February 19 is National Lash Day. To celebrate, do some spring cleaning and replace your old, dried up, crusty, and cakey mascaras that are taking up space at the bottom of your makeup drawer with some fresh tubes.
In addition to our suggestions on which brands and formulas can upgrade and revamp your mascara wardrobe, makeup artist + Moda Brush expert Dominique Lerma shared her recommendations on how to get the best lashes ever.
These are our gifts to you — our loyal readers — on National Lash Day.
“It’s no secret that women have been giving their lashes extra care… with the rise of lash perms and lash extensions,” says Lerma. To achieve super lashes every time, don’t grab your mascara until you’ve prepped lashes with a tool like the Moda Lash/Brow Groomer. “It separates the lashes if you brush in an upward motion from the lash line to the tip,” Lerma explains. This essential brush can also conveniently double up as brow groomer by combing any stray hairs into place. This vegan, multi-functional makeup tool also available in Moda Metallic and Moda Pro at http://www.modabrush.com
Applying mascara to top lashes is standard. Bottom lashes are much trickier — especially for mascara novices. To ensure that mascara application is smudge-free along the lower lash line, try the uniquely-shaped tool known as a Falsie Fan. “I place a business card right beneath my bottom lash line, I dip the Falsie Fan into my mascara, and paint my lashes in a downward motion with the Falsie Fan held upright to ensure an even application,” says Lerma. The Moda Falsie Fan also helps with fake lashes. Don’t just glue them on without blending them seamlessly. Lerma recommends adding first the strip of lashes or individual lashes, then using the Falsie Fan. Swivel the brush, back, forth, and upward to blend all lashes in the same direction. Available at BeautyUSA.
Black Opal High Impact Mascara in Royal Blue for eye opening voltage! Who says mascara must be black? This beautiful blue will surely bring out your baby blue peepers, or liven up your sweet brown eyes for some unexpected pizzazz. It can be easily used with a Falsie Fan to create smudge-proof bottom lashes. Pro Tip: Not ready for all blue lashes? Apply your black or brown mascara as usual, and then simply use the blue on the tips.
Available at Black Opal Beauty.
If you want to achieve the same fullness provided by falsies, look no further than ophtalmologically- approved Essence False Lashes Mascara Dramatic Volume Unlimited. Its fiber brush ensures a gorgeous, “false lash effect.”
Find it at ULTA.
If you dare to go a further step, opt for Essence Rock ‘n’ Doll crazy XXXL Volume Mascara. With a special, cut-fiber brush, you can achieve insane lash volume.
Get it at Essence.
Catrice Cosmetics Prêt-à-Volume Smokey Mascara offers a smooth, black texture that was independently tested to last 18 hours. There’s no clumping action, either!
Get it at ULTA.
If high lash drama is not your thing, but you still want definition, don’t panic. Instead, try Alima Natural Definition Mascara, an ethically-sourced, pigmented mascara that enhances lashes naturally. Pro-Vitamin B5, Jojoba oil, and natural beeswax will nourish and condition your lashes, while the rubber-bristled wand allows you to carefully separate each lash.
Get it at Alima.
Fake eyelashes are everywhere lately. That’s because they look fabulous and make eyes pop like headlights in the night. If you want to try your hand at false lashes, get a hold of the new Kiss collection. The Kiss Blowout is the latest innovation from the brand. It utilizes an advanced technology to deliver full eyes-batting-at-you volume and curl in six styles. The unique, criss-cross pattern of the lashes in the Next Generation Wispy helps blend the faux lashes seamlessly with your own. By flaring out at the ends, they add lift to your eyes.
Get it at http://www.KISSusa.com
If you are looking for Old Hollywood glam lashes, try Kiss Lash Couture’sTriple Push Up collection. Inspired by Elizabeth Taylor’s iconic double-layered lashes, it’s a high impact lash look. For a supremely polished look, opt for the Kiss Lash Couture 5th Avenue Collection, which from the finest silk.
Find them all at http://www.KISSusa.com and most major drugstores.
