Q&A for How to Apply Mascara

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Do you use an eyelash curler before or after putting on mascara?

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist based in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been working as a hair stylist since 2007, and began a career as a cosmetology teacher in 2013. She worked as a teacher at Arrojo Cosmetology School, teaching cosmetology practices, hairstyling, and hair color application. She also brought her cosmetology expertise to her work as a staff writer for fashion blog Style Noted, writing pieces related to hair and fashion. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University, where she was also an English Teaching Fellow. Additionally, she received a BA in Creative Writing and Literature from New York University.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

Use an eyelash curler before applying mascara. Using it after can cause eyelashes to clump or stick to the curler.

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Question

How do I take off mascara?

Alicia D'Angelo
Makeup Artist & Hair Stylist
Alicia D'Angelo is a makeup artist based in New York City. She currently works for teams with Dior Makeup, YSL Beauty and Pat McGrath Labs as well as bridal companies Once Upon A Bride and Miss Harlequinn. Her work has been featured in Today.com, New York Live, Forbes.com, VH1, MTV, Vevo, Entertainment Weekly, Refinery 29, and NYXCosmetics.com. She has a Visual Communications degree from FIDM-Los Angeles.

Alicia D'Angelo

Makeup Artist & Hair Stylist

Expert Answer

Eye makeup remover will be the most efficient way to clean off your mascara, but you can also use a cotton swab with coconut oil.

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Question

How do I put on mascara without it getting in my eyes?

Alicia D'Angelo
Makeup Artist & Hair Stylist
Alicia D'Angelo is a makeup artist based in New York City. She currently works for teams with Dior Makeup, YSL Beauty and Pat McGrath Labs as well as bridal companies Once Upon A Bride and Miss Harlequinn. Her work has been featured in Today.com, New York Live, Forbes.com, VH1, MTV, Vevo, Entertainment Weekly, Refinery 29, and NYXCosmetics.com. She has a Visual Communications degree from FIDM-Los Angeles.

Alicia D'Angelo

Makeup Artist & Hair Stylist

Expert Answer

Use a smaller applicator wand so you don't apply your mascara as close to your lash line.

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Question

How many layers of mascara should you put on?

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist based in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been working as a hair stylist since 2007, and began a career as a cosmetology teacher in 2013. She worked as a teacher at Arrojo Cosmetology School, teaching cosmetology practices, hairstyling, and hair color application. She also brought her cosmetology expertise to her work as a staff writer for fashion blog Style Noted, writing pieces related to hair and fashion. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University, where she was also an English Teaching Fellow. Additionally, she received a BA in Creative Writing and Literature from New York University.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

Depending on the desired look, you can use 1-3 coats. A single even coating is good for daytime wear, but you can add more to match dramatic eye makeup or for an evening look.

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Question

How can I remove my mascara if I don't have any makeup remover?

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist based in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been working as a hair stylist since 2007, and began a career as a cosmetology teacher in 2013. She worked as a teacher at Arrojo Cosmetology School, teaching cosmetology practices, hairstyling, and hair color application. She also brought her cosmetology expertise to her work as a staff writer for fashion blog Style Noted, writing pieces related to hair and fashion. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University, where she was also an English Teaching Fellow. Additionally, she received a BA in Creative Writing and Literature from New York University.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

Add a few drops of olive oil to a cotton pad and use it to gently wipe off the mascara. Wash your face with a gentle cleanser afterwards.

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Question

If I just have a cheap mascara I got for a dollar, is it okay?

Cecilia Flores

Top Answerer

The price of the product doesn't matter as long as you like how the mascara looks.

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Question

Is it normal for lashes to be curled naturally?

Community Answer

It is perfectly normal, most people have some natural curl to their eyelashes, but it varies from person to person.

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Question

Why doesn't my eyelash curl when using the eyelash curler?

I like sushi

Top Answerer

Try heating up the curler with a blow dryer first or holding down on the eyelashes longer.

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Question

How many coats should you put on?

Community Answer

Usually 1-2 coats for the day time and 3 for evening.

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Question

Should everyone use mascara on the lower lid?

Community Answer

No. It is a matter of taste. Some people like to and others don't.

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Question

How can I curl my eyelashes?

Community Answer

You can buy a cheap eyelash curler or just spin your mascara wand upwards as you apply it.

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Question

Can I remove mascara without makeup remover? My mom gave me mascara but not makeup remover. Also, is twelve too young to own mascara?

Community Answer

Yes, you can remove mascara with water, but for deep cleansing you can use oil -- take a cotton pad or a cotton ball, apply a generous amount of coconut oil on the cotton ball, gently massage it on your eyelid, and rinse your eye. No, twelve is not too young, but I prefer not to use a lot of mascara, and use it very frequently.

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Question

I've bought a cheap mascara to see if it works, I want my lashes to be curled. What do I do?

Community Answer

Put your eyelash curler under a blow dryer for 10 seconds, then curl your lashes.

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Question

When I put on my mascara, there is a gap in my eyelashes. Why and how can I fix it?

Community Answer

You may be applying it wrong, or the mascara might not be the right one for your eyelashes.

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Question

How do I curl my eyelashes without an eyelash curler?

Community Answer

Put mascara on your lashes, and then put a little bit of Vaseline, and then one more layer of mascara.

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Question

I can never get the mascara all the way to the base of my lashes, which are very light. Are there any techniques to achieve this?

Cecilia Flores

Top Answerer

Getting a mascara with a small, skinny wand can help so you won't have a big fluffy brush almost poking your eye. When I apply mascara, I open my eyes really wide; I don't know why I do that, but that helps me get to the roots of my lashes.

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Question

What motion should I use to apply the mascara because I end up pushing the lashes to the side?

Community Answer

Start with the wand at the base of your lashes, wiggle the brush slightly and pull up. If your lashes are going to the side it means you are pulling them that way.

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Question

How can I prevent it from getting in my eye?

Community Answer

Tilt your head back and pull downward with your lips. Apply a little at a time, slowly.

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Question

What brand and name of mascara is perfect for getting that manga effect on your eyes?

Cecilia Flores

Top Answerer

If you apply enough of any mascara, your lashes will be super clumpy to get that manga effect. My advice would be to get fake lashes that look like manga character lashes.

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Question

My mascara always ends up below my lower lashes and near my eyebrows a couple hours after I apply it. It just falls off. How can I prevent this?

I like sushi

Top Answerer

Add eyedrops to your mascara to give it some moisture to prevent it from flaking off. Depending on how long you've owned the mascara, it might be time to consider buying a new one.

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Question

My mascara always gets on the side of my nose. I apply it secretly so my parents don't know, and they never notice. How can I prevent so many mistakes?

Jazz3631

Community Answer

Practice makes perfect. Go in with a steady hand and try not to overthink it!

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Question

My eyelashes are too short to curl. What should I do?

Community Answer

Try putting on mascara first, let it dry and then curl them a bit.

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Question

My lower lashes aren't curled down, they are just sticking out. How can I curl them down?

Community Answer

Apply your mascara and use an eyelash curler on your bottom lashes. If that doesn't work, heat the eyelash curler (by dipping the part you use to curl your eyelashes in hot water) and then try again.

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Question

Why do I get little specks of mascara?

Community Answer

Pump your mascara wand up and down and shake the bottle to smoothe out clumps.

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Question

My parents don't want me using makeup because they don't want me attracting boys, but I think I'm ready for that, what should I do?

Community Answer

Tell your parents that you want to wear makeup for yourself, not because of boys. Ask them if you can start small with just a little mascara. Tell them that if boys start paying attention to you, you'll just tell them you're not interested (it's okay to fib a little if this isn't entirely the truth).

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Question

When I use my eyelash curler I never get all of my lashes in it. What should I do?

Gwack

Community Answer

Try to get as close to the root as possible and then curl them, then redo the process a couple times to see if that can slowly get every lash. If that doesn't work, invest in a larger sized eyelash curler, or one that fits the shape of your eyelid better.

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Question

Is more than 2-3 coats of mascara fine?

Community Answer

If you have relatively thin lashes, that's probably fine. I wouldn't use that much if you have thick lashes. That much mascara is also probably better for a night out rather than everyday wear.

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Question

My eyelashes curl but then go back to normal in 30 seconds! What can I do?

Community Answer

Make sure you apply mascara right after curling your lashes, to fixate the curl. If this does not help, you can look into getting a professional lash lift, which will curl the lashes for 3-4 weeks.

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Question

Can you remove mascara with plain makeup remover wipes if you don't have eye makeup remover?

Community Answer

A dry wipe won't work on its own and might only cause mascara to smudge into your eyes, which can be harmful. But you can use water and a facial cleanser, micellar water or even an eye cream on your cotton pad or wipe, and very gently wipe the mascara off your lashes.

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Question

Do you add mascara if you have false eyelashes on?

Community Answer

You can do that, but then you should apply the mascara first, fully let it dry and only afterward apply your false lashes.

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