21 Life-Changing Mascara Hacks to Try Today for Longer, Thicker, Fuller Lashes

Stop a random stranger in the street to ask them about their favourite makeup product, and I'm 96 per cent sure every second person will say mascara.

This is not based on any hard scientific evidence, but I stand by my statement.

In the same way concealer can make you look like you actually get a good night's sleep every night (hah!), chucking on some mascara is instantly transformative.

One minute, you're a weary plucked chicken. The next, a thriving, rested human being thanks to a few licks of mascara.

Mascara does come with a lot of elements to navigate. The least of which is actually finding a mascara you love - because there's great mascaras and (really) terrible ones.

Then there's the application. How does one not end up with mascara all over their expertly-applied eyeshadow? What about when you hit your nose with the mascara wand and end up with black blobs on your foundation in various places?

And clumps! What do you do about those? Don't even talk to me about smudging.

See? Lots to consider, but your good friends at Adore Beauty are here to help.

Side note, you can learn more makeup artist mascara tips in this episode of our Makeup School podcast below.

Because the best mascara tips are often pretty personal - and sometimes even a little bit weird - I begged my AB colleagues to share the best mascara tips and secrets they've found that work for them.

From insider makeup artist intel to mascara for hooded eyes and everything in between, here are 21 mascara hacks that have legitimately changed our lives. And lashes.

P.S. It goes without saying, mascara never works unless you do the random opened mouth pout thing for no apparent reason.

Best Mascara Tips.

1. "I'm always accidentally getting mascara on the side of my nose from getting too close when I'm doing the inner corner. Counterintuitive, but if you let it dry for a minute or so, you can flick it off with your fingernail and it won't leave a mark behind." - Harriet.

2. "Brown mascara for guys is amazing! It's not as full strength as black but gives so much definition around the lashes." - Gerard.

3. "Coating your lashes from the top as well as the usual underneath method changes everything, especially for brides or photoshoots when photos are taken with the person looking down." - Marie.

4. "I always wipe excess product off my wand with a tissue before doing the first layer to get the lashes nice and separated. THEN I hit 'em with more product for volume, length and thickness. You do go through product quicker, but I don't mind because you're technically meant to chuck and change your mascara every three months anyway." - Amy.

5. "Look to the brush for the best indication of how the mascara will apply. Brushes that are more of a wide separated spiral create a defined and spiky lash look. While brushes that are really dense with bristles closer together create a fuller and fluffy lash." - Dalal.

See the difference in brushes and formulas between our top-selling mascaras in this YouTube video below!

6. "I love using the Mirenesse Lash Lift Separator in between my two coats to make sure I get length and thickness without any clumps!" - Laura.

7. "I remember reading this tip somewhere - on the rare occasion I wear mascara, I pop the tube into a warm glass of water (or in my bra if I am lazy). This helps to warm up the product so it's not clumpy when applied." - Chloe.

8. "Don't pump your mascara! Instead, try to twist the product onto the wand. Otherwise, you're introducing more air into the product than needed, which can create more bacteria and dry out the formula." - Elle.

9. "A good tip to get the most out of your mascara tube - when it starts to dry up, add a few drops of a saline solution or any eye drops to revive it!" - Liz.

10. "I mean... if I don't use a lash curler, my lash application is a fail." - Marie.

11. "I roll the wand in my fingers while wiggling the brush when applying - think of it like the same technique as using a round brush while blow drying hair, if that make sense." - Dalal.

12. "Using a mascara fan brush to control the application and amount of product is a great makeup artist hack. Load the fan brush to create a really full thick lash, or just apply a little to the tips to create a fluffy look. It makes it easier to apply mascara to the top of the upper lashes without getting it on your lids." - Dalal.

13. "I like to put the mirror downwards and tilt my head slightly upwards to ensure I can coat all the lashes." - Dani.

14. "If you struggle with mascara transferring onto your eyelids, try a tubing mascara like Mirenesse Secret Weapon Mascara, Blinc Mascara Amplified or Designer Brands Centre Stage Curl & Volume Mascara Blackest Black because they're smudge-proof and won't budge, even if your eyes water." - Amanda.

You can watch more of Amanda's awesome mascara application tips for over 50s in this YouTube video below.

15. "For me, the horizontal gentle back wiggle allows me to get it close the the water line, and separate and fan out my lashes. Once I have applied my first coat, I use the tip of the brush to retouch any small lashes or any lashes I want to be thicker and more dramatic." - Sandra.

16. "Combing and separating lashes with a spoolie brow brush before applying mascara is a game-changer." - Kathryn.

17. "Last tip, I promise... Clean an old favourite mascara wand and use it as a lash separator. Do the “roll and wiggle” technique to separate and fluff the lash while fresh mascara is on." - Dalal.

18. "For a more natural look, I only apply mascara from the middle of the lash to the ends. Or on lashes from the middle of the pupil outwards, and never on the bottom lashes." - Sarah.

19. "If you’ve finished a mascara you loved, wash and keep the wand. It can be a great way to get more use out of any other mascaras you might have lying around that you don’t rate as highly. In my opinion, 90 per cent of the time, it’s the brush that does the heavy lifting." - Emily.

20. "All too often when friends express their disappointment in a certain mascara, I ask them how many coats they applied. The answer is usually one or two, but on an average day, I’ll layer up about five to six coats. I think it’s best to reapply when the product is still slightly wet, but test it out with your current formula." - Emily.

21. "Magnifying mirrors are practically illegal until... you begin to lose your eyesight. I think they're essential once your eyesight has been compromised. Do yourself a favour, get one. It'll make doing your eye makeup infinitely easier." - Amanda.

You're welcome.

Want more helpful mascara product reviews? Check out these Beauty IQ articles below:

• I’ve Tried Hundreds of Mascaras - Hands Down, These 5 Are the Best for Every Type of Lash

• Bargain vs Bougie: The Difference Between Our 4 Best-Selling Mascaras

• Our Editor Tried the New 'Magnetic Mascara' Everyone's Talking About...

• Sick of Panda Eyes? I've Got Oily Skin & This Tubing Mascara Is a Game Changer