Close up of woman's eyelashes

Test Drive: Lash Primer

In November 2015, Polish, Stuff by Illyse LaneLeave a Comment

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Lash primers promise to give mascara a boost, helping lashes look longer and thicker, while also conditioning and nourishing. Other claims: clump-free application and all-day wear.  Our staff put three popular brands to the test.

L'Oreal Paris False Lash Superstar MascaraL’Oreal Paris Voluminous Superstar Primer & Mascara Combination: $9.99

The product comes in a two- sided tube, one side marked as step 1 (the primer) and the other as step 2 (the mascara). The primer went on easily, coating my lashes in visible white. The mascara went on clump-free, covering the primer. My lashes weren’t any thicker, but they did separate well and had added curl.  Illyse Laneclinique-lash-building-primer

Clinque Lash Building Primer $15.50

I had never used lash primer before, but now I will! The Clinique product works great if you want longer and curlier lashes but it doesn’t make them thicker.  For best results, take off any old mascara before applying the primer. This primer doesn’t work well if you haven’t completely removed your mascara from the day before. Gina Stephens

604214922631_subversionUrban Decay Subversion Lash Primer $20

I let the primer dry a little before putting on my mascara. It gave me more length but not any extra volume, which I would have liked. It did help me use fewer coats of mascara, and it also seemed easier to remove my make-up at the end of the day. I really liked this product, and I will definitely keep using primer. Caitlin Harrison

Raleigh Mag’s Decree: Lash Primer is worth it. The ease of a clump-free mascara application that results in lashes with added curl makes primer a good addition to your beauty routine.  And since they all performed similarly, go for the drugstore, L’Oreal version. For the cost of almost two grande lattes, you can have better-looking lashes for months.

DIY Lash Curl

Don’t skip curling your eyelashes!  It can make your eyes look larger and more awake, and it only takes a few seconds.  If you forget or don’t have your lash curler, here are five do-it-yourself things to try.

Work your mascara.  Use your mascara wand to curl your lashes. While you’re moving across lashes in a zigzag motion, curl in at the tips and count to ten, holding them in place.

Warm hands. Just a small amount of gentle pressure and warmth will also curl your lashes. Use your breath to heat fingertips and then press on lashes, curling them into themselves. Hold for ten seconds, then repeat as needed.

Spooning. Heat a spoon in a mug of warm water, then press the curved side over your lid and gently press lashes against the curved edge of the spoon for ten seconds.

Hold it. After applying mascara, hold lashes in a curled position by gently lifting them at the base of the lid with the length of a cotton swab. When the mascara dries, your lashes will stay in place.

A hot toothbrush. Run a clean toothbrush under hot water and then dry it lightly by pressing it into a clean towel. Brush through lashes starting at the base of the lid, holding at the tips to create the curl.

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