one thing that makes mascara look ugly is if it smudges. Sometimes, the smudge happens because the eye cream or the concealer used is oil-based and still wet. You can prevent the smudging by applying powder first onto your lower eyelids before putting on the mascara. Also, try not to blink while putting the mascara on, or else it will definitely stick to your eyelids rather than to your lashes. hope this helps!

I use waterproof mascara, and that doesn't smudge quite as much some that isn't waterproof. I don't know what else to suggest.