Blue-who

Yup, we're talking to you. We've got he line on batting a blue lash this season with style. Shocked? We're sure, but the truth is this year's blue is no eighties has-been. The new blue is dark and rich, in hues such as cobalt and midnight. Not just for blue-eyed girls, the new blue mascara makes brown eyes pop, hazel eyes turn green and blue eyes bluer. For those not ready to jump in, accent just the ends of lashes with a touch of blue atop your regular mascara for a hint of color without the complete commitment.

Add some color to those pretty peeps with one of our favorite new blue mascaras. One to try is Benefit Cosmetics' BADgal blue, a deep-blue-violet mascara that bulks up lashes; $19 at benefitcosmetics.com. Another personal favorite is Diorshow Unlimited Mascara in Azure Blue, a lengthening and curling mascara from Christian Dior; $23 at department stores. Still doubt that blue will do for you? Opt for L'Oreal's drugstore bargain, Hip High Drama Volumizing Mascara in Ultimate Blue Black; $9.99 at Walgreens. And, should you fall in love with blue and desire exclusivity, call your favorite day spa and book lash-tinting in blue, a semi-permanent solution that imparts customized color that lasts for up to 4 weeks; prices begin at $20.

 

Bulk Up

Spring's lashes are strong. To get the look, you'll need to bulk those babies up. While lash extensions are a solid option, natural lashes can get big naturally with the right routine. Start with a brawny eye lash base such as Bare Escentuals' Lash Builder. Applied before mascara, this conditioning base oat gives the illusion of thicker lashes while locking in color; $15 www.bareescentuals.com.

 

Based in Paris, Talika Laboratories has built an entire brand around pretty peeps. The Talika collection includes products that promise to not only beautify brows and lashes, but also to promote growth for those who have lost precious brow and lash hair. According to the company, every product is clinically tested by a team of dermatologists at Hôpitaux Paris Pitié-Salpetrière in France. Our favorite products from the line include Eyelash Lipocils, a transparent gel that Talika guarantees will stimulate the growth of lashes ($38); Lash Extender, a product that actually "extends" lashes in an instant thanks to rayon fibers that adhere to lashes ($26.50); and the Mini Eye Lash Curler, a purse size curler perfect for on-the-go lash curlin' touch ups ($13). The Talika collection is available online at www.talika.com.

Eye Do's

-Do apply Mascara with a heavy hand at the base of lashes: Mascara applied at the roots of lashes give the illusion of length

-Do apply a lash base (or even face powder) before applying mascara; this will keep mascara from heading south.

-Do throw mascara out every three months religiously (if yours lasts that long)

-Do curl lashes. This one small step gives the appearance of longer and thicker lashes.