4 Ways to Fake Great Lashes

Get the eyelash style you desire with these application tips and product picks.

The Look: Long & Lush Start with dark liner from the tear duct to the outer corner. "This gives the illusion of length before you even apply mascara," says Brett Freedman, a makeup artist in L.A. After you curl your lashes and put on primer, slick on two coats of lengthening mascara, wiggling the wand back and forth at the base and extending the color out to the tips.

Product Picks Use a medium-to-thick lengthening formula and a brush with lots of bristles, such as Victoria's Secret VS Makeup Extra-Lengthening Mascara ($12, Victoria's Secret), or Avon SuperExtend Mascara ($8.50, avon.com), with tiny fibers that stick to and elongate lashes. Related: The Best Waterproof Mascaras

Lash Look: Fat & Full Follow curling and primer with two or three coats of mascara, says Kelly Haley, a Sephora Pro Beauty Team makeup artist in Omaha. On the second coat, nudge the inner eyelashes toward the center of your face, the middle lashes upward, and the outer lashes toward the temples to maximize fullness. Related: How to Maximize Your Lashes


Products Picks Look for thick, volumizing mascaras with big, bushy brushes, such as Rimmel The Max Volume Flash Mascara ($7.19, drugstores) or Dior Diorshow Extase Mascara ($28, department stores) - its tiered brush has reservoirs that hold the optimum amount of bulk-building product. Related: Eye Makeup Remover Wipes that Really Work

Lash Look: Stay-Put Curl Push up on the roots of the lashes as you apply mascara, New York City makeup artist Tina Turnbow says; this helps create a curved shape before the mascara dries. After 10 minutes, give another squeeze with the curler just at the root. Hold for 10 seconds on each eye. Related: Eyelash Curlers that Get Dramatic Results

Product Picks Try a formula with a curved wand, like Flirt! It Curl Lash Curling Mascara ($14, Kohl's; out this month). Waterproof options - like Estée Lauder Sumptuous Waterproof Bold Volume Lifting Mascara ($19.50, department stores) - also help hold the bend, says Freedman.

Lash Look: Clean & Clump-Free If black mascaras look too strong, try brown or brown-black shades, which give a softer, more natural look. Brush up and out from the root to keep lashes in line, and repeat as needed. To correct clumping, Turnbow suggests wetting your finger with water and dampening lashes before combing through.


Product Picks A plastic brush with very short bristles combined with a thinner formula will define and separate. We like MAC Cosmetics Studio Fix Lash ($13, department stores), or Sonia Kashuk Lashify Mascara ($7, Target), which has a de-clumping lash comb built into one end of the wand. Related: How to Get Rid of Mascara Stains




More Fashion & Beauty Tips from Good Housekeeping:
The Five Best Haircuts of All Time
10 Ways to Fake 8 Hours of Sleep
The Easy Way to Straighten Curly Hair
6 Secrets of Dressing Slim
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Reprinted with permission of Hearst Communications, Inc.