Why do people wear mascara? Why do they wear
body shapers? Why wear nail polish? Or lipstick? It's all about
looking your best! Mascara can open up your eyes like nothing
else. Paired with an eyelash curler--WOW! You can make the
whites of your eyes look whiter after an all-nighter. You can
get a sultry, dramatic look, or you can have a flirty, playful
appearance. The trick is in finding the appropriate formula for
the look you desire and the lashes you have.
How to Apply
The first step, no matter which formula you
choose, is curling. Always, always, curl your lashes. You can
get a cheap plastic Maybelline lash curler (http://www.ulta.com/control/product/~product_id=1522663).
They work a little better than the metal ones, and who can beat
$5? Start first by curling and then move on to the product.
If you have a primer, start at your inner
corner and work from underneath your lashes. Look up or straight
ahead while you do it. Putting primer on the tops of your lashes
is optional. The next step is the actual mascara. If you didn't
use primer, first put the product on the tops of your lashes
while tilting your head back and looking down. If you used
primer, you could weigh your lashes down by putting the mascara
on the tops. If primer was involved, just tilt your head down,
look up into the mirror, and put the mascara on from the inner
corner to the outer corner, wiggling the wand horizontally as
you go. Finish with a second coat if desired, and go over the
lashes on the outside corners once more. Holding the wand
vertically, stroke the product lightly onto your bottom lashes.
Volumizing/Thickening
Volumizing/thickening formulas give you a
seductive look if paired with a smoky eye. Some formulas look
more natural and completely suitable for daily wear if you pair
them with neutral makeup. Generally, the products that come with
a primer on one end and the mascara on the other look better for
going out at night. Thickening products in a regular tube
generally look almost as dramatic as their primed counterparts
but are more presentable for day. Good dual-ended combinations
include Maybelline XXL and Loreal Double Extend. Great
volumizing products with no primer include Loreal Voluminous,
Maybelline Lash Stylist, Maybelline Volum' Express, MAC Zoomlash
and Rimmel Volume Express
Hint: To make
your lashes look even thicker, dot black eyeliner between your
top lashes and smudge. It's a trick for making false lashes look
more natural, but it also works for your own set when you want a
false-lash look.
Lengthening
It's time to flirt! Long lashes give you an
innocent sex appeal, perfect for a first date. Lengthening
formulas are also great for girls who already have thick lashes
but just want a little extra oomph. Thickening formulas often
clump on eyes with already-dramatic lashes. Suggested
lengthening products include Loreal Lash Out, Cover Girl Lash
Exact, Max Factor Stretch & Separate and Clinique Long Pretty
Lashes.
Color
Most people associate "colored mascara" with
big hair, tights, and Madonna. Trendy, vibrant colors aren't the
only ones out there, though. They certainly have their
place--teens' makeup stashes, for example. Those of us sincerely
into the art of makeup often have them, too; sometimes they
complement eye makeup like no other. What people often fail to
realize is, there are more muted colors like navy, blackened
amethyst, deep emerald green and burgundy. Those are the ones
you use to brighten your own eye color. If you're a little
makeup shy and want eye makeup specifically geared toward your
blue, green, brown, hazel or green eyes, go to any drugstore and
look at the Almay Intense I-Color line. If you prefer to explore
and experiment, discover navy blue for blue eyes; burgundy for
blue or green eyes; or deep amethyst and emerald for green,
brown and hazel eyes. Some to try: Maybelline Great Lash in
Royal Blue, Yves Saint Laurent Luxurious in Burgundy and Almay
Intense i-Color.
The Ones That Do It All
A mascara that does it all--lengthen, thicken,
separate, curl and color--is often the holy grail of a girl's
makeup treasure trove. It's the key to dramatic lashes, smoky
looks, and just feeling like one hot mama. The magic formula
will do for your eyes what a little red dress does for your
body--POW! Suggested All-in-One Products include Christian Dior
Diorshow, Yves Saint Laurent Faux Cils, Lancome Hypnose.
Which Color for Your Skin
Tone, Eye Color, and Hair Color?
The biggest factor in choosing a mascara is
skin tone, but eye color and hair color sometimes factor in. If
you're a fair-skinned, light-eyed blonde, black might be harsh
for you to wear everyday. Try brown or black-brown instead for a
softer look. Fair-skinned, light-eyed brunettes can go either
way--black, brown-black or brown, depending on their mood, the
rest of their eye makeup and what makes them feel most
comfortable. Fair-skinned redheads look fabulous in auburn!
Check out Max Factor's 2000 Calorie for the perfect shade.
Medium skin tones, regardless of hair and eye color, can often
go for a soft black shade. Darker eyes may gravitate towards
"blackest black" and lighter ones look to "blackest-brown"
shades. Dark skin tones look best in black; they really make
eyes pop against your deep skin tones. If you're into vibrant
colors, just play around with different pallettes. Usually, when
colored formulas look good or bad, it has more to do with the
rest of the makeup than your own personal coloring.
