Even the most novice makeup-wearers can agree that no face beat is complete without mascara. After all, the right lifting, curling, and volumizing wand can make you look "done" and awake in an instant. But at the same time, mascara can be annoying to apply because it's prone to issues like unwanted clumping, smudging, and running. So we went straight to expert Maybelline Global Makeup Artist Erin Parsons, who regularly works with Gigi Hadid, to get her six golden rules for nailing mascara application. Supermodel-like lashes are yours for the taking, ahead.
Always use a lash curler.
"The biggest mistake people make is not curling your lashes. I think that makes such a difference. A lot of mascaras will end up dropping the lash down," Parsons says. Her favorite curler is from Shiseido. "It's more flat and so good, it really gets up to the eye. I always pinch a little on the front of the lashes, pinch a little in the middle, then I pinch all the way at the base because then you'll get a curl versus a crimp."
Try a lash comb.
While Parsons emphasizes that lashes are all about personal preference she advises "One of the best things you can have for mascara is a metal lash comb. Your lashes will look more spaced out."
Let one coat of mascara dry before you apply another coat.
Parsons explains, "First I curl the lashes, I apply a coat of mascara and I let that dry. If my lashes fall, I will re-curl and apply another coat of mascara. Then, I comb through. I might do the process over and over again depending on how long I want the lashes."
Skip lash primer.
"I personally don't use primer," Parsons says of white mascara sometimes applied beforehand for a plumping effect. Instead, she relies on strong mascara formulas, like Maybelline's new Snapscara. "One of the greatest things is that it comes off so easily," she says of the wax-free, lightweight formula.
Just apply mascara to the top lashes.
Oftentimes when Parsons is working with a celebrity for red carpet, she'll skip mascara on the bottom lashes entirely. "It's more chic," she says. "If I'm applying mascara on the bottoms, sometimes it'll get into the concealer [under the eyes]. I might only do mascara just at the base."
Apply mascara before false lashes.
"I only use false lashes as the extra oomph. Always make the lashes perfect then see what you need," Parsons says, explaining that she will complete making the natural lashes look as great as possible then determine what gaps need to be filled. She typically uses individuals or half strips over full strips ("It can be a little distracting," she reasons). Parsons adds, "When you have your natural lashes at their best, people are more like 'Wow.'"
Now that you've got all the application tips down, shop our top mascara picks below.
The 18 Best Mascaras ELLE Editors Will Never Stop Buying
Pros
- Affordable
Cons
- Can be hard to remove
“Many things have come and gone from my beauty routine over the years, but CoverGirl’s Lash Blast Volume mascara is not one of them. It gives me volume, length, and never smudges. What more could I ask for?” — Carine Lavache, Senior Social Media Editor
Pros
- Defines lashes
Cons
- Pricey
“Kim Kardashian and I have exactly one thing in common and it is that our lashes are most likely swaddled in Chanel Inimitable Waterproof Mascara. This mascara isn't new, but both I and her makeup artist Mario Dedivanovic swear that this is our favorite waterproof mascara. Just one coat makes my lashes look so bright, perky, separated, lengthened, and voluminous. There are no clumps, not even if you zoom in (for Kim) or Zoom in (for me). When I curl my lashes after using this, they maintain their perfect swoopy wave all day and night–so much so that a makeup artist once asked me if my lashes were permed. Much like a bra, I don't love using this mascara all the time even though it looks great, as it does require a little more effort. You need a little time with a real makeup remover to take this off, because it won't come off with a regular face wash, but it's worth it.” — Kathleen Hou, Beauty Director
Pros
- Affordable
Cons
- Can be hard to remove
“I have been using the same drugstore mascara combo for years now, and it's still my go-to. I'm telling y'all—Essence is the hidden gem at Ulta. I get compliments all the time about my eyelashes; sometimes people even think I'm wearing falsies." — Meg Donahue, Associate Commerce Editor
Pros
- Small brush
Cons
- Can smudge
“I'm team skinny brush when it comes to mascaras. This thin bristly brush catches just the right amount of the super-black mascara with each swipe so you can build your own eye look—one pass feels lengthening and natural, two is va va voom, and three (my favorite) gives you go-go dancer level of definition.” — Margaux Anbouba, Beauty Editor
Tower 28 MakeWaves Lengthening + Volumizing Mascara
Pros
- Clean
Cons
- None
“I have a decent amount of lashes, but they all have different needs. Some are extra long, some are medium-length, others are babies. What they have in common is that they're all fine, point straight down, and prone to a little unruliness. Tower 28's Making Waves mascara is sort of like Julie Andrew in the Sound of Music and corrals my lashes, making them stand up straight and at attention. And much like Maria, the formula and wave-shaped brush ensure that each lash (even the itty bitty ones at the corner) get love, don't stick together, but work cohesively together to create a pretty, fanned-out look.” — Kathleen Hou, Beauty Director
Pros
- Affordable
Cons
- Can be flaky
“I've experimented with high end and designer makeup brands intermittently when I run out of these tubes, but I always go back to my Essence roots. They can't be beat. Run, don't walk!” — Meg Donahue, Associate Commerce Editor
Pros
- Lengthening
Cons
- Pricey
“The first time I wore this mascara, friends of mine starting asking me what was on my lashes. My beauty-averse boyfriend asked, dismayed, if I was wearing falsies. Anything that generates that much attention is a win in my book.” — Tatjana Freund, Beauty Commerce Writer
Pros
- Volumizing
Cons
- Can flake
“I’m always on the hunt for a mascara that adds volume and length without excessive clumping. The Spectator Sport Mascara from Gen See does exactly that even after several layers, while also being water resistant…and trust me, it actually is.” — Emily Burns, Assistant Beauty Editor
Pros
- Volumizing
Cons
- Can flake
“I'm not above drugstore beauty products at all. Case in point is L'Oreal's Voluminous Original Mascara, aka the only mascara I'll ever need. It lengthens, separates, and adds volume sans clumping or irritation and it costs under 10 bucks. What more could you want?” — Claire Stern, Digital Deputy Editor
Pros
- Healthy ingredients
Cons
- Pricey
“I’m very specific about mascaras, and this is the only one in recent years that I’ve actually run out of. It has a curved wand that makes separates my lashes, lengthens them till they touch my brows, all without looking clumpy. For me, the best part is that it’s super easy to take off at the end of the day, but still doesn’t smudge under my eyes.” — Tatjana Freund, Beauty Commerce Writer
Rare Beauty by Selena Gomez Perfect Strokes Universal Volumizing Mascara
Pros
- Minimal
Cons
- Can smudge
“Lately, I’ve been obsessed with all things Rare Beauty. As someone with big brown eyes, my go-to everyday look is minimal makeup and tons of mascara. Luckily this one builds quite nicely and stays on all day. After two coats I’m good to go!” — Leah Romero, Senior Digital Designer
Pros
- Healthy ingredients
Cons
- Can flake
“I love a makeup product that multitasks, like this mascara that is infused with a red clover peptide serum to promote stronger and longer lashes. While the serum is doing its work, the mascara adds volume and length that lasts all day.” — Emily Burns, Assistant Beauty Editor
Pros
- Adds length
Cons
- Can flake
“A makeup artist friend recommended this lengthening mascara to me few years ago, and I’ve been using it ever since! I like having long dramatic lashes and this delivers. It stays on at the gym, but washes off easily at home, which is definitely a plus.” — Rose Minutaglio, Senior Writer
Pros
- Volumizing
Cons
“I really didn’t care for any of the cannabis-infused beauty products being released at lightspeed but Milk Makeup’s Kush Mascara is THE TRUTH. One swipe of this gave my little eyelash hairs more volume than I could ever imagine. Plus, I can layer without clumping or smudging.” — Nerisha Penrose, Beauty Commerce Editor
Pros
- Washes off in water
Cons
- Can look clumpy
“This Thrive mascara makes my eyelashes so long that they're at risk of constantly touching my eyelid. It also comes off easily with water at the end of the day so I'm not standing there rubbing my eyes.” — Madison Feller, Senior Staff Writer
Pros
- Lengthening
Cons
- Doesn't curl straight lashes
“When you want your eyelashes to tickle your eyebrows, Sephora Lashcraft is the one mascara that you grab from your make-up bag. The bristles on this brush are spaced out and tease each strand outward and upward. The mascara itself is thick enough to add volume but light enough that your eyelashes aren’t clumpy and weighed down.” — Yousra Attia, Visuals Editor
Pros
- Adds volume
Cons
- Can look clumpy
“I've tried many mascaras, but I don't know if I've ever been this blown away by the way one transforms my lashes. It really adds so much volume and fullness to my natural lashes I don't even need to curl them to get compliments. This really is a game-changer.” — Alyssa Bailey, Senior News and Strategy Editor
Pros
- Lengthening
Cons
- Can be hard to remove
“It's embarrassing how tiny (read: microscopic) my lashes are and I'm not quite yet the lash extension connoisseur I strive to be. But the Uoma Beauty Drama Bomb mascara is literally "fake it 'til you make it" in a bottle. A few coats of this mascara makes it look like I have way more lashes than I actually do. Plus, it doesn't clump together and it's not runny, so no Lauren Conrad mascara tear 'round here!” — Nerisha Penrose, Beauty Commerce Editor
<h2><center>How do different mascara wands achieve different looks?</center></h2>
“There are considerations when choosing a mascara, just like there are for curating your skincare routine or selecting a foundation,” says Solares. “A mascara wand with a comb can be best for defining/separating, one with an hourglass shape is best for volumizing, a fluffy wand is great for thickening, a cone shape can help with lengthening, and of course, a curved wand will help with curling.” It's also important to look at the ingredients in your mascara. “Mascara benefits do not just depend on the type of wand, they also depend on the formula. Conditioning your lashes with skincare-like ingredients—found within some mascara formulas— will ultimately give you the best lash look, as it helps to create the best canvas for your mascara. Finally, you also have considerations like Clean at Sephora, long-wearing/transfer-proof, and waterproof.”
<h2><center>What are your favorite types of mascara?</center></h2>
“My go-to mascara recommendation as of late is the Sephora Collection Big By Definition Defining & Volumizing Mascara because it is truly a catch-all of mascara benefits. It has a rectangular spoolie that not only defines and volumizes, but it seems to work well on all lash-types and even has lash-conditioning ingredients,” says Solares. “In fact, all my recommendations have lash-conditioning formulas because I am a big fan of getting 2-for-1.
If you’re looking for volume and thickening, look no further than the Milk Makeup KUSH High Volumizing Mascara. This stuff takes my lashes to the next level, was a trailblazer in the Clean at Sephora category, and has been a personal favorite for years.
Maybe your lashes require a bit of taming and you’re looking for definition and length. I’m obsessed with the Ilia Limitless Lash Lengthening Mascara for this. The wand is quite innovative, as it features a comb for separation, tapering for length, and it is even slightly hourglass for volume. If you’re looking to size up your lashes and create the ultimate curl, you’ve got to try the Sephora Collection Size Up Volumizing Mascara—it is magic and only $12.
Finally, the question [I'm] asked most frequently is, 'which is the best waterproof mascara?' There seems to be quite a bit of debate on waterproof formulas, but the Lancôme Monsieur Big Waterproof Mascara is a favorite amongst myself and fellow Sephora Beauty Directors, who turned me onto it!”
<h2><center>Are there any tricks to making your mascara look its best?</center></h2>
“I have two lash-care tricks that, if done consistently, can make a world of difference in how your lashes look,” says Solares. “The first is quite simple: brush your lashes after washing your face. I use the clean spoolie on my Sephora Collection PRO Brow Brush #20 to brush through my damp lashes, the same way I would for the hair on my head.”
You may not immediately notice how messy your lashes look after each wash. Solares says combing through your wet lashes “helps them to grow in the correct direction over time and helps separate and define them before you even start with your mascara.” Of course, investing in a lash serum is super important. “The second tip is incorporating a lash enhancing serum that is formulated with good-for-your-lashes ingredients like the new Lilly Lashes Level Up Lash Conditioning Serum,” she adds.
<h2><center>Is it okay to wear mascara every day?</center></h2>
“Yes, you can absolutely wear mascara every day! Again, just like your skin, it is just important to take the right prep and removal steps,” says Solares. “I mentioned my tricks for lash care, but that can only do so much if you aren’t properly removing your mascara." Solares warns against becoming a “mascara-picker”—someone who picks at their lashes when one hair becomes unruly, ultimately causing them to pick at other hairs that stick out.
“Mascara should be removed gently with makeup remover and light, circular motions. I like to take the Sephora Collection Waterproof Eye Makeup Remover on a cotton pad and press it gently against my eye to allow the formula to begin breaking down the mascara. Thereafter, use light, circular motions to remove and finish with your regular face wash. Pat dry, don’t rub,” she explains.
<h2><center>What do you look for in a mascara?</center></h2>
With so many formulas out there, Solares' only advice is to explore as much as possible. “Mascara can seem complicated, but ultimately, there are no rules in makeup and there is so much to explore and have fun with,” she says. “Try a few or maybe even build a mascara wardrobe that you can dip into depending on your mood. If you’re still feeling stumped, you can always experiment with the Sephora Favorites Mini Clean Mascara Lashstash to Go Set, which offers five mini mascaras for you to try and a voucher to redeem a full size of your favorite at no additional cost.”
