Learn how to apply mascara like a pro in 5 easy steps.
Eye maxxing is having a moment, and lashes are the easiest place to jump in. All you need is a wand, a mirror, and about a minute of your morning. Once the technique clicks, it works on any mascara you own.
Before You Start: Prep Your Lashes
Two seconds of prep = way better lashes. Promise. Here’s how you do it:
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Start with clean, dry lashes so the formula has something to grip. If you curl, curl first, never after. Curling over mascara glues lashes to the curler, which is never a good time.
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Wipe the extra product off the wand. A tissue or the tube's rim works fine. It feels fussy, but it's the difference between separated lashes and a lash cluster.
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Skip the pumping, too. Pumping pushes air into the tube and dries the formula out, and dry formula means clumps.
If your mascara has gone dry, the FDA says to toss it. Some industry experts even recommend replacing mascara three months after purchase, because the product is exposed to bacteria each time it’s used.
How to Apply Mascara in 5 Easy Steps
The whole routine takes about a minute:
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Look down into a mirror. Chin up, eyes down. This is how to apply mascara without blinking it onto your lid, and it gives you a clear shot at every root. Hold the mirror low, like you're reading a tiny book.
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Start at the base. Press the wand into the roots and hold for a beat. That pause is where the thickness comes from.
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Wiggle and sweep up. Zigzag from root to tip for volume. Linger a second on the outer lashes if you want a little lift. The wiggle is the whole secret. Don't skip the wiggle.
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Hit the corners. Turn the wand vertical for the inner and outer lashes. Short little dabs work best here, and they keep the wand away from your eyeball. Those tiny corner lashes open up the whole eye.
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Add a second coat while it's still wet. Layering once it's dry is how clumps happen.
With the primer and mascara duo, the moves stay the same and you add one swipe. Sweep the brown or burgundy primer through first, then add the black mascara while the primer's still tacky. Build as many coats as you like, since the formula won't clump.
Don't Forget Your Bottom Lashes
Lower lashes are tiny, so a little goes a long way. Hold the wand vertically and use a light touch, tip only. Or skip them for a softer look. The duo's precise primer brush also defines lower lashes without clumping, if you want to try it.
Oops! Quick Fixes for Common Mascara Mistakes
Mascara on your eyelid? Don't panic; you can fix it:
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For clumps, comb through with a clean spoolie while the mascara's still wet. It's like brushing out a tangle before it sets.
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For smudges on the lid, let them dry, then flick them off with a cotton swab. Rubbing a wet smudge just spreads it around.
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Spider lashes mean too much product. Wipe the wand first, then try again.
Every one of these takes under a minute to fix, and cotton swabs are cheap.
Want to Switch It Up? Try Color
Apply the same techniques as above, upgraded with a fresh new shade. Swipe color on just the tips, or layer it over black for a subtle shift. It's an easy way to try eye maxxing without committing to a full look.
Colored mascara for brown eyes works well in burgundy or plum, since both play nicely with warm tones and add depth without shouting. You could try a burgundy mascara and see how it looks on you. DIBS makes a burgundy version of the duo, too, with the same black mascara on the other end.
If you're wondering what color mascara for blue eyes works best, brown is a good place to start. It softens the look and lets the blue stand out. Navy works, too, if you want something with a little edge. Pick whichever feels right. There's no wrong way.
Wrap-Up
That's it! Five steps, zero clumps, and lashes that do the talking. Grab the Double Standard Primer & Mascara Duo™, and give it a go. Wiggle included.
Your Questions, Answered
How many coats of mascara should I use?
Two, max, applied while the first coat's still wet. Past that, you're in clump territory.
Should I curl my lashes before or after mascara?
Before, always. Curl first, then coat.
