How to Apply Mascara Without Clumps

Wipe excess product from the wand before application and use a zigzag motion from root to tip.

Most people use too much product thinking more equals better, when the opposite is true—restraint is what makes lashes look expensive.

1. Prep the wand. Remove excess mascara by wiping the wand on a tissue or the tube's rim. Too much product on the brush creates clumps before you even start. The goal is an evenly coated wand, not a heavily loaded one.
2. Start at the base. Place the wand at your lash roots and wiggle it gently side to side while pulling upward. This deposits product evenly and separates lashes from the start. Hold for two seconds at the roots for lift.
3. Use the zigzag technique. Move the wand in a subtle zigzag motion as you sweep from root to tip. This prevents lashes from clumping together and ensures each lash gets coated individually rather than stuck to its neighbors.
4. Work in thin layers. Apply one thin coat, let it set for 30 seconds, then apply a second if needed. Building coverage gradually prevents the wet-on-wet clumping that happens when you pile on product too quickly.