Instructions for Use: How to Apply a Mascara Serum?

Taking care of eyelashes is often a neglected step in a makeup routine. Today, mascara alone is no longer enough to achieve longer, stronger lashes; they also require dedicated treatment. Subjected to damage from improper makeup removal, frequent use of an eyelash curler, or extensions, lashes can fall out, become brittle, damaged, or less dense. However, a mascara serum allows for regular care and maintenance of lashes thanks to the various active ingredients in its formula.

While mascara is used to add color, enhance curl intensity, and create the illusion of longer, thicker lashes, the mascara serum, on the other hand, is designed to preserve lash health to prevent premature shedding and promote growth. Moreover, unlike false eyelashes and traditional mascaras, this hybrid treatment provides long-lasting results. The mascara serum is thus a cosmetic lash treatment, which combines the properties of a mascara primer and those of a conventional mascara in a single product. Multifunctional, it is formulated to tint lashes, shape them, add volume, and open up the eye area for a more striking look. Enriched with fortifying and nourishing active ingredients, it stimulates lash growth, limits fallout, and extends lash length over time for a natural finish.

The application of a mascara serum follows the same protocol as traditional mascara. It should always be applied at the end of your makeup routine, namely after foundation and eye makeup (eyeshadows, eyeliner...). While mascara requires a base, with a mascara serum, this step is no longer necessary.

Little tip : If you wear contact lenses, it is recommended to insert them before applying any makeup—whether on the eyes, eyebrows, or foundation—to reduce the risk of ocular irritation or even infection. Applying makeup first can allow cosmetic particles to enter the eye and become trapped between the lens and the ocular globe.

Here are the various steps to properly apply a mascara serum in order to achieve longer, more voluminous lashes:

1. Remove the applicator from the mascara serum tube by gently twisting it rather than moving it back and forth, allowing it to absorb an adequate amount of product and preserving the serum’s integrity. Indeed, back-and-forth motions promote air entry and thus accelerate the product’s drying.

2. Facing the mirror, lift your chin and look downward. After removing any excess mascara serum, on the upper lashes—starting at the center of the eye—place the brush at the lash base to better promote growth and reach the follicles, and extend the formula to the tips with a slight zigzag motion. This movement will coat the lashes and impart curl. Then sweep upward along the lashes to distribute the product evenly for a uniform result. For the shorter lashes in the inner corner of the eye, use the applicator’s tip;

   Quick tip : It is essential to execute the proper motion to minimize product clumping on the eyelashes, applying in a single stroke rather than making multiple passes.

3. After each coat of serum-based mascara, before it dries, use a clean mascara wand to shape your lashes into a more pronounced curve, since the result immediately after applying serum-based mascara is not optimal. This step also smooths the product and removes excess to prevent clumping on the lashes.

   Quick Tip : To optimize the wear of the mascara serum, you can apply a small amount of loose powder to the first coat of mascara before adding a second.

4. For a more noticeable result and fuller-looking lashes, apply a second coat. However, wait a few minutes between applications to allow the previous layer to dry. It is not recommended to apply the serum-mascara more than three times, as this may cause clumping on the lashes and weigh down the makeup;

5. After applying makeup to the upper lashes, you can then tint the central portion of the lower lashes by sweeping the brush’s rounded tip in a vertical orientation for improved precision, coating each lash individually and avoiding any product on the face.

   If you have overflowed, wait until the stain is dry to avoid spreading it further before removing it with the tip of a dry cotton swab.

At the end of the day, remember to remove it thoroughly, even though it also serves as a treatment, using an eye makeup remover. Indeed, it can dehydrate the eyelashes, render them brittle and promote shedding, and may even cause irritation, conjunctivitis, or blepharitis. You can, for example, opt for a cleansing oil or a bi-phase makeup remover, both of which are effective at removing all residues of the mascara serum.