Colour the root”: a makeup artist trick for smudge-free mascara all day long
Mascara leaving dark smudges under your eyes by midday is one of the most frustrating things about everyday makeup. To fix it, content creator @Tommypierremakeup, who has more than 1.4 million followers on TikTok, shares a concrete three-step method. This makeup artist trick relies on simple gestures and accessible products to deliver a clean result from morning to night.
Why does your mascara smudge so much?
Before fixing the problem, you need to understand where it comes from. Mascara can run for several reasons: too generous an application, lashes overloaded with product, or an unwanted mix with concealer. Concealer is naturally an oily product, and that oil encourages mascara to transfer under the eyes. This is precisely the phenomenon that this makeup artist trick aims to neutralise from the very first step.
On top of that, the area around the eyes is particularly sensitive to rubbing. Forgetting you’re wearing mascara and touching your lids is enough to ruin everything. The result: a heavy-looking gaze, unsightly marks, and a full makeup redo.
Loose powder: the first makeup artist trick against panda eyes
The technique demonstrated by @Tommypierremakeup starts with a tool that is often underestimated: loose powder. Using a fine brush, the idea is to dust a little just below the waterline, on the upper lid, and directly onto the lashes. This step creates a barrier between the mascara and the concealer, preventing the two products from mixing and causing smudging.
In practice, this makeup artist trick acts like an invisible shield. It doesn’t alter the look of your makeup, but it dramatically changes how long it lasts. It’s a quick gesture, yet its impact on wear time is considerable.
The application technique to prevent transfer
Once the powder is in place, applying the mascara itself follows a precise logic. The makeup artist recommends using a tilted mirror to look upward, which makes it easier to reach the root of the lashes. The goal is to colour the root rather than coating the entire length of the lash.
Because here lies a makeup artist trick that is often overlooked: concentrating product on the tips of the lashes increases the risk of transfer throughout the day. By limiting the amount applied to the ends, you mechanically reduce the chances of smudging.
- Apply loose powder below the waterline, on the upper lid, and onto the lashes before mascara.
- Tilt a mirror to look upward and make it easier to reach the root of the lashes.
- Colour the root of the lashes, avoiding applying too much product to the tips.
- Run a wide-tooth lash comb through to remove clumps and separate each lash.
- Finish by dusting a veil of loose powder around the lashes to set everything in place.
The lash comb and final powder for a flawless finish
The third step of this method tackles clumps, those buildups of product that weigh down the look and give an untidy result. To get rid of them, the makeup artist recommends using a wide-tooth lash comb, drawn gently through the lashes after application. This removes excess product while separating each lash for a much cleaner finish.
Finally, the makeup artist trick wraps up with a second veil of loose powder around the lashes. This last step sets everything and reinforces the staying power of the makeup. It’s a detail that makes all the difference over time.
Tubing or waterproof: which mascara should you use for this method?
@Tommypierremakeup specifies that this technique requires a particular type of mascara: tubing or waterproof mascara. Both formulas are essential for the method to work fully. Waterproof is well known for its resistance to water, but it has one major drawback: it is difficult to remove and can, over time, damage the lashes.
Tubing mascara, on the other hand, is presented by the makeup artist as a genuine game-changer. It comes off easily with water, resists oil, and leaves no marks. As a result, it combines the benefits of waterproof without the downsides. For anyone looking for an effective makeup artist trick that is also kind to lashes, tubing therefore appears to be the most suitable choice according to this method.
