How to get the " I've just been crying" wet lash look with mascara

Have you ever looked at yourself in the mirror after crying and thought to yourself, “Wow, my lashes look so good”? There’s something about slightly clumped, glossy-looking lashes that somehow makes the eyes look more defined, elongated and effortlessly undone.

Fortunately, you don’t need to have an actual emotional breakdown to get the look.

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With lived-in hair and makeup being the go-to beauty aesthetic this year, the wet lash trend fits perfectly into the category, bringing a fresh-out-the-shower finish to your everyday eye makeup. Instead of perfectly separated, fluffed-out lashes, the wet lash look is all about deliberate definition, with darker, glossy and slightly clumped lashes taking centre stage.

And the best part? You can recreate it using two things that are probably already sitting in your makeup bag: mascara and a pair of tweezers.

Image: Instagram/@billiescheepersphotography

How to create the wet lash look

The key to making the wet lash look seem effortless rather than simply messy is starting with clean, dry lashes. Skip heavy lash primers or layers of other products that can make the mascara look overly thick and clumpy. If your lashes are naturally straight, curl them gently with a lash curler before applying mascara.

1. Start with your mascara: Coat your lashes as you normally would, making sure you get plenty of product from the roots through to the tips. You want the formula to remain slightly wet and workable, so don’t wait for it to completely dry before moving on to the next step.

2. Create your clusters: Using a clean pair of tweezers, carefully bring a few lashes together at their tips to form tiny, separated groups. Work your way across the lash line, focusing first on the outer corner before moving inwards. You’re aiming for intentional little spikes rather than uniform, perfectly separated lashes.

3. Keep it imperfect: The appeal of the wet lash look is that it shouldn’t look too polished. Vary the size and spacing of your clusters so the lashes look naturally separated. If a few stick together more than others, even better.

4. Let them set: Once you’re happy with the shape, leave your lashes alone to dry completely. Resist the urge to add another coat of mascara, which can make the clusters too heavy and take away that glossy, defined finish.