I’m sure you have encountered this problem more than once… I know that I have. You’ve come to the end of your whole eye makeup routine and swiped on a few coats of mascara. All of a sudden, you spot a gigantic clump of mascara on your lower lashes, and then another on your upper lashes and it feels like your eye makeup will be ruined at any moment.
Here are the most common causes of mascara clumping that you should avoid:
- Your Mascara Clumps Because You Have Too Much Mascara On Your Wand
- Your Mascara Clumps When You’ve Applied Too Many Coats
- Your Mascara Clumps When You Don’t Use A Primer
- Your Mascara Clumps Because You’re Applying It All Wrong
- Your mascara Will Clump If You Don’t Wash All Your Mascara Off From The Day Before
- Mascara Clumps If The Formula You’re Using Doesn’t Agree With Your Lashes
- Expired Mascara Will Almost Always Clump
I know that I’m not the only one who has had my expertly blended a statement eye shadow getting smudged by clumped mascara. Let’s take a closer look at the tips you can try to avoid mascara clumping so that you can finish your eye makeup routine in style.
What Causes Mascara Clumping?
Mascara is beautiful when you get it perfect, but yet it can be so tricky to master. I’m sure you can share the feeling.
Unfortunately, there is no one simple answer. There are actually quite a few factors that can conspire together and contribute to clumping mascara. Here are the seven most common causes of clumped mascara. Fixing these eliminated clumped mascara for me and I hope it works for you too so that you’ll never have to worry about clumps, smudges, or smears ever again.
Your Mascara Clumps Because You Have Too Much Mascara On Your Wand
Almost all mascaras come with a little grip insert that’s supposed to make sure your wand comes out with just the right amount of product on the brush. Sometimes it can still be easy to get too much mascara on your wand. Beginners often make the mistake of thinking that if having some mascara on the wand is good then more must be better.
If you ever see that your brush looks a little too coated, simply swipe it against the edge of the container to rid yourself of the excess mascara.
Your Mascara Clumps When You’ve Applied Too Many Coats
I know that it may seem impossible that too many coats of volumizing mascara can be a bad thing — especially if it’s a fiber mascara. However, if you keep adding layer upon layer clumping is the one outcome that is guaranteed to happen.
Because your objective is to avoid clumps you should take a close look at your lashes after every coat to make sure you’re not overdoing it.
Your Mascara Clumps When You Don’t Use A Primer
In the same way, your face makeup never seems to look as flawless without first using a face primer, if you want your lashes to look their absolute best, you should really start your mascara process with a lash primer.
I use the L’Oréal Paris Voluminous Lash Paradise Mascara Primer/Base. The rose oil conditions my lashes and the pink color helps me see that I have primer on all my lashes and then when I apply mascara I can ensure an even layer. I stop applying mascara the moment I can’t see any of the pink primer showing through and stay clump-free.
Your Mascara Clumps Because You’re Applying It All Wrong
We all know how to apply mascara to our top lashes, it’s pretty obvious. You start from the base of your lashes and brush out to the tips. However, it’s when you apply mascara to your lower lashes that things get trickier. Because your lower lashes are so short it is really difficult to brush them out with your mascara wand and that leads to clumping.
What you should try instead is to try using a little side-to-side zig-zag motion to adequately coat your lower lashes and get as close to your lash line as possible. Try it next time it works, trust me.
Your mascara Will Clump If You Don’t Wash All Your Mascara Off From The Day Before
Mascara is one of the most stubborn makeup products to remove, especially if you are using a waterproof formula. So even though you might think you’ve done a perfect job at removing your makeup, one look at your lashes will tell the truth.
If you leave mascara residue on your lashes that could easily be the factor that leads to clumping. The easiest way to achieve a clump-free finish to your mascara is to start with a super-clean base. Therefore, before you start any eye makeup application, gently swipe it over your eyes with a cotton pad soaked in micellar cleansing water to remove every last trace of mascara residue.
I have written a whole article on how to remove waterproof mascara and you can find that here.
Mascara Clumps If The Formula You’re Using Doesn’t Agree With Your Lashes
I love the look of long, thick, curled lashes and I’m sure that you do too, but because our lashes are different, we can’t all use the same formula of mascara to get the job done.
In the same way that you have to find the best facial cleanser and moisturizer for your specific skin, the same holds true for finding your perfect mascara.
For example, if you already have long lashes, then your goal will be volumizing and curling. Conversely, if you have short lashes, you will ideally want to find a lengthening formula.
By finding your perfect mascara, you’ll be able to enhance your lashes without the added risk of getting mascara clumps. It may just take a little trial and error. What I will add is that cosmetic companies usually change their formulas every couple of seasons as the fashions change. What I do is when I find a mascara that is perfect for me I’ll go out and get a spare or two just in case I can’t find any when I really need it.
Expired Mascara Will Almost Always Clump
There is a reason that there is an expiry date printed on your mascara because yes, your mascara can expire.
Although many of you may not have known that small fact, you have certainly noticed how your favorite mascara no longer delivers like it used to. Over time mascara will dry out and lose its luster.
Normally your mascara will expire between three and six months from opening, so stay within that time frame, and use it as a reference for when it is time to go mascara shopping again.
Why not expand your knowledge even further by reading another makeup/beauty article here on Pink Femme. You can find them either via the menu at the top of the page or by clicking this link that will take you to the list of all the beauty articles.
When it comes to my choices for makeup and beauty products, I only use L’Oréal Paris (Available on Amazon). I have really sensitive skin and never once have I had any negative reaction to any L’Oréal product.
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