Eye Mascara Common Uses And Tips
Eye Mascara is a cosmetic product commonly used to add definition to the eyelashes. This is done through one of several processes, such as thickening, curling, darkening, coloring, and lengthening (or creating the illusion of length). It may darken, thicken, lengthen, and define the eyelashes. Normally in one of three forms liquid, cake, or cream the modern mascara product has various formulas; however, most contain the same basic components of pigments, oils, waxes, and preservatives. Waxes usually found in mascara are paraffin wax, carnauba wax, and beeswax. Mascaras designed to lengthen or curl the eyelashes often contain nylon or rayon microfibers.
Mascaras can be applied in several ways to achieve different looks, but the main purpose remains the same-to draw attention to one's eyes. Here are some of the common uses of mascaras.
Thickening
This is one of the more common mascara uses. Thicker lashes can make your eyes appear wider or narrower, depending on how you apply it. Thickening the top lashes can create a heavy-lidded look that matches ‘smoky' eye makeup, while mascara on the lower lashes helps widen the eyes. Cream mascaras are usually used for this purpose, since they come on thicker and have better ‘sticking' abilities.
Lengthening
Lengthening mascaras contain rayon or nylon fibers, which intentionally get left on your lashes after application. This eliminates the need for eyelash extensions which need special adhesives and tend to look fake. Lengtheners often weigh down the product and can make your lashes droop; this is usually solved by using a drier formula or quickly following up with an eyelash curler.
Curling
This is considered secondary compared to other mascara uses, but is still one of the most popular ends. Most lengthening mascaras also have a curling element. They don't actually create curls; rather, they enhance the natural curve of the lashes and hold artificially made curls in place. They usually contain filmifying chemicals that coat the eyelash strands to keep them from drooping.
Colouring
Colored mascaras are less common and more often used for show and theatre makeup. Most of them come in cream or powder form, since the pigments can make the mixture considerably thicker. Some coloured mascaras are also dusted with glitter to add more sparkle and glamour to your look.
One of the easiest ways to draw attention to your eyes and create fun, flirty looks is by adding mascara. Mascara is a key component to making your eyes stand out. Mascara has the ability to not only make your lashes darker; it also adds length and thickness. It doesn’t matter how wonderful your eyeshadow looks, or what great techniques you have used, without great looking lashes no one will notice. Even if you don’t wear a lot of eyeshadow, adding mascara will bring depth to your eyes and open them up. On the other hand, if you don’t know the correct way to apply mascara it will draw attention to all the clumps in your lashes from too much product. Let’s face it, none of us want so much mascara on, it can produce spider lashes or can flake off resulting in raccoon eyes.
How to Properly Apply Mascara
Ace your mascara application with a 3-step process:
Step 1: Wiggle the wand left to right at the base of lashes. It's the mascara placed near the roots not the tips that gives the illusion of length.
Step 2: Pull the wand up and through lashes, wiggling as you go. The wiggling part is key because it separates lashes.
Step 3: In this final step (which I always skip), close the eye and place the mascara wand on top of lashes at the base and pull through to remove any clumps.
Choosing the right mascara can definitely be a love-hate relationship. With so many mascaras on the market promising to either lengthen, or volumize our lashes, the options can be confusing. Here are some things to keep in mind when your purchase your mascara.
1. Formula - Should you get lengthening, curling, thickening or Volumizing? With so many to choose from deciding which one is best for you can be intimidating. If you want longer lashes go for a good lengthening mascara, fuller lashes need volume, and some mascaras promise to do both. We like L’Oreal Volumizing mascara; it has a great want to it and is great for thickening the lashes while adding length.
2. Waterproof - Waterproof mascaras are great for people who plan or need to wear it all day. It works wonders if you are going to be in the sun or sweating. Also, it helps to maintain any curl you put into your lashes by an eyelash curler. However, it is harder to remove than conventional mascara so make sure you have a good remover specially formulated for removing waterproof mascara. If you wear contacts or have sensitive eyes it may be best to find mascara that is hypoallergenic to avoid irritants near the eye.
3. Color - This one is pretty easy. Black mascara opens the eyes and gives the lashes a fuller effect. Although you can pick from many different shades, black will give the best outcome for a set of full, thick lashes that everyone will envy. However, if you have very light hair and skin you may find that very black mascara may be to overpowering. Try using a brown/black mascara to not overwhelm your look.
Tips on Applying Eye Liner and Mascara
1. Eyeliner Application: Apply liner as close to lashes as possible, smudging to avoid a harsh look. To make eyes look bigger or wide-set, starting mid-lid and extend liner just past the end of eye then blend upward.
2. To create a soft, eye-emphasizing effect: Apply eye pencil or cake liner in short feathery strokes from each lash. Immediately blend over with a cotton swab to avoid a harsh look. Follow with matching powder shadow to set.
3. To delay liner fade: Line as usual. Set with like-colored powder eye shadow.
4. To conceal eye lines and slight crinkling around eyes: Start any camouflage work with moisturizer formulated for this area, as dry skin pulls moisture from concealer. Select matte colors to avoid drawing attention to the lines.
5. To hide eye puffs: Prep eye area with a moisturizer intended for the eye area. Smooth eye puffs by blending a slightly lighter colored concealer in the furrow directly below the puff to visually raise the area. Then apply a slightly darker shade directly on the puff to make it recede. Set with powder.
6. To brighten eye-area darkness: To combat eye-area darkness, always moisturize to help grab concealer into eye creases. A lip brush applies concealer precisely. Blend by patting with the ring finger, least likely to tug delicate skin. Use concealer only in dark areas to avoid the raccoon look. Finish with powder a shade lighter than the rest of face. Avoid purplish shadow and dark liner. A hint of pink blush helps neutralize blue.
7. For best results, use the patting method: This is the best approach for concealers, shadows, and moisturizers in the delicate eye area. Apply with gentle taps using the pad of your ring finger. It’s the weakest of your five fingers and least likely to tug.
8. Eyelash curling: This is an often-overlooked way to open eyes. Carefully insert clean pre-mascara’d lashes into eyelash curler. Apply pressure in light little squeezes along the length of lashes. Remove. Apply mascara.
9. Avoiding fine dry lines: Fine, dry lines around eyes can signal sun damage, not just aging. Always wear eyeglasses with UV-filtering lenses and sun block (yes, even in the winter). An everyday cream or gel formulated for the delicate eye area will help reduce these lines.
10. To get rid of the look of tired eyes: Try a blue pencil at the outer corners of lower eyelids to strengthen. Blusher shades in the blue family perk up any eye by causing whites to appear whiter and brighter.
11. Prevent under-eye flecks and mascara smudges: Apply eye makeup first. Whisk away any fall-out and proceed with your foundation, concealer, and powder as usual.
12. If you like the look of natural eyes: Use subtle eye-enhancing makeup in shadow tones of brown or grey. Add a subtle liner and finish with light coats of mascara.
13. Avoid mascara clumping and flaking: This is usually caused by too-old mascara, a mascara formula that is not right for your lashes, or mascara build-up. Date your mascara tube and replace every three months.
14. To maximize lashes: Apply mascara with at least two roots-to-tips coats. Get brush as close to the base of lashes as possible, wiggle to separate lashes and sweep up to the top of the lashes. To apply to lower lashes, hold wand vertically, sweep across lashes.
Myotcstore Related Products:
L'Oreal telescopic intense looking eye mascara #910, black, 3 eaMaybelline great lash mascara, royal blue - 0.43 oz, 6 ea
Almay one coat triple effect mascara, blackest black - 2 ea
Bonne Bell Eye Style Precise Mascara, Black , 2 ea
Cover Girl Lash Exact Waterproof Mascara, Black #930, 0.13 oz - 3 ea
Jordana Mascara, Clear - 0.25 oz, 6 ea