Hi all,

I had this nervous issue with prepping for a shoot, and it mainly concerned putting on mascara.

I guess my issue is Im afraid Im gonna screw it up and have to wash my face off and all my previous work that I just did with shadow and liner will be wasted. Plus I never ever want to be late to anything so Im afraid that Im under the gun with time. So my hand started shaking the other day as I was putting on my mascara. It turned out fine but I was driving myself crazy with it.

For me mascara is the most important make up step because it makes the eyes stand out like nothing else.

Right now Im using Dior show's Lash primer with Lancome's definicils. And I love that pairing. But the two step process is a PIA. But it does a nice job.

I guess what Im asking is for tips on how to ease my anxiety about mascara application. Im thinking that I should do my make up several hours before the shoot just so that I dont work myself up into a frenzy about being late.

Does anyone else have any other tips?

Is fake lashes an easier way?
Do you have any application tips, brands of mascara, etc....

Also I wanted to find out if its best to just do one eye at a time. Ive been doing both eyes at a time, going back and forth and then I have to be worried that the mascara will dry before I get a nice lash separation and look.

Help! Plus Im PMSing so thats a contributing factor. Ugg.

If you do miss or you get mascara on your top or lower lid, leave it there until it dries. Then get a clean mascara wand and literally scrape it off.

Top tip: Bottom lashes first. That way you don't have to open your eyes really wide and risk printing your upper lashes below your brow.

Practice practice practice. Practice when you're not in a rush. Try giving yourself a time limit and practice getting the time down. Then next time you're in a rush, you'll be like "Psshh, I know I can do this in under 2 mins, no need to worry"

Practice at home, look in the mirror and laugh because being nervous over it will only make it worse! get a good mascara, most Maybelline ones are cheap and work well. Never have the brush clumpy or where you can see it'll make mess because if you flinch and flick your eyelashes if there's a big blob of mascara on it it will ruin the makeup and if it's easier.. count to three or something, jiggle your lashes with the brush for 3 seconds.. stop.. give your eye time to relax.
I usually freak out with eyeliner because quite a few times I cover all the damn eyeshadow with the black liner hahaha >.<

I get mascara on the lid sometimes when i'm doing it, on myself and other people.  It's super easy to fix, if you try to rub it while it's wet it smears everywhere, instead I wait for it to dry and it flakes right off with a nudge.

Thank you all so much for your replies! Very helpful advice. It does make me feel better knowing that if mascara gets on my lid, I can let it dry and then flick it off. Great relief, with that knowledge.

As far as practice goes, I use mascara every day. But I still find it rather stressful when Im striving for perfection before a shoot.

Question: Do you apply mascara one eye at a time? Or do you apply it to both eyes and go back and forth until its complete? This may be something I may want to try, just so I dont stress myself worrying about the mascara drying before Im finished with the coats.