Beauty BFF Viewer Q & A: Mascara Mishaps

Q: My question is about mascara. I seem to always end up with "raccoon eyes" no matter how waterproof the mascara claims to be. Is there a way of preventing this? What mascara do you think is the most smudge or waterproof?

A: Hmmm, that can be quite frustrating, I have definitely been there before.  Onepotential pitfall- are you applying concealer to your under eye area right up to the lash line? You want to avoid doing that. The oils in the concealer can come into contact with the mascara on your lashes and cause it to run and smudge. Apply concealer about an inch under the eye, and then blend up. This way you avoid having too much product in the danger zone where it could cause makeup meltdown, but you can still get ample coverage if you need it.

A new mascara that I recently started experimenting with which has proven itself to be quite smudge proof is Lashes to Die For THE MASCARA from Peter Thomas Roth. Formulated to help lashes look longer, thicker and fuller without clumping, smudging or flaking, the innovative brush features two specialized zones for targeted length and volume. It layers really nicely- so when I want more drama, I can easily get it.  I have been applying it at 8 in the morning, and when I finally make it home 14 hours later, there is nary a smudge in sight. I am also a big fan of L'Oreal Voluminous Mascara- you can read more about that here- it is a great drugstore buy. For maximum staying power, I suggest minimal layering- two coats max will give you lush lashes and longevity.