Correct me if I’m wrong, but I don’t think any girl wishes for stubby, short and sparse eyelashes. Although it irks me the has become part of a beauty ‘standard’ for women, a simple swipe of mascara can really make a difference, so why not give it a try?
Here are some of my tips to getting the full potential from your eyelashes, without falsies:
Treat them. There are plenty of mascara conditoning serums out there that claim to make lashes grow longer, thicker and darker.
I’ve tried Mavala Double Lash in the past and though I can’t say I saw any miracles, my lashes did become stronger and darker, so I find these conditioning treatments work somewhat. I suppose our eyelashes are like the hair on our head – when conditioned and treated kindly, it does look much healthier. Another option I tried in the past that I’ve heard works (though I stopped) is using a clear plastic wand, apply a very thin coat of castor oil to lashes.
Curl ’em! Never underestimate the power of a few ‘presses’ from an eyelash curler. I am usually too lazy to do this, but dang. It takes your lashes from OK to amazing. Another trick to get the most of your eyelash curler is to curl your lashes like this:
- Apply your eyelash curler to the base of your lashes and press gently, increasing in pressure slightly. Hold for about 5 seconds.
- Next, hold your eyelash curler mid-lash, and press ever so gently for a few seconds.
- Lastly, aim your eyelash curler at the very tips of your eyelash, and hold for a few seconds – this last tip really ‘pops’ your eyelashes out even more.
Build the base. There are two options for this next step; the powder trick or the base mascara.
- The powder trick is really simple, I’ve read that this simple trick is used on the runways. All you have to do is close your eyes, and sweep some loose powder over your lashes. The powder ‘sticks’ to your lashes, making them more dense and thicker when applying mascara next. Do this at your own risk though – some say it’s not good, and definitely make sure the powder does not go into your eyes.
- Base/primer mascaras are sold separately and are normally white in color – they are the step right before applying mascara, and are said to thicken and lengthen your lashes with its fibers and formula.
Last but not least, mascara. And finally, the next step is to apply the mascara. One of the best tips I heard when applying mascara is to position your mascara wand at the base of the root, and ‘wiggle’ it in a zig-zap motion as you apply the mascara, root to tip.
Another tip I’d like to share something I did all through high school, and that’s to use two mascara formulas; a lengthening one and a volumizing, thickening one. (Although, if you’ve applied a white-base coat mascara, you should probably skip these two formulas and just apply your regular mascara – too much product and your lashes might weight down, or even worse, end up falling out).
All you have to do is this: Apply your lengthening mascara first (one coat) and then finish off with a thickening mascara, which is heavier in product. This thickening formula thickens the lashes you just lengthened, et voila! you get the best of both worlds.
My personal favorites? One coat of whatever lengthening mascara finished off with Lancome Hypnose, the best thickening mascara out there.