Tired-Looking Eyes? This Pro Makeup Artist’s Mascara Trick Is a Game-Changer!
Hi everyone, John here! Welcome back to the blog where we make sense of the latest trends, whether it’s in finance or, in this case, a little bit of health and beauty. Today, we’re diving into something that might surprise you: mascara. Most of us think it’s just for making our eyelashes look longer, right? Well, it turns out we’ve only been scratching the surface of what this little wand can do.
I stumbled upon some amazing advice from a true expert, and it’s all about using mascara to give your eyes a “lifted” and more awake appearance. It’s simple, effective, and perfect for anyone who wants to look a little more refreshed without a complicated makeup routine. Let’s get into it!
Meet the Expert: A Quick Intro
The tips we’re talking about today come from Andrew Sotomayor, a celebrity makeup artist who has even won an Emmy Award for his work. When someone with that level of experience shares a secret, I listen! He believes mascara is one of the most powerful tools in your makeup bag for more than just length—it’s for creating shape and definition.
The goal here isn’t to look like you’re wearing a lot of makeup. Instead, it’s about using mascara strategically to make your eyes appear more open, awake, and lifted, which can make you look more youthful and vibrant. It’s all about tricking the eye in the cleverest way.
Hack #1: The “Tightline” Effect for Fuller-Looking Lashes
The first big secret is to change where you focus your mascara application. Instead of just swiping it from the middle to the tips of your lashes, the magic starts right at the base.
The technique is to get the mascara wand as close as you can to your eyelid, right where the lashes grow out of the skin. By wiggling the wand back and forth right at the roots, you’re depositing a fine, dark line of mascara along your upper lash line.
Lila: “John, hold on a second. I’ve heard beauty gurus talk about ‘tightlining’ before, but I always thought you needed a special eyeliner pencil for that. What exactly is it?”
That’s a great question, Lila! You’re right, many people use an eyeliner pencil for it. But tightlining is really just the idea of filling in that upper rim of your eyelid, the part we often call the waterline. Think of it like this: it’s like coloring in the tiny gaps of skin between each eyelash hair. Doing this with your mascara wand is a fantastic shortcut. It creates the illusion of a much thicker, denser lash line without the shaky hand required for a perfect eyeliner line. It’s a secret, invisible eyeliner!
Why this works: By making the base of your lashes super dark and defined, you create a foundation that makes your entire eye look more defined and open. Your lashes will look fuller from the root, not just long at the tips.
Here’s a simple breakdown of how to do it:
- First, curl your eyelashes. This is a non-negotiable step for getting that lifted look!
- Take your mascara wand and, looking down into a mirror if it helps, gently press it against the roots of your upper lashes.
- Wiggle the wand from side to side. Don’t worry about coating the full length of the lashes just yet. The main goal is to get that product right at the base.
- You’ll notice that this makes your lash line look instantly darker and your eyes more defined.
Hack #2: The “Stamping” Trick for a Subtle Wing
Okay, now for the part that really creates that “lifted” effect. This next trick is for the outer corners of your eyes. Many people try to create a winged eyeliner look to lift their eyes, but that can be really tricky to get right. This mascara hack gives you a similar effect in a much softer, more forgiving way.
Andrew Sotomayor calls this the “stamping” technique.
Lila: “Stamping? Like with an ink stamp? How does that work with mascara?”
Exactly like that, Lila! It’s a great analogy. After you’ve applied your mascara normally (after doing the tightlining trick at the base, of course), you take the very tip of the mascara wand and use it like a little stamp.
Here’s how you do it:
- Hold the mascara wand vertically, so the tip is pointing towards your lashes.
- Gently press or “stamp” the tip of the wand onto the skin right at the outer corner of your upper lash line, just past where your last lash is.
- You can do a couple of tiny stamps to create a small, dark dot or a very short, upward flick.
Why this works: This tiny, concentrated dot of color at the outer edge of your eye draws the gaze upward and outward. It visually extends your lash line in an upward direction, which gives the entire eye a subtle lift. It’s like a tiny, secret wing that no one knows is there, but everyone will notice the effect of!
Putting It All Together: Your New 2-Minute Mascara Routine
Ready to try it? Here’s the full routine, combining both hacks for the maximum eye-opening effect. It’s super fast and easy to add to your morning.
- Curl Your Lashes: Always start with an eyelash curler. Hold it for about 10 seconds to get a really good, lasting bend. This is the foundation for the lift.
- Wiggle at the Roots (The Tightline): Take your mascara wand and focus on the base of your upper lashes. Wiggle it back and forth to deposit color right at the lash line, making it look fuller.
- Coat the Lashes: Now, sweep the mascara through the mid-lengths and ends of your lashes like you normally would. One or two coats is plenty.
- Stamp the Corner (The Wing): Finally, use the tip of the wand to stamp a tiny dot or flick at the very outer corner of your eye, creating that subtle, upward lift.
And that’s it! You’ve just used your regular mascara to define, thicken, and lift your eyes like a pro.
A Few Final Thoughts
John’s Take: I find this fascinating. It’s a perfect example of how mastering a basic tool can be more powerful than buying a dozen new, complicated products. It’s not about having more stuff; it’s about knowing the right techniques. This simple mascara trick reminds me that expertise often lies in the small, clever details.
Lila’s Take: As a total beginner, this is a lifesaver! I always struggle with eyeliner, and the idea of getting a “winged” look just by stamping my mascara wand sounds amazing. I always just swiped my mascara on and hoped for the best, but this feels so much more intentional. I can’t wait to try this tomorrow morning!
So, give it a try! You might be surprised at what a big difference these small adjustments can make. It’s an easy way to feel a little more put-together and awake, even on those days when you’re running on empty.
This article is based on the following original source, summarized from the author’s perspective:
I’m An Emmy Award–Winning Makeup Artist: Use This Mascara
Hack To Lift The Eyes