Say Goodbye To Clumpy Mascara With These Tips

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We've all been there. Your foundation is looking flawless, your lipstick is hydrating and smooth, and the last step to complete your fierce look is a slick of mascara. So, you swipe on a couple of layers, only for it to look clumpy and heavy, ruining your whole look. Not only does this cause your lashes to appear obvious and unnatural, it may also be a mascara mistake that's making you look older. But it doesn't have to be that way.

Thankfully, with the right technique, you can make clumpy mascara a thing of the past, which is why Women.com enlisted the help of Amber Renee, makeup artist and hair and wig expert, who exclusively shared her top tips for banishing unflattering, chunky lashes. "Mascara clumps can form both on the wand and on the lashes, and it often comes down to a combination of the formula and how the product is applied," she explains. So, from the ideal formula to the perfect application technique, here's how to get the smoothest, most flattering mascara look every time.

Think carefully about the formula of your mascara and the style of the wand before application, as some are more likely to cause clumps than others. "Volumizing and waterproof formulas are typically thicker and more prone to clumping, while lengthening or defining mascaras usually have lighter textures that distribute more evenly," Amber Renee explained to us, exclusively. "Some fiber mascaras can also create clumps if the fibers aren't evenly applied," she added.

The right type of wand can also make a big difference. "Fluffier brushes add volume but can lead to clumps, while comb-like or skinnier wands offer more precision and separation," Renee said. L'Oreal Paris' Telescopic Original Lengthening Mascara is famous for its skinnier wand, as is Lancôme Définicils High Definition Mascara. Equally, if you're noticing a lot of clumping on your bottom lashes, it could be that the wand it too large for the shorter hairs. Instead, try a lower-lash specific mascara, which usually has a smaller wand for more intricate application, then check out our tips on exactly how to apply lower lash mascara for a mess-free finish.

In the same way it's important to prep our skin pre-foundation, very often, our mascara clumps because our lashes aren't ready for application. "To avoid clumps, start with clean, dry lashes," Amber Renee exclusively told us. That may mean wiping off the likes of rogue eyeshadow, concealer, or powder that may have accidentally gotten onto the lashes, then drying them carefully with a face cloth.

You can also prep your eyelashes with a lash curler, which will give a more lifted look. If you choose to add this step though, make sure you curl the hairs before you apply mascara, never after. Not only can curling post-application (especially when your mascara is still wet) make the hairs stick together (hello, clump city!) it can also cause your eyelashes to stick to the curler, potentially damaging the hairs or even pulling them out. The Tweezerman Classic Eyelash Curler Model No. 1034-R will work on clean, dry lashes, as will the Amazon Basics Eyelash Curler.

Just as important as the type of mascara you're using is the how you're applying it. Amber Renee exclusively shared, "Always wipe off any excess product from the wand before application," as clumps can form when the wand picks up too much product. You can do this by wiping it off with a tissue or makeup wipe, or use the opening of the tube to scape any excess off inside. Then, apply the mascara by putting the wand underneath your eyelashes at the root before moving it in a zig-zag method, wiggling it through the hairs carefully.

Not only will keeping the wand moving from side-to-side help the hairs to separate, it will ensure the application is even. It may help to look upwards while you do this, as this will help make sure the wand gets right to the root of the lashes. Try not to put too much focus on the ends of your lashes, though. Repeatedly applying mascara only to the ends may add a little extra length, but it can also result in product build-up, making it clump and look uneven.

As tempting as it can be to rush through mascara application (we get it, you're busy) try to take your time and apply it thin layers. This will help prevent heavy, clumpy build-up. "Apply mascara in thin, buildable layers ... Clumping tends to occur when too much product is applied at once, especially without allowing previous layers to set slightly," Amber Renee explained, exclusively. Though different mascaras will vary in how much time you should wait between layers, 20 to 30 seconds is usually a good rule of thumb to ensure your previous coat is dry. Also remember not to go overboard with the layers. One or two may be enough, but three may give you a little more definition. However, apply more than three and you may be asking for clumpy trouble.

In between applying those thin layers, ensure your lashes are properly separated. This will stop the hairs bunching together and clumping. "[Use] a clean spoolie or lash comb between coats to separate and lift," Renee suggested. Try Revlon's Lash & Brow Styling Tool or the Tweezerman Folding iLashComb.

Another reason your lashes look clumpy with mascara could be because you're pumping the product too much. Pumping happens when you insert the wand in and out of the tube several times, which is a common way to get more product out of the bottle. "Clumps on the wand usually happen when excess product collects at the tip or between bristles, often due to over-pumping the wand," Amber Renee exclusively said. Over-pumping can also cause too much air to get into the tube, meaning the product will dry out quicker and may become full of bacteria. Instead, to ensure the wand it properly saturated, gently swirl it inside the tube.

Keeping your mascara clean is another way to cut clumping, as the product can gather at the opening of the tube, which then goes onto the wand. One of the easiest ways to do this is using a makeup wipe. If you notice your mascara bottle is totally saturated with old, dry mascara though, it's time to dump it. Not only can using dry mascara be part of the reason its clumping or flaking, using expired makeup be dangerous because of the potential for bacteria to build-up in the bottle.