Mascara

How to Apply Mascara

The first step, no matter which formula you choose, is curling. Always, always, curl your lashes. You can get a cheap plastic Maybelline lash curler. They work a little better than the metal ones, and who can beat $5? Start first by curling and then move on to the product.

If you have a primer, start at your inner corner and work from underneath your lashes. Look up or straight ahead while you do it. Putting primer on the tops of your lashes is optional. The next step is the actual mascara. If you didn't use primer, first put the product on the tops of your lashes while tilting your head back and looking down. If you used primer, you could weigh your lashes down by putting the mascara on the tops. If primer was involved, just tilt your head down, look up into the mirror, and put the mascara on from the inner corner to the outer corner, wiggling the wand horizontally as you go. Finish with a second coat if desired, and go over the lashes on the outside corners once more. Holding the wand vertically, stroke the product lightly onto your bottom lashes.

Volumizing/Thickening

Volumizing/thickening formulas give you a seductive look if paired with a smoky eye. Some formulas look more natural and completely suitable for daily wear if you pair them with neutral makeup. Generally, the products that come with a primer on one end and the mascara on the other look better for going out at night. Thickening products in a regular tube generally look almost as dramatic as their primed counterparts but are more presentable for day. Good dual-ended combinations include Maybelline XXL and Loreal Double Extend. Great volumizing products with no primer include Loreal Voluminous, Maybelline Lash Stylist, Maybelline Volum' Express, MAC Zoomlash and Rimmel Volume Express

Hint: To make your lashes look even thicker, dot black eyeliner between your top lashes and smudge. It's a trick for making false lashes look more natural, but it also works for your own set when you want a false-lash look.

Lengthening

It's time to flirt! Long lashes give you an innocent sex appeal, perfect for a first date. Lengthening formulas are also great for girls who already have thick lashes but just want a little extra oomph. Thickening formulas often clump on eyes with already-dramatic lashes. Suggested lengthening products include Loreal Lash Out, Cover Girl Lash Exact, Max Factor Stretch & Separate and Clinique Long Pretty Lashes.

Color

Most people associate "colored mascara" with big hair, tights, and Madonna. Trendy, vibrant colors aren't the only ones out there, though. They certainly have their place--teens' makeup stashes, for example. Those of us sincerely into the art of makeup often have them, too; sometimes they complement eye makeup like no other. What people often fail to realize is, there are more muted colors like navy, blackened amethyst, deep emerald green and burgundy. Those are the ones you use to brighten your own eye color. If you're a little makeup shy and want eye makeup specifically geared toward your blue, green, brown, hazel or green eyes, go to any drugstore and look at the Almay Intense I-Color line. If you prefer to explore and experiment, discover navy blue for blue eyes; burgundy for blue or green eyes; or deep amethyst and emerald for green, brown and hazel eyes. Some to try: Maybelline Great Lash in Royal Blue, Yves Saint Laurent Luxurious in Burgundy and Almay Intense i-Color.

The Ones That Do It All

A mascara that does it all--lengthen, thicken, separate, curl and color--is often the holy grail of a girl's makeup treasure trove. It's the key to dramatic lashes, smoky looks, and just feeling like one hot mama. The magic formula will do for your eyes what a little red dress does for your body--POW! Suggested All-in-One Products include Christian Dior Diorshow, Yves Saint Laurent Faux Cils, Lancome Hypnose.

Which Color for Your Skin Tone, Eye Color, and Hair Color?

The biggest factor in choosing a mascara is skin tone, but eye color and hair color sometimes factor in. If you're a fair-skinned, light-eyed blonde, black might be harsh for you to wear everyday. Try brown or black-brown instead for a softer look. Fair-skinned, light-eyed brunettes can go either way--black, brown-black or brown, depending on their mood, the rest of their eye makeup and what makes them feel most comfortable. Fair-skinned redheads look fabulous in auburn! Check out Max Factor's 2000 Calorie for the perfect shade. Medium skin tones, regardless of hair and eye color, can often go for a soft black shade. Darker eyes may gravitate towards "blackest black" and lighter ones look to "blackest-brown" shades. Dark skin tones look best in black; they really make eyes pop against your deep skin tones. If you're into vibrant colors, just play around with different pallettes. Usually, when colored formulas look good or bad, it has more to do with the rest of the makeup than your own personal coloring.