All about Mascara

I have somewhat small (asian :) eyes and I REFUSE to leave the house without mascara. I believe that mascara is one of the most important part of make up. There is something magical about it!

Everyone has a different way of applying mascara, Just wanted to share my steps when applying mascara –

Step 1: Curl your eyelashes with a eye lash curler ( I use Shu Uemura http://puiicolney.blogspot.com/2009/09/best-eyelash-curler-ever.html)
Step 2: Wiggle the wand left to right at the base of lashes. ( Mascara near the roots – not the tips –that gives the illusion of length)
Step 3: Pull the wand up and through the lashes, wiggle to separate the lashes.
Step 4: Apply Mascara to the bottom eyelash – apply lightly.

Tip: Here’s what I do sometimes: I use my blow dryer to heat up my mascara curler a minute before I curl my eyelashes, same concept as curling your hair :). It actually works! Touch it to sure your eyelash curler is not HOT!

Price: I usually get drugstore mascara rather then buy luxurious mascara that I will toss in a month or two. I am currently using Maybelline’s – “The falsies”. Would you rather splurge or save on mascaras?

Tip: Waterproof mascara should only been worn for special occasions. Although not dangerous, the ingredients are very drying to the lashes.

Color: I stick to the basic rule – Black works for everyone. If you are going to try colored mascara, here’s just a suggestion:
Light Skinned: Brown
Blue Eyes: Burgundy, blue, plum
Brown eyes: Purple, Brown

The important questions – How long do you use your mascaras? Do you use it till it runs out? How many months or even years do you use them? I must admit, I am guilty of this myself. After researching a bit, I found out from the FDA’s Cosmetic and Label Claims that “No regulations or requirements under current United States law that require cosmetic manufacturers to print expiration dates on the labels of cosmetic products”. However, a lot cosmetic products do not have a long shelf life once they are opened. Using expired products can cause infections, irritation, etc. Of all the cosmetics, the worst offender: mascara.

Expiration: Mascara + Air = Bacteria! “A mascara tube is a dark, wet environment — the perfect breeding ground for bacteria,” says New York City optometrist Andrea Thau, O.D. Each application introduces bacteria to the wand and pushes it into the tube. The pumping of the wand makes the air around or even from your own eyelash into the bottom of the tube. Both the bacteria and air inside that’s trapped increases and begins the reproduction.

Toss your mascara every three months. Some common eye infections from expired mascaras are conjunctivitis or pink eye.

Tips:

• Never ever share your mascaras, and avoid trying mascara testers at cosmetic counters. Even if you are using single – use applicator. You never know if the person before you did the same.

• When pulling out your mascara want, make sure you twist, not pump!