Eyelashes are the epitome of femininity – they’re what separate female characters from male characters in drawings and, next to lipstick, is one of the staples a little girl reaches for when playing dress-up with mother’s makeup. When wearing no other makeup, eyelashes can look natural, add a touch of drama or be used to achieve a soft, romantic look. Achieving long, noticeable lashes is easy nowadays thanks to various types of mascaras for each individual’s preference and lifestyle. Some include:

·    Thickening – perfect for those with sparse or thin lashes. Caranuba wax and paraffin based brands help achieve desired thickness.

·    Lengthening – newer types of lash extending mascara may contain tiny fibers of rayon, nylon or polymers that adhere to lashes and give the appearance of loner lashes.

·    Defining – coats individual lashes, keeps them separated and achieves the most natural look.

·    Tinting – one of the newer types on the market. Lash tints last for 2-3 days and are perfect for fair-skinned types (blondes and redheads).

·    Anti clumping – thanks to the addition of ingredients such as gels and mousses and a plastic wand instead of the usual nylon wand, anti-clumping mascara is a relief from the thick, globby formulas. Even after three coats, this mascara retains its light and smooth feeling.

·    Waterproof – a must for athletes, swimmers or to use in the summertime to avoid mascara meltdown and raccoon eyes. But avoid using if you have sensitive eyes since it is the most irritating of all mascara and can difficult to remove.

Mascara’s wand shape is just as crucial as the formula. The four basic shapes are:

·    Crescent – helps curl lashes.

·    Fat, bristly – helps thicken by coating each lash.

·    Spiral, “screw” – the most common type. Can have short bristles which allow the user to define hard to reach lashes.

·    Double-tapered – contains smaller, tapered bristles on each end and larger, fatter ones in the center. Good for sparse lashes.

Of course finding mascara with the right combination of formula and wand shape can be a trial and error matter and will vary on individual preference.

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