As promised, here are the natural mascara tips. They can work alone or in combinations with each other, and it's best to experiment with inexpensive products until you figure out what's right for you.
- Do not underestimate the power of clear mascara. It's impossible to mess up, and sometimes darkens even blonde lashes and brows sufficiently, no added color necessary.
- Eyeliner can give the illusion of thick lashes, and define the eyes without using mascara at all. Use a pencil liner or dip a damp, stiff brush in shadow; do not use liquid or gel liner. Brown and taupe are good choices, but if your eyelids are blueish, a medium gray might look the most natural.
Working on the outer lids, dot the color between the roots of your lashes, trying to really wedge the color in. Do not draw a line, this is about "invisible" definition. Smudge out any obvious markings. Repeat on the lower lashes with a lighter hand. Remember it's not about lining the eyes, but defining the lashes, so apply the liner only where your lashes begin.
^This is also a great step to take if you want to apply regular or even dramatic, Diorshow-like mascara. Mascara can look unnatural on blonde lashes not only because of the darkness, but also because blonde lashes tend to be sparse; adding an illusion of thickness at the base makes volume on the lashes less in-your-face.
- Similar definition is possible with mascara. Any formula is fine, but choose a mascara with a relatively thin brush. Wipe the brush firmly with a tissue a couple of times so that its bristles are lightly coated in color, and there is no excess "gunk". (I know this is wasteful, but most brushes have too much product on them, and not just on the tip.)
Next, working from the inner lids, press the brush against the base of the lashes, and wiggle it back and forth. For a supernatural look, do not pull the brush all the way up to the tips of your lashes. If you like defining the lower lashes, repeat on the bottom, again with a lighter hand. Mascara usually looks most unnatural on the tips, but this retains the soft, feathery look of our natural lashes.
- The previous trick will not work if you have superblonde lashes from base to tip, as the contrast between the coated and uncoated lashes will be too obvious. Take a clean mascara brush, which can be found in beauty supply and theatrical makeup stores; or you can wash a brush from an old mascara. Press it against a taupe or brown cream shadow, again wiping off the excess with a tissue. Gold and bronze can look beautiful and natural too (especially on redheads). Apply it following the previous advice, or as you would normally use mascara. The sheerness of the cream shadow creates a very natural effect.
^This is also an excellent, subtle way to define brows, but it's best to go for a cool-toned color. Warm tones on brows can look natural in real life, but they often don't photograph well.
- Experiment with blending clear mascara and loose pigment. Or you can crush pigment out of pressed powder with a small knife. You can create your own intensity of color that way. Just make sure the product you select is eyesafe (any eyeshadow is also safe for your lashes). Place the pigment on a small, clean surface, mash the mascara brush against it, and have fun playing Picasso
- One last word: Not all of these methods are waterproof, and I know that some of our lifestyles absolutely require waterproof mascara. There are sealants on the market (such as Benefit She-Laq) that lock the color in.
I do wear black mascara though, I suppose I should wear brown mascara with the blue eyes and the blonde hair going on.
No mascaras that I use are produced in waterproof brown, and colourwise...well. A bit too harsh. Even when I use sheertone blushes from MAC and tints in general, it just looks obvious. MAC's cremeblushes are probably the biggest waste of money ever, one big streaky, blotchy mess. Applied with every imaginable brush it's still blotchy.
