For the Love of Lashes

There are three things I am almost never without... Lipstick, earrings and mascara. I have already ranted about my love affair with Cover Girl Outlast lipstick - now onto mascara!!!

Having fab lashes is really not as hard as you might think. I am often complimented on my eyelashes, and it is chalked up to "oh, you just have good lashes". My lashes aren't bad but they aren't great either.

before.... after....

There are lots of fancy ways to achieve great lashes: fake eyelashes (which I am not knocking - they have their time and place), lash tinting (although this won't make them thicker or longer), and actual medicine to grow lashes ($ cha-ching!). But the simple, every day way to fab lashes? Learn to work your mascara!!!!

You have got to find a mascara you love, and feel comfortable with the shape of the wand. I personally love Maybelline mascara - in general I think they have the best product. My particular favorite is Maybelline Volume Express Curved Brush in Very Black.

Tips & Tricks:

• Unless you have blonde lashes, go for black mascara. People with blonde lashes - it is up to you how bold you want to look.
• If you can master the curved brush, you can usually skip the curler. I personally never use one - don't even own one now that I think about it!
• Apply in even strokes, starting at the base of the lashes and follow all the way to the end. You get length by letting the mascara build up on the tips of your lashes - so if you make short little strokes you are probably not catching the ends.
• For extra glam, apply while looking down into a mirror - this will pull the lashes up.
• Get a decent coat on one eye, move the the next eye - and then do a quick second coat. Don't wait too long or the first coat will be completely dry - and then you get clumps!
• Don't forget the back of your lashes!!! Do a quick swipe on the back side - spin the wand as you go for extra curl.
• Eyeliner is a great touch - but go easy. Too much liner makes it harder for the lashes to stand out. Just start with liner on the outer part of the upper lid.

I know this sounds complicated, but once you get the swing of it, it will be easy. I actually timed myself this morning, and it took me one and half minutes to completely do both eyes - with both kids climbing my legs and pulling on me!!!

Happy lash loving!!