Holiday party invites are in so you’ve probably already figured out what you’re wearing (if not check out this post by Ella Pretty Blog for some ideas) but what about makeup? Whether you’re going for smokey eyes or a bold lip I say concentrate on the lashes as they can make a HUGE impact to your look!
My first tip is for people that haven’t paid any attention to the their lashes. Mascara is obviously a sure fire way to add some ‘oomph’ to your lashes. But I know there are many ladies out there that don’t wear mascara on a daily basis (gasp!) so wearing a little on a special night out is an easy way to take your makeup look up a notch.
For some nice volume and an easy to handle brush try out my first pick: Maybelline’s “The Colossal Volum’ Express” mascara. Great for beginners and you can easily add more coats for a more dramatic look.
The next step up in the lashes is to add volume + length. Another mascara I’m really loving is my second pick: the L’Oreal “Voluminous Butterfly” Mascara. The wand looks a little strange as it’s asymmetric with longer bristles at the bottom and shorter ones on top which also makes this wand slightly curved. What I love about this brush is that it really grips on to the lashes coating them from all sides. The shorter bristles catch the shorter lashes at the inner corners of the eyes while the longer bristles create length at the outer lashes. “Sweep” the wand towards the outside to separate your lashes and make them even more dramatic!
One of the biggest complaints I hear about wearing mascara (surprisingly only from those that don’t usually wear mascara!) is that it smudges. I personally have more issues with my liner smudging but for those of you with this issue I have the solution (and a bonus product for this post)! Marcelle’s Waterproofing Mascara Topcoat can be used over any non-waterproof mascara. I know what you’re thinking – why not get waterproof mascara? I’m personally not a fan as waterproof mascaras tend to be clumpier and dry to too quickly to apply more coats.
For even more drama you need to get those lashes plump. For INCREDIBLY dramatic lashes you need to try my third pick: Younique “Moonstruck 3D Fibre Lashes“. I seriously had my doubts when I heard about this product but it really does work if you’re willing to take the time! First, you apply one thin coat of your favourite mascara. Then you apply the transplanting gel (top brush in photo) which contains a conditioning collagen. Then while the gel is still wet apply the fibres wand (bottom brush) then follow with the gel again. The fibres are VERY strange – they are like little soft tiny hairs – here’s a better photo of just the fibres.
Kind of creepy right? But this really does give full voluminous lashes. I’d recommend testing this out a few times so you get the desired look before breaking this product out for that special occasion.
You could also simply add more lashes! For a more permanent dramatic lash look you could always get lash extensions (pick number four) like I did with Flirt Custom Lash Studio! This is the best solution if you love having dramatic lashes all the time or if you have a ton of events to attend. The holidays are the perfect time to try them out if you haven’t already!
For absolutely stand out lashes try my fifth pick – warning – this is not for the faint of heart! For you girls that are comfortable with drama and really vamping up your look check out these false lashes by Minked Lashes. I’m going to admit that I have no idea how to put on false lashes – these were put on by my friend and makeup artist Joy David Tilberg when I was at IMATS this year. But with practice I hear false lashes are a breeze to put on. Imagine stepping out with these babies on – you’ll be sure to turn more than a few heads!
What are your thoughts on mascara and other ways to achieve bold, beautiful lashes?