MASCARA 101

THREE WAYS TO USE CLEAR MASCARA

• People either get clear mascara, or they don't. Those who get it understand its multi-use, natural-but-better makeup talents, and don't leave home without it. Those who don't get it? Well, they should just keep reading and become one of the converted!

• On its own, clear mascara gives a wet-sheen gloss to lashes, and slightly darkens them, much the way water darkens hair when saturated. Excellent for that no makeup-makeup look. It also helps lashes hold curl when paired with a lash curler. Maybelline makeup artist Erin Parsons loves using it for this: "I use clear mascara as the first step before I curl my lashes," she says. "I love [clear mascara] for those no-makeup makeup days where I'll use clear mascara as a base, then once it dries, curl my lashes.I then apply another coat of clear to give lashes a glossy finish without seeming like actual makeup. It's the perfect natural eye opener!"

  
  

  Makeup artist Grace Lee also has a great clear mascara hack that only a MUA would know: "You can also use clear mascara after using black mascara to soften up the black pigment. It adds a beautiful sheen to your lashes!" 

• Clear mascara also works wonders as a brow gel, taming, defining and slightly darkening them without seeming like "makeup". Grace Lee attests: "You can use clear mascara as a brow gel for your eyebrows. Adds a nice sheen and keeps them in place."

• Another cool clear mascara hack according to Jenna Kristina? Hair gel! "Clear Mascara also helps to tame flay-away/baby hairs with great precision."