Love Your Lashes – Your Eyelash Care Guide

You care for your skin, groom your eyebrows, trim your hair, and brush your teeth. But are you caring for your eyelashes? Your lashes are one of the most important features on your face, protecting your eyes from dust and debris. They also serve an important aesthetic function, truly changing your appearance and adding drama to eye makeup looks.

Did you know that with eyelash care and cleaning, you can improve your eyelashes’ health and appearance and help them grow long and strong? It’s true. Use this guide to keep your eyelashes in great shape.

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Eyelash Care Tips

Do you dream of long, beautiful lashes? The eyelash care tips will give them a natural boost.

• Keep your eyelashes clean – It’s essential to clean your eyelashes to remove makeup and debris from the day. However, even if you didn’t wear mascara that day, it’s wise to use a cotton bud and micellar water to clean along your lash line. Next, use a cleansing balm to gently clean your eyelids and lashes, and rinse clear. Clean lashes are healthy lashes!
  
• Give them a break from products – Just like the hair on your head can become dry and brittle from too much product, your eyelashes can also get fatigued. Mascara works by making your lashes brittle, which also increases the likelihood of breakage. Give your eyelashes a break by skipping mascara and liner for a few days a week.
• Don’t sleep in your makeup – Not only can makeup clog your pores and throw your natural biome out whack, but it can also trap dirt and environmental pollutants next to your skin. This increases free radicals, which lead to the appearance of premature ageing. Also, when it comes to your lashes, mascara increases breakage. This is usually fine throughout the day, but while you’re sleeping, you tend to press your face against the pillow, causing a lot of breakage.
• Do burnt eyelashes grow back?
  If you’ve burnt your lashes and even the top layers of your skin, your lashes will likely grow back. However, if you’ve experienced a second or third-degree burn on your eyelids, the hair follicles may be permanently damaged, and your natural lashes will not return. Good eyelash care will hasten the process and keep your lids and lashes healthy. 

How to Get Longer Eyelashes

When you’re searching for “how to get longer eyelashes,” you’re certain to come across plenty of unproven home remedies. Green tea, olive oil, castor oil, and aloe vera are all common home remedies to help your eyelashes grow, but sadly, none of them actually work.[i]

However, not all hope is lost! There is one proven remedy to help you get longer eyelashes – Bimatoprost (Lumigan). It is approved for use in the UK and must be prescribed by a GP or specialist. You apply Lumigan along your upper lash line, and you’ll start to see results after two months of regular use.

• Does Vaseline make eyelashes grow?
  No, Vaseline will not make your eyelashes grow.[ii] However, while Vaseline won’t make your eyelashes grow, it is an occlusive that will moisturise and hydrate your lashes, making them look longer and fuller.
• Do eyelash serums work?
  Unless your eyelash serum includes Bimatoprost, there is no evidence that it will increase the length of your lashes. However, serums often contain oils and molecules that moisturise your lashes, making them appear longer, shinier, and healthier. Serums may also reduce breakage.

 

Eyelash Extension Care

Eyelash extensions give you the long, dark and lovely lashes you crave without a daily coat of mascara. Expert technicians affix semi-permanent fibres to your individual lashes with a specialised glue, making them as thick, full, and long as you wish.[iii] You can usually choose between different materials, including silk, human hair, horsehair, mink, and synthetic fibres.

Caring for your eyelash extensions is a lot like caring for your natural lashes, with one major exception – you cannot apply any oil to your extensions. Oil-based cosmetics and skincare will loosen the glue’s bonds and shorter your extensions’ lifespan, wasting your time and money.

Here’s how to clean eyelash extensions and make them last as long as possible:

• Keep them clean – Keep your lashes clean with an oil-free cleanser, such as micellar water. Saturate a cotton bud with micellar water and run it along your lash line, and then carefully rinse and allow them to air dry.
• Say goodbye to mascara – Lash extensions give you stunning full lashes without using a lick of mascara. In fact, most mascaras contain oils and ingredients that will degrade your extensions. There are a few brands of extension-safe mascaras out there – be sure to check the label to ensure it’s appropriate.
• Don’t rub or tug at your lashes – It’s natural to want to rub your eyes when you feel tired or have dry eyes but resist the urge! Too much friction will shorten your extensions’ life, and cause them to shed much sooner.
• Get regular extension infills – To keep your lashes looking and feeling their best, schedule regular infill sessions with your lash specialist. They’ll replace lost lashes to perk up your lash line and give you even more value for your money.

 

How to remove eyelash extensions

When your lash extensions have run their course, it’s time to have them removed. Unfortunately, while you can attempt to remove your own lash extensions with facial oil and patience, you risk losing your natural lashes. In fact, most of the horror stories you hear about extensions involve people trying to remove their own!

To preserve your natural lashes, it’s important to return to your technician. Some will do this for free, while others charge a small fee for removal. They’ll use the appropriate solvents and techniques to remove the extensions carefully.

If you want to do your own gorgeous lash extensions, why not consider taking an eyelash extension course online? Your lashes will never look better, and you can earn a good living helping others achieve the same.

 

What is an eyelash lift?

Performed by a qualified and licensed aesthetician or lash technician, an eyelash lift curls your lash from the base to the ends. This amplifies their natural length and makes them appear long and elegantly curled. The tech will use a tiny wand and curling solution, and the results last four to six weeks.

 

Common Eyelash Issues

Some of the most common eyelash issues can cause pain and burning, so it’s essential to get them checked out by your GP.

• Blepharitis – Blepharitis affects the lash line. It’s a chronic inflammatory condition that can cause inflammation, crusting, scales, redness, itchiness, and soreness. Sufferers experience worse symptoms in the morning, and often feel sensitive to light.[iv] Blepharitis has two main causes, bacterial and dermatitis, and can be associated with styes, conjunctivitis, and dry eye. Visit your GP if you think you may have blepharitis.
• Styes – Styes, also called hordeolum, are caused by an infected eyelash gland.[v] Though they only affect one tiny gland, they can cause a lot of pain and inflammation, as well as redness. In addition, your eye may feel swollen and sore, and you may become sensitive to light. You can ease the inflammation with a warm compress, and the symptoms should subside in between one to two weeks.
• Trichiasis – Trichiasis occurs when your eyelashes turn inward and start scratching your cornea.[vi] It’s a common condition, and your doctor can help. Trichiasis often occurs after a different eye infection, although some people are born with it as a recurrent problem. Over time, your eyelashes can cause friction and scarring on your cornea, so it’s important to have it checked.
• Losing eyelashes – If you find yourself asking, “why are my eyelashes falling out?” you may have one of the conditions listed above. However, stress, poor diet, and failing to remove your mascara can all cause your eyelashes to fall out, as can alopecia. Speak to your GP if you’re concerned.

 

Eyelash Care is Part of a Good Skincare Routine

If you have a skincare routine (and you absolutely should), you need an eyelash care routine. With just a few simple steps, you can keep your lashes and lids happy, healthy, and looking their best.

 

Sources

[i] https://www.healthline.com/health/beauty-skin-care/how-to-get-longer-eyelashes#proven-methods

[ii] https://www.healthline.com/health/vaseline-on-eyelashes

[iii] https://www.cosmopolitan.com/style-beauty/beauty/a3915095/eyelash-extensions-for-beginners/

[iv] https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/blepharitis/

[v] https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/stye/

[vi] https://www.webmd.com/eye-health/trichiasis-eyelashes-eyes