How To Apply Mascara: Tips and Tricks

Do you want some tips on how to apply mascara? When it comes to learning how to apply makeup I find "how-to" guides useful so I've put together a 5 step guide on how to apply mascara. I'm not an expert but I thought I'd share how I do it. I hope you find my tips helpful!


Choose the right sort of mascara for you

There are a lot of different mascaras to choose between but they all tend to roughly fall into one of two categories: volumising and lengthening (only a few good ones fall into both). You need to pick which type you prefer (I usually opt for lengthening mascaras for the daytime and volumising for the evening). There are also different types of mascara "wands" (another word for brush) to choose between. In the above photo I have pictured two different sorts - both are plastic brushes but one is thick (good for volumising) and the other is thin (good for lengthening). The only real way to find out what sort of brush you prefer is through trial and error, not everyone prefers the same sort of wand for the same reasons. 

Hold the brush properly

My next tip - which may seem very basic but it is still very important - is to hold the brush properly. The end of the mascara wand (which is usually the smallest part) should be used on the eye lashes on your inner eye. This helps the wand catch every eyelash. Then, when you apply a second coat of mascara you could change the direction of the wand so that the small part of the brush can catch the outer eyelashes (I'll return to this in a moment).

Wiggle the brush from root to tip

The way I apply mascara is by holding the mascara wand at the root of my eyelashes and then very gently wiggling the wand upwards so that they are coated in mascara evenly. If you wiggle your brush from root to tip you also get the benefit of the lifting motion, which helps add a little bit of extra curl to your lashes.

Repeat that wiggle motion

Once you have applied one coat of mascara you might want to wait a moment before adding another - this will add more product to your lashes. This is when you might consider turn the brush around to catch the outer lashes, which is what I do. I then simply repeat the wiggle motion a second time, gently lifting my lashes as the wand moves from root to tip.

Catch the stragglers and tidy up

You're almost finished, but perhaps you haven't quite covered your outer or inner eyelashes? Or perhaps there is a bit of mascara on your inner eye or eyelid? Don't worry! I usually clean the mascara wand off on a tissue (or use a clean mascara wand) and then brush my lashes through one more time to separate them and to catch any lashes I might have missed. If I've got any mascara where it shouldn't be (which I often do) I use a cotton bud (a Q-tip), dip it in a liquid make-up remover such as a micellar water (although you can just use water) and gently dab the make-up until it is removed.

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