Would you like to have more voluminous lashes? If you have never tried a mascara primer, you are missing out on an amazing product to enhance your lashes. A lash primer will make your lashes longer and more voluminous than simply applying mascara. Yes, it is an extra step, however, is well worth the effort in my opinion and is a must have staple product in your makeup routine.
I do not even recall how long ago it was that I initially tried this product or why I tried it as I hadn’t heard anyone talk about. However, I do recall the first one I tried was the Lancome Cils Booster eyelash primer. Maybe I needed another product to qualify for the Lancome gift with purchase? Sounds like something I would do. Anyway, I have to say that ever since then, which was a long time ago, it has become an every day part of my makeup routine.
If you have never heard of a mascara primer, it does what the name suggests, it primes your lashes. A lash primer is typically white in colour, coats your lashes with ingredients that intensifies your lashes giving them extra length and volume. This is applied before you apply mascara.
I know you are asking yourself the same question I asked myself which is, so rather than doing two steps and buying two products, why do makeup brands not just include the primer ingredients in with a mascara and call it a day? Good question. I don’t know the answer. Maybe the ingredients cannot be combined, or maybe it’s a way for brands to make us purchase another product. I don’t really know. I do know however, that I would pay more if makeup brands did combine them, just so that it is in one step.
This product is a great alternative for those of you who are considering lash extensions and have never taken the plunge. Perhaps this product can satisfy your lash extension craving by enhancing your lashes without the time, cost or risks of extensions. Of course with extensions your lashes look ‘boom’ all the time and with this product, you only get voluminous lashes when you apply the product with your mascara. It won’t make your lashes look the same as if you have lash extensions, but it will enhance your lashes more than if you wore just mascara.
Product Choices
I have provided three alternative products that I use below and like them all. One product is high end and the other two are drugstore brands. I do like the high end (Lancome) primer the best, however, I am also happy with the drugstore brands. There of course are other brands you can try, however, these work well for me and so I stick to them.
Pros and Cons
There are a couple of pros and cons to lash primers, in my opinion, the pros (results) outweigh the cons.
Pros
- definitely enhances the look of your lashes. There is a significant difference in lash length and volume when I use mascara primer and when I don’t. Therefore, to me, the cost to purchase and the time to apply is well worth it. And really, the extra step takes under a minute.
- some primers include nourishing and moisturizing ingredients that are good for your lashes
Cons
- two step process
- have to be careful to coat lashes so you don’t see the white primer
- extra cost to purchase an additional product
Application Tips
The application is not hard, you just need to get used to how to apply it. I find there is definitely a sweet spot with respect to ‘timing’ as far as when to apply your mascara over top of the primer. This is the only tricky part. You don’t want to apply mascara too soon because some of the primer can lift off when you apply your mascara; however, you also don’t want to wait too long to apply your mascara so that the primer is dry, dry. You want to apply it right at the right time.
The application really comes down to your own preferences and depends on the products you are using, however, here are the instructions on how I apply:
1. curl your lashes
2. apply mascara primer by coating your lashes with the same amount of product and vigour and in the same method you would as mascara. I would encourage a relatively substantial amount of product to coat your lashes and apply one coat of primer. Apply the primer to the top lashes; you may also wish to apply to your lower lashes (I do both and sometimes just upper lashes, it depends on the look I am trying to achieve).
3. wait about 45-60 seconds
4. apply your mascara as you normally would. I would apply two coats of mascara to ensure you cover all the white primer and enhance your lashes as much as possible. I don’t find I have any difficulties covering up the primer.
If you do not want to use a lash primer every day, absolutely you should apply it when you go out in the evening and for special occasions. If you have more sparse lashes, I would recommend every day.
Final Thoughts
I would encourage you to take a leap of faith and try a more voluminous lash look if you have never tried it before. I find that some women are a bit afraid of mascara or the look of voluminous lashes and therefore, just wear a tiny bit of mascara. A voluminous lash enhances everyone’s look. There is no downside to beautiful lashes. If you try a lash primer for the first time and found it made a difference to your lashes, let me know, I would love to hear from you.
All the best and until next time…
