Ask a panel of women the one makeup item they can’t leave home without, and you’ll likely hear mascara multiple times. It’s an essential. But honestly, putting it on is not that easy. The wand could poke an eye out! Not to mention, the entire process could result in inky smudges on your eyelids, cheeks, and fingers. (We know we’re not the only ones that’s happened to). That’s why we talked to celebrity makeup artist Melanie Inglessis to find out what we’re doing wrong.

Mistake #1: Only using the mascara wand horizontally. We know, we know. Wiggling the mascara wand at the base of your lashes is the classic technique for applying mascara. But in addition to that, you should also turn your mascara wand vertically to coat lashes. “When you use your wand vertically, you can really got to the roots of your top lashes,” says Inglessis. She suggests using a windshield wiper motion along the root of the lashes with the wand held up and down. Then, do the same method to coat the tiny bottom lashes.

Mistake #2: Using one mascara in an attempt to curl, lengthen, AND volumize. Layering is a crucial way to get the best overall mascara look. “Not every mascara can do everything,” says Inglessis. “What is your priority? Buy a couple of mascaras that cater to what you need.” For example, you can apply a coat of volumizing mascara to both eyes. Let it dry. Then, go back and put a lengthening or waterproof formula on top.

Mistake #3: You only coat the bottom of your top lashes. Blondes, this tip is especially for you! Typically when you apply a coat of mascara, you’re only coating the bottom part of your lashes. Use the wand to brush down on the topside of your upper lashes to coat all sides. Then, brush the lashes back up. “Do the top first so you don’t weigh the lash down,” says Inglessis. This way all 360-degrees of your lashes will be covered completely in product.

Mistake #4: Curling your lashes after applying mascara. Always curl your lashes before applying your mascara. Do it the other way, and you risk losing lashes. “Once your lashes are coated with mascara, curling them back is bad news. You can break lashes easily,” says Inglessis. “And the curl is funky because that coat makes a really sharp bend.”

Mistake #5: Skipping concealer on your lids. The most annoying thing about mascara: The smudges it can leave on your lids while it’s still wet. “If you have really long lashes, keep eye looking down for a couple of seconds before you open them,” says Inglessis. When you get a smudge (it’s inevitable), use a pointed Q-tip dipped in makeup remover to get rid of the stain ASAP—before it dries.

But even if you’re diligent during application, you can still end up with black smudges on your lids around 5 p.m. “If you have oily eyelids, mascara can move,” Inglessis said. “Use an eye primer or concealer on the lid so it does not transfer.”

Mistake #6: Pumping the mascara wand into the bottle to get the very last bit. This is a classic mascara mistake. Pumping can bring unwanted air and bacteria into the bottle, drying out your product and causing a spidery lash look. Use a twisting motion to get all the product from the bottom of the tube. And once the three-month expiration date has passed, toss it.

Mistake #7: Leaving the excess product on the tip of the wand. Does mascara from your wand always end up smudging in the inner corners of your eyes? That’s because you didn’t wipe off that clump of mascara which can float on the end. Use paper towel or the edge of the tube to get rid of excess before combing through your lashes. “A well-designed mascara with a well-designed wand should not allow for a big clump of product,” says Inglessis.

Mistake #8: Trying all the DIY lash hacks you see on Pinterest. OK, we know there are a lot of mascara hacks floating around the Internet. But be wary of which ones you try. Your eyes are a super sensitive area, and one misstep could end up causing damage—especially if you wear contacts.

Mistake #9: Trying to coat the roots of your lashes with a huge wand. Getting the roots of lashes closest to the lash line coated can be hard with a big, oversized mascara wand. “It’s not easy when you DIY to get the roots without getting it everywhere,” says Inglessis. “Use an angular flat brush to paint the mascara really near the root.”

Mistake #10: Trying to get the tiny inner lashes while looking down. You’ve probably heard the classic mascara application tip: Look down into a mirror, or tilt your chin up and open your mouth. In actuality, you should be looking in all directions to get the product even. It’s like an exercise routine for your eyeballs! Inglessis looks up to apply mascara to the lower lashes, down to apply product to the top lashes, and side to side to get the inner and outer hairs.

Mistake #11: Applying another layer of mascara at the end of the day. Mascara isn’t like blush or lipstick, which are easy to reapply at the end of the day. “Unless you have time to redo your entire face, I would not [reapply],” says Inglessis. “Do a waterproof mascara that stays on longer.” If you’re truly in need of a midday mascara boost, use a completely different formula. Something with a small, defining brush like the Revlon All-in-One Mascara.

Source: www.self.com