In a time where fake lashes and expensive professional extensions are just about everywhere, many of us wonder how we can achieve a similar look in a natural way. If you are looking for ways to improve the length and thickness of your lashes without applying lash glue every day, here are six of our favorite ways to get longer eyelashes.
What Not to Do
There are a lot of different home remedies out there that will try to convince you that they are the key to growing longer, thicker eyelashes. Before we get into some of the methods you can use to actually grow your lashes, here are some common home remedies that have no scientific backing:
- Petroleum Jelly: Some sources say that weekly application of petroleum jelly to the lash area will help your lashes grow. There is no backing to this, and the petroleum jelly can actually cause harm to your eyes if it comes in too close contact. Avoid this at all costs.
- Olive Oil: It’s the same procedure as petroleum jelly, with the same lack of scientific backing.
- Aloe Vera: See above.
- Green Tea: Be skeptical if you see anyone claiming that applying a cotton ball soaked in green tea over your eyes will encourage lash growth. There is no evidence that this works, and it is mostly just a waste of green tea.
- Eyelid Massage: Other sources will say that gentle stimulation of the lash area can encourage growth. What this actually encourages is irritation, and it can even rip out your lashes if you rub too hard.
Proven Ways to Get Longer Lashes Naturally
- Grooming: Proper grooming of the eyelashes can make a significant difference in their appearance. Some things you can do to groom your lashes better include regular brushing with a special eyelash brush, washing your face and eyes with a gentle soap daily, and ensuring that all eye makeup is removed at the end of the day.
- Be Gentle: Don’t tug or pull at your lashes more than necessary. Always be gentle when washing the area, and use products that don’t require too much scrubbing to remove. Waterproof mascaras and eyeliners should be avoided to ensure easy makeup removal. Make sure that you are using an eyelash curler that doesn’t pinch or pull and is well-fitted to your eye shape.
- Improve Your Diet: A healthy and nutrient-rich diet is vital for many of the important functions within the body. If you are not fueling your body properly, many of the systems will not function as they should and can even start to fail. You probably know that flowers will only grow if their conditions are ideal, but you may not know the same applies to our hair. If your body is not functioning the way it should, you will see it in the quality and growth of your hair. If your lashes are not the only hair-related issue you are having, try refocusing your diet around whole and nutrient-rich foods.
- Take Biotin: Biotin, when ingested in the right amount, is known to help improve hair health. Most people take Biotin to grow longer and stronger hair, but the results can also be seen in your eyelashes. The increase in vitamins that many hair growth supplements provide will help improve your hair and lash quality and can even help improve the quality of your skin as a bonus.
- Creating Illusions with Makeup: The right products and applications can help your lashes appear to double their length and thickness. Try using dark eyeshadow instead of liquid eyeliner and smudge the shadow along the lash line in the place of the eyeliner. This will help create the illusion of thicker lashes at the base as the less precise eyeliner application will blend with the lashes. When it comes to mascara, you will want to start by curling your lashes. This helps lift the lashes, which makes them more visible and longer in appearance. Start off by using an eyelash primer to help build up the lashes. Primers help to coat the lashes in small fibers, which makes them thicker as the fibers cling onto each lash. Then follow with a lengthening mascara to help finish off the illusion.
- Get Extensions: If all else fails and you are still looking for something to really pump up your lashes, try out DIY lash extensions. DIY lash extensions are more cost-effective and require lower maintenance than professionally done lash extensions, and are highly customizable. DIY lash extensions are nearly indistinguishable from your natural lashes as they blend right into your lash line and give you that extra bit of length and thickness that you desire.
Longer Lashes, Here We Come!
Use these tips and tricks the next time your lashes aren’t doing it for you. Avoid gimmicky home remedies and try out some of these proven methods. Some gentle lash care, a bit of mascara, and some DIY lash extensions could be the key to getting those dreamy-looking doe eyes that are to die for.
