applying mascara

It's likely you apply mascara every day, but are you doing it the right way? Like many different makeup techniques, there are multiple ways to do them to achieve similar results. But there's one tried and true secret to full and far-reaching lashes: the wiggle. Learn how to pull off this mascara method and more after the jump.

Does the name Gina Brooke mean anything to you? If not, then sit tight, it soon will do. The ah-mazing makeup artist is on Madonna's speed dial — they've been working together on everything from world tours, campaigns and red carpet looks to magazine shoots and movies for eight years now — and regularly works with David Beckham, Naomi Campbell, Gisele, Katy Perry, Justin Timberlake and pretty much every other A-list face out there. In short, she's big news. 'Specially when it comes to lashes.

The creator of The Most Expensive Lashes in the world — diamond-encrusted mink falsies for Madonna's Confessions Tour in 2005 (which carried a US$10,000 price tag) — and the driving force behind the slew of lash bars that we have today, Gina is the International Creative Director of cult LA brand Hourglass. We caught up with her in Sydney today to talk mascara application, and just in case you're wondering, her mascara of choice is the NEW Film Noir Full Spectrum Mascara ($42) . . .

TIP #1: Never pump. Ever. Sure it's an oldie, but a goldie, according to Gina. Once air gets in and dries the formula out, you can wave buh-bye to your mascara for good.

Keep reading . . .

I've just about gotten over not being able to meet Sarah Jessica Parker in person like US Bella did. Just. I shared with you earlier that all it takes to please Ms. Parker is a good foot rub and that she's as obsessive about moisturiser as us (good to know), now she's opening up about that gorgeous mane of her and trying to tell us that she's bad at makeup!

From big and blonde to bobbed and brown, SJP isn't afraid to mix up her style (she even had red hair in the early '90s) but what matters most to her is healthy hair. I think I love her even more.

Tell us about your hair: I'm lucky enough to get to work with Serge Normant (HUGE star in hairdressing land) and he and I have the mutual objective of trying to keep my hair as healthy as possible — which is hard given my particular line of work, when they want to just beat it up every day and put heat on it and blow-dry it. And I like to try colour and things like that, so it's hard to do. I am not complaining because it's part of what I've chosen to do that I love. Keep reading . . .