Beauty Basics: Mascara 101

There's nothing like mascara to create instantly flirty eyes. Makeup Artist Carmindy of TLC's What Not to Wear gives her best tips for Asian eyes, bold volume, or a natural look.

Natural Look: Choose a Small Brush
For really natural looking lashes, choose a mascara with a smaller brush and a thin formula, so it glides on smoothly and lightly.

Natural Look: Apply to Top Lashes
Carmindy's natural lash trick: Apply mascara to the top lashes only. This gives subtle definition without looking "done."

Natural Look
Just a quick swipe across the upper lashes, and you're done!

Big Volume: Big Brush
Use a big, spooly brush, which gets to every lash and loads on the product.

Big Volume: Lower Lashes
Carmindy's trick to ensure you don't smudge your mascara: "It's all about a plastic spoon. You just want to hold it underneath the lower lash line and then start sweeping the mascara right onto the lashes. The mascara won't clump or smudge on your skin, but go directly on the plastic spoon."

Big Volume: Upper Lashes
Allow lower lashes to dry before you work on the upper lash line. Dip your brush one more time so it's well coated. Lift up your eyelid a bit so you can get right to the base of the upper lashes, then wiggle the brush and sweep it up to the tips. For extra volume, hold the wand vertically and sweep it back and forth.

Big Volume: De-Clump
When lashes get clumpy, all you need is a metal lash comb. Be sure to use the comb while the lashes are still wet, and carefully comb through them to separate and define each lash.

Big Volume
Big, fat lashes are easy--just remember to use a big brush mascara, a spoon to protect your undereye area, and a comb to de-clump.

Asian Eyes: The Right Curler
Mascara can be tricky, but not if you have the right tools. First, don't use a traditional eyelash curler, but rather a small corner or sectional curler. They can get closer and work section by section making the curl last longer and ensuring that each lash is touched.