No matter if you’re a makeup minimalist or self-taught pro, chances are mascara has a place in your beauty routine. That said, the issue of it smudging during application is something of a universal beauty struggle.
My particularly droopy upper eyelids make the problem even worse—which is why Tweezerman No Mess Mascara Guard ($10; tweezerman.
com) caught my attention. This tiny silicone tool is meant to act as a barrier between your lashes and eyelids, protecting your eyeshadow, undereye concealer, or even just your bare lid from pesky smudges. Simply hold the device in place above your lash line and behind your lashes (or below, if you’re coating your bottom set) and apply mascara as normal.Sounds easy enough, right? Well, sort of—I took the guard for a test-drive and have to admit that there’s a bit of a learning curve involved. At first, I struggled to hold the tool and apply my mascara simultaneously. But I quickly got the hang of it (it’s just a matter of practice) and can now say with certainty that this particular device is by far the most effective smudge-repelling tactic I’ve tried. Sure, using a playing card or even business card as a barrier works in much the same way, but it’s far more awkward to maneuver since the shape doesn’t cater to the contours of your eye.
Consider your sanity saved.
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