Do you put clear or black mascara on first?

Ask anyone to name their desert island beauty product and there's a very good chance they'll say black mascara. And rightfully so: An inky volumizing or lengthening formula can really make the eyes pop, whether it's the finishing touch to a smoky eye, a subtle no-makeup makeup look, or a bare face.

However, it's time to stop underestimating clear mascara. While a pigment-less formula won't deliver the same dramatic results as a black one, it has myriad of uses – some of which go beyond your lashes.

Ahead, top makeup artists share all of the ways to use clear mascara in your makeup routine, and why you should always have the multitasking product in your makeup bag.

How to use clear mascara on your eyelashes

If you think a colorless mascara will do nothing for your lashes, think again. Katie Mellinger, celebrity makeup artist, says that a clear formula gives lashes a glossy finish, helps lashes hold a curl, and can even act as a primer for colored mascaras.

A clear mascara can also be unexpected finishing touch for a bold eye makeup look such as a smoky eye. "Clear mascara can be used for a smokey eye that looks a little bit edgier because it is unexpected as opposed to tons of black mascara or especially falsie strips. It makes it look a little bit more editorial and clean," says Sebastien Tardif, celebrity makeup artist and Co-Founder of Veil Cosmetics.

How to apply clear mascara on your eyelashes

To apply a clear mascara, Mellinger has a hack for preventing any clumps (yes, clear mascara can get clumpy, too). "I like to wipe or roll off the excess product from the spoolie on my hand before applying. That way it doesn’t get clumpy on the lash," the makeup artist says. "Start with the brush perpendicular to the bottom of the lash and slightly wiggle back and forth as you coat the length of the lash."

Other ways to use clear mascara in your makeup routine

One of the biggest draws of including a clear mascara in your makeup collection is that it can be used on other areas of the face. In lieu of a clear brow gel, use a clear mascara to tame and set your brows.

"I would use clear mascara to stick eyebrows in the right direction and to groom the eyebrows," Tardif says. "Make sure to use it last after filling in with color, to not streak or remove any color."

Beyond your face, a clear mascara can be used to smooth flyaways and lay baby hairs. "I love using clear mascara to take care of flyaways when doing a ponytail that needs to look a bit more sleek," Tardif shares. "Simply gel or spray the hair in the ponytail and save the clear mascara for last as the ultimate touchup to tame flyaways."

How to Remove Clear Mascara

While removing clear mascara isn't any different than removing a colored formula, there's a right way to take off eye makeup in order to prevent irritating the gentle area around the eyes. Mellinger suggests the following three-step process.

First, use micellar water to remove all face makeup. Then, Mellinger says to use an oil-based cleansing balm to break down any remaining makeup residue. "Scoop a small amount into your hands and rub together to warm, then massage [the] skin and eye area gently," she says.

Finally, massage a cream-based cleanser onto skin to ensure skin is completely cleansed and free of makeup, excess oil, and dirt.

Posted on July 05 2023

Never really understood the purpose of Clear Mascara? You're not alone.

Its use might not seem obvious at first, but we’re here to show you how helpful it can actually be on a daily basis. Aside from its intended function of defining and separating your lashes, there are a myriad of uses for the product—some of which don’t even involve your eyes.

Read on for six cool ways to use clear mascara.

1. Brow Gel: Tame your unruly eyebrows with a little clear mascara. The feathery wand will let you comb your arches into the perfect shape, creating an instantly polished look. Use it alone for a natural vibe or over your favorite

   Cream Brow Pencil

   shade. 
2. DIY Color Mascara: Take a loose powdered

   eyeshadow

   in a fun color like bright blue or electric purple, and dip the wand in it and twist until covered. Apply it to your lashes, wash the wand, let your lashes dry, and finish by adding a sealer coat of clear. 
3. Hair Tamer: Clear mascara is a great way to keep fine flyaway hairs in place without using a heavy gel. Take the applicator and simply comb it through the small strands along your hairline.
4. Lash Conditioner: Do your lashes need some extra love? Our mascara is formulated with vitamin B-5 to strengthen and stimulate growth as well as nourishing ingredients like aloe, sunflower extract, sea fennel, avocado extract, and eyebright extract.
5. No-Makeup Look: It’s perfect for creating a no-makeup makeup look—especially on beach days when you still want extra definition, but without the raccoon-like effect. Clear mascara will brighten your eyes and give the illusion of added length.
6. Eyelash Primer: Instead of applying multiple coats of

   your black mascara

   , try swiping on a coat of clear first. This will lock in moisture and give your lashes extra volume.

Pick up a tube and try it for yourself.