How To Apply Mascara Like A Pro

Green beauty expert and celebrity makeup artist Katey Denno has a few tried-and-true rules when it comes to mascara application and product care that seem small but can change how big your eyes look, how defined your lashes are, and how "neat" and "tidy" they look. If you want to apply mascara like a pro, follow her tips to a T:

If you wait to curl your lashes until after you apply mascara, the mascara will separate where the curler hits. "You may not see it from the front, but everyone will see it from the side that there's a chunk of your eyelashes that doesn't have mascara on it, especially if your lashes are light," Denno said.

A lot of green beauty brands haven't spent the extra money on packaging that helps to remove the excess mascara. And that's OK! But it requires an adjustment in how we care for our mascara wands. "You may need to wipe it on top of the tube itself to avoid massive clumping," she recommended.

"Almost always, if you are putting on more than one coat of mascara, your lashes may need a little help separating," Denno said. "There's a Tweezer Man lash comb that has teeny tines, perfect for the lashes."

Sometimes people avoid painting the roots of their lashes for various reasons. "But if you only paint the tips, it will weigh down your curl and, when you turn your head, people will see half-done lashes," Denno said—probably not the look you were going for.

Want more from Denno? Here's exactly how to make your natural foundation look flawless, and a 3-step tutorial on making your eyes look bigger and brighter.