Cathy Lawdanski

“They eyes are the window to the soul”, so they saying goes. And if that’s true, the eyelashes are the adornment that helps draw attention to them. We want our eyelashes to be long and thick. The beauty industry has worked hard to provide ways for us to get what we want! So, if this is what you are looking for, here is How to Make Your Eyelashes Look Longer.

This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of these links, I will make a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Why Your Lashes Aren’t Long

Your lashes are like all the other hair on your body. They fall off naturally and regrow over time. It typically takes four to eight weeks to replace an eyelash that has fallen out.

But there are other reasons your eyelashes aren’t as long and thick as you would like for them to be.

The Natural Aging Process

Just like your skin and hair deteriorate over time, so do your lashes. The older you get, the more your lashes fall out. GREAT…..

Your Mascara

Mascaras, especially waterproof mascaras are very drying, making your lashes brittle and weak. This causes breakage. And these types of mascaras can be difficult to remove, causing even more breakage.

False Eyelashes, Extensions and Eyelash Curlers

It turns out that a lot of things that we do to make our lashes look longer and fuller can actually hinder that process. Taking off your false eyelashes incorrectly. Picking at the last few of your eyelash extensions. Using an eyelash curler too aggressively.

Not Taking Care of Your Eyelash Extensions

If you have eyelash extensions, aftercare is a must. A good eyelash extension professional will sell you a natural lash enhancer that will strengthen & condition your lashes. DON’T SKIP THIS STEP!

How to Make Your Eyelashes Look Longer

 Lengthening Mascara and an Eyelash Curler

Lengthening mascara contains short synthetic fibers like rayon or nylon that attach themselves to the lashes and extends them. Most lengthening mascaras also having ingredients that volumize and curl your lashes. Curling your lashes after applying the mascara will give a more dramatic effect.

Pros:

• Least expensive method to enhance the appearance of your lashes, making them look longer and fuller.

Cons:

• Mascara, especially waterproof mascara, can be extremely drying to your eyelashes.

Tips:

• • Use waterproof mascara sparingly.
  • Remove all your eye makeup, including mascara every night with an eye makeup remover that will dissolve and quickly remove your mascara without tugging at your eyes.  My favorites: Rodan + Fields Essentials Complete Eye Makeup Remover.
  • Use a conditioning primer before applying mascara like Jane Iredale PureLash Extender and Conditioner.

• • Choose a good quality eyelash curler and don’t be too aggressive when using it. Here are some that are highly recommended by makeup professionals: Kevyn Aucoin The Eyelash Curler,  Shiseido Eyelash Curler or Surratt Beauty Relevee Lash Curler.

 

• Favorite Lengthening Mascaras: Fringe Benefits. I started using this a few years ago after I had an allergic reaction to every bit of eye makeup I had been using. This lengthens my lashes and is non-irritating to the sensitive skin around my eyes. My Side of 50 Reader Favorites: Benefit They’re Real Lengthening and 
  Volumizing Mascara, Bobbi Brown Smokey Eye Mascara and 3D Fiber Mascara.

Make Your Eyelashes Longer With Lash Serums

Lash Serums, such as Rodan + Fields Lash Boost contain active ingredients that actually make your lashes grow. In the case of Lash Boost, that ingredient is isopropyl cloprostenate. Other serums have bimatoprost that also stimulates lash growth.  Not only do these active ingredients cause your existing lashes to grow, they also stimulate growth in hair follicles not currently growing lashes.

Serums without these active ingredients are usually just lash conditioners which might make your lashes look fuller or longer by hydrating and softening them, but they won’t stimulate growth.

I have used Lash Boost for 6 months and even stopped using it for a while because my lashes got too long! This stuff is that good!

Pros:

• Lash Serums with the correct active ingredients actually cause lashes to grow.
• Easy to apply – only once in the evening.
• No need for lengthening mascara.

Cons:

• Price. Some think the price of $150 is high. However, when compared to the price and time involved in getting eyelash extensions, this is a bargain! A tube of Lash Boost lasts 2-3 months when used nightly. After your lashes grow to the desired length, you can use it every 2 or 3 nights.
• In some cases, lash serums can cause minor irritation to the eyelid. This can be avoided by only applying to the lash line of the top lid and wiping off any excess that gets on your eyelid.

Tips:

• Remove makeup and cleanse face before applying lash serums.
• Apply on the upper lash line only. Wipe off any excess that gets on your lids.
• Do not apply any other products around the eyes for 90 seconds after applying lash serums.

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Make Your Lashes Longer With False Eyelashes

There’s lots of variety when it comes to false eyelashes. What they are made of. Eyelash strips or individual lashes. How to apply them – glue or magnet. Yes, magnet*.

What False Eyelashes are made of:

1. Synthetic Materials. Most false eyelashes are made of a flexible, plastic-like material. Pro: Most affordable – as little as $2 a pair.  Con: Heavy and look more obviously fake because they have an extra shiny finish. Begin to degrade after 4 or 5 wearings.
2. Animal Lashes. Comes from brushed fur that’s been harvested from a variety of animals, including minks and horses. With proper care, you can wear these up to 20 times. Pro: Fine, soft and easy to curl. Con: Loses shape if exposed to water. Price: $25-$50 a set.
3. Silk. Not actually made of silk. “Silk” lashes are made of a blend of lightweight synthetic materials. Pro: Can get up to 20 wearings with proper care. In terms of price and appearance, put these in the middle between synthetic and animal lashes.

Sizes of False Eyelashes:

1. Strips. These lashes conform to the length of your eyelids. You can apply short strips to the outer corner of your eyeliners for a “flared” look. Strips adhere to your lids with glue, tape or magnets.
2. Individual Lashes. These are actually clusters for 5-10 individual lash hairs that have been glued together. A little tricky to apply, but much more natural looking than strips.
3. Lashify Lashes. Kind of a cross between eyelash extensions and false eyelashes. They are attached at the base of your real lashes instead of on your eyelash. They are the most realistic looking false eyelashes next to professional extensions. But they are pricey – $125 for the starter kit and replacement lashes are $20

*Magnetic lashes have tiny magnets that line the base of the lash strips. You layer one strip on tops of your upper lash line and while holding it in place, layer the second lash strip on top of the first to activate the two strips’ magnetic attraction.

Another type of magnetic lashes has a magnetic powder in the eyeliner to adhere to the magnets on the lashes.

My friend Jodie at Jodie’s Touch of Style has tried both types of magnetic lashes, without much luck. There is definitely a learning curve in getting them on in the first place and then actually having them stay in place. Going the magnetic lash route definitely requires diligence and patience.

Tips:

• Take off your lashes every night before you go to bed.
• Clean them. After taking them off, take a Q-tip soaked in makeup remover and gently brush it along the lash strip.
• You can apply mascara to your false eyelashes, but know that this will shorten their lifespan.

Make Your Lashes Longer With Lash Extensions

Eyelash extensions are semi-permanent lashes that are hand glued to the top of your eyelashes by a technician.  With proper care, they can last 6-8 weeks until they fall out like your natural lashes do.

Pros:

• They look natural. They don’t look clumpy or feel heavy.
• You cut way down on your makeup time, because you may not feel the need to apply eye makeup.

Cons:

• They are high maintenance. You need to clean and brush them daily with a spoolie brush and apply a lash conditioner.
• You can’t rub your eyes. If you are a person with allergies, this might be hard.
• If you want to remove your extensions, you’ll have to have it done at the salon. If you try to pull them off yourself, you’ll harm your natural lashes.
• You can’t sweat, cry, swim or wash your face for 12-24 hours after getting extensions to the glue will dry.
• Expensive and time consuming. Extensions can run from $100-$400 depending on the experience of your technician. Fill-ins are $50-$165 depending on how many lashes you need. Plus the entire experience can take up to 2 hours.
• It can be difficult to apply eyeliner.
• Reactions to extensions such as redness, itching, irritation and swollen eyelids are pretty common.

Tips:

• Know what you want. There are lots of choices – natural, cat-eye or wispy. What kind of curl? J (straight lash), D (completely curved) or C (between D and J)? This post outlines all the choices you will have when you go to get extensions.
• Don’t fall for the mink vs. synthetic sales trap. Salons charge premium prices for “mink” lashes, which aren’t necessarily mink. If they are true mink, the lashes will be thin and wispy and you’ll get a “barely there” look, so why bother? You’re best bet is the synthetic lashes.
• Never tug at your extensions. This damages your natural lashes.
• Never use and eyelash curler.
• Don’t used oil-based eye makeup remover.
• It’s easy to get an eye infection when going to a salon for extensions. To avoid this, make sure your technician washes her hands between clients, wears gloves, uses sanitary pillow covers and sanitizes all utensils.
• Before you get your extensions, ask where the glue is made. Request glue made in the U.S. even though they may charge more. Glues made in the U. S. are typically made without formaldehyde, which is a major eye irritant.

So, what method will you use to get longer fuller lashes? For my money, I’ll take Lash Boost and good lengthening mascara any day.

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