Here’s a great mascara application tip from Self:

"Apply mascara in the three directions lashes grow: Straight up from the center; then, angling the wand, from the middle out to the temples and in toward your nose. You’ll create a fan effect that frames your eye corner to corner." (Self, Dec. ‘08, p.150)

I tried this myself, and it really works! Particularly the bit about angling the brush to catch the lashes that grow inward, toward your nose. I always miss those!