Byrdie posted "What a Mascara Primer Can Do For Your Lashes" featuring Visha Skincare founder, Dr. Purvisha Patel's expert commentary on the benefits of a primer and ingredients to look for in a product to promote overall lash health.
What do foundation, mascara, and eye shadow all have in common? They work better with a primer. Le sigh, we know. It may seem like an unnecessary step, but smooth a quick coat of primer on before your favorite mascara and you’ll get thicker, longer, and stronger lashes. How? And why? Well, the formulas in today’s story thicken, lengthen, nourish, and provide a perfectly tacky surface to which the mascara adheres. Instead of clumpy, damaged lashes, you'll be left with lashes that survive every application.
That said, there is a right and wrong way to apply mascara primer to avoid the dreaded clump. To gain some intel on application as well as the benefits of a mascara primer, we consulted with celebrity makeup artist Mary Irwin and board-certified dermatologist, Dr. Purvisha Patel.
MEET THE EXPERT
Mary Irwin is a celebrity makeup artist who has worked with Nicole Scherzinger and Barbie Ferriera.
Purvisha Patel is a board-certified dermatologist and the founder of Visha Skincare.
What Is Mascara Primer?
Mascara primer is a product that's applied pre-mascara that acts as a base coat for your lashes. The goal is to separate the lashes and create a smooth surface for even mascara application. "The cuticle of our hairs is made of overlapping keratin," says Patel. "Mascara primer creates a smooth base by filling in the cracks and creating a smooth surface for the mascara, which ultimately looks like less clumping when mascara is applied." Mascara primers that are meant to be used as a treatment and a primer are typically made of lash-loving ingredients such as keratin, biotin, or vitamin E.
Mascara Primer Benefits
Both experts agree that mascara primer is brimming with lash benefits.
- Provides lash separation
- Offers a thicker, more voluminous lash
- Hydrates, strengthens, and promotes growth, depending on the formula
- Builds length
- Helps lashes hold a curl
Byrdie Tip
Patel notes that some people may be allergic to colophony, a common ingredient in eyelash primer and mascara that helps the product stick. This contact allergen is also in Band-Aids, so if you're allergic to Band-Aids, skip eyelash primers and mascaras that list this as an ingredient.
Does Mascara Primer Really Work?
Bottom line: yes, but it depends what you're after. "Lashes that are short or weak will notice a big difference with a primer versus without," explains Irwin. "You’re essentially building up length and thickness where there wasn’t any before." This is especially true if you're sporting fine or lighter-colored lashes, as having that extra layer of primer will help fake the appearance of thicker lashes.
In terms of its lash-strengthening properties, a mascara primer enriched with keratin can help—it’s the protein that the actual hair is made of, and when coated on the lash can make brittle lashes stronger. Lashes suffering from damage can also benefit from primers that have conditioning benefits—Irwin touts ingredients like hydrolyzed silk and peptides (in addition to keratin and biotin), but notes that you should use a lash serum designed to promote growth if your lashes are severely damaged.
In terms of clump risk, Patel notes that mascara primer is effective at preventing clumping from occurring. "Clumping happens when multiple lashes get a coat of mascara together," she explains. "Primers separate the lashes before the mascara is applied, thus preventing clumping [when applied correctly]."
How to Apply Mascara Primer
According to Irwin, you must be mindful with your application in order to get thick, lengthy lashes that are clump-free. "I like to apply and let the lashes mostly dry—but not all the way—before applying mascara," she says. "I’m also a big fan of lash guards, like Tweezerman's No Mess Mascara Guard ($14). You hold them in between the lashes and the lid during application and it allows you to really get into the lashes and coat every one, top and bottom."
Below, Irwin lays out the sequential steps to applying mascara primer.
- Dip your wand into the tube
- Tilt head back and look into a mirror
- Apply primer starting at the root and wiggling the wand out towards the tips
- Repeat to the tops of your lashes
- Wait 15 to 30 seconds—the mascara should be about 90% dry
- Apply mascara using the same technique, making sure to wiggle beginning at the base of the lash to the tip
Byrdie Tip
Remember that just like mascara, your eyelash primer should be replaced every three months. "The wand is not sterile and gets put back in the tube after every use, which can harbor bacteria over time," warns Patel.