If you never feel fully dressed without a few coats of mascara,
you’re not alone. But your fave product can be pretty tough on your
lashes—especially if you’re using a waterproof one. That's because
taking it off is a b*tch. “Women often complain that their eye area is
the first to show signs of aging, but we don’t realize that most of the
lines and wrinkles are caused by the tugging and pulling we do on our
lashes,” says Heather Wilson, a licensed esthetician and director of
brand development at InstaNatural. “Be gentle with your lashes now, and
your entire eye area will look youthful and radiant for years.” Read on
for tips on keeping your lashes as healthy and bat-worthy as possible.
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These magic beauty nutrients stimulate lash growth the same way they
stimulate the growth of the hair on your head, says Janna Ronert, a
licensed esthetician and founder and CEO of IMAGE Skincare. You can find
biotin
supplements in the vitamin aisle of your local pharmacy or grocery
store. “Biotin improves the foundation of keratin to help stop and
possibly even reverse hair loss,” says Alexandra Rogers, a nurse
practicioner and co-founder of LexRx. “Those 18 or older can take up to
30 micrograms a day with their doctor’s permission.”
Collagen supplements typically come in liquid form, but you can find
it in pill or powder form at health food stores as well. We're fans of
the drinkable Minerva Pure Gold Collagen ($40 for a month supply, ulta.com). In addition to containing collagen, which is essential for healthy skin and lashes, it's full of hyaluronic acid
and borage oil, both of which are hydrating. For best results, ask your
doctor how much to take. Most powders or pills suggest taking six grams
(you can get that from one scoop or from six pills) a day.
If supplements aren’t your cup of tea, eating a healthy diet rich in
protein and vitamins—think fish, eggs, beans, soy, and yogurt—can also
help make lashes full and thick and stimulate growth, say the pros.
The lash serum craze started with the
prescription-only brand Latisse. “The active ingredient in [Latisse] is
bimatoprost, which works to stimulate hair growth directly from the root
underneath your skin," says Rogers. But it’s important to note that
bimatoprost can, in very rare instances, change your eye color when
applied directly on the cornea. Ronert points out that there are a lot
of non-prescription serums out there if this is a concern for you. (Regardless, check with your doctor before adding one to your routine.)
[post_ads]Want to try a serum? Here's how to use it: Apply the serum to a clean face and make sure to take out contact lenses if you have them. Remove the sterile applicator (supplied) from the tray and place a drop of the serum closest to the tip. Then, draw the serum on the applicator along the skin at the base of the upper lashes from the inner part of the eyelid to the outer part. Be sure not to apply in the eye or on the lower lid (or you might get excess hair growth). Blot any excess serum away with a cotton ball and then repeat on the opposite lid.
Although experts say lash serums are effective, don’t expect to see results overnight. The natural lash growth cycle is around eight weeks, so for some, it may take up to four months for your lashes to fully develop that luxurious appearance and thickness.
[post_ads]Want to try a serum? Here's how to use it: Apply the serum to a clean face and make sure to take out contact lenses if you have them. Remove the sterile applicator (supplied) from the tray and place a drop of the serum closest to the tip. Then, draw the serum on the applicator along the skin at the base of the upper lashes from the inner part of the eyelid to the outer part. Be sure not to apply in the eye or on the lower lid (or you might get excess hair growth). Blot any excess serum away with a cotton ball and then repeat on the opposite lid.
Although experts say lash serums are effective, don’t expect to see results overnight. The natural lash growth cycle is around eight weeks, so for some, it may take up to four months for your lashes to fully develop that luxurious appearance and thickness.
Remember: Change out your mascara every three months,
even if there is still some liquid left in the tube. “This will stop
your mascara from drying out your lashes and possibly transmitting
bacteria into or around your eyes,” says Lori Leib, a makeup artist and
creative director of Bodyography, a professional cosmetics line.
And when you do apply it, only do so on the tips of your lashes—never
from root to tip, says Shannique Austin, a celebrity lash artist and
owner of Glam Spa in California, since that can be abrasive and cause
tearing.
It may sound obvious, but sleeping in your makeup
is a no-no. “It’s especially important to remove mascara because its
stiffness can tug and break lashes while you sleep,” says Ronert. And
keep this in mind when you’re wiping everything off: “The hair follicles
that grow the hair that make the lashes can be quite fragile, so using
too much pressure to wipe off mascara can irritate these follicles,
causing them to go into a non-growth or ‘latent phase,’” says Robert
Grant, M.D., plastic surgeon in chief at New York-Presbyterian Hospital.
“This can also occur when using non-pH balanced soaps and cleansers
that may have an alcohol base.”
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So use a cotton ball and take your time. “I recommend holding a cleansing water-drenched cotton pad or a high-quality cleansing cloth over the eyelid for 30 seconds to loosen the mascara and then swipe away the excess product,” says Leib. Joey Chancis, co-founder of Labb Aesthetic Beauty Bar, likes Clinique Take the Day Off ($29, sephora.com), which is safe even for contact lens wearers.
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So use a cotton ball and take your time. “I recommend holding a cleansing water-drenched cotton pad or a high-quality cleansing cloth over the eyelid for 30 seconds to loosen the mascara and then swipe away the excess product,” says Leib. Joey Chancis, co-founder of Labb Aesthetic Beauty Bar, likes Clinique Take the Day Off ($29, sephora.com), which is safe even for contact lens wearers.
