MAC Makeup Artist Gina Bettelli says there are a few ingredients you should look for in your mascara if you want dramatic lashes:
Soy protein: helps build volume and strengthen lashes. (Try Wet n Wild MegaProtein Mascara, $2.29.)
Acrylates Copolymer: is a film former that enhances lash length. (Try Blinc Kiss Me Mascara, $24.)
Panthenol, Pantethine, and Pro Vitamin B-5: These conditioners (also found in most hair conditioners) are the best ingredients for making lashes stronger and longer. (Try MAC Mascara X, $12.50.)
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"To create the illusion of thicker lashes, apply eyeliner to the upper inner rim of the eye. Use a pointed eyeliner brush with a cake eyeliner to apply liner as close to the lash line as possible." -- Chad Hayduk, makeup artist and Co-Founder of Three Custom Color Specialists.
"Finding the right wand is imperative for lengthening lashes -- look for a smaller wand with lots of teeth bound close together. This will reach the lash roots and extend the hair as much as possible to lengthen and separate lashes.
A bigger fluffy wand is best for creating voluptuous lashes. The bendable, pliable teeth hug the lash curves and allow many coats to be applied on top of each other." -- Bettelli
"I always, always use at least two different mascaras when I'm doing makeup. I like to use one that really gets the mascara into the roots of the lashes (like Maybelline Lash Discovery, $6.59), and another to lengthen and extend the lashes (like Lancome Virtuose Mascara, $23.50). Having a good
amount of mascara at the roots of the lashes makes the lashes look fuller and thicker, without having to rely on eyeliner." -- Makeup Artist Fiona Stiles
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"Make top lashes look longer by pushing outer lashes towards the temples, the middle ones up towards the brows, and the inner lashes to the nose. This sunray effect drastically makes lashes look longer. Apply the same technique to lower lashes with the center lashes pointed straight down towards the jaw." -- Bettelli
Just because you've bought a great mascara (like one of these top mascaras), doesn't mean you'll automatically have perfect lashes. It all depends on what you do with it. That's why we asked the experts -- makeup artist Fiona Stiles, founder of Three Custom Color Specialists Chad Hayduk, and MAC makeup artist Gina Bettelli -- for their tricks to getting long, voluminous lashes. With these tips, your lashes will stop people in their tracks!