Place a spoon below your eye with the curve out and then apply your mascara like you normally would to your lower lashes. That way the residue will land on the back of the utensil rather than your skin. This also works when applying mascara on your upper lashes if you place the spoon on top of your upper eyelid.
( Source: http://www.seventeen.com/fashion/blog/beauty-tricks-with-a-spoon )