9 mascara tricks every girl should know for amazing lashes

A whopping 91 per cent of Australian women use mascara as part of their daily beauty regimen*, so it’s pretty safe to say that we’re all on a mission to achieve full, defined, and voluminous lashes. 

And while the mascara you choose can certainly go a long way in helping, there are some additional tricks you should try to ensure you achieve amazing lashes every day without fail. 

Here are just a few of our go-to lash lengthening, defining, curling, and multiplying mascara hacks.

#1 / Pick the right formula

Not all mascara formulas are created the same, and while all will enhance your lashes to some degree, if you’re after more intensity and volume, look for a mascara that promises to deliver those specific qualities. Rimmel London ScandalEyes Reloaded Mascara features glossy polymers, which work with the pigments in the formula to coat lashes in a deep black lacquer, intensifying your lashes. If it’s subtle definition you’re after, try a clear mascara to simply lift lashes.

#2 / Curl lashes before applying mascara

For those with naturally straight lashes that need extra oomph, use a lash curler like Sally Hansen Sexy Curls. Grip your lashes at the base with your tool, then gently angle the curler towards your brow bone and hold there for a few seconds, finishing off with a few coats of your mascara.

#3 / Wiggle your brush

Your go-to mascara application method may be to swipe the brush from root to tip (or even blink onto your mascara wand), and while that will certainly work to coat your lashes, try giving your wand a wiggle if you want to ensure your lashes are completely coated anseparated for extra definition, and elongated. Place the wand at the base of your lashes, right by your roots, and wiggle the brush forward and back as you work the wand upwards. 

#4 / Brush out any clumps

If you’ve loaded up too much of your mascara formula onto your brush and have a few clumps ruining your flutter, simply use a clean spoolie to brush out the excess formula and separate your lashes. Alternatively, look for a clump-free formula like Rimmel London ScandalEyes Reloaded Mascara, which will allow you to build up the intensity of your lashes without clumping. 

#5 / Coat both sides of your lashes

If you really want to up the glam factor of your lashes, apply your mascara both from underneath your lashes, as well as from the top. To do this easily, apply one coat looking up, then another looking down.

#6 / Get right into the corners

If you’re only focussing your efforts on the lashes in the middle of your top and bottom lash lines, you’re missing a trick. Getting right into the inner corners and fanning out your outer corners will elongate and lift your lashes for a stunning result. A brush with a tapered end, like the one found on the wand of Rimmel London ScandalEyes Reloaded Mascara, will help you get to these lashes with absolute ease (and zero mess). 

#7 / Switch up the direction of your wand

For full, voluminous lashes that make a statement, hold your mascara wand horizontally when applying, or if you’d prefer something more subtle and natural for an everyday look, hold your wand vertically, running the tip of the brush along the length of your lashes. 

#8 / Enhance your bottom lashes

While a couple of coats on your bottom lashes will definitely give them oomph and intensity, if you’re after Twiggy-esque definition and fullness, try this trick: use a lip brush or small angled eyeliner brush (Estée Lauder Lip Brush will do the trick), and load it up with your mascara formula. Then paint it onto your bottom lashes, making sure to get it right into your roots. 

#9 / Add some baby powder into the mix

For plumper lashes, apply one coat of your mascara, then lightly dust some Johnson’s Baby Powder over your lashes so that they’re fully covered, and follow up with a second coat of mascara. Viola! Thicker lashes in an instant. Just be careful not to get any baby powder in your eyes. 

Need some more clever beauty hacks at your disposal? Check out all the ways you can use Vaseline, and make sure to copy Lucy Hale's go-to makeup hacks (#2 is genius!)

Image credit: Getty 

* Beauty Crew Survey September 2016, n=1296