Glam Slam: Makeup Mondays – A Lesson In Lashes

Beyonce, JLo and Madonna (to name just a few) always have long and lush lashes, yet whenever I wear mascara I seem to always get clumps! Celebrity Makeup Artist Nathan Johnson (whose TV credits include Season 4 and 5 of "Project Runway", the 61st Annual Tony Awards and the GLAAD Media Awards) provides tips on how to get perfect lashes!

Nathan recommends starting with an eyelash curler; one of his favorites is by Shu Uemura ($19 at www.shuuemura-usa.com). Now I've always been afraid of these devices but Nathan makes it sound downright simple! "Set the curler as close as possible to the base of the lashes… do this before applying the mascara to prevent any chance of breakage." He stresses that all you need is one or two pumps - you don't want to wind up with crimped lashes.

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In his makeup kit, Nathan has both drugstore brands and higher end brands. "If you understand proper application, you can make a $6 tube work as well as a $30 tube. Two of Nathan's favorites are L'Oreal Voluminous Mascara (less than $10 at most drugstores or at www.drugstore.com) and Tarte Lights, Camera, Lashes! ($18 at www.tartecosmetics.com)

Okay so you've got your mascara, now what? After taking the wand out of the tube, remove the excess from the end of the brush, using either the opening of the tube or a tissue. "Don't worry about removing too much. The densely packed bristles are loaded with product." This is your best bet for preventing those pesky clumps!

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Next, "lay the wand on top of the upper lashes. Be sure to set the brush as close to the base of the lashes as possible. Lightly shake your hand so the lashes settle in between the bristles. Slowly roll the wand between your thumb and forefinger. This will pull the lashes up and into the wand. Once the wand is properly placed, wiggle it from left to right as you slowly pull the wand up through the lashes."

"While the mascara is still wet, lay a clean lash comb on the lashes and quickly pull it through." Nathan recommends the Tweezerman Ilashcomb ($8 at www.tweezerman.com) to separate the lashes.

Let this coat fully dry (very important!) before applying the next coat. This will prevent that clumpy look I always get! Three coats is usually best.

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Finally, using what is left over on the brush, sweep a single light coat onto the bottom lashes. But go easy… when it comes to the lower lashes, less is more!

And another great tip from Nathan! "Very often mascara runs because it slides into concealers and/or eye creams. Prevent this by sealing them. Dusting a healthy layer of translucent powder, like Cover FX Setting Powder ($32 at www.sephora.com), under and over the eyes will do the trick!

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