For the average girl, getting ready every morning can be a serious battle. We spar with hair-dryers and wage battles with our razors before finally confronting the fiercest opponent of all: the mascara wand.

 

For many, applying mascara is the most dreaded task in their makeup routine. Not only time-consuming, your wand can be a downright danger — both to your appearance and your physical wellbeing.

 

Luckily for you, I am your newest ally. I have the answers you need to combat your morning nemesis.

 

Problem 1: Avoiding contact between your nose and the wand.

It’s a delicate task: arching your mascara brush across the bridge of your nose, trying to get as close to the lash line as possible without smearing black product everywhere…

 

The answer? Sample mascaras. They’re free, compact and importantly, their shortened wand voids this mascara-on-your-nose problem. My current favourite is the ‘They’re Real’ mascara by Benefit. They offer samples at most counters in Myer.

 

Problem 2: The flutters of mascara that find their way onto your eyelid/brow.

This will often happen when you;

 

A) Are in a rush and have no time to wipe them off, or;

B)When you’ve just applied fabulous eyeshadow that you will now have to redo (unless you want patchy eyelids).

 

The problem here is in your technique. You must lower your lashes onto the brush, not the other way around (think AWAY from the eyeshadow). In order to still achieve that curl, slowly rotate the brush as you blink.

 

Problem 3: Clumping.

Sometimes, a large clump of product will detach itself from the brush onto your lashes. The damage control is tiresome and frustrating so prevention is the key!

 

If this is happening on a regular basis, your mascara is most likely drying out and you’re due for a trip to Priceline. However, as a general rule, dab off the excess mascara from the end of the brush before applying (just like you would with nail-polish) and this will be a problem of the past!

 

Problem 4: The dastardly lower lash line.

For me, the lower lash line is in the same makeup category as brows. They’re often neglected, many girls don’t know what to do with them and they can go horribly wrong!

 

More often than not, your mascara brush is just too big and clunky for your lower lash line. How often do you find yourself licking the end of a cotton bud and dabbing it under your eye?

 

I introduce to you Clinque bottom lash mascara. Its tiny wand and brush make it the ideal tool to combat all your lower lash problems. Sure, carrying around two mascaras seems a bit drastic, but trust me: this baby is a must have in every girl’s makeup bag.

 

Problem 5: Sometimes the proximity of the wand to your eyeball ends in pain and tears.

We’ve all done it. Poking yourself in the eye is a huge mascara-related problem.

 

Unfortunately, there isn’t really a solution for this one, as clumsiness doesn’t present itself by choice. The only piece of advice I can give you is control your environment when applying. Ideally, not:

1. In the passenger seat of a car

2. Or a bus

3. Or a train

4. In front of the mirror behind your door (you never know who may enter unexpectedly)

5. Around anyone under the age of five 

6. In a bathroom full of girls, because bitches be violent when it comes to accessing that mirror!

 

You are now equipped with every weapon in my arsenal to keep your mascara pain free and beautiful. May you never be smudgy and teary again!

 

What are your must-know mascara tips? Help a sister out in the comments below!