Mascara: Not for the clumsy?

[physicschick]

I'm looking for some very basic tips for mascara, or else a confirmation that it's just not for me. :)

I can't keep my hands off my face, so the mascara always gets smudged. Is this normal? When applying mascara, how do you deal with the tiny strokes from accidentally painting your skin instead of your lashes? How about lashes that get stuck together? And the blobby look from nonuniform application?

Obviously I have no clue, so I welcome your input. Thanks!

--physicschick

[eiyela]

When I paint my lashes, I put the brush at the roots, then zigzag upwards instead of making a straight stroke. That keeps the clumping to a minimum, and also makes it get between the lashes better.

For the occasional stroke on the lids, use a cotton swab with a little bit of oil after it dries to wipe off.

And yes, mascara does smudge if you rub your eyes. It might help to switch to a water-proof mascara, but I don't like using them. The best thing to do is just stop rubbing your face. ;)

[LittleFlower]

It would be good to wipe off excess oil with the clean end of the swab so it doesn't migrate to your mascara throughout the day. Alternatively you could swab with a little eye makeup remover. Going over your lashes with an eyelash comb would help get rid of any blobs and separate your lashes. As would blotting the mascara wand lightly on a tissue to get rid of any excess mascara.

No advice for the hands part other than to second the waterproof mascara :happy: I'm paranoid about mascara smudging so if I ever wear it, it's usually waterproof.

[physicschick]

Thanks for all the suggestions, eiyela and LittleFlower.

eiyela, why don't you like waterproof mascara? Yes, not rubbing my face would be a good idea. It would do great things for my acne, too. :) However, lifelong habits die hard.

LittleFlower, where does one find an eyelash comb? That sounds like exactly what I need.

--physicschick

[eiyela]

Mainly because it's so frickin' hard to wash off at the end of the day. Too much rubbing means eyelashes falling out. But I also use contacts, so my eyes are usually too sensitive for waterproof anyway.

[LittleFlower]

Erm... I can find one anyplace that sells makeup brushes and other girly stuff! Shouldn't you be able to find them in your local Wal-Mart etc? They are quite inexpensive. If you really have trouble finding one perhaps an alternative would be to go over with an old, clean mascara wand.

[LittleFlower]

I haven't had trouble with removing water-proof mascara if the formula is the kind that washes off with soap/cleanser and water. Maybe even OCM would take care of it. I sympathise with you, eiyela because my eyes are on the sensitive side too which is partly why I'm so lazy to wear mascara these days. Eyeliner is usually good enough for me.

I wish I knew how to stop rubbing :happy: If I have mascara on I seldom rub but sometimes I'll wear only eyeshadow and halfway through I'll forget and rub my eyes... then it's 'oh crap!' Just thankful I haven't gotten any infections from it so far :depressed:

[Stephanie]

I only wear waterproof (Max Factor 2000 Calorie Waterproof) because I'm an eye rubber and this stuff doesn't budge. I take it off at night with either my oil cleansing formula or mineral oil (which seems to work the best).

I hold the mascara wand to the roots of my lashes (not touching the skin, btw) and while holding the wand fairly still, I just drag my eyelashes down through the wand. Then, touch up the outer corners with the tip of the wand. Whenever I've done it any other way, I get lashes stuck together and the occassional clump.

If you've got clumps or lashes stuck together, an eyebrow brush, I've found, works really well. I'm more adept with the brush than I am with the eyelash comb.

[Tresses]

I also use the zig-zag approach to applying. (I'm a mascara junkie. :blush: )

Another tip: when using "smudgeproof" (aka not waterproof), you must finish all of your strokes before the mascara dries or you'll get clumps; OTOH, when using waterproof it is best to allow drying time between coats in order to get the longest/thickest application without lashes sticking together.

[golden_gal]

The zigzag method rules!

One thing is that if you make a mistake, NEVER try to correct it with the mascara brush! Its better to just 'pinch' the clump off and comb with an eyelash comb. I learnt this the hard way.

[TwirlyTresses]

Yup, I use the zigzag method, too. I like the waterproof kind, too--I don't wear it very often, but when I do have no problems getting it off with a little olive oil.

I once had a "clear" mascara that made lashes look longer and thicker, but didn't have any coloring to it. It was a more subtle look, but didn't smudge or leave accidental marks on the skin. I wonder if they still sell that?

[jessie58]

I find the single most important thing to do with the mascara wand is to wipe off the excess on the ends before applying the mascara. I pull out the wand and then blot the excess off in the opening of the bottle and push it back in a little with the brush, that way, you aren't dealing with mascara blobs on the wand to begin with.

If you happen to smudge mascara on your lid or below your bottom lashes, the most effective way to remove it is to dampen a small corner of a kleenex and BLOT the smudge. You may have to do this twice but it comes right off. It absorbs into the wet area of the kleenex and comes right off the skin. This way you aren't smearing and rubbing the smudged spot and spreading it all around. It just takes the one spot off very cleanly.

If you wait until the mascara is dry to use an eyelash brush to separate, it works much better than trying to separate wet lashes. Separating when wet, usually makes it clump worse.

[eiyela]

I once had a "clear" mascara that made lashes look longer and thicker, but didn't have any coloring to it. It was a more subtle look, but didn't smudge or leave accidental marks on the skin. I wonder if they still sell that?

Yes, it's still sold. I can't recommend a single mascara for you, though.

[justgreen]

Being a contact lens wearer, my eyes are too dang sensitive. I used to wear an Avon mascara called 'Pure Care', but of course when you like something what do they do? Discontinue or change it. I'm searching for a good water based mascara and so far, the only one I can find that doesn't have to be bought online, is one by Max Factor. I'm going to pick some up next grocery day and see what it's like. Anyone have any experience with water based?:depressed:

[physicschick]

Thanks for all the information! I'm adding waterproof mascara and an eyelash comb to my shopping list (and maybe mineral oil for removing the mascara). In the meantime, I can practice the zigzag technique with the non-waterproof stuff I already have. :)

[Samara Morgan]

I only wear waterproof (Max Factor 2000 Calorie Waterproof) because I'm an eye rubber and this stuff doesn't budge.

Really? Oh I must try this hehe! :happy:

[device]

Once again, I am late joining this thread, but I wanted to say...

If you are new to mascara or just having a hard time with the appliication, here is a wasteful but useful way to get used to it. Instead of just blotting the excesson the tip of the wand (which is very useful for avoiding blobs), take the entire wand and blot the whole length on a paper towel. You are left with just a bit of mascara on the wand and thus it is incredibly difficult to get blobs on your lashes. ;) You will only get a very light application, but it is a good way to start.
Even this takes some practice (blotting the wand "just right"), but as you get used to applying the masara to your liking, you slowly blot less mascara off the wand and thus apply more to your lashes.

HTH!

Cheers,
Device

[Airmide]

I wear mascara every day and I've never had too much problem with it. Maybe wearing glasses or contacts helps me remember not to rub my eyes? I only smudge it after I've taken the glasses or contacts off for the night, or if I cry a lot. I've never really noticed any difference in waterproof vs. regular. I just wash it off by rubbing my eyes with the wet washcloth when I wash my face.

When applying, I use a small mirror which I hold horizontal, and look down into so that my eyes are about 70% closed but I can still easily see in the mirror. I think that's probably my biggest factor in not getting smudges. I start at the roots as low as I can get, and do a combination of moving the wand and my eyelashes. I wiggle it a little at the roots, sometimes blinking gently over it. Then when I've got the underside coated I also apply to the top side, still looking down into the mirror. I find that gives twice as much fullness and length. I apply it in an upwards curling/twisting motion.

If I get any clumps I use an old clean mascara wand to brush through. Sometimes after it's dry, sometimes while it's still wet depending on how impatient I am. Then I carefully reapply a second coat to replace what flaked away with the brush.

For smudges I blot with a tissue or my finger. If its on the eyelid I wait for everything to dry (otherwise there's a huge clumpy mess) and then use my finger, a q-tip. Sometimes a neutral eyeshadow will hide a small smudge, or where I get most of my smudges is on the eyelid right above the root of the lashes, so an eyeliner would totally cover them.

-Airmide (cool siggy coming soon! :ginger:)

[Lady_Evalyn]

Well, first off, make sure your mascara is pretty new. I've found the Maybeline (the grean and pink one) works pretty well and is cheep. A waterproof might be a good addition for you. Mascara needs to be replaced pretty often.

To strech out the life of mascara, don't pump the brush around inside it too much. Doing this gets air inside and it dries out. Also, when the mascara starts to get a little older, often times too much mascara comes out on the wand. To take some of this off, blot the entire wand off on some toilet paper. This way, you won't put too much on your lashes and can easily avoid clumping.

I don't know if you own one, but eyelash curlers are also nice. If you have good lashes, you can get away without mascara and just with curling. I find it's easier to apply mascara to curled eyelashes.

For application, avoiding the smudges can be as simple as tilting you head back some and looking down your nose. When you do this, your lashes are furthur away from the skin of your lids so you are less likely to smudge.

Best tip I can give, practice.


One more though since your prone to eye rubbing. I wouldn't suggest wearing it on your bottom lashes because, if you rub that, you'll look slightly racoon-eyed. ;)

Hope this helped.

[Medievalsilver]

I wear clear mascara hardly at all. and I've tried a few different colors with no results: Black, black-brown. I wanted to try blue, but my eyes are blue. My last chance is green from Estee Lauder.

[summer-time]

I wear clear mascara hardly at all. and I've tried a few different colors with no results: Black, black-brown. I wanted to try blue, but my eyes are blue. My last chance is green from Estee Lauder.



My daughter and I wear blue mascara and we have blue eyes too. Maybe its the blue color, there are many different blue mascaras. I'm currently using electric blue coupled with black- it kind of appears like an indigo. I have been looking for a navy but if I can find an indigo that would be great too :)













Twirly Tresses- The only place I have seen clear mascara is the Dollar store.

[Medievalsilver]

Yes, it's still sold. I can't recommend a single mascara for you, though.

I'm using Maybeline clear Mascara. You can find it at CVS.:lafhard:

[SunCat]

I also use the zig zag application method. I agree it is best to stop rubbing your face but I know you probably do it without even realizing it. I have worn makeup since I was 12 so I don't even touch my face during the day.

Waterproof mascara is something you might want to try as the others have suggested. I personally don't like waterproof mascara. I like to wear smudge proof mascara that washes off with soap and water.

[LisaJaney]

I'm a zigzagger, too. And I also will put the brush on the topside of my upper lashes (bottom side of bottom lashes) and twist that wand to wrap the lashes around the brush and apply more mascara. But I love the zigzagging best.

Those mascara-combs are da BOMB, and I also use (don't shoot me) a straight-pin to separate any lashes that are glomming-onto one another. You can get the mascara comb/eyebrow brush at WalMart or KMart or any makeup aisle in nearly any such store. They have a comb on one side and one row of bristles on the other. (look like a double-bitted axe, with the handle pointing down, and your "business-end" of the thing up-top, teeth going one way, bristles going the other) Mine's from Maybelline and it's red. I think they're into navy ones by now, though. I also bought an eyelash-curler that had a clear-handled comb/brush with it, but the eyelash curler is WORTHLESS and so I only use the comb-tool in my travel makeup bag.

Oh, ETA: I totally forgot to mention Kiss Me Creme mascara to you face-rubbers. It makes little TUBES around each lash and those puppies don't come off til you TAKE them off (with warm water and....get this....RUBBING YOUR EYES! Woot! That's just right up our alley!) Never a raccoon eye, with this stuff. The drawback is that the tube of mascara costs twenty bucks and it's not a big tube. It's the size of those cheapie Jane/NY/Wet-n-Wild cosmetics mascaras. But dangMISS is it a good mascara and you CAN rub your eyes with it. In fact, a pamphlet I got with my first tube of it (I've bought three and I'm a cheapskate, so you KNOW it's good if I'm willing to cough-up twenty bucks for a tube of it) said that actresses like to use it because they can CRY with it on and it doesn't go anywhere. It does come off for me if I swim with it on. Apparently the pool-water is warm enough and I rub my eyes enough (don't want to lose my contacts) that the little tubes come off. They're so weird, little zigzaggy black strips... Anyhow, just thought that may be something that would appeal to you, Physics! And there are two other mascara threads on this board; somebody on one of them was talking about "maybe I Ought to order some of it" (it's an internet purchase for me, I have never seen it in a store) and maybe you could go in on a group order type thing? Or maybe I will do one later this summer. I get mine at Ball Beauty... I swore I'd not be doing another group order after the last one (but I've sworn that SO many times and still keep coming back for more) :chicken: :moo:

[physicschick]

Thanks for the additional tips, everyone. :flower: I am embarassed to admit that the time scale for me to do any makeup experimentation is much longer than the time scale for you guys to post dozens of helpful suggestions. :blush: I haven't even been to Wal-Mart yet to look for an eyelash comb. However, I'm subscribed to this thread so I can easily find it when I get the urge to experiment. :)

--physicschick