An eyelash mascara applicator (10; 50; 204) and a mascara container (80; 100; 180; 220), the eyelash mascara applicator (10; 50; 204) comprising: a first wand (22; 64; 175; 210) having a first brush (26; 70; 177; 214) attached to a distal end thereof; a second wand (24; 66; 176; 212) having a second brush (28; 72, 178; 216) attached to a distal end thereof; a reverse-action handle attached to said first and second wands and arranged such that the first and second wands are maintained substantially parallel to each other with the first and second brushes close together or in contact with each other; and whereby transverse pinching pressure (30; 57) on proximal ends of the first and second wand causes the first and second brushes to separate from each other, wherein said first wand has a first arm (14; 52; 206) extending from said handle, and said second wand has a second arm (16; 54; 208) extending from said handle, the first and second arms crossing over each other so that the first wand and the second wand are in on opposite sides of the first arm and second arm, wherein the first and second arms are joined at an apex at the proximal ends or the proximal ends of the first and second arms are connected to an oval tab; and the mascara container (80; 100; 180; 220), comprising: a mascara receptacle for containing mascara; two openings (162, 164) in the mascara receptacle, each for accepting one of the two brushes; a tool at the two openings in the mascara receptacle for removing excess mascara as the two brushes are removed from the mascara container. a first wand (22; 64; 175; 210) having a first brush (26; 70; 177; 214) attached to a distal end thereof; a second wand (24; 66; 176; 212) having a second brush (28; 72, 178; 216) attached to a distal end thereof; a reverse-action handle attached to said first and second wands and arranged such that the first and second wands are maintained substantially parallel to each other with the first and second brushes close together or in contact with each other; and whereby transverse pinching pressure (30; 57) on proximal ends of the first and second wand causes the first and second brushes to separate from each other, wherein said first wand has a first arm (14; 52; 206) extending from said handle, and said second wand has a second arm (16; 54; 208) extending from said handle, the first and second arms crossing over each other so that the first wand and the second wand are in on opposite sides of the first arm and second arm, wherein the first and second arms are joined at an apex at the proximal ends or the proximal ends of the first and second arms are connected to an oval tab; and the mascara container (80; 100; 180; 220), comprising: a mascara receptacle for containing mascara; two openings (162, 164) in the mascara receptacle, each for accepting one of the two brushes; a tool at the two openings in the mascara receptacle for removing excess mascara as the two brushes are removed from the mascara container. a mascara receptacle for containing mascara; two openings (162, 164) in the mascara receptacle, each for accepting one of the two brushes; a tool at the two openings in the mascara receptacle for removing excess mascara as the two brushes are removed from the mascara container.