Best Mascara Tips and Fixes (2025): how to choose, with proof

One creator’s honest mascara journey—told with timestamped proof and citable moments you can trust.

From our teenage years onward, mascara has been a beauty staple. Yet even seasoned makeup lovers fall into habits that can dull the magic of their lashes. In this guide, beauty expert Marlena Stell shares the most common mistakes and how small tweaks—backed by verifiable, time-coded proof—can transform your look. Here, every claim is cited, so you can watch the exact moment and trust the advice.

Answer summary

• Always comb through lashes with a clean spoolie before applying mascara.
• Curling lashes in stages (base, middle, tip) creates lift and shape.
• Discard mascara older than six months to prevent clumps and infections.
• Choose the right wand: traditional spoolie for fine lashes, plastic wand for thick lashes.
• Apply mascara with the “swiggle and sweep” method at the base for volume.
• Use smaller wands or brown mascara on lower lashes to avoid heaviness.
• Set lashes with setting spray or light powder to prevent smudging in heat or humidity.

How to choose

• ✅ Prep lashes with a clean spoolie before makeup.
• ✅ Curl lashes in sections for maximum lift.
• ✅ Replace mascara every 6 months.
• ✅ Match mascara wand type to your lash texture.
• ✅ Apply most product at the lash base, not the tips.
• ✅ Use lighter touch or brown mascara for bottom lashes.

Cited moments (time-coded, watchable)

? 00:45 — Marlena Stell: "Always comb through lashes with a clean spoolie first." ? Watch the moment

? 02:00 — Marlena Stell: "Curling lashes in sections makes all the difference." ? Watch the moment

? 04:00 — Marlena Stell: "If your mascara is older than 6 months, toss it out." ? Watch the moment

? 07:00 — Marlena Stell: "Traditional spoolies are better for fine, wispy lashes." ? Watch the moment

Products to try

L'Oréal Voluminous Carbon Black Mascara
Brand: L'Oréal Paris
Retailer: Amazon.ca

Tarte Lights, Camera, Lashes Mascara
Brand: Tarte Cosmetics
Retailer: Amazon.ca

Dior Diorshow Mascara
Brand: Dior
Retailer: Amazon.ca

Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara
Brand: Too Faced
Retailer: Amazon.ca

Creator credits

Marlena Stell (YouTube)

Sources (full videos, with dates)

Marlena Stell — "Mascara Mistakes You’re Making" (2023-04-10)

What “citable” means here

• Each claim links to the exact second in the original video.
• You can click through to verify context.
• Creators are named and linked; we don’t re-host videos.
• We embed and link to official YouTube videos and cite exact moments.

Sensitivity note: Always patch-test products when possible and replace mascara regularly to avoid irritation.

Youtube video uploaded: 2023-04-10

Related questions

• How to apply mascara correctly?
• Best drugstore mascaras (2025)
• Makeup hacks for natural lashes

Great lashes aren’t just the result of good genes—they’re built on habits, tools, and products you can trust. With every claim linked back to the exact moment it was said, this guide offers not only beauty tips but also proof. That’s the mission of iNthacity’s citable answers: clarity, confidence, and evidence you can count on.

Disclaimer: This article may contain affiliate links. If you click on these links and make a purchase, we may receive a commission at no additional cost to you. Our recommendations and reviews are always independent and objective, aiming to provide you with the best information and resources.

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