From a Pro: How To Get The Best Lashes
- Genelle Holub
- Sep 21
- 7 min read
Achieving the perfect lashes can feel like a challenge, especially if you aspire to replicate the results of a professional makeup artist from the comfort of your home. But there's no need to worry! With the right techniques and a few insider tips, you can enhance your mascara game and have friends eager to learn your secrets. In this post, I'll reveal four essential techniques to master mascara application, ensuring impressive volume and lush lashes every time. All of these techniques are optional depending on your lashes and I'll also share the products my clients and I use for healthy, enhanced lashes.
Natural Healthy Lashes Are the Best
If you have long, lush lashes, consider yourself lucky and take care of them with healthy products. I have a few tricks up my sleeve to ensure you have healthy lashes that are beautiful no matter if you have full lashes or not. If you have lash extensions or are considering getting them, I don't recommend it. I used to do this; in fact, I had a large client base and did lash extensions when I was first licensed, so I am speaking from experience. As a pro makeup artist, I knew the perfect amount for a person, placed lashes precisely, and took great care of my clients, but no matter what "healthy" glue I could find, natural lashes broke down. They aren't healthy, and extensions harbor bacteria. This is because your natural lashes can't get air to them; lashes aren't meant to support the weight of the glue and added lashes, which breaks them. Plus, the glue's chemicals are very drying to lashes, are too close to your eyes (live tissue) and damage the lash hairs.
Week after week, when performing lash fills, I noticed how stubby my clients' lashes started looking and the gaps they now had. Lashes always fell out prematurely before they completed their life cycle, and it was after a couple of years of this cycle that I decided I would not contribute to harming lashes when trusted clients came to me for better lashes. Now, let's get into some pro tips and tricks for your "boy" lashes!
Prime Your Lashes with Powder
What?! Yes, priming your lashes with powder is a fantastic secret in the makeup world that can elevate your mascara game by adding volume. If you're not using Luxetastic Lash Mascara, which has a built-in primer, this tip is invaluable. It was for me especially during shoots when I needed a quick boost on a model before applying mascara and I was out of white lash primer and way before I had my own product line.
Eyelashes are naturally fine, making it a bit challenging for mascara to adhere effectively. By applying a light layer of powder—like a mineral powder—you create a base that allows mascara to cling better. Just make sure the powder you select is safe for the eyes and free from irritants, like talc.
To apply, take a clean, small thin eye shadow brush to carefully pick up the powder, tapping off any excess before applying it to the closed eyelid. Open your eyes for the lower lashes. Tapping off extra residue helps prevent dust from getting into your eyes. Lightly apply the powder in downward strokes to the tops of your lashes before using mascara to enhance volume and minimize clumping, achieving a natural, feathery appearance. Many makeup enthusiasts have noted up to a 30% increase in volume and a smoother finish with this method. Personally tested by me! It's not my preferred way but when in a pinch it works. Remember this was before I had made my own mascara, Luxetastic Lash Mascara that has primer in it so I no longer use the powder technique.
My favorite and only brush I'll use for this is the Face It Skin Shadow & Liner Brush because of it's thin flat sides. However this was before I had made my own mascara, Luxetastic Lash Mascara that has primer in it so I no longer use the powder technique.
Curl and Lift
Curling your lashes. This crucial step helps achieve that wide-eyed, lifted look. However, the method of curling can greatly enhance results. For a wide eyed doe look focus on the curl on the outside area of your eyes. This widens the eyes and rounds them nicely. In my kit I use angled lash tweezers with ridges that is perfect! See pic #1 below. You can use a traditional lash curler in pic #2 or opt for an open semi curler in pic #3.
Begin with the base of your lashes using one of these devices. Instead of holding the curler in one place, gently pinch, release, and move the curler slightly outward, repeating the process. This technique creates a natural-looking curl that lifts your lashes without crimping them to look fake. I personally do not curl my lashes because you can get lift with a mascara that has a "teddy bear" brush. Read on...
Pro Tip: While curling, raise your eyebrows and look downwards. This position allows you to get as close to the root of your lashes as possible, ensuring a more effective curl. Using this method could give you a lift that lasts for hours.
Excess Product
Many people assume that applying more mascara will lead to thicker lashes, but that’s not always true. Depending on the mascara product used excess product can lead to clumps, making it tougher to get a smooth finish and make lashes look like hairy spider legs. Using an old tube of mascara also leads to clumps because it's drier than when you first opened it. A fresh tube of mascara every 2-3 months is recommended.
To combat clumps, pull the wand from the tube and resist the urge to pump it. Pumping it dries your product out faster because you are pumping air into the tube. Instead, use the inner opening to wipe off any excess product from the tip of the wand and spread it on the entire wand. Rotate the brush until you see no visible clumps. This works because you are spreading the product onto the wand more evenly. This technique ensures a more even application and can improve the overall appearance of your lashes by up to 40%.
Pro Tip: For optimal results, apply multiple even coats of mascara rather than one thick layer and don't wait for it to dry but layer the coats together. I like to let mine semi-dry. This method builds volume while greatly reducing the risk of clumping.
The Technique of Layering
Now that you’ve prepped your lashes and applied your mascara, it’s time to focus on the technique of layering. The key to achieving impressive volume lies in how you build your mascara.
Begin with an even thick coat and let it dry slightly as you move from one eye to the other. I prefer not to let my coats dry completely to prevent stiff layering; as mentioned, I let them semi-dry to build each layer. For the second coat, wiggle back and forth from the roots to the tips. For the third coat, focus on the tips to enhance length. You can use just the tip of the mascara wand to brush on product to enhance the tips of your lashes.
Luxetastic Lash Mascara gives lashes an extra boost, because of it's curved brush with numerous bristles, which creates a more dramatic effect by lifting and separating. In the pro world, we refer to this as a curved "teddy bear" brush, indicating it has many bristles. It's the best brush you can use!
Remember, it's easier than you think. With the right tools and knowing what to look for you'll fall in love with your lashes. Now, keeping your lashes healthy is so crucial! Not everyone can tolerate a lash boosting serum as eyes get irritated and red. Instead think of something that will condition both your lashes and brows.
Skincare for your lashes
Yes, what skin care you use affects your lashes. Think natural conditioning ingredients to remove makeup that also enhances brows and lashes.
Each product I develop is multi-use, like the Clean & Soft Makeup Remover, which not only removes makeup but also conditions lashes and brows with carrot, hazelnut, tamanu, and jojoba oils, along with honey. This helps keep lashes hydrated, preventing premature breakdown and extending their lifespan. Naturally, we lose lashes every few weeks, and they take 6-12 weeks to grow back. With age, this growth slows, making it seem like we have fewer lashes. By conditioning them, we can maintain their strength and longevity.
Using your fingertips massage Clean & Soft Makeup Remover onto dry lashes nightly and rinse with a warm water or a wet washcloth to strengthen your lashes. It works whether or not you're wearing makeup, as the key is applying the product directly to your lashes. Use about the size of a dime and massage the lashes for up to 1 minute.
Another product that conditions skin and lashes is Hydra Boost Toner. It's known for it's humectant and soothing properties and fortifies the hairs besides your skin. To use just spray onto face whenever you feel like it, but works best after cleansing or after Luxe Potion.
Final Thoughts
It took me 7 years to perfect a mascara formula. After rejecting many options and pausing the project for 2 years, I found the ideal formula with a mineral base, vitamin B5, jojoba oil, and magnesium. Luxetastic Lash Mascara not only gives lashes volume and beauty but also keeps them healthy. You can achieve professional-looking lashes by using techniques like applying mineral powder, curling effectively, wiping off excess product, layering for volume, and using enriching products. No primer is needed, but these tips will help you flaunt gorgeous, healthy lashes!
Makeup and skincare are about discovering what suits you best, so feel free to try out these techniques. Before long, your friends will be asking for your tips on achieving those gorgeous lashes. Enjoy the new tips and techniques of applying mascara and taking care of your lashes! ~ Genelle
Shop: www.faceitskin.net
Genelle Holub
Pro MUA, CNE
Face It Skin
Founder
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