5 Easiest Ways to Make Your Eyes Prettier
I was born with a puny, pale set of eyelashes, so I'm a little obsessed with finding ways to make them stand out. And since I'm way too broke for extensions, it's up to me to take them from short and stubby to sweeping and bat-able.
Related: The Best Mascaras for Length & Volume
Fluttery, totally noticeable lashes that go out-to-there -- without breaking my bank account. Is such a feat even possible?
Turns out it is. Proof: Look at the fashion runways, where expert stylists take eyelashes to the extreme, and red carpets, where celebrity makeup artists turn stars' lashes into works of art. Here are the products and expert tips you need for your most stunning eyelashes ever.
A pop of bright color on your lashes is a fast, easy way to spice up your look. So take a page from celebrity makeup artist Pat McGrath's playbook and carefully dust bright blue loose pigment over freshly applied, still-sticky black mascara. (I recommend using a small fan brush to do this.)
Tip: It may sound counterintuitive but blue, not black, is the most universally flattering mascara shade, plus it makes the whites of your eyes look even whiter.
Related: 18 Best Mascaras Ever
Big, doll-like lashes can be jarring close up, but from afar, they look amazing. So much so that celebs like Adele and Katy Perry wear 'em all the time. To get the look, apply a lengthening mascara. Adele's favorite is Eyeko London Skinny Brush Mascara, $19.
Tip: If you still need a boost, add faux strip lashes like Katy Perry Lashes by Eylure in Oh My!, $6.99.
Next time you feel like dazzling your date, put tiny Swarovski crystals on your lashes. To get the look, pair these Kre-at Beauty Mega Wing White Krystal Lashes, $45, with black wing-tipped eyeliner.
Tip: Kre-at Beauty creator and celebrity makeup artist Taylor Chang-Babian suggests going with black crystals or a half lash strip if you want a less dramatic look.
Two-toned lashes made of nylon or feathers take serious cajones to pull off, but I couldn't resist trying them. They're so fun to look at! Perhaps they're best left for Halloween, but should you find the right occasion before October, try the new Sephora + Pantone Universe Tangerine Tango Faux Lashes Set, $28.
They sound scary, but they're crawling all over the runways and red carpets. To get the flattering, cake-free version that Kim Kardashian does so well, start with a good lash curler to help crimp your lashes so they stand up taller. (This also makes your eyes look bigger.) Apply several coats of lengthening mascara on your top and bottom lashes, wiggling the brush left and right.
Tip: Use a lash comb afterward or wipe off your mascara wand with a tissue beforehand to get rid of unsightly clumps.
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