The Trick to Thicker, Fuller Lashes
Everyone wants full, fluttery lashes, but what's the trick to getting them? Sure, you could always opt for falsies, but with the right techniques, you can get your natural lashes to look just as thick and voluminous. If you're wondering how, we've got a guide that might just help. Here are 10 hacks that will make your lashes pop—and 10 mistakes that ruin them.
1. Use a Primer
We get it—sometimes, you just want to go straight in with the mascara wand instead of priming your lashes first. But trust the process: using a clear primer before mascara provides a nice base for you to fluff your lashes up, and helps keep them up for longer. No more droopy lashes after a few hours!
2. Curl Your Lashes
The next step? Curling your lashes, of course! But you don't want to just choose any old curler—you'll want to pick one that fits your eye shape so it helps keep your lashes lifted. If you have stubborn lashes that don't naturally curve upwards or are prone to drooping down, you may want to heat your curler first.
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3. Choose a Good Mascara
By "choosing a good mascara," we don't just mean picking one that's popular or trendy. Instead, you want to use a mascara that suits your lashes and your overall look. If your lashes often droop, make sure to use a waterproof mascara; if you're going for a more natural look, choose brown over black. You'll also want to check whether a mascara will add more volume or length to your lashes, as the brushes will be different.
4. Tightline
Tightlining is darkening your upper waterline, right where your lashes sit, with a gel eyeliner. This gives your eyes more definition and makes your lashes appear thicker and fuller, and ensures that there are no gaps on your lash base.
5. "Minking" Technique
"Minking" is a technique where you pair two different shades of mascara to create more dimension on your lashes. For example, you might use brown with black for a fuller, but more natural look. You can also play around with various colors, like blue or burgundy, to make your eyes pop.
6. Powder & Concealer
While you might have heard of priming your lashes with a dedicated lash primer, you might not have tried powdering or even adding concealer to your lashes first. But this hack, made popular by social media, supposedly makes your lashes look longer and more voluminous. All it requires is that you apply some concealer to your lashes and coat them with a bit of setting powder first, before continuing with your regular mascara routine.
7. Comb It Out
To prevent your lashes from clumping together and appearing like a hot mess hours later, make sure to always comb out your mascara after applying it. This helps get rid of any excess and ensures your lashes don't look too uneven or "spidery."
8. Heat a Stick
If you have lashes that like to droop or point straight down, try this Asian beauty hack, which involves heating a wooden stick with a lighter. This works better at keeping the lashes curled, and you can even do it after applying mascara. Alternatively, you can run your blow dryer on your eyelash curler to heat it up.
9. Eyeliner
Of course, you can't forget about eyeliner! Whether you're drawing a glamorous cat eye or going for a more subtle look, applying eyeliner is a must to make your lashes pop. You can even try different colors, like blue or pink, to bring more attention to your eyes!
10. Lash Serum
To keep your lashes thick, long, and nourished, you might also want to get a lash serum. However, keep in mind that results may vary, and that some serums can cause allergic reactions or other side effects. Chat with a dermatologist before buying one, and make sure to do thorough research first.
What, then, are some mistakes that could ruin your lashes? Read on for 10 common errors you'll definitely want to avoid making.
1. Using Expired Mascara
You might think your tube of mascara is invincible and immortal, despite sitting in your pouch or drawer for many, many months, but you should probably throw it out. Continuing to use old or expired mascara doesn't just lead to clumps or flaking, but can also cause eye infections and stunt lash growth.
2. Wearing Too Many Coats of Mascara
When you apply too many coats of mascara, the cons are two-fold: one, your lashes will appear overly clumpy and messy, and two, product build-up might cause lash loss. For the sake of your eyelash health, avoid putting on more than two or three layers of mascara.
3. Curling Lashes After Mascara
Curling your lashes after applying mascara is a major no-no—doing so can rip them right out. If you have stubborn lashes that don't stay curled, try heating your curler first. If you must curl again after mascara, you may want to try the Asian wooden stick hack, but you'll want to practice lots of caution.
Photo By: Kaboompics.com on Pexels
4. Ripping Off Falsies
If you wear falsies, don't just rip them off at the end of the night—doing so can pull out your natural lashes with it, too. Instead, use an oil-based remover to gently loosen the lash adhesive until it can easily slip off.
5. Not Thoroughly Removing Eye Makeup
Another major no-no is sleeping with mascara or makeup on. This can cause bacteria to build up, which can dry out your lashes and make them more prone to breakage. Plus, leftover mascara can clog hair follicles and may lead to eye irritation or infections.
6. Using Too Much Heat
Even though using heat can be a useful trick to curl stubborn lashes and make them stay up, applying too much heat can also damage them. Not only could a too-hot eyelash curler burn the delicate skin around your eyes, but it could also cause your lashes to break off.
7. Picking or Pulling Lashes
If you have a habit of picking or pulling your lashes, you're also stunting their natural growth. This can cause gaps to form on the lash line, which can end up making your mascara application look uneven. If you've developed this habit as a result of anxiety or stress, it may help to talk with a mental health professional before it gets worse.
8. Rubbing Your Eyes
Rubbing your eyes might seem like a harmless thing to do, but over time, it can do much more damage than you think. The extra—and constant—friction can cause breakages, and can also lead to infections if your hands aren't clean.
9. Not Washing Your Tools
If you're not washing your eyelash curler, lash combs, and other tools after each use, you risk transferring bacteria into your eyes every time you use them. Always remember to wash them thoroughly to prevent product—and germ—build-up.
10. Using the Wrong Cleanser or Remover
You don't just want to make sure you're removing all your mascara and makeup at the end of the night—you also want to use the right cleanser or remover. Using the wrong one (for example, a non-oil-based remover for waterproof mascara) can lead to excessive rubbing and friction, causing breakage.
