14 Mascara Hacks to Help Your Eyelashes Reach Their Full Potential

Mascara is truly the workhorse of any makeup bag — it’s the one thing you can always rely on, and finding the perfect formula is similar to stumbling across a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow or catching a train moments before the doors close. But even the best mascara can be better — or hacked so you get the biggest bang for your buck. Ahead we rounded up the tricks you need to help your lashes reach their fullest potential.

Mascara Hack #1: Bring it Back to Life

Mascara typically has a shelf life of two to three months once opened, but there are those times when you need it to stretch just a little bit longer. Contact solution works in a pinch, breaking up a gunky formula and thinning it out, so it will last you a little bit longer. For best results, add a few drops at a time to achieve your preferred consistency.

Mascara Hack #2: Fake It ’Til You Make It

Use a fine-tipped liquid liner to draw dashes or dots on your lash line. This will create the appearance of thicker lashes without the help of falsies or fiber mascara.

Mascara Hack #3: Turn Up the Heat!

Heat up your lash curler using a blow dryer before curling your lashes. This will give your lashes a better curl and help you achieve maximum volume. When doing this, be sure to check the temperature of the lash curler before using it on your face.

Mascara Hack #4: Curl, Baby, Curl

Rather than clamping your lash curler a few times and applying mascara, try this three-step method instead: Start with your lash curler at a 30 degree angle and clamp at the roots for 15 seconds. Repeat this at the middle of your lashes and finally at the end. Do this once or twice until you achieve your desired look.

Mascara Hack #5: Prime Your Lashes

Lash primer is an essential step to getting the longest, fullest lashes possible. Not only will it help your lashes hold their curl, but your mascara will also apply a lot smoother and last a little longer. We recommend the L’Oréal Paris Voluminous Lash Paradise Mascara Primer for this.

Mascara Hack #6: Ignore the Price

Rule number one of mascara: you can’t judge a mascara by its price tag. Some of the best mascara formulas can be found at your local drugstore, including the cult-fave L’Oréal Paris Voluminous Lash Paradise Mascara — a formula that is constantly compared to higher-end mascaras and comes out on top.