Buzz
As you prepare to head out and groom your lashes, you might suddenly realize you desire something more. Long, curled eyelashes not only enhance the appearance of your eyes, making them look larger, but also add a fresh and youthful vibe to your overall look. Whether you’ve inherited long lashes from your parents or not, there are numerous ways to achieve longer lashes – some methods are quick and easy, while others are more expensive and highly effective.
Steps
Makeup Tips for Longer-Looking Lashes
Use eyeliner to accentuate your lashes. Opt for an eyeliner shade slightly darker than your natural lash color. The goal is to create the illusion of thicker lash roots, which enhances the appearance of lash density.
- Apply a smudge-proof eyeliner along the lower lash line to create the illusion of longer lashes without covering the entire eyelid. Use a small eyeshadow brush to blend black eyeshadow into the upper lash line, making your lashes appear darker. Adding a slight emphasis to the outer corners can make your lashes seem longer.
- For a more advanced technique, consider tightlining. This method requires a steady hand to line between individual lashes at the base, creating a thin line along the upper waterline.
Apply mascara. In general, mascara makes lashes appear thicker and longer, provided you use a high-quality product to avoid clumping. Opt for mascaras labeled “voluminous,” such as Maybelline’s Voluminous Butterfly.
- A great way to achieve longer, fuller lashes is to apply mascara from the roots to the tips. Use a small eyeshadow brush to gently coat the base of your lashes with mascara, adding volume and making them appear denser. For extra thickness, apply a layer of mascara, dust with translucent powder, and then add another coat of mascara. The powder helps build thickness.
- Some mascara brands offer an “eyelash primer,” often white, which is applied before mascara to enhance length, condition lashes, and intensify the mascara’s effect (especially useful for those with lighter lashes).
- As an added bonus, certain mascaras like Rimmel London include serums designed to promote faster lash growth.
Curl your lashes. Straight lashes can appear shorter due to their angle, even if they aren’t actually short. An eyelash curler can give your lashes a dramatic lift, but use it gently and carefully. You wouldn’t want to tug too hard and risk premature lash loss.
- Start at the base. Clamp the curler close to the lash roots for about 10 seconds. For a softer curl rather than a dramatic one, clamp again midway along the lashes. However, over-curling can result in an unnatural, uniform curl that doesn’t look flattering.
Use false lashes. If you look closely at celebrity photos, you’ll notice many wear false lashes (though very skillfully). Mastering the art of applying false lashes to look natural and secure isn’t easy, but once you do, your lashes will appear significantly longer.
- The first step is to curl the false lashes. They need to look perfect before application. Trim them slightly with small scissors. False lashes shouldn’t be too long or uniform; they should appear natural. If they’re overly long, they’ll look fake. Next, apply 2-3 drops of the included adhesive along the lash band. Wait 5-6 seconds before applying. Start from the outer corner of your eye and work inward. Ensure your natural lashes blend with the false ones. Finish by applying mascara.
- To remove false lashes, use the accompanying remover serum or apply a bit of petroleum jelly along the lash line. Wait about 10 seconds and gently peel inward. Avoid pulling too hard, as you might accidentally remove your natural lashes.
Get lash extensions. If budget allows, professional lash extensions can give you beautiful, natural-looking lashes. The process takes a few hours and costs around $100, but the results can last for months with proper care.
- If you opt for lash extensions, be aware that washing your face becomes trickier. Avoid pressing too hard on the extensions, as this can cause them to fall out. Instead, wash around your eyes or use a cotton pad to clean your natural lashes.
Nourish and Lengthen Your Lashes
Clean your lashes. Proper lash care starts with hygiene. Ensure you remove all oil, dirt, or makeup residue from the lash line. Makeup is the primary cause of lash loss and can hinder the eyelid’s ability to regrow lashes.
- Gently and thoroughly remove makeup before bed. Leaving makeup on overnight harms your lashes and makes it harder to follow the steps above over time.
Avoid rubbing your eyes. Especially during allergy season, refrain from rubbing your eyes. Use Visine or another anti-allergy solution to reduce redness and itching. Frequent rubbing loosens lashes and increases shedding. Additionally, rubbing introduces dirt, clogging lash follicles and requiring more frequent cleansing. You can massage your eyelids, but ensure your hands are clean and avoid harsh rubbing.
Apply oils to your lashes. Before bed, gently coat your lashes with a thin layer of olive oil, castor oil, coconut oil, or Vaseline. These oils, along with commercial products like DiorShow Maximizer, can enhance lash thickness, length, and curl with regular use.
- Use a clean mascara wand or Q-tip to apply the oil, brushing from the roots to the tips. If desired, warm the oil slightly, but ensure it’s only slightly above room temperature to avoid burns.
- After applying, blot excess oil with a tissue. Leave it on for a few hours or overnight, depending on your lash dryness. Repeat every two weeks. Overuse can clog lash follicles due to oil buildup.
Try green tea for your lashes. If oils aren’t your preference, consider applying green tea to your lashes before bed. Soak a cotton pad in green tea and place it over your lashes. Rinse thoroughly in the morning. Repeat nightly for two weeks for best results.
Use petroleum jelly to nourish lashes. Vaseline has been a staple in household beauty kits for decades. Apply petroleum jelly to your lashes before bed and wash it off in the morning. If you’re not a fan of petroleum-based products, note that Vaseline also offers a petroleum-free alternative, available at cosmetic stores or supermarkets.
Eating certain foods can promote longer eyelashes. The key lies in maintaining a healthy diet. Focus on foods rich in protein and vitamins. Items like fish, eggs, legumes, tofu, and yogurt can help your lashes grow longer. Salmon, for instance, is an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids, which strengthen nails, add shine to hair, and enhance lash length. Many women also take vitamin B complex, known as Biotin, to achieve longer and healthier hair and lashes.
Consult a dermatologist. They may prescribe Latisse, the only FDA-approved eyelash growth medication. Reported side effects are minimal, typically including mild eye irritation, redness, or itching. Dermatologists usually reserve Latisse for individuals with unusually short or absent lashes, a condition considered detrimental to eye health. Remember, the primary function of eyelashes is to protect your eyes from dust and foreign particles.
- Over-the-counter alternatives are available and can be recommended by your doctor. Many, such as Rapidlash, Revitalize, and Prolash, offer similar effectiveness to Latisse at a lower cost.
Consider cosmetic surgery. This is the most extreme method for achieving longer lashes. A surgeon can transplant hair follicles from your scalp to your eyelids. While this procedure results in longer lashes, the recovery is painful and may temporarily impair vision. Since scalp hair follicles differ from natural lash follicles, some patients report needing to trim their lashes post-surgery.
