I have come to an unfortunate realization—we’re just going to have to live with the fact that boys, most of them anyway, have naturally-long lashes. And, why? I cannot quite grasp why. Us, on the other hand, though? We’ve got to work for it. That’s why I’ve searched the internet for eyelash-lengthening hacks. And, no, I’m not going to tell you to cement a set of falsies to your lashes or drown them in countless coats of mascara (though you must know how to use them correctly anyway). We’re talking about enhancing the fullness of your lashes naturally. If that doesn’t pique your interest, I don’t know what will.
Uh, side-note? These hacks, obviously, cannot do the job of a lash extension or lash lift. But they can strengthen, hydrate, and play into the fullness of your lashes over time. And they’re all natural!
Let’s Get To The Root Of The Issue
Okay, there are a couple of reasons why your lashes are shorter than usual. Sometimes, it’s your mascara that dries out your lashes, makes them brittle and stiff and causes them to break mid-shaft. Or it’s the fact that you’re scrubbing off your eye-makeup a little too roughly. Even your go-to falsies can rip them out once in a while. And they can induce inflammation in the eyes, and lead to breakage of your lashes. Another lash-sabotaging tool? Your eyelash curler. Remember that your lashes are delicate, and you must treat them with care.
Other times, it’s simply because you’re rubbing your eyes excessively, and breaking or pulling your lashes out in the process. Even genetics, eye-related diseases, stress, and ageing play a role. But a lot of these are factors you have control over. Apart from altering your habits—like steering clear of a curler, spending more time removing makeup around the eyes, and avoiding rubbing them—there are a few hacks you can try to soften, lengthen, and moisturise your lashes.
8 Hacks For Long And Strong Lashes
Spill The Tea
Even though green tea is associated with enhancing your overall health, dabbing a little bit along your lash-line can stimulate growth. Soak a ball of cotton in cooled tea, press it against your lashes, and let it marinate for about 4 to 5 minutes before rinsing it off.
Cast Some Castor
Castor oil is a sought-after hair-growth oil. Even though there’s no data that supports the efficacy of this oil for growth, a lot of people claim that it serves the purpose. And not just for the hair on your head. We’re talking lashes too. The oil’s hydrating properties can un-stiffen your lashes, moisturize them, improve the flexibility of your hair fibre, and, in the process, make your lashes appear fuller. All you have to do is retrieve your old mascara, clean the brush, layer it with a little bit of the oil, and sweep it along your lashes.
Commit To Your Comb
Just running a brush through your lashes can enhance their length instantly along with promoting growth. It’s that simple. You can use a mascara brush for the process.
This brush by Vega is equipped with high-quality bristles that deliver pumps of volume to your lashes and curls them in the process. And since it’s infinitely portable, you can slip it into your purse without any difficulty.
Add Some Aloe
You must’ve read about this gel-filled plant as a skincare essential, but its ultra-moisturizing abilities can enhance the follicular development of your hair, and promote the growth of longer, fuller lashes. Just conduct a patch-test before dabbing the gel on your skin, and ensure that it doesn’t enter your eyes in the process.
Coconut It Up
Coconut oil is yet another oil that moisturises the skin and hair and reinstates their softness and suppleness. It’s perfectly safe to apply around the eyes, and it can strengthen your lashes, and prevent unwarranted breakage. It doesn’t stimulate growth per se, but it can enhance the fullness of your lashes with its moisturizing and conditioning abilities. Just dip your fingers into some of the liquid, and rub a little bit over your lashes. You can substitute your fingers with a (mascara) brush to facilitate effective application.
Drum In A Serum
There are a lot of lash-growth serums in the market that hydrate, condition, and strengthen your lashes effectively, and hence, minimize breakage. But you must consult your dermatologist before purchasing one. Some of these serums contain harmful ingredients that can exacerbate the situation, and do the opposite of what you were expecting. Once you’ve chosen the right one, you can apply it twice a day with a brush.
But…if you’re feeling overwhelmed by the number of options hurtling themselves at you, this serum by St. Botanica is one of our favourites. Formulated with coconut oil, castor oil (there—are 2 of our hacks cold-pressed into a bottle of serum), almond oil, and extra virgin olive oil, this serum softens and nourishes, smoothens the cuticles, adds a sheen to your lashes, and thickens and volumizes them over time. You can use this on your brows too! If your skin is sensitive, you’ve landed the right option—since this serum is vegan, paraben-free, hypoallergenic, and contains added fragrance.
Enter Vitamin E
Vitamin E oil is another ingredient that is said to moisturise and thicken the lashes. Even though it isn’t scientifically proven to boost the growth of your lashes, it does improve their health, and that can play into the appearance of better-looking, fuller lashes. Just layer it onto your lashes the way you would castor/coconut oil. You can use a vitamin E capsule for this step.
Make sure you’re complementing these hacks with improved habits. Use a waterproof mascara that comes off easily. Avoid the eyelash curler. Remove your makeup with a gentle remover. You get the point.
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