How can I do eye makeup where the eyelashes get buried?

My biggest concern these days is my eyelashes.

My eyelashes aren't naturally long, nor are they particularly thick,

As I get older, my eyelids are drooping a little, so it feels like my eyelashes are completely buried.

No matter how hard I curl my eyes with an eyelash curler, they droop quickly, and if I apply mascara, they clump even more and sag downwards, making my eyes look even more stuffy.

Waterproof mascara holds the curl well, but I'm worried because it's too difficult to remove and irritates the eye area severely.

With regular mascara, my under-eyes turn pitch black by the afternoon because of smudging.

Do you happen to have any mascara tips or product recommendations that suit eyes where the lashes are buried?

I really want to know some great tips to naturally enhance my curls and keep them smudge-free all day long. It would be even better if it were a step-by-step method that even beginners can easily follow.