Tips and Tricks for Healthy and Beautiful Lashes

Mascara is one of the key makeup essentials. It’s something the majority of us definitely reach for every day when we’re getting ready. But be honest, how often do you give your mascara a second thought? Probably not all that regularly. The truth is, the majority of us really should be paying more attention to how we use (and treat!) our trusty mascara. For instance: how do you know when it’s time to replace your mascara? Are you even using the right mascara to get the look that you want?

Making the most of your mascara doesn’t need to make your head spin! We’re here to give you a full rundown to ensure you have the best - and healthiest - eyelashes imaginable.

How to Choose the Right Mascara

Picking out the right mascara probably doesn’t seem like the most challenging task. But these days, there are so many mascaras out and about on the market that it can definitely seem overwhelming. 

Start with nailing down exactly what you want from your mascara. Maybe you want your eyelashes to look longer. Perfect look for a lengthening mascara. Maybe your lashes are long enough, but you're hoping to make them fuller or hold a curl. Be on the lookout for a volumizing mascara.

Now, let’s say you want both longer, fuller lashes. In that case, you’re going to want to pay attention to the sharp of the mascara wand, because that can also tell you a lot. Let’s take our Soy-Infused Mascara for instance. We've talked a lot about this product before, but believe us when we say it’s worth the hype.

If you’ve tried this mascara or have had your eye on it for a while, you probably noticed the unique hourglass-shaped brush. This shape is the perfect choice to create that very false eyelash effect. They’ll be fuller, longer and hold a curl all day long. Honestly, what more can you ask for?

Best Application Tips Ever

Every morning it’s the same routine: Eyes wide, mouth open and a sweep of the mascara wand. If you really want to get the most of your mascara, the trick is all in the application.

For foolproof mascara application, start by opening your eyes slightly wider than normal and looking up slightly. This should position your eye - and therefore, your lashes! - in the perfect position. Pick up your mascara wand and position it as close to the lash line as you can. Then, sweep it up to the tips while gently wiggling the wand back and forth. Sure, it might seem strange, but this will help ensure your lashes are fully coated. Two or three coats is really all you need. Any more than that, and you’re running the risk of clumps.

As for the lower lashes, there really isn’t a need for anything fancy. While you can definitely find mascaras with special small wands for coating the tinier eyelashes along your lower lid, we say you can just as easily use your regular formula. The best application trick is to simply hold the wand perpendicular (that means straight up and down!) and dance it along your lash line in short quick strokes to avoid smudging any product on your skin. Perfect babydoll eyes, and no fuss needed!

Staying Safe

Studies have shown that most people don’t pay attention to the longevity of their makeup. While we can understand wanting to save money, you definitely should know that hanging onto products like mascara for too long can actually put your health at risk! 

Whatever mascara you regularly use, it should be replaced every three months. That’s generally how long the average tube lasts before the product inside starts to dry out. But this timeframe also helps to minimize the risk of harmful bacteria that can grow inside the tube. This kind of bacteria can cause unpleasant eye infections, so it’s really not something you want to mess around with.

Another important safety tip: You should avoid any “pumping” motions with the mascara wand when you’re applying the product. At best, this can dry out the product faster, meaning clumpy spider lashes (Yikes!). At worst, however, it can cause any harmful bacteria to grow even faster. Instead, use a gentle twirling motion to pick up the product on the bristles of the mascara wand. Trust us, you’ll get the same amount with each use and keep your eyes safe and healthy at the same time.

Do you have any tried-and-true mascara tips or tricks? Sound off in the comments below!