Cosmetic Mascara; Achieving a Long,
Natural Look.

Cosmetic mascara is used to make the eyelashes look thicker and darker. It is available in neutral shades such as black, dark brown, and dark gray and it is also available in navy, blue, clear and a host of other fad colors.

Most women prefer black mascara because it is a basic neutral color and it works well on almost everyone for most occasions. You can try a shade of brown if you're blonde.

And if every shade you try seems too dark for you, you might benefit from clear cosmetic mascara, which, still lifts and separates the lashes.

Waterproof or Regular?! Black or Brown?!...

There are two basic types of cosmetic mascara: waterproof mascara and regular. Regular mascara is easier to remove at the end of the day but to remove waterproof, you need an eye make up remover.

Discard mascara within four months of use since bacteria contaminates it and, it also dries out and clumps up. Make sure you apply it when you are stationary (not in moving vehicles) to avoid eye injury.

First Step...Curling Your Lashes!...

Before applying cosmetic mascara, you may want to curl your lashes with an eyelash curler, especially if your eyelashes are straight. To use an eyelash curler: open the curler, place your upper lashes between the two troughs, close the curler slowly, and hold them in the curled position for 10-20 seconds.

Do not press too hard, it could create a kink in the middle of the lashes. Open up the curlers fully before pulling them away from your eye. Do not curl your lower lashes. Curling your eyelashes will immediately open up the eyes and make them look bigger.

Applying Clumpless Cosmetic Mascara...

Sometimes the wax in the cosmetic mascara crystallizes and clumps up which keeps it from going on smoothly. To avoid the clumps during application, use a thin short wand to get into the corner lashes and always wipe the wand lightly with a tissue before you apply it.

You may apply more than one coat if you want but always allow the first coat to dry before applying the second. You can also apply it on the bottom lashes or not depending on the effect you are trying to achieve. Always take it into the inner corners of the top lashes.

1.  Hold a magnifying mirror slightly above your face and position the cosmetic mascara wand vertically straight in front of you. Lightly stroke down the bottom lashes, moving from the inner to the outer corner of the eye. Wipe off any excess on a tissue.

2.  Lift your chin while looking down, then, starting in the middle of the upper eyelash, apply cosmetic mascara in upward parallel strokes through your top lashes from below the upper lashes combing them upwards, and working your way out to the edges.

3.  Apply a couple coats to the edges. Try blinking on the brush.

4.  Look slightly down into the mirror, brush the wand from the root to the end of the uppermost top lashes. Then work diagonally from beneath and, after that, with a straight movement.

5.  Use an eyelash comb or a second wand to brush through stuck eyelashes or clumps of cosmetic mascara.

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