The hair on your head grows in finer and less dense over time, and so do your lashes. If yours lack oomph lately, even with mascara on, don’t fret. The right products and tricks will restore your lashes to their lush, fluttery glory.
1. Do some prep
You can bulk up lashes with lash primer, which nourishes and coats so lashes look thicker. How to swipe like a pro? Continually roll the brush forward as you pull it through your lashes. Add a second coat at the outer lash corners for a youthful lift.
“Hold the brush vertically and use the tip to dab a coat on lashes that lines up with your irises for an elongating effect,” says make-up artist Lori Taylor Davis. Finally, eyeliner can make it look as if you have more lashes: Line the tops of your lids with a thin line of deep charcoal-grey eyeliner, which is a more natural look than black.
Our picks: Max Factor False Lash Revival Volume-boosting Primer and Napoleon Perdis Play-Pen Eyeliner
2. Upgrade your mascara
“As you age, your eyelids droop, bringing lashes downward so they appear more straight than curved,” explains Lori. Switch to a lash lifting mascara that bends lashes up so they seem fuller.
Another great trick is to layer different mascaras that address different needs. If you want length and fullness but also want to lift and curl, layer the two mascaras over each other for an instant fix.
Our picks: To boost thin lashes: Charlotte Tilbury Pillowtalk Push Up Lashes. To amplify thin short lashes: Revlon So Fierce Big Bad Lash Mascara.
3. Try a growth treatment
Lash serums work by infusing the lashes with nourishing ingredients such as peptides (also known as amino acids), hyaluronic acid and oils to strengthen and condition. While there isn’t a lot of research behind the efficacy of these products, anecdotal evidence suggests longer, fuller lashes with reduced lash loss in 30 days. Just remember, consistency is key and you’ll need to apply it morning and night.
Our picks: L'Oreal Paris Clinically Proven Lash Serum
4. Invest in some lash tools
The curlier your lashes the more open your eyes will appear, so investing in an eyelash curler is a good idea if you have very straight lashes. Curling your lashes should be the first step in your lash routine, and using the curler on clean, dry lashes (no primer or mascara) is the key to getting the lift you want.
If a full set of false lashes is too daunting, try individual lashes that are made to be worn in conjunction with your mascara. They give that extra bit of lift and natural-looking fullness without the time and cost commitment of eyelash extensions. Plus, they really are much easier to apply than strip lashes that often need to be trimmed to size and are a bit more tricky to manipulate onto your lash line.
Our picks: Revlon Eyelash Curler
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