Want longer, thicker eyelashes – forget false lashes, glue and gunk? Think KISS!

I love the KISS principle: KEEP IT SIMPLE SWEETY!  And nowhere is KISS needed more than when you are applying your OWN makeup. 

Do you want longer, thicker eyelashes?  You DO NOT NEED false eyelashes, glue, applicators and hours of practice.  You do not need to worry that those " little, plastic spiders" (aka false eyelashes) will pop up or fall off of your eyelid just when you are standing under the chuppah or as you are about to be photographed or as you are about to eat your soup. 

All you need is two inexpensive mascaras and three minutes!  I promise!

Both mascaras must be black – any other color will diminish from the overall look of thicker, longer lashes.

A Hint Before You Begin:  Whenever you apply makeup – to your eyes, you cheeks, brows and even lips - always remember to work in a parallel manner.  This means that you should work on each eye (or whatever facial part) in tandem.  DO NOT WORK on one eye exclusively and then once that eye is completely finished, work on the other eye.  Apply a coat of mascara to one eye and then to the other; always repeating the same step on each eye before going to the next step.  This helps to ensure that whatever the look you want – there is symmetry between the two halves of your face.

Mascara no. 1: What type of mascara and why?

Mascara no. 1 has a flat, plastic, narrow, extra short bristle applicator.  This kind of mascara applicator helps you apply light coats of mascara to your lashes and helps separate the individual lashes without fuss or muss or big clumps of mascara goo.  When applying this mascara for the first time you may even feel that no mascara is being applied, but once you apply the second coat you WILL see a difference.

How? 

Apply the first coat to the lashes – beginning from the root of the lashes to the tip.  Use a slight zig-zag movement while you apply the mascara, this movement helps to separate the lashes while you brush.  Wait a second or two and then apply another coat of mascara.  You can then apply a third coat or just go for mascara no. 2.

Mascara no. 2: What type of mascara and why?

Mascara no.2 has a wide bristle brush.  This kind of mascara brush helps you apply thicker coats of mascara to your lashes.

Before you begin: You can carefully and slowly bend the brush applicator.  How?  By removing the applicator from the bottle and reinserting the applicator only half way.  Now gently put pressure on the part of the applicator in the bottle to force the brush to bend slightly. This curve in the applicator will help give your lashes a bit more 'lift' when you apply the mascara. 

How? 
Apply a coat of this mascara on top of the other coats of mascara.  Once again you need to work from the root of the lashes to the tip.  You should once again use a slight zig-zag and upward movement, while you apply the mascara to begin the process of thickening and lengthening your lashes.  Wait a second or two before applying subsequent coats of mascara.  You should apply at least three coats of this mascara. 

Each time you apply this mascara make sure to brush through your lashes until the very tip and then brush a little bit past the tip.  You can also apply a light coat or two to just the tips of your lashes to thicken them and complete the look.

That's it.  You can try this at home.

MORE HINTS FOR PERFECT EYES:

If you want to create a more defined or dramatic look.  Follow this method BEFORE applying mascara.

·     Want to create an even more defined or dramatic look to your eye makeup? Take a black eye pencil.  Sharpen it (not too pointy) and rub the point on the back of your hand – this will warm and soften the point. Draw a delicate line as close as possible to your lash line from one corner of your eye to the other.  You can gently smudge or blur the line, with your finger, to create a smoky effect.

·     To create an even more dramatic look, you can also draw a line around your eyes on the inside rim of the lash line (close to your eyeball).  Carefully lift your lid and draw a line around your whole eye, making sure that this line stays on the rim of your eye and does not go on the eyelid.

Whiter whites

Want to make the whites of your eyes even whiter?  Take a teal colored eye pencil and draw a line on the rim of your bottom lashes.

Should I apply mascara to my top and bottom lashes or only top lashes? 

EVERY WOMAN should wear mascara on her top lashes – even if it is only a coat or two of mascara. This gives definition to your eye area.

I do not recommend applying mascara on the lower lid if you have small and/or close-set eyes or if your under-eye area is very wrinkled.
Mascara is not a family heirloom to be treasured!

Remember to THROW AWAY any mascara that is more than three months old.  Why?  Simple biology: Where do germs like to grow?  In dark warm places.  Now where does your mascara brush live?  Inside the mascara tube which is – yes, you got it! – a dark, warm place.  This is universally true, unless you are storing your mascara in the fridge (which you know you are not).  Therefore a) do not invest great sums of money on mascara and b) do not save old tubes hoping to get out the 'last drop'. 

Now go to your makeup bag and throw away all your old tubes of mascara.  Good girl.