Mascara is that one desert-island makeup product for a reason. A few quick swipes can instantly make you look more awake, define your eyes, and pull your whole look together. But are you getting the most out of your mascara? With a few simple tricks and the right formula, you can go from just coating your lashes to creating a truly wide-eyed, lifted, and dramatic effect that makes your eyes the center of attention.

It’s not just about applying coat after coat. The secret to eye-opening lashes is a combination of technique, the right tools, and choosing a mascara that does exactly what you need it to do—whether that’s adding massive volume, incredible length, or a curl that lasts all day. Get ready to level up your lash game. Here are the mascara tricks and products that will make every eye pop.

The Foundation: Curl and Prime

Before you even open your mascara tube, two simple steps can make a world of difference. Don't skip them!

1. Always Curl Your Lashes: This is non-negotiable for an eye-opening effect. Curling your lashes creates an upward lift that instantly makes your eyes look bigger and more awake. For the best results, get the curler as close to your lash root as possible, give it a gentle squeeze, hold for a few seconds, and then "walk" the curler out toward the tips, pulsing as you go. This creates a natural-looking curve rather than a harsh crimp.

  • Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler: This is an iconic tool for a reason. Its design is engineered to fit a variety of eye shapes, and the silicone pad provides a protective, gentle curl that lasts. It’s a splurge that makeup artists swear by for creating a perfect, long-lasting lift without pinching.

2. Use a Lash Primer: A primer might seem like an extra, unnecessary step, but it’s a total game-changer. A good lash primer coats your lashes with a nourishing formula that creates a smooth base for your mascara. This helps to thicken and lengthen your lashes before you even apply color, making your mascara work even better.

  • Lancôme Cils Booster XL Super-Enhancing Mascara Primer: This is a cult-favorite primer that conditions lashes while adding incredible length and volume. The white formula helps you see exactly where you've applied it, ensuring every lash is coated. When you apply your mascara on top, you’ll notice a dramatic difference in both volume and length.

Find Your Perfect Formula

Not all mascaras are created equal. The brush shape and formula are designed for specific results. Knowing what you want to achieve is key to picking the right one.

For Unbelievable Volume

If you want thick, full, dramatic lashes, a volumizing mascara is your go-to. These formulas are typically thicker and come with densely packed brushes that deposit a lot of product at the base of your lashes.

  • Too Faced Better Than Sex Volumizing Mascara: The name is bold, but the results are even bolder. This mascara has an hourglass-shaped brush that helps to coat every lash, creating intense black volume and a fanned-out effect. The formula contains peptides to condition lashes, and it builds beautifully without getting clumpy, allowing you to layer it for extreme drama.
  • Dior Diorshow Pump 'N' Volume HD Mascara: This mascara features a unique squeezable tube that warms and softens the formula, loading the brush for instant, extreme volume. The brush has a mix of stiff and flexible bristles that help to comb through and separate lashes while packing on the product. It’s perfect for creating that false-lash look.

For Sky-High Length

If your goal is long, fluttery lashes, a lengthening mascara is what you need. These formulas often contain fibers that extend your natural lashes, and the brushes are typically thinner with sparser bristles to help stretch the product from root to tip.

  • Thrive Causemetics Liquid Lash Extensions Mascara: This mascara is a viral sensation for a reason. It’s a tubing mascara, which means it forms tiny "tubes" around each lash. This technology creates incredible length that won’t smudge, flake, or run. At the end of the day, the tubes slide right off with just warm water and gentle pressure. It’s perfect for getting dramatic length without the messy removal process.
  • Benefit Cosmetics They're Real! Lengthening Mascara: This is another classic that has stood the test of time. It has a unique brush with a spiky, domed tip that is perfect for grabbing and separating even the tiniest lashes. The long-wearing formula lifts and lengthens, creating a defined, fanned-out look that really does make people ask if your lashes are real.

For a Curl That Lasts

If your lashes are straight and tend to fall flat, a curling mascara can help lift them and hold that shape all day. These formulas are often lightweight and dry down quickly to lock the curl in place.

  • Benefit Cosmetics Roller Lash Curling Mascara: Inspired by hair rollers, this mascara’s "Hook 'n' Roll" brush has tiny hooks that catch, lift, and curl lashes. The formula is designed to hold that curl for hours. It’s a fantastic everyday mascara that gives you a wide-eyed, lifted look without needing an eyelash curler.

Pro Tricks for Application

How you apply your mascara is just as important as the product you use.

The Wiggle Technique: Instead of just swiping the wand up, place it at the base of your lashes and wiggle it back and forth. This deposits the most product at the roots, which creates the illusion of thicker lashes and a darker lash line. Then, pull the wand straight through to the tips.

Coat Both Sides: For extra volume and impact, try coating both the top and bottom of your upper lashes. Look down and run the wand over the top of your lashes, then look up and apply as usual from underneath.

Use the Tip for Details: Use the very tip of your mascara wand to get those hard-to-reach inner and outer corner lashes. You can also hold the wand vertically to coat your lower lashes without making a mess.

Layer Formulas: Don't be afraid to cocktail your mascaras! You can use a lengthening mascara first to get the length, and then go in with a volumizing formula to add fullness. This allows you to customize your look and get the best of both worlds.

With the right products and a few simple tricks, you can take your lash game to a whole new level.