Nowadays, there are a million different kinds of mascara out there so before you make your pick, you need to find out more about what’s available and what they do.

* Thickening/Voluminizing – These formulas are great for those who have skimpy lashes. I adore L’oreal’s Voluminous and Maybelline’s Volum Express for maximum volume.

* Lengthening – These formulas are great for those with thick lashes but want a little length. Pick one with a “precision brush” for maximum length and definition. L’oreal’s Clean Definition Telescopic Mascara is my all-time favorite.

* Curling – These formulas claim to lift your lashes while maintaining the curl. Personally I find this a gimmick – all you need is a good eyelash curler.

* Color – Color mascaras are fun if you want a different look. While some of them come in crazy colors to make your eyes pop, most come in muted colors meaning you can wear them during the day without screaming crazy lashes.

Navy blue – makes the whites of your eyes appear brighter
Burgundy – great for a natural look and makes green eyes pop
Brown – great for those who find black too “harsh”

* Clear – Clear mascaras are only good if you want a natural look. All they do is add a *little* definition – no volume or length. You can also use them to tame your unruly eyebrows.

* Waterproof – These are great for those who:

1) have sensitive eyes
2) sweat a lot or live in humid places
3) will come into contact with water

I do not recommend wearing waterproof mascaras on a daily basis because I find them more drying than regular formulas and harder to remove.

So here comes the question – what mascara should I use? Personally I find that using different formulas together works a lot better than using one that claims to do everything (and yes that means wearing more than one mascara at the same time). For me, I like using Rimmel’s Lash Maxxx with L’oreal’s Voluminous on top for long, thick lashes. Color-wise, no matter what hair/eye color you have, I would suggest black. I know some people find it harsh but to me, nothing beats dark, fluttering lashes.

How To Apply Mascara
Now that you have picked out a mascara that you like, you will also need the following tools:

* Eyelash Curler
* Q-tips

Step 1. Curl your lashes. Check out the entry on the bottom for a tutorial on how to curl your lashes.

Step 2. Take the wand out from the tube. Rub off extra product with a tissue to prevent clumps. No matter what you do, do *not* pump your wand in and out of the tube. This will only get air and bacteria into the tube.

Step 3. Holding the wand parallel to your lashes, start wiggling the wand in a zig-zag motion from the base of the lashes and brush towards the tip. For lower lashes, hold the wand vertically and carefully brush lash by lash. Remember to go easy on the lower lashes. Too much mascara on there can accentuate undereye circles and have an aging effect.

Step 4. Repeat with a few more coats until you have achieved the desired look. Allow each coat to dry before reapplying to prevent clumps.

Step 5. Once the mascara has dried off completely, curl your lashes again. Be *extra* careful when you do this because if you don’t, you can risk tearing out your lashes.

Step 6. Clean up any smudges with a Q-tip.

How To Remove Mascara
Gentle is the key when it comes to removing mascara. Soak a cotton pad and a Q-tip in your favorite eye makeup remover. Place the cotton pad under your lashes and gently use the Q-tip to wipe off the mascara from your lashes. Next, close your eyes and place another cotton pad soaked with remover on your eyelids for 10-15 seconds. Repeat if necessary.

Additional Tools
Koji’s 88 Mascara Protector & Comb
This cute little tool that I picked up in Asia has definitely become my best friend. It has both a mascara protector and a lash comb for the ultimate flawless mascara application. All you need to do is place the protector under your lower lashes or above your upper lashes when you apply mascara. The protector will act as a shield by isolating the lash line so you will never get mascara onto the rest of your eye. The lash comb on the other end helps separate clumpy lashes so you do not get that spidery look. The device can also be folded so it is like half the size of a credit card which makes it so easy to travel with! This is definitely a great product for both klutzes and pros!

If you need help getting your hands on this cute Asian beauty gadget, e-mail me at makeup_forlife@yahoo.com for a custom purchase.

Related Entries
Mascara Q&A
Mascara Reviews
How To Curl Your Lashes