Mascara Tips & Hacks That Will Give You The Most Legit Lashes!

Eyes

by HB Team |

Mon, 25 May 2020

legit lash

Finding the perfect mascara is hard, but your technique is just as important and can improve even the most basic mascara formula. Over the years, we’re tried and tested tons of hacks; some of them were amazing, and some were slightly disappointing. Today, we’re sharing the best tips and hacks we’ve tried to date, from how to avoid clumps, how to make your mascara last longer, and how to prevent smudging. Check out our go-to mascara hacks for long, legit lashes!

1. For Easy Clean-Up: Apply Mascara First

If you’re not planning on wearing eyeshadow – and therefore don’t need to worry about the fallout on your lashes – apply your mascara before your foundation. This gives you free rein to be as messy as you like without messing up your makeup – let’s be real, it’s so much easier to get better lashes when you don’t need to be careful of your flawless cut crease. Clear up messy lids with a little micellar water or eye makeup remover on a Q-tip, then apply your foundation and powders as usual.

With that said, if you’re planning a major eyeshadow look with formulas that typically have some fallout, then do your mascara last to keep your lashes fresh.

2. To Avoid Clumping: Wipe Your Wand

For super fluttery lashes, wipe your mascara wand lightly on a tissue to remove any excess formula from your brush. This will help you avoid unwanted clumps or flaking.

3. For a Full Lash Finish: Layer-Up Before Your Lashes Dry

Applying mascara to already dried mascara more often than not turns out looking clumpy. After all, If it dries clumpy, no amount of brushing on more formula will change that. When building up mascara, layer gradually and do one eye at a time so you can continue to brush through the formula while it’s wet, until you’re happy with the length and volume you’ve built.

4. The Ultimate Hack: 2 Mascaras are Better Than 1

To get the best results, always combine a mascara with volumizing powers with another that has lengthening or curling properties. By combining two different brushes and formulas, you get the best of both worlds, and you can work the formulas to flatter your lashes. For example, if you have short lashes, you can load up on a lengthening mascara, then add a volumizing formula for a full lash finish. Similarly, if you have straight lashes, find a wand that curls your lashes, and then layer a lengthening, volumizing formula on top.

This hack is exactly why we created our Huda Beauty LEGIT Lashes Double-Ended Mascara, $27, which is one mascara with two formulas and two brushes! The two formulas combine to transform all lashes into the most gorgeous, full, curled, and long lashes.

Huda Beauty LEGIT Lashes

5. For A Sexy Eye: Focus on the Outer Corners

For a cat-eye wing, focus the formula at the outer corners, pulling your lashes towards your ears. This mascara look is seriously trending RN as it helps create a sexy, lifted effect.

6. For Fuller Lashes: Wiggle at The Base

This application technique can get messy – which is why we advise applying mascara first – but it does deliver insane volume. Start with your wand at the base of your lashes and wiggle the brush using small zig-zag motions as you comb through your lashes. This will help separate the lashes and focus the formula at the base, creating the illusion of fullness.

7. To Delay Drying Out: Add Saline Solution

To rejuvenate a drying mascara, add a drop of saline solution into the mascara tube. It’ll give your mascara a new lease of life while preventing flaking or clumping. And remember, always twist your brush in the tube, never pump, as pumping pushes air into the tube and makes the formula dry out faster.

8. For Zero-Smudging: Get Sandbagging

Okay, we know that sounds weird AF, but it’s a technique similar to baking that aims to prevent oil from moving (just like sandbags are used to dam water), therefore keeping your mascara from smudging. The main difference is the powder is applied directly to the under eyes, and not in the typical triangular shape in which baking is often done, which tends to highlight and lift the face while also setting makeup.

How to do the sandbagging technique: Take a loose setting powder like the Huda Beauty Easy Bake Setting Powder, $30, and a makeup sponge – it’s easiest to use a sponge with a flat angular edge. Press the sponge into the powder, then dab the sponge directly underneath the eye using a light pressing motion. The powder should be applied tightly underneath the lash line, which is what prevents the mascara smudging. After a few minutes, sweep away the excess powder with a loose brush. You can also use this technique before you apply your eyeshadow as it can also help catch fallout.