Priming Before You Pump.. Lashes that is!
Stevie from Fashiontribes.com here saying Hey!. Not getting weird here.. just it seemed to fit a blog about mascara! Before you get to mascara application, you have to make sure that your lashes are primed and ready to go before you whip out that mascara wand!
If your lashes are short bitty things, maybe you need to work on that! First thing to do is condition and nourish those lashes. One product that has worked for me (and a gazillion other cosmetic junkies that I know) is Talika Lipocils. This herbally based brush-on lash conditioner goes on like mascara but is clear. While it can be used instead of mascara, it’s clear and provides a separation but no color. This herbal conditioner will have you seeing improvement in about 3 weeks. So don’t give up! Keep applying it every night and sometimes you might want to use it as a first layer before applying mascara. (Available at Sephora.com; Saks Fifth Avenue, Skinterra.com)
If you want something a bit more emollient because lashes are dry, then try the Talika Lash Cream. It’s a tiny pot and you apply it with your fingers gently!
For longer lashes now, try the Talika Lash Extender. This is applied before mascara and it thickens, darkens and lengthens. It does require some patience to apply since black fibers can drop on your face. Try slipping a tissue underneath lower lashes to catch stray fibers as you brush this lash extender on. (Talika.com)
While you wait for lashes to grow, curling them will help. I can’t choose between heated and regular lash curlers so I don’t. I use both. Try Mally Beauty Lash Curler for a unique twist on regular curling of lashes. The base rests on your cheekbone and you won’t pinch or clip lashes. It’s easy to use too! (QVC.com)
I have a couple heated lash curlers and I find that pretty much they are interchangeable except for the handle. Again Talika (you are getting the drift here that Talika is the lash pro here right?) has one that’s available from others as well. I just happen to like this one, and they just released a mini version of it.
Other styles that I like in heated lash curlers includes the Modelco Heated Lash Wand. It’s easy to control (and pack) and it heats up fast! (Sephora.com; Amazon.com)
Next step to get fab lashes is by using primers! I love primers; been using them for about 3-4 years. I started with Paula Dorf’s Perfect Lash which gives phenomenal thickness. It’s a tiny tube but it does the job. (Macys, Macys.com, Sephora.com)
There are a couple more you might want to check out.
English Ideas has EI Solutions Lash Primer which can be used overnight to condition lashes as well as provide a base for mascara
(Sephora.com; Sephora stores)
Blinc which makes that fab mascara ( tubes on lashes that don’t smear or come off until you use remover) also has a lash primer.
(Sephora; Sephora.com; Beauty.com)
Stila just launched a primer called Lash Boost that’s chock full of good stuff for lashes and is just hitting stores now. I haven’t tried it yet but will definitely give it a go! (Gloss.com; Nordstrom; Stila stores)
Smashbox has a great primer that I have used a lot recently since purchasing it on QVC. It goes on smoothly and makes my lashes defined and I can slick on a couple more coats of mascara and have fab lashes. (QVC; Nordstrom.com; Smashbox.com; Amazon.com)
If you are looking for easy to get and replace primers, Clinique and Estee Lauder both have lash primers too.
I would use the Clinique Lash Building Primer with the High Impact Mascara. I would use a coat of primer then layer it with a coat of mascara and repeat, stopping to comb lashes in between coats of everything.
I would definitely use the same technique with Lauder’s Lash Primer Plus.
Why would you bother with primer? Because it gives you a base to work with to allow mascara to build faster while the primer helps nourish and moisturize lashes. You might think it’s not worth the trouble but it really creates a great look particularly if you are looking for a thick fringy lash for an evening out. I don’t use primers every day (though I do use the Talika Lipocils daily) but when I do, my lashes stand out and last longer without a lot of flaking or smearing.
I will give you an update on some combo primer + mascaras and my fave mascaras giving you different options later on in the week!
If you have time, go do a little shopping on or off line. If you try a primer, let me know what you think!
See you at the beauty counter!
Stevie
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