By now we all know not to pump our mascara. That just adds air and causes it to dry out faster. But what else should you know about mascara? 

1. Clean Your Brushes

Of course you clean your makeup brushes every couple of weeks (right?), but are you doing the same with your mascara wand? Give it a good cleanse with warm water twice a month. A clean brush makes sure that the build-up on the brush doesn't clump onto your lashes. I put my mascara in a plastic Ziploc and keep it sealed while I'm cleaning my wand so it doesn't get air in it. Make sure your wand is completely dry before putting it back in the tube. 

2. Use a Hairdryer

Heat up your eyelash curler with a hairdryer before curling your lashes. The heat makes the curl hold longer (think curling iron). 

3. Use a Lash Primer

Coating the lashes with a primer not only gives the mascara something to adhere to, but it adds a layer of volume and length. Your mascara will look better and last longer. 

4. Wiggle and Jiggle

via GIPHYStarting at the base of the lash wiggle and jiggle the mascara wand while pulling up to the tips.  This places the majority of the product at the base of the lash which gives the appearance of thicker lashes. 

5. Hold Your Mirror Low

Looking into a mirror straight on is a sure-fire way to get mascara on your eyelid.  Try looking down into a mirror while applying your mascara.  Your lashes will be pulled away from your eyelid, so you don't mess up your eye shadow. 

6. Sweep with Powder

A light layer of translucent powder swept under the eye will keep your mascara from transferring to your under-eye area. Once the first coat is dry, sweep the powder over your lashes as well.  The next coat will give you even more volume.  (Make sure to wash and dry mascara wand before reintroducing into tube.) 

7. Try a Different Mascara Wand

Often the key to a great mascara is the wand. I keep the wands of discontinued mascaras that I loved and use them in new formulas. Sometimes I end up liking a mascara better with a different wand. Or I use one wand to apply it a certain way and then follow with a coat from the wand it came with. 

8. Use a Tubing Mascara To Seal in Volumizing Formula

I love a good volumizing mascara as much as the next girl, but all those fibers that build the lash can flake off and smudge under my eyes.  So, I take a tubing mascara like Blinc or Kevyn Aucoin and swipe a light finishing coat over the top. Voila! Fibers are sealed in so no more smudging or flaking.