10 Life-Changing Mascara Tips

1. Front & Back

Once youve coated the front side of your lashes (per usual), look down and carefully apply mascara to the backside of your lashes. Flick your wrist upward as you reach the ends to add more curl.

2. In Between Coats...

Use a small shadow brush (like Luxie Beauty 245 Small Shader Rose Gold Brush) to dust your lashes with a translucent powder in between coats of mascara. This will help your mascara cling to your lashes, making them look even thicker in the process.

3. Cool Flex, Bro

A tip we repeatedly hear from makeup artists? Bend your mascara wands. Gently bend the tip so the brush is horizontal and parallel to your lash line. The new shape will make it easier to maneuver the wand around hard-to-reach-places like the inner and outer corner of your eyes.

4. Add Heat

If your favorite mascara is starting to get clumpy, a little bit of heat can thin the formula back to its desired consistency. Make sure the cap is tightly secured and let the tube sit in a glass of hot water for a few minutes.

(P.S. It may just be time to replace your mascara. Check out our Mascara Try-It Kit if youre in the market for something new.)

5. Lay It on the Line

Wiggle your wand close to your lid to create the illusion of eyeliner and make your lashes look even fuller. You can also dip an angled eyeliner brush into your mascara tube and use it to add even more definition.

6. De-Clump with a (Clean) Toothbrush

If your mascara went on a little (or a lot) clumpier than you originally planned, use a brand new toothbrush to comb through lashes and fight spider eyes without completely starting over. See? It may be 20 years later, but you knew you saved all those mini toothbrushes from your orthodontists office for a reason.

7. Twirl, Dont Pump

Pumping your mascara wand may seem like a daily ritual, but the bad habit actually forces air into the product, making it much easier for bacteria to spread. Instead, pull the wand upward and gently twirl it to evenly distribute the product.

8. Whip Up a Cocktail

Dont be afraid to mix and match formulas. Sometimes it takes more than one wand to get the look you want. For a night out, weve been known to wear Benefits Roller Lash (to curl and separate) with Stila Huge Extreme Lash Mascara to (thicken and volumize). To ensure our mascara lasts longer and stays put, try layering waterproof mascara over your favorite lengthening mascara.

9. Its All About the Angles

To customize your lash look, change the angle of your wand: Hold the wand horizontally for thicker lashes, vertically to coat each lash for a more natural finish, and wiggle it from lash line to ends to help hold curl.

As for those far more common frantic mornings when a one-step-mascara will have to do, we put our faith in these five:

Benefit They're Real! Lengthening Mascara
Wander Beauty Mile High Club Volume & Length Mascara
Benefit They're Real! Magnet Mascara
Marcelle Xtension Plus Curl Mascara
Benefit Roller Lash Super Curling & Lifting Mascara