Everyone wants to have long gorgeous lashes and unfortunately, it's usually the men that are blessed with the long silky variety. We have to work at it. And this generally means wear and tear, not to mention a few lost lashes along the way. So, here are a series of questions and answers that will make you more knowledgeable on the care of your lashes.

My lashes are falling out! What does this mean?

Normally, it is perfectly natural for a few lashes to fall out but if it is excessive, you might be doing something wrong. You MUST be gentle when you remove your mascara. Never wipe or pull at the lashes. It is also a good idea to pay attention to how much mascara you use. The more you use, the harder it is to remove and the wear and tear on delicate lashes can cause them to fall out.

Try to avoid waterproof mascara as they are the hardest to remove. Even your pillow maybe at fault for falling lashes. You could be allergic to the filling, causing your eyes to swell and damage to the lash area.

Are eyelash curlers harmful?

Everyone has used them, myself included but its best not to get into this habit. The eyelash curler bends them into a severe angle that is not natural, not to mention the possibility of breaking or pulling them out. If you are going to use them, be sure that lashes are clear of any mascara. Use the best lash curler that you can find offering a thick sponge tip. Squeeze gently, hold for a few seconds and then release the pressure slowly. Gently remove from the eye area.

Are all makeup formulations the same?

You will find mascara that is waterproof and mascara that is water soluble. Avoid the waterproof on most occasions. It should only be used in special circumstances... like weddings or perhaps an occasional trip to the beach. It is understandable that you don't want to find yourself with black streaks running down your face but waterproof mascara is difficult to remove without tugging at the eye area.

Is high price mascara any better than the low priced varieties?

Not really. Regardless of the kind you choose, it should not melt, flake or clump and you cannot tell by the price of the mascara how good it is. Ask your friends for recommendations.

What should I be aware of?

In a word, mascara that has already started to dry out. If you find this happening, take it back for a refund or a new tube. To prevent your new tube from drying out, don't pump the wand into the mascara. This carries air down into the tube, hastening the drying out. You should also avoid choosing a brand that offers a big brush. Having a large brush means that the tube has to have a larger opening. Needless to say, this allows even more air to enter the tube. Actually, I find the big brushes are more of a hindrance than anything else making it harder to reach the lashes at the corners of your eyes.

What is the best way to remove mascara?

If you think about it, the use of eye makeup removers cause you to wipe at the eye area and you don't want to do this. It causes sagging and you already know how delicate this skin is. Instead, use a cleanser that will remove it.

What is the best way to apply?

Upper Lashes: use a rolling technique starting as close to the lash line as possible and coat to the end of the lashes gently curving them upward as you go. Powder the lashes and reapply.

Bottom lashes can be a little more tricky. You have to hold the wand perpendicular to the eye and parallel to the lashes. This prevents mascara from marring below the eye. It also allows you to hit the corners of the eyes using this technique. And be sure to DO the lower lashes. It looks odd if you ignore the lower and just darken the upper lashes. On a last note, save an old brush that has been well cleaned to remove any clumps that occur and to separate lashes.

Are there any dangers involved with the use of mascara?

Definitely....in a word, bacteria. It is extremely important to toss out mascara after 4 months use but if there is an unusual odor coming from the tube before the throw away date, discard immediately. Bacteria contaminants found on the applicators and in the product can and have lead to severe eye damage, even blindness. Actually there are several cases on record that indicate that this isn't an isolated case or two.

What causes mascara to flake?

It usually means that it is too old. Throw away immediately.

How do you stop your mascara from melting?

There is a mascara product on the market that is perfectly clear. After you apply your mascara, seal it with this product and the melting does not occur. Actually, you can get even more mileage out of the clear mascara by using it to control ruly brows. Holds them in place nicely and is not visible.