doesnt seem to make a difference whether you wait for your mascara to dry first or not

Dry, definitely.

I apply mascara to both eyes & then Lash Genious right after so the only "dry time" is finishing the other eye & switching tubes.

I find waiting till my lashes are dry to the touch makes them last all day! I have also not waited and found that it doesn't waterproof as much. (I have those typical Asian eyelashes, straight and I often get the raccoon eyes if I don't use waterproof everything!)

When they showed this to my in the store, they applied it a minute or two later, after my original coat was dry. Applying at home, I wait a minute as well. To my understanding, this works to coat over the original mascara to make it waterproof, like a topcoat for nail polish.

Also, I suspect that if you applied while the mascara was still wet, it might affect how the lashes looked - like smudging nail polish.

I put mine on right after my mascara and later in the day if I need a little refresher.

no, the product is clear

No, it is clear and drys clear. Highly suggest this product!! :)

no. its a clear coat

I tried wearing it alone on my dark eyelashes. It did make them look prettier. And it did dry clear. However, there was a clear, sort-of plastic-coating look to them that made them look awkwardly lighter/gray - hard to describe, but like they were coated in some sort of residue.

This is basically colorless - it looks whitish on the brush, but it goes on clear and stays clear.

yes, it will work for the pool and beach!

Nope! It's great for keeping your mascara out from under your eyes. But not in the swimming pool. I looked like a raccoon after about 1 minute.

Pool proof, ocean proof, tear proof... Like sobby tear proof. It's good stuff!

I don't notice it holds the curl any better than mascara. But that is not what it is designed to do anyway. Just waterproof and it does an excellent job.

YES!

It truly does!! I couldn't believe it. I wasn't expecting it so I was pleasantly surprised when it did :)

I do not think this would work alone. It's clear. You would not get the same affect as a dark color.

Yes! But admittedly, I only use it on my lower lashes. I think it may be too light to use alone on your upper lashes. So maybe my enthusiastic yes, it an enthusiastic maybe.

Well, it's clear, but if you want a clear waterproof mascara, this would work on its own...

Clean Express Waterproof Eye Makeup Remover Worked Beautifully for me and is pretty reasonable. Got it for $10 and my local drug store. Hope it helps!

I use Sephora deep cleansing oil followed by my PTR Cleanser to remove this. It takes it off like nothing else.

I bought this product for my mom, who has both sensitive skin and eyes, and allergies to some fragrances and chemicals. She has had absolutely no issues.

I too have sensitive eyes that water all off the time and this works amazingly well. I get no irritation whatsoever from this, just perfectly waterproof and gorgeous lashes!

yes it will! ive showered with it on - forgot to take it off, but came out with still curled lashes!

This product did not work well for me to give my non-waterproof mascaras waterproof-ness. But, it did give my eyelashes a perk over already waterproof mascaras that I own. So, that may give you a little lift.
My favorite for waterproof mascara is Cannonball by Urban Decay (also at Sephora). I curl my lashes first, tissue wipe the applicator to avoid "spider-legs", apply it, then comb through a bit. Afterwards I make sure to let them dry. This may be all you need.
But, I did try applying Anastasia directly after applying Cannonball and it did give it a small lift; for me Cannonball had already did the job so this Anastasia product did not give much bang for the expense, but it may work for your problem if the right waterproof mascara isn't cutting it.

I've always used that Urban Decay mascara primer. I would say this one is even better. I've been really happy with it.