Do your bottom lashes if you want to draw more attention to your eyes. “They look more captivating when you apply [mascara to] bottom lashes”, explains Ginger. Accentuating both the bottom lashes and the upper lashes defines the outline of the eyes – like petals to a flower.
If you're wearing eyeliner, eyeshadow, and mascara on the upper lashes, then it's best to define your lower lashes too, so as to balance that heavy eye makeup look. Also, mascara on the lower lashes works when you want to give your lower lids a slightly highlighted effect.
Adding mascara to your lower lashes will also open up the eyes for a wide, doe-eyed look: For a softer look, you can use brown mascara, or even colored mascara if you like. Adding a little eyeliner to the outer corner of your lower lash line will also help to elongate your eyes.
It's a hotly debated matter among beauty experts, too: Some wholeheartedly believe it can accentuate dark circles and fine lines (especially when there's fallout involved); others say a bit of mascara on the bottom lashes helps frame the eye and make it appear even more doll-like.
DON'T wear mascara on your lower lashes. Playing up your lower lashes can make your eyes look droopy and draw attention to dark circles. It makes the eyes look older and accentuates the under eye wrinkles.
It is best not to use liquid liner at all on the bottom lashes since it has the potential to smudge unevenly and create fine lines below the eyes. Additionally, it can make the eyes appear harsh because it is difficult to blend.
Also, try to avoid applying makeup on the lower lash line as it makes the eyes look smaller, highlights fine lines and drags down the whole face. The eyeliner can get smudged from the bottom lash line, clearly showing signs of fatigue, and making you look older.
“Use your normal mascara and then finish with a coat or two of volumizing mascara – but only on the outer, upper lashes, as this gives that amazing thickness to the lashes, and an extra flick to the eyes.”
To begin, do your usual eye makeup, including liner, mascara on your top lashes, and any eyeshadow you'd like to use. Then, using a flat liner brush, paint on your mascara to your bottom lashes in small downward strokes, making sure to get the formula right into the roots. For a bolder finish, paint a few coats.
“Mascara always last after eye shadow and liner as you want to keep it clean with no particles in it,” advises Vogue beauty and health director Sigourney Cantelo. This also helps to achieve a more precise result with your eyeliner: “It's easier to see where you're drawing if you have nude lashes,” she says.
Despite what you may have heard, it's not the best idea to apply dark eyeliner to your bottom waterline because this can actually shrink the appearance of your eyes. Instead, apply your go-to eyeliner just below your lower lashes to help make your eyes look bigger.
"The oil in our skin, or creamy products applied around the eyes, can make the pigment of the mascara transfer onto skin, even after the mascara is dry," says Nikki Wolff, the global creative director of artistry for KVD Beauty. Even if your skin isn't naturally oily, sweat and heat can cause mascara to run.
Don't be afraid of layering: Just be careful to not apply too many coats because it can begin to flake. "One to three coats is plenty for natural or dramatic lashes that last all day," Soare said.
It's okay to: Wear mascara. You may have read that mascara dries lashes, and as a result, it inhibits lash growth. That's simply not true.
It is recommended that you apply one thin coat of mascara to your natural lashes before applying fake eyelashes. This allows the falsies to easily stick to your natural lashes and provides a more natural, seamless blend between the lashes and lash band.
Focusing at the root like this gives them more support to curl upward, rather than applying all the product to just the ends of the lashes and weighing them down. Just like putting product in your hair, applying mascara to the roots of your lashes will make them strong enough to stand upwards and hold a curl better!
Ditch liquid liners
Thick black lines don't do any woman over 35 any favours as it makes eyes that are already getting smaller with age look even tinier. And the rock-chick look is too harsh for ageing skin tones, so switch to brown or charcoal-grey.
Liquid is best
“I recommend using a liquid eyeliner with a felt tip as it's easier to control and apply with less tugging and pulling of the skin. As we age, the thin skin on our upper eyelids tend to crinkle and many work around this problem by stretching the eyelid during application, which isn't a good idea.
DON'T line your whole eye.
Drawing your eyeliner from outside corner all of the way to the inside corner of your eye, on top and bottom, is just a whole lotta eyeliner. It's harsh and unflattering, and makes your eyes appear smaller. It also makes it look like you wear a studded black belt over your Billabong t-shirt.
As it turns out, it's probably not the safest idea. Applying eyeliner on the waterline increases your risk of contaminating your eye. Any bacteria or contaminants on the tip of your eyeliner have the potential to travel into your eye and cause discomfort, irritation or redness to those with sensitive or dry eyes.
A statement color, glowing skin, and graphic eyeliner are not going out of style anytime soon. And don't forget to add on your face gems–they're a must-have (trust us).
Lash technician: To make the eye appear bigger, short lengths and medium lengths of a B Curl should be used. Ensure medium lengths are used in the middle outer eye to give a big round eye appearance.