Makeup novice needs mascara help!

[Delphine31]

I'm not very good at make up so I keep things simple: tinted moisturiser, light concealer, and for my eyes I use an eyelash curler then mascara.

I don't have a lot of eyelashes and I find that mascara clumps those I do have together, creating a clumps-plus-gaps appearance.

Can anyone help me find a mascara that would define the eyelashes I do have and help them keep their curl from the eyelash curler but that doesn't look like clumpy paint?

I prefer to use black/brown to look more natural.

Any help gratefully received!

[Nabootique]

I don't curl mine, but for non-clumping I can't recommend Max Factor False Lash Effect Fusion highly enough. Actually, quite a few of theirs are good, any of the ones with the rubbery bristle brush, rather than the more traditional brush. Tightlining might help with the appearance of gaps?

[Delphine31]

Thanks for replying.

Just googling tightlining!

[Nabootique]

I didn't know what it was until yesterday! :D

[Knittingbat]

YSL babydoll, plus a metal lash comb. Maybe need to get the latter on ebay or amazon or similar, hard to find.

[Botanicbaby]

Max Factor 2000 calorie mascara is brilliant I think there's a black/brown colour option. The one with the curled wand is my favourite but the straight wand is good too.
I find it doesn't clump or stick together too much giving you good control of how thickly to apply it. Agree an eyelash separator comb may be useful for you.

[nicelyneurotic]

I also like Max factor false lash effect. But love dior mascaras the most!

[MooMinCow]

you need a waterproof mascara (it holds curl longer). second the Max Factor recommendation (or any of the plasticky wands), and scrape off excess product off the wand before applying a few thin coats.

[MooMinCow]

oh and a Tweezerman metal lash comb. lethally sharp but the best for separated lashes!

[SelfLoathing]

A good tip is one it's dry to run a clean dry mascara wand through your lashes -for stubborn clumps use the very tip of the wand held vertically to break up the clumps.

When you've finished your mascara, always keep the old mascara wand - wash and dry it for this purpose.

Or most cosmetics counters have disposable ones and will usually give you a few if you ask.

I find this better than a lash comb because it gives a more natural look.

[Delphine31]

Thank you so much to all of you for your tips! And sorry I haven't been back to respond until now. I had a date (don't ask how it went).

I will get one of the Tweezerman metal combs (the customer reviews on the JL website make quite amusing reading - what to do if you accidentally stab yourself in the eye with it).

That's a great tip re keeping old mascara wands as well. Thanks.

Max Factor seems to keep cropping up. I'll get myself to Boots later this week and have a look.

The tightlining thing does have an amazing effect. I am hopeless at precision make-up applying though so I might have to try it at some point when I'm not going out in case it all goes horribly wrong!

Thanks again