Tips and Tricks For That Wow Factor

To dress up your look in an instant, sweep on a lush mascara, or try user-friendly false lashes that are full, feathery, and Audrey Hepburn-esque. Follow our quick tutorial, and you’ll be batting well above average.

By Melissa Goldstein,  Martha Stewart

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Fringes in a Minute

Photography by: Peter Ardito

The newest mascaras take lashes above and beyond. For a clean comb-through, wipe the brush with a tissue weekly.

1. Volumizing

Diorshow Pump ’N’ Volume comes in a malleable bottle; squeeze it a few times to warm the formula for smooth coating. dior.com.

2. Lengthening

The 200-plus bristles in the L’Oréal Paris Voluminous Lash Paradise brush catch every last hair, elongating them before your very eyes. lorealparisusa.com.
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3. Sensitive

Contact-lens wearers, rejoice: La Roche-Posay Respectissime Waterproof Mascara is hypoallergenic and a cinch to remove, laroche-posay.us.

4. Curling

Photography by: The Morrisons

Maybelline New York Lash Sensational Curvitude Mascara has a U-shaped wand to deliver a fanned, wide-eyed effect. maybelline.com.

Flattering Fakes

Enhance what you have in a few simple steps using individual clusters or half or full strips.
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1. Apply Eye Makeup

That includes mascara. Then, if applying a full strip, lay it along your natural lash line, starting at the inner corner. Remove and trim away excess from the outer edge to get a custom fit.

2. Dip In Glue

Lash adhesives come in two colors: clear and black. The former creates an invisible bond, while the latter adds definition. Place a drop on the back of your hand. Using tweezers or fingers to hold the faux lashes, drag the band or base through it. Fan it for 45 seconds, until the glue becomes tacky.

3. Put It On

Anchor your elbow on a flat surface, and with your eyes open, set the lash strip flush against your lash line, working from the inner corner out. If using clusters or half-lengths, focus them along the outer two-thirds of your top lids.
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How to Remove

Saturate a cotton pad with an oil-based eye-makeup remover (we like Albolene’s Eye Makeup Remover; $10, albolene.com). Press it against faux lashes to break down the glue bond, then hold skin taut at the outer corner and peel them off. Keep false eyelashes makeupfree, and you’ll get multiple wears out of a single set.

Lash Options

Photography by: Peter Ardito

1. Half-Lashes

Also called “accents,” they amplify the outer corners. One Two Lash’s version has two layers that go above and below natural lashes and connect with two tiny, weightless magnets. $59, onetwocosmetics.com.

2. Full Strips

These are the boldest option with the most styles (from demure to bombshell). Battington Demi 3D Silk Lashes have a forgiving clear (not black) band, and can be reused 25 times. $28, battingtonlashes.com.

3. Clusters

For newbies, pros recommend so-called individual lashes, such as Ardell Individual Medium Flare Lashes. They’re subtle and great for filling in gaps sallybeauty.com.

Our Top Tool

Photography by: Peter Ardito

With its subtle arc, the Surratt Beauty Relevée Lash Curler fits all eye shapes. To get a realistic lift, crimp lashes once at the base. $30, sephora.com.

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