How To Make Your Lashes Look 10 Times Longer in One Minute Flat

Once you’ve mastered the art of properly applying mascara, you’ll find that there are very few things that the miracle-working product can’t do. The right formula can help you fake volume, curl, or pigment (and sometimes, all three at once) without ever having to make an appointment for lash extensions. But if you want more oomph, there are a few makeup-artist approved tricks to try before you swipe on mascara that will make your lashes look extra-long in one minute flat.

The secret? Properly prepping your lashes with either a curler, a primer, or a set of falsies will make even the shortest lashes look sky high—read on to find out how.

1. Curl baby curl

Mascara tends to get all the credit when it comes to amping up your lashes, but the curling step is really where the magic happens. Whether you’re going au natural, using mascara, or applying falsies, you’ll always, always want to start the process with an eyelash curler (try the Tweezerman ProCurl, $22). “Use a lash curler to curl your lashes at the root, closest to your eye, which will help them stand up straighter,” says celebrity makeup artist Lauren D’Amelio. If you place the curler at the middle or tip of your lash, she notes that it’ll make your lash hair appear shorter because it will curl them in instead of up. Close the curler as close to your lid as possible, and pump it three to five times for best results.

2. Use a primer

For bringing your lashes to their greatest lengths, primer makes all the difference. “Try one with fibers that that will extend the length of the lash and make them appear fuller,” says D’Amelio. Celebrity makeup artist Daniel Chinchilla is a fan of KVD Vegan Beauty Epic Curl Eyelash Primer ($24) because “it curls and lifts even the straightest lashes without having to use an eyelash curler, and coats every lash to prep them for the mascara.”

3. Try some fake lashes

While they might sound intimidating, sticking on a set of falsies at home doesn’t require pro-level skills. Start with a set that’s easy to apply, like M.A.C.’s 4 Idol Lash ($18). According to M.A.C. makeup artist Romero Jennings—who’s known as the “king of lashes”—cutting them into three sections can make them easier to shape to your eye. Dab a tiny bit of lash glue onto the strip, then press gently into your lid at the base of your natural lash line. Once the glue is dry, Romero recommends adding liner at the root of your lashes, which “can help camouflage any spaces or application mistakes,” he says. The result? Extra-long lashes with zero lash appointment required.

Need help choosing a mascara? Check out the video below for our beauty editor’s reviews of some of the best clean formulas on the market.

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