It is not surprising to hear that as we age, our hair tends to become thinner, with a tendency to affect the hair on our scalp and our eyelashes. Ironically, previously fine hair may become thicker in unwanted places like the chin, nostrils, ears, or lips! Being over 40 can also mean hair growth starts to slow down too. As unfair as nature can be, there are some steps we can take to either promote the strength and condition of our hair, or just all-out fake it! Here’s how to get thicker longer eyelashes (or at least create the illusion).
Longer thicker eyelashes are the dream and thankfully, these days, there are lots of options to get longer, thicker-looking lashes.
Boost your eyelash health from the inside.
Nutrition
Your eyelashes are hair and hair needs vital vitamins and minerals to grow healthy and strong. Each eyelash is rooted in a blood supply that provides nutrients, so it stands to reason that the more vitamin and mineral-rich your diet, the better your eyelashes will thrive.
Following a healthy diet that contains a range of fruits and vegetables, healthy fats, and protein will support hair growth, helping you get all the important vitamins and minerals you need. Where possible, try and eat organic for a bigger nutrient boost and get some sunshine for that all-important vitamin D production.
Avoid eating processed foods and junk food that has low nutritional value.
Try to include foods that contain Biotin, such as seeds and nuts, sweet potatoes, eggs, and fish, and foods that promote collagen production such as gelatin, soy, leafy green vegetables, and dairy foods.
Hydration
Avoid becoming thirsty, which is often a big warning sign of dehydration. Your body needs water to function well and this includes growing your hair. Dehydration will show up in the health of your hair (including your eyelashes) skin and nails so make sure you are getting your 8 glasses a day.
Nurture your eyelash health on the outside.
Serums
Just as we clean and condition our hair, we can take care of our eyelashes. Make sure you cleanse your face daily, ideally twice a day. Ensure you remove makeup products from your eyelashes at the end of each day. Eyelash serums help to nurture your lashes from the outside, improving their condition and many include topical nutrients that can support healthy eyelash growth.
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Eyelash Care
Treat your eyelashes with care. They are only tiny and can be fragile, so avoid harsh scrubbing and rubbing your eyes. Cleanse your eyes delicately and use an eye makeup remover for stubborn makeup residue.
Fake it.
Before we get into the best ways to fake longer and thicker eyelashes, please ensure that any treatments you have are carried out by a qualified and reputable beauty therapist and ALWAYS have a patch test. The eyes are a sensitive area, with delicate surrounding skin, and are prone to being more reactive than the thicker skin found elsewhere on the body. Your eyesight is important, so do not risk it.
Tint and Lift
The tint and lift treatment is a fantastic option for so many reasons. The lift makes lashes look longer and the tint makes them darker. The treatment lasts up to 6 weeks and will not run (say goodbye to late-night panda eyes). It is super convenient for those who wear glasses and may struggle to apply mascara, those that like to sweat in a gym session and for holidays – sun tan lotion and swimming pools, need I say more!
The treatment involves using a perming solution to fix the eyelashes into position and a tint to darken the lashes so they are more visible.
If the talk of perms and tints is a little scary, don’t worry. Products have been formulated specifically for use around the eyes. When carried out by a trained and qualified beautician, the treatment is safe and can be highly effective.
The eyelash lift has evolved in recent years, springing up from the traditional eyelash perm. The perm involves wrapping the eyelashes around a curling rod to lift and curl lashes. The lift, however, uses a different technique to lift the lashes without the curl, which highlights their length.
Couple with a tint, usually blue-black (the darkest black) lashes appear longer, more defined, and prominent.
Eyelash Extensions
Eyelash extensions have soared in popularity because they create an instant look of long, thick dream eyelashes. There are so many options available ranging from a natural, enhanced look to all-out full and thick. Just like every beauty treatment out there, they do come with limitations, so be sure to follow the guidance your beauty therapist gives you.
For those of us with small fine lashes, the length and thickness of the false lashes used can be limited. This is because every single false eyelash is glued on to a single natural eyelash. If it is too heavy it runs the risk of snapping your own lash, but don’t worry, the final look will still be vastly longer and thicker than your own lashes.
Eyelash extensions do require some maintenance, and you will need to look after them. To get the best out of your extensions, you should avoid wearing eye makeup such as eyeliner or mascara on the lashes. Keep cleansers and moisturisers away from the lashes too as the oils from these products can soften the glue. Avoid picking, pulling, and rubbing the lashes too, as this can cause your lashes to break.
Upkeep
With both the eyelash extensions and the lift and tint treatments, these will not last forever. Your natural eyelashes do shed, so you will need extension infills every 2-3 weeks. The tint and lift every 6 weeks. You are also more likely to notice your eyelash loss now that they are more prominent; so if you spot the odd eyelash on your pillow, it’s perfectly normal.
Whether you choose to go for the natural route to nurture your eyelash growth; or get longer thicker lashes at the salon, there is a lot you can do to make those lashes stand out again.