Wearing mascara is a necessary evil. With a few tips, applying mascara will transform your stubby eyelashes to long, lush beauties, just like the rest of you.

If you weren't blessed with long dark lashes, you probably rely on your mascara as much as some people do their glasses. All the shadow and lipstick in the world won't make you look awake until you apply mascara.

It is also one of the weirdest makeup products because it's sort of like brushing on tar. I'm still waiting for the day when a cosmetic company figures out how to make lash paint that doesn't look and feel like dried glue. As you can tell, I'm one of the girls who has pale stubby lashes and has to deal with mascara on a daily basis. It's a love-hate relationship.

I've found a few tricks over the years to make applying mascara a more tolerable experience:

Use a lash curler first. It'll make the process a lot faster, and you won't have to use as much.

Avoid colored mascara unless you're going for a techno look.

Blot the end of the wand on a tissue (not the tube) to clean off excess. This helps keep clumps off your lashes.

Apply to the upper lashes of one eye from base to end repeatedly, building on the ends, until you've got the right look. Then recoat the wand and switch to the other eye.

Do the bottom lashes last holding your wand in a vertical position.

Use waterproof if there's any chance of a shower, swim or tearful moment in your immediate future. Nothing worse than raccoon eyes.

Remove every night (and I mean every night) with a proper makeup remover.

That's about it. Of course, you'll have to try every mascara made before you find one you like

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Any woman who doesn't crave long, beautiful lashes was probably lucky enough to be to born with them. Those of us who are less fortunate fake it with a great mascara and some tried-and-true application expertise.

Mascara is makeup's little black dress -- it looks great on every woman and adds a touch of drama to holiday style.

"Consider two things when choosing your mascara," says Darac, the director of artistic development at Prescriptives.

"First, are you looking for a mascara that gives a subtle effect or one that's va-voom?

A gel-based formula will enhance your lashes, whereas a thickening formula will make them look more dramatic and voluptuous."

Second, consider color: A true black brightens the eye area. "But not all blacks are black," explains Darac. "Swipe the mascara on the back of your hand to see its actual color. Many shades that call themselves black are really bluish-gray."

"I never leave my house without curled lashes," says celebrity makeup artist Mally Roncal. "It's an instant eye lift." On bare lashes only, position an eyelash curler (Shu Uemura's is a favorite of most makeup artists) close to the lash line and -- gently -- crimp lashes, "walking" the eyelash curler out and crimping again.

Overenthusiastic curling will irreparably damage lashes.

Wipe the curler clean with makeup remover after each use.

Now take out the mascara wand and roll it on a tissue to remove any excess product.

Hold the wand at the base of the lashes, give the wand a wiggle and pull it through the lashes.

Build volume with several thin layers rather than a single gloppy one.

Comb them out with a metal eyelash comb or a disposable plastic wand. Skip the mascara on your bottom lashes; it isn't very modern and can leave you looking like a Kewpie doll.

Subtly change your look with a sophisticated colored mascara in such shades as brown, navy or aubergine. Burgundies look especially great on redheads; browns complement strawberry-blond hair or blond lashes.

"But, as the saying goes, never display emeralds on a green cloth," says Darac.

That means blue-eyed women should not wear navy, nor should green-eyed girls use green shades.

Easy on the eyes.

Treat fragile lashes by rubbing a light hydrating eye cream onto them each night.

Replace old mascara with a new one every three months.

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Whether you'd like longer lashes or can't find a smudge-free brush, Bobbi has the best mascara choices for your eyes.

Back in college--when I pulled all-nighters--I learned that a swipe of mascara made me look wide-awake the next day. Today, I still rely on it because, as a working mom, I sometimes skimp on sleep. On those day-afters, mascara quickly brightens and opens up my eyes. Once you see the results, you'll count on it every day.

Why it works: Waxes and films plump up each lash, and heavier pigments add definition. The wand's tightly packed bristles deposit extra color for a voluminous look. And--unlike big brushes, which can't reach the lash's base--short bristles sweep the entire lash length.

A caution: A heavy consistency can clump, and thick layers may flake and smear. So use a light hand and flick on just one coat. If needed, separate lashes with a lash brush.

Why it works: Fibers and buildable waxes cling together to elongate lashes. This thinner formula lays down sheer coats, so you can add another layer to enhance the illusion of length. Bristles--arranged farther apart in a spiraled pattern--help fan out lashes. For really striking eyes, apply to upper lashes from the underside going from root to tip. Then apply a second coat to the tips of the top outer third lashes. One caveat: Fiber-based mascaras may flake, irritating sensitive as well as contact lens wearers' eyes.

Why it works: Sealants, which create a water-resistant border around each lash, help prevent smearing. Still, go easy on the eye cream because oily emollients can cause smudging. Dusting loose, yellow-toned face powder under your eyes will help prevent running. Because this formula can be drying, reserve it for special occasions such as weddings, or give your lashes a break every few days. And if you have sensitive eyes, beware: It's harder to take off and requires an oil-based makeup remover. But it's less likely to irritate contact lens wearers' eyes because the particles break down more slowly and are less prone to flaking.

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