Eyeliner is tricky and foundation is finicky, but mascara’s easy to master, right? Sure— if you know THESE master tricks! While we can get along applying mascara the same way we all kind of improvise as soon as we start wearing makeup, if we want really FABULOUS lashes – long, full lashes that make our eyes really pop – we should move beyond mere swiping and put it on like the pros. Luckily, we’ve got our friends from Refinery29 to show us how. Watch to find out what their six best tricks are, then read on to learn from our breakdown.

1. Use an eyelash curler.
   
   
   Don’t be afraid of your eyelash curler! Lots of us are understandably nervous about putting a metal tool so close to our eyeballs, but once we learn how to use it, it’s a great way to open up the look of our eyes and show off more of our lashes. All you need to do is hug your lashes at their roots with the curler, and squeeze a couple of times. That’s it! Instant bright eyes.
2. Blink your way to fuller lashes.
   
   When it comes to lashes, we don’t just want length; we want full fringe! One trick to getting it is to blink on mascara. Just place the mascara wand at the root of your lashes and blink twice. The mascara will not only go on your lashes, it’ll go between them, making them look fuller.
3. Zigzag your way to length.
   
   Once we have them full, we still want long lashes! The best way to apply mascara to fake them? By using a zigzag motion! It sounds a little crazy, but it totally works. Wiggle the brush – but just a little! – back and forth from the base to tip as you apply the mascara. The result? Gorgeously long lashes.
4. Hold the wand vertically.
   
   
   You probably know that you should be applying at least two coats of mascara, but do you know how to apply that second coat? You should be holding the mascara wand vertically! This method allows you to paint individual lashes. It’s also a better angle that allows you to get to those tinier lashes at the corners of your eyes.
5. Use a spoolie brush.
   
   
   Clumps are inevitable while you’re applying mascara, but that doesn’t mean you have to just live with them. Use a clean spoolie brush to get rid of them! All you need to do is comb up, with the same type of motion you probably typically use to apply mascara, and separate the lashes. No more clumps!
6. Fake it with eyeliner.
   
   
   Sometimes the best mascara and eyelash tip doesn’t involve mascara at all! Use eyeliner to fake the appearance of longer lashes. Apply black liner to your inside waterline, and it’ll look like your lashes go on for days. Beautiful!

Easy! Just a few simple twists to your normal mascara routine, and your lashes are going to be even more gorgeous than ever. How did you learn to apply mascara? Do you use an eyelash curler on the regular, or does it freak you out a little? Do you have any tricks of your own to share?

This is a sponsored post, paid for by our friends over at Refinery29.