Beauty School: Which Wand?
Hi everyone,
Not all mascaras are created equal, and mascara wands are just as important as the actual formula inside the tube. With so many different shapes and sizes to choose from these days, it's useful to know what each wand does. From big to small and combed to curved, this Beauty School post will go over a few of the key differences in wand anatomy to help you get the most out of your mascara.
Brush Shapes
- Straight wands: Most mascaras come with a standard straight wand. This is the basic shape and is the most natural to use.
- Curved brushes have the arc of your lashes and eye shape in mind, and are meant to give you an easy, all-over application.
- Heart-shaped brushes are a combination of the different shapes. They start out as standard brush heads, and taper in to form a narrower point at the end. This design is meant to give you precision when you need it, as well as a normal brush when you don't.
- Round mascara heads are relatively new. The small, spherical shape is supposed to allow you to reach each and every lash easier than if you were using a larger brush.
Bristle Types
- Standard brush hairs are typically made out of synthetic fibers. These bristly hairs are good for voluminous application, especially when there are a lot of bristles in a single wand.
- Plastic, combed brush heads are good for separation and help you avoid those dreaded spidery lashes.
- Rubber-bristled wands have become really popular and are good for clump-free, voluminous lashes. Mascara tends to dry up less on these kinds of bristles since the formula slides on and off much easier, rather than getting trapped on brush hairs.
- Vibrating or oscillating mascaras may sound strange, but these are great for volume; they do a lot of the wiggling work for you, ensuring that your lashes are separated and evenly coated.
What type of mascara wand do you use? Have you tried all the ones on this list?
For more mascara know-how, check out my must-see mascara tutorial here.
<3 Mish
P.S. And click here for one of my favorite tricks for smudge-free application. : )
Related:
Beauty School:Essential Brushes
Do Mascara Commercials Need To Get Real
Tip of the Day: Try the Business Card Mascara Trick
Beauty School: Brush Hairs
51 comments
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back in the day, when i first started using makeup there was a company with the PERFECT brush! it could have been "define a lash" ..not sure. i remember it was in a grey tube. it was a straight brush but it was PACKED with close set bristles. i didn't need to squiggle it, jiggle it, nothing, just brush on, easy as you please and add a second coat if you needed to, but most of the time you got everything perfect the first time. i've been in pursuit of that brush ever since! i can not STAND the plastic/rubber bristles! they make my lashes clump up something fierce! most of the seem to hardly even HAVE any bristles, or they're so far apart. a couple years ago i sprang for some lancome mascara, which to me is a HUUUGE spluge! well, imagine my surprise when i find out one side of the brush is skimpy bristles and the other side is some sort of comb! SO frustrated! i bought disposable spoolies from a supply store just to apply the stuff! mascara is an addiction for me, i love it deeply, especially since i don't have to dye my lashes so much, but it's a bittersweet thing for me, very love hate! :)-
Mar 18, 2013 at 5:28pm0 0just fyi, i looked, and the lancome brush was the fatale brush, which i described wrong.. it's actually 3 combs, widely spaced apart around the wand with itty bitty teeth. it's practically guaranteed to clump, it's just ridiculous! especially when paired with the diamante formula, which is glittery. the formula is great, the brush is a perfect study in awful!flag
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Do you guys have one mascara that you always turn to? Or do you switch it up depending on the look you're going for? -
I just started using Clinique high lengths mascara. It actually has a differnt brush. It is curved but has plastic short, short thick bristles that only cover a little less than half of the head. It works great to lengthen lashes, but not so much for volume. So I use it as my first coat and another for volume to get a great look :) -
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So helpful thanks!!
Please check out my new beauty blog http://angelinajolielips.wordpress.com/
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I love the Ultimate mascara by Mary Kay in black. Omg, its amazing everytime. Adds lots of volume and coats each lash. Standard bristles but a different wand than you listed. Second fav, Lash Love mascara (also Mary Kay). It has a straight wand with plastic bristles and makes them nice and long with the right amount of volume for everyday.
I love all of it SOO much I decided to become a rep! :)
www.marykay.com/amber.rehm
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i bought a lot of products from clinique
and i bought there high impact curling mascara and i love it!;D
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I've tried Curvy and Skinny from Eyeko and they work well. ;)
Have a great day evyerone!
xo, Pretty Gossip
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I like round brushes! Check out my thick lash trick!
http://colorandcrease.blogspot.in/2012/05/easy-trick-thick-lashes-using-talcum.html
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this is very helpful! thanks!
I like curved, I found it easier to use.
never tried the round one~~~
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I just bought a new macara from lancome "You talked about it so i wanted to try it out" and I love it so thx Michelle and I can't wight to see where your going next on "wonderlust"
saiaino-chan.blogspot.se/
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I used once (upon a time) the curved and the round yet although I forgot about having them (lol). They just did not appeal to me back then...guess it was smth abot the formula . I just felt ok (so far) with the straight and the heart shaped one ... I'll give them another shot one of these days. :d
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Havent used the round tip before... Looks cool I am going to try and find one :)
xo Emilie
PS please check out my latest blog post @ http://www.hungrydelights.com/ -
curve! definitely curve :) easier to apply and it applies evenly :) i want to try the vibrate thing and i think it must be easier to apply the mascara, right?
http://chocolatemuff.blospot.com follow me and I'll follow you :)
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I HATE the rubber bristles. No matter what brand of mascara, the rubber ones cause my lashes to clump something terrible. I have long, thin lashes. Without actual bristles to comb them apart, they cling back together again and make a mess. I have to pull out my lash comb and do some emergency seperation before the formula dries.
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i prefer the curve ones!
ps: Giveaway! ---> 3 piece French nail set from Loreal
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I already used the straigth's one , the curved's one and the heart's one.I don't choose a wand in particulary, it depends of the Mascara I decide to buy...Actually I don't notice a difference in their application ...But next time I'll wear make up, I'll pay more attention to.Otherwise, I've never been hearing of the round; no matter, it doesn't appeal to me...However, if I'll get an opportunity to try it, I'll do it....
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