The right mascara technique can transform sparse, straight mature lashes into full, lifted ones — no falsies required. Nikol Johnson shares the mascara method she swears by, plus an extra little hack.
Key Takeaways
- Technique matters as much as the mascara itself.
- Curling first lifts and opens the eye.
- How you apply mascara builds fullness.
- A small hack takes lashes further.
What is the mascara technique?
Curl, then apply with intention. The method Nikol swears by starts with a good lash curl to lift and open the eye, then applies mascara with a wiggle-and-sweep motion from the roots — working the base first for lift and fullness before coating the lengths. There's also an extra little hack in the tutorial that takes lashes even further. It's about technique, which makes an ordinary mascara look far more dramatic.
What products create fuller lashes?
A curler and a quality mascara. Start with a lash curler to lift, then build with VOLUME UP Mascara, working from the roots for lift and fullness. Priming the eye with an Eye Primer beforehand keeps everything fresh and smudge-free through the day.
Why does technique matter more on mature lashes?
Because mature lashes are often sparser and straighter. As lashes thin and lose curl with age, simply swiping on mascara isn't enough — curling and a roots-first application create the lift and fullness that make eyes look open and awake. Good technique does more than an expensive mascara alone, which is the theme of Nikol's mature-skin makeup guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you apply mascara for fuller lashes?
Curl the lashes first, then apply mascara with a wiggle-and-sweep motion starting at the roots to build lift and fullness before coating the lengths. Working the base first is what makes lashes look full and lifted.
How do you make thin lashes look thicker?
Curl to open the eye, work mascara into the roots where lashes are densest, and build in thin coats. Roots-first application and a good curl make sparse, mature lashes look noticeably fuller without falsies.
Should you curl lashes before or after mascara?
Before — always curl before applying mascara. Curling wet or coated lashes can damage them. Curling first lifts and opens the eye, then mascara sets the curl and adds fullness.
Why doesn't my mascara make my lashes look full?
It's often technique, not the mascara. Without curling and roots-first application, lashes look flat. Curling to lift and working mascara into the base builds the fullness that swiping on the tips alone can't achieve.
