Everything You Need To Know About Mascara
It’s National Lash Day and each year it promotes the love and need for true and false eyelashes. It offers an opportunity to explore the benefits and everything YOU need to know about mascara.
To celebrate, do some pre-spring cleaning and replace your old, dried up, crusty, and cakey mascaras that are taking up space at the bottom of your makeup drawer and replace with some fresh tubes. Your peepers are the focal point of your face that putting enough effort and time to enhance them is definitely worth it.
Did You Know?
Mascara should be replaced EVERY two to three months, yes ladies, you read that right! Mascara has the shortest shelf life of any beauty product. The truth is that mascara tubes are a breeding ground for germs. You’re putting in on right up to your eyes every day, and you really don’t want to risk expired product or exposure to bacteria that could cause eye infections.
Do you pump your wand? While pumping the mascara wand into the tube helps to use more product, it also drags more air and potential germs into the products. This causes it to dry out or go bad. So if you are a pumper, you’ll just have to replace your mascara more often.
If your mascara flakes, clumps, dries out, or smells; these are all signs that it’s time to toss it. Just get rid of it!!
There is no way to clean or preserve your mascara! Do not, I repeat DO NOT add anything to it, your best bet is to just replace it.
Which Mascara formula is Best For You?
It’s difficult to know where to start when looking for the right mascara. Let’s start with comparing waterproof vs. washable mascara. Ultimately, the choice between the two comes down to personal preference and lifestyle. While one formula might suit your bestie, it might not be the best pick for you. Which mascara is better for your lashes? Here are the pros and cons of each.
Waterproof Mascara
Pros:
If your eyes water easily, they’re less likely to run with waterproof mascara compared to your regular mascara.
If you live in a humid climate, waterproof mascara may stay better and not transfer below your eye. No one wants raccoon eyes!
If you have stick straight eyelashes and you try to curl them every day, you may notice your eyelashes go back to being straight right after you just curled them. Waterproof mascaras have a strong holding formula which will help keep their curl and prevent them from pointing downwards or going straight.
Cons:
Waterproof mascaras have a lower water content, and some contain none at all, which is what makes them last. But this can cause your eyelashes to become dry and brittle. Remember, eyelashes are hair and the secret to beautiful lashes is keeping them conditioned. If you feel like you have to use it every day, I would consider using Lash Extend. Lash Extend nourishes and fortifies each strand for healthier, thicker-looking lashes.
If your eyelashes are fragile or fine, it’s better to avoid waterproof mascara. They tend to dry down and bind lashes together, which can sometimes cause pulling at the root and lash loss. There are some great hydrating formulas out there, but they can still be a bit much for extra-delicate lashes.
Waterproof mascara is made to last, and can be difficult to remove. It’s important that you use an eye makeup remover, or an oil cleanser to gently remove the product from your lashes DAILY. Avoid tugging and rubbing your lashes too much to prevent breakage or even lash loss.
Washable Mascara
Pros:
Washable mascaras are made with a higher water content, so they are easier to remove. They also tend to be more flexible on the lashes, which means they’re better for the health of your lashes.
Washable mascara is perfect to use on a every day basis. They tend to have a little more give to them, and allow the lashes to move freely and independently of one another because it is lighter and softer on your eyelashes.
One of my favorite things about washable mascara is that it is pretty easy to remove. In fact, I am able to remove ALL of my face makeup and eye makeup INCLUDING mascara with one makeup remover towelette!
Cons:
I think the biggest con to washable mascara is that they don’t dry down fully and leave dark smudges on your lower eyelid and around your eyes.
And the most obvious downfall is that if you cry you risk having a bit of a mess!
Which Mascara Brush is Best?
Now that you know more about the formula, the next step is to pick the right brush! Let’s breakdown some of the popular options and which brush is best for your lashes.
Straight Wand
Instantly build thick curled lashes that will last all day with this basic shape. The oversized brush builds thick, beautiful, bodacious lashes with every swipe.
My pick: Motives® Lustrafy Mascara
This rich, hypoallergenic formula volumizes your lashes, and resists smudging and flaking.
- Curls lashes without use of an eyelash curler
- Non-comedogenic and hypoallergenic
- Fortified with panthenol to lengthen and condition lashes
- Creates smudge and flake-free, ultra glam catwalk lashes
- It’s also available in a waterproof formula
Super Skinny Silicone Brush
The plastic or rubber bristles are very good at providing volume as well as length. This brush is best for shorter lashes especially those in the inner corner. It is perfect to define and separate the lashes.
My pick: Motives® Lustrafy High-Definition Mascara
The revolutionary, high-definition brush with rubber bristles fans out and lengthens each lash as it sweeps on mascara from root to tip.
- Will not clump, flake or glob due to its creamy consistency
- Long-wearing
- Patented brush provides superior lash definition
- Conditions lashes to make them smoother and softer
- Choose from Midnight Blue or Onyx
Curved Wand
Curved wands are ideal if you have straight lashes as it will help lift and curl. Make sure the curve faces upwards and the lashes sit into the curve when you apply the mascara to your lashes. It imitates the natural curve of the eye to lift and curl the lashes to help open the eyes.
My pick: Motives® for La La Mineral Volumizing & Lengthening Mascara
What I LOVE about this brush is you can bend to create the perfect curve. This mineral formula intensifies your lashes with extra volume, expansion and curl. The formulation is gentle, and resists smudging and flaking.
- Exquisite, rich, mineral-based formula builds thick, beautiful lashes with every swipe
- Pulls up and curls lashes without the need for an eyelash curler
- Hollow fiber brush allows for smooth, even application
- Creates smudge-free, flake-free, celebrity lashes
- Gentle on sensitive eyes
Rectangle
A rectangular brush is best for volume and length. It won’t get into every nook and cranny, but the shorter, squared off bristles will stretch and pull your lashes to new levels of volume and length.
My pick: Motives® Fiber Lush Mascara
Get the look of false lashes without the work. Fiber Lush Mascara is formulated with fibers that adhere to your lashes making them look longer, fuller and drop-dead luscious. This one-step formula has been perfectly paired with a brush designed for flawless application that resists smudging, clumping, and flaking all day.
- Designed with fibers that adhere to your lashes, creating a bold false-lash look
- Full bristle brush grabs the lashes from root to tip for instantly thicker-looking lashes
- Builds lush, dramatic volume for a clump-free, gorgeous look
- Creates lashes that resist smudging and flaking
Wands For Wildlife
If you recently finished your favorite mascara, and you don’t know what to do with the container — and you’re determined to keep it out of the landfill — Appalachian Wildlife Refuge has the answer for you: They want your used mascara wands for the animals in their care. And no, before you ask, they aren’t looking to achieve longer, darker, or more voluminous lashes for the animals in need. But mascara wands do make for an ideal grooming situation.
For the past two years, the Appalachian Wildlife Refuge has collected used mascara wands as part of their Wands for Wildlife program, which began after they realized that the fine-toothed bristles made mascara wands the perfect tool for caring for the animals in their care. Old mascara wands are used to remove fly eggs and larva from the fur and feathers of wild animals. They work great because the bristles are close together.
As a result of the outpouring of compassion from around the world, they can only accept wands twice a year in October & February.
Click HERE for more information about how to prepare and donate your wands.
Lash Envy
Face it – the eyes have it, and long lashes make women and men take notice. Think about it, your eyes are the windows to your soul and if that’s the case, you’d surely want others to see beauty when they look into your eyes.
Check out my other lash articles:
THE SECRET TO FULL LONG LASHES
HOW TO APPLY FALSE LASHES IN 8 EASY STEPS
5 OCCASIONS TO WEAR ARTIFICIAL LASHES
ACHIEVE GREAT LASHES FOR NATIONAL LASH DAY!
7 Common Mascara Dos & Don’t s
Have some lash or mascara questions that I didn’t cover? Comment below and I will make sure to answer them!
