Why do we love large eyes? Apparently, we’re hardwired to like them – they’re a key characteristic of babies so they bring out our protective instincts, plus they have associations with innocence and honesty. Happily, grown-ups can fake them (hooray!) with nifty eye make-up. But as eyelid skin ages and stretches, eyelashes can droop, making it more important to curl them, which opens up the eye, rather than lengthen them with mascara. Here’s how.
Eyelash perming, which sweeps those puppies upward, not only makes lashes appear longer but it makes eyes look wider and more lifted into the bargain. The process (by professionals only – this isn’t an ideal DIY treatment) takes about 45 minutes and effects last four to six weeks. but if your lashes are light-ish in colour, it’s best to have them tinted at the same time. For a nearby salon, search wahanda.com and expect to pay around £20-£40.
Lashtinting can be done at home with Colorsport 30 Day Mascara, £5.50. It’s applied with a cotton bud, left on for one minute, then brushed through with the special gel before rinsing off. It’s almost quicker than mascara and should last about a month, although it won’t add thickness or length.
Eyelash extensions cost from £50-£120 or more, depending on salon location, the number applied (usually 50-150) and how long the process takes (one-to-two hours). How long the extension last depend on the shedding rate of your natural lashes since they’re what the extensions are attached to, but two-to-three months is normal. You can swim and shower in them, but make-up remover can dissolve the glue, so avoid using mascara (which you shouldn’t need anyway). For your nearest extensionist check out Lash Perfect
Mascara extends and thickens lashes by coating them with pigments and waxes, while special resins act like setting lotion to hold a bit of upward curve. Benefit’s new Roller Lash, £19.50.
It promises exceptional lift and curl, and also promises to hold that shape for 12 hours. But for even more curl, use eyelash curlers after application. Frankly, traditional ‘squeezy’ ones are best forgotten since they should only be used before mascara, otherwise they stick and pull out your lashes. However, applying wet mascara over beautifully curled lashes is rather like curling your hair and then wetting it, i.e. pointless! Instead, use heated ones, such as Eylure Heated Eyelash Curler, £10.20
Growth serums were created after glaucoma patients noticed that their prescribed medication made their eyelashes grow. Early copycats had to reformulate when the law declared them drugs rather than cosmetics, so subsequent ‘growth’ serums are primarily eyelash conditioners. One of the newest is M2 Beaute’s Eyezone Conditioning Care Complex, £33, which contains a nourishing complex of peptides, vitamins and acai berries, all said to boost collagen formation and stimulate eyelash growth from the roots.
If you have a favourite eyelash product that you just can’t do without, please do let us know in the comment box below. We’d love to hear from you!
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