allow for thicker application. This formula can go on clumpy. Avoid this by wiggling the wand as you comb it through lashes. If needed, separate lashes afterwards with a clean mascara wand or lash brush.

Lengthening

Lengthening mascaras add length to short lashes with special filament-type fillers. Since the formula is thinner in consistency than the thickening variety, it goes on in sheer coats. And the thin, widely spaced bristles on the brush wand define lashes without adding bulk, a plus if you're looking for enhanced, but still natural-looking lashes.

Waterproof

A true workhorse, this long-lasting formula contains special pigments that resist moisture. It's a good bet if you want mascara that will stay on through a workout or if you're prone to tearing.

Strong polymers in the formula can dry out lashes, so you might not want to wear it seven days a week. Use an oil-based makeup remover to remove. One downside - though they can stand up to water, waterproof formulas can smear when they mix with the natural oil in your skin or the emollients in your eye cream.

Lustworthy Lash Tips

True black mascara looks great on everyone. To check if it's a true black, swipe it on white tissue or paper. Pass on it if it has a greyish cast. Choose brown mascara if you want a more natural look or if you are a light blonde or redhead. Leave trendy colors like blue, plum and hunter green to the teenagers.

Before applying, blot the end of the brush on tissue to get rid of excess mascara.

Don't pump the wand in the tube. This will push air into the mascara and cause it to dry out.

Holding the mascara wand parallel to the floor, work from the base to the tip of the lashes. Roll the wand as you go to separate lashes and avoid clumps.

Always apply mascara to upper lashes from underneath - brushing mascara over the top will weigh the lashes down. If you choose to apply mascara on lower lashes, use a lighter hand than you did on upper lashes. Skip mascara on lower lashes if you rub your eyes a lot (it will smudge) or if you have very dark circles (this will only make them look darker).

To prevent clumping, allow your mascara to dry in between coats. Apply one to two coats if you want a subtle look, and two to three coats if you're looking for a more dramatic effect.

Don't tug or rub when removing mascara because this irritates the eye area and can make lashes fall out. I suggest eye make-up remover instead of soap and water because it dissolves the mascara, making it easier to wipe off with a cotton ball.

Don't share your mascara. Mascara is a potential breeding ground for bacteria that cause eye infections. Replace your mascara every three months or so. Toss your mascara immediately if it changes in smell.

Lash TLC

It's a good idea to give your lashes a break from mascara every once in a while. On mascara-free days, try brushing on a lash conditioner that's formulated with ingredients like vitamin E, panthenol, sodium hyaluronate or amino acids.