Welcome to a series of makeup mastery guides by blinc.

So that you get the most from your cosmetics, whether its blinc or any other brand, we have put together a series of guides that will help you get the best results, stay healthy and have your cosmetics stay usable to the last drop.

Naturally enough we start with the does and don’ts of mascara, simply because like so many well known cosmetic brands, blinc launched its own range with its unique and highly respected waterproof tubing mascara. Besides, mascara is one of the oldest forms of makeup, and for a good reason; it’s an easy way to give your eyes a dramatic. It’s an essential part of the makeup routine.

Mastering the Art of Mascara Application

Applying mascara is very straightforward and the following tips should help you create a clean and professional look every time.

Increase your eye appeal by curling your lashes. Using an eyelash curler before applying mascara can make your eyes seem bigger and your lashes appear longer. For years traditional scissor style curlers were the only way to achieve this but the recent invention of heated eyelash curlers has given us an alternative to the hazards of those fiendish contraptions. If you want to avoid broken or damaged lashes or pinched eyelids, definitely try heated eyelash curlers blinc has one that has gained awards. The whole process is quick, painless and totally safe. Always use a heated lash curler before applying blinc mascara to avoid lashes clumping together. They can be used after applying ordinary mascara but be sure to clean the head after each use to maintain its performance.

Avoid the urge to pump you wand into your mascara. Many of us are guilty of pumping the mascara brush in its tube in the belief that we will get better brush loading, but this actually forces air into the tube which causes mascara to dry up quickly. Your mascara wand should be loaded with mascara whilst unscrewing from the tube. If the mascara wand looks to heavily loaded with mascara, simply wipe the tip of the wand on a towel or a piece of tissue before starting your application.

Apply mascara evenly and lightly to the upper lashes first. Always apply blinc to dry clean lashes that are free from oils, grease or face creams. Holding the mascara wand horizontally, gently brush your lashes from the base outwards, starting at the outside of the eye and gradually moving inward toward your nose. Rotate the wand with each stroke to maximise coverage and prevent clumping when using traditional paint based mascara. Blinc mascara will flow round each lash in its liquid state and should only be worked whilst wet. If your lashes are fine or very long they may cling together if the brush is too heavily loaded with mascara. If this happens, draw the brush over the edge of the tube to reduce the amount of mascara on the brush and apply as sparingly as possible. Thicker lengthened lashes are best achieved using blincs new lash primer with a coat of blinc over the top to seal the look. Traditional paint based mascara should only be applied to the underside of your upper lashes, as a coat to both top and bottom will give your lashes a heavy look. Thickly applied mascara is fine for the stage but not so great up close!

On the lower lashes, hold the wand lightly and rotate to coat the lashes evenly. Be careful here, blinc is fine for these lashes whether it’s wet or dry but this is where traditional mascara is most likely to run if these lashes get wet. Tears, watery eyes or rain are their undoing.

Check your eyes for mascara smudges and smears. Any accidental smudges can be cleaned using a cotton bud – moistened with tap water for blinc or make up remover for others.

Eyelash combs can be used to separate your lashes but this must be done whilst blinc is still wet. Keep your lash comb clean washing it with warm soapy water and wiping it clean with surgical spirits on a makeup pad. Surgical spirits is available from most chemists. blinc will be introducing its own lash comb this year.

The most important rule you should stick to is: don't apply too much mascara! If you like big lashes and you want the benefits of blincs reliable performance we suggest applying a coat or two of blinc lash primer This builds length and volume fast but the same rules apply to blinc primer as for paint based mascara. Don’t load the brush too heavily and apply several coats, allowing each to dry before re-coating. Then apply a single coat of your colour choice of blinc mascara over the top.

Mascara safety tips.

Once your mascara has been opened and used it's important to replace your tube every three months or sooner, if you notice a change in consistency or smell. It’s not worth risking an eye infection which is why sharing is also a definite no, no! When sampling mascara in store, be sure to use disposable wands or better still disposable mini samples like the one supplied by blinc. If your not sure whether the instore tester mascara has been kept hygienically (frankly if it’s not new when you test it, the risk is high) apply a coat to the back of your hand to check colour and performance.

We hope you found this helpful. Any feedback would be welcome. Other guides will include changeing your eye makeup look, fix makeup mistakes, perfecting the smokey eye look and much more.