For all those women who want to add length and volume to their lashes or who want to curl them and define them so that their eyes appear bigger, beautiful and sexier, mascaras have proved to be a boon. Properly applied mascara along with the other tools of eye makeup such as eyeliner, eyeshadow, and eyelash curler, can add unparalleled beauty and life to otherwise ordinary looking eyes.
Today, mascaras are available in numerous colors and formulations. We have waterproof mascaras, which are water-resistant, as well as the regular ones which are not resistant to water. Waterproof mascaras are more preferred by women these days as they do not run down, even if a woman has tears in her eyes or if there is oil and sweat around the lashes, or if it comes in contact with water or rain. There is another variety known as smudge-proof mascaras, which have just entered the market, that offer all the advantages of a waterproof mascara, and according to some reviews in beauty magazines, are even better.
Smudge-proof Mascaras
Unlike regular mascaras, they do not paint the lashes. Instead, they form kind of 'tubes' around the lashes which are water-resistant and bind the eyelashes. Due to these tubes, the mascara can not smudge, run down or flake, even if a woman cries or rubs her eyes. This makes it ideal to wear all day long in the office or when working out in a gym as sweat too cannot spoil it.
To remove waterproof mascara, special eye make-up removers which contain chemicals in them have to be applied. Long term usage of such eye make-up removers can cause breakage of sensitive eye lashes. On the other hand, good smudge-proof mascaras can be removed easily by washing it with warm water and slightly applying pressure with fingertips. This is more than enough to make the mascara tubes come out. Also, unlike mascaras that are waterproof, smudge-proof ones can be removed by simply keeping the lashes under a shower. The pressure from the water will take out the tubes in no time.
Useful Tips
To make the mascara last long and to avoid making it clump-like, a lot depends upon the method used to apply it.
Step 1
Start your eye make-up by putting on some foundation around the eyes, including below the eye lashes, both lower and upper.
Step 2
Dab on some translucent powder, just below the eyes. This will help in absorbing any sweat or oil that might be there and which can otherwise smudge the mascara.
Step 3
Apply the eyeshadow on the upper eyelids and follow it up by curling the lashes with an eyelash curler.
Step 4
Apply a single coat of lash primer. Using primers prior to applying mascara makes them long-lasting, as primers aid in holding the mascara for a very long and thus, avoid any kind of smudging.
Step 5
Apply the mascara by dipping the wand in the tube and applying it close to the eyelash base, working outwards towards the tips. Two to three applications of mascara ensure a good length and volume to the lashes.
As you can see, it is easy to get a smudge-proof mascara look even with your regular mascara, provided it is applied appropriately. However, buying it will save you a lot of time and effort. When buying, go for the brands which have a good reputation, especially if you have sensitive eyes or wear contact lenses. Choose the mascaras which contain ingredients like pro-vitamin B5, which acts as an excellent lash conditioner. Lastly, discard it three months after you have opened it and replace it with a new one to avoid any kind of damage or infection to the eyes.
