Admit it - you've been known to harbor perfectionist tendencies on occasion. A touch of Type A personality here and there never hurt anyone, but there are only so many times you can reformat your résumé. So put away your rainbow highlighters and set aside that stack of itemized lists for a moment to brush up on a skill you may think you mastered long ago: mascara application. Because as you very well know, there is always room for improvement. The proof is in these eight pro tricks that will have you applying mascara better than you ever imagined possible.

#1) " Apply mascara on the bottom lashes first. Then apply mascara on the upper lashes, but start from the inside corner. I place the brush to the lid, curl the brush downward, then pull the brush upward." - Freelance Makeup Artist Brandy Gomez-Duplessis

#2) "Always go vertical and then flip horizontal to really get every lash and make them full." - Celebrity Makeup Artist Elle Leary

#3) "Look down at the mirror to do the top lashes and you won't get mascara everywhere." - Celebrity Makeup Artist Elle Leary

#4) "Don't lift the brush straight up; slightly lean it towards your eyelid to curl the lashes. Then brush up and out, towards the outer corner of the eye. This will create a more open, winged out effect." - Professional Makeup Artist Megan Lanoux

#5) "Start from the root of your lashes and wiggle upwards. Wiggling your mascara wand through your lashes will give your wand that tight fit up against every lash." - Celebrity Makeup Artist Tiffany Hall-Scarmana

#6) "Gently press on the eyelid to pop out the lashes to get as close to the lash line as possible when applying mascara." - Professional Makeup Artist Gabriel Almodovar

#7) "Bend the brush so you can get a better angle when applying." - Professional Makeup Artist Gabriel Almodovar

#8) "The biggest mistake women make is not conditioning their lashes prior to the application. is the number one product to condition, strengthen and hydrate the lashes. One coat in the morning before mascara application and then one coat at night before going to bed will make your lashes healthy and silky." - Lancôme National Makeup Artist Ricardo Costales

What's your go-to mascara for show-stopping lashes? Tell us below!

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