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If you want long eyelashes – and most women do – it’s obviously a good idea to use a great mascara, and to pay careful attention to your make-up application. But that’s not all there is to consider. Eyelash maintenance and preparation also play an important role in the quest for luscious lashes. Did you know that it’s possible to have your eyelashes curled permanently? There’s probably no need for you to go to that length, but lashes look more striking if you curl them at home using a cold curler. Be careful when using the curler to keep your eyelids safe from harm and your lovely, long eyelashes free from damage.

Make-up application

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Before you get started, powder carefully under your eyes – this will prevent mascara from sticking to the under-eye area. Move the mascara wand from the base of your lashes to the very tip. You might think that the mascara that clings to the end of your lashes is what makes them seem longer, but it’s really the mascara that’s at the base of the lashes that makes them look fuller, and it’s when they seem full and healthy that you look like you have long eyelashes. Apply a second coat of mascara, and remember to run the wand through your lashes with your eyes closed, too – this’ll free them from clumps.

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Try to use a gentle zig-zag motion (wiggling the brush) as you do this for extra-effective clump removal. A make-up application tip that you might not have tried is combining two kinds of mascaras – a lengthening mascara for your first coat, followed by a thickening mascara for the second. Do you apply mascara to your top and bottom lashes? This might not give you the most dramatic look possible – try using it just on top and see if you like the effect.

Faking it

While wearing false eyelashes on a daily basis might be taking glamour to levels that shouldn’t be reached by anyone who isn’t involved in a cabaret, they can be a great option to add real excitement to evening make-up, particularly for a special occasion. Make sure that you learn how to apply false lashes correctly and carefully, and keep your make-up application flawless, so you can get it just right with your new long eyelashes.

The long run

There’s no certified remedy for short eyelashes, but if you do want yours to be longer there are a few things things that might help. Some people report great results from using vitamin E oil, or even olive oil, on their lashes. Vaseline is also supposed to keep lashes soft and moisturised, and some use it as a nourishing mascara substitute, or as a kind of base coat for the rest of their eye make-up. Don’t get too hung up on whether or not you have long eyelashes – as is the case with all features, if they’re healthy and you maintain them well, the chances are that they will look great.

Tags: make-up application