How to get longer hair is something that has always piqued the interest of the beauty sphere – with tips and tricks in abundance on how to promote healthier strands. But for the most part, the same rules can’t apply to growing longer, stronger lashes.
There’s no equivalent of a scalp massage for your eyelids and gentle detangling doesn’t apply to these strands. While many theories and DIY remedies are floating around online, there are very few proven methods to help grow your lashes and actually many at-home tricks can be a hindrance to healthy eye care.
So here, we have all the steps you need to follow for your best chance to grow longer, stronger lashes straight from the experts. You’ll be fluttering your fuller lashes in no time at all.
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Be extra gentle with your eye skincare
There’s a reason why so many skincare products tell you to keep some products away from the eye, it’s a really delicate part of your face so you need to avoid using any heavy products around that area, only opting for creams and serums that are specifically made for the eyes.
For a better chance at growth, your best bet is avoiding anything on your lash line that isn’t a lash-dedicated product because the wrong ingredients and textures can irritate. Brilliantly, Olaplex has just launched LashBond, a new product that uses lash science from the hair experts, specifically supporting and sustaining the natural lash growth cycle. It delivers Olaplex’s clever peptide-complex technology along with hydrating hyaluronic acid and biotin to the lash line, so you can achieve the look of longer, thicker, stronger, healthier lashes.
When it comes to cleansing your eye area, while balms are great for removing more stubborn eye make-up, they can clog your lash line if not rinsed off properly so, if you use an oil-based cleanser, double-cleansing with a water-based cleanser after will ensure your lashes are free from any build-up that could hinder growth.
Is checking expiry dates for eye make-up important?
Yes, and especially on the lashes. ‘Using clean mascara is a must for healthy lashes,’ says celebrity make-up artist Joy Adenuga. ‘Most mascaras are actually made to be used for just three months before you need to get a new one.’
As you’re constantly pumping the brush in and out of the tube, the risk of bacteria growing is higher than with powder make-up products. ‘Changing your mascara regularly helps to avoid eye infections and damage to your eyelashes,’ says Adenuga.
Do eyelash serums really work?
The short answer is: yes. Promising longer, stronger lashes in a matter of weeks, you’ll struggle to find a beauty editor who doesn’t have an eyelash serum in their bathroom cabinet. Thanks to a truly effective formula, the Olaplex LashBond Building Serum is clinically proven to deliver noticeable results in as little as two weeks and uses the same genius formula as Olaplex’s hero products.
It may sound like magic in a tube, but there’s solid science behind the new product. ELLE asked Olaplex’s chief scientist, Lavinia Popescu, to break down the facts. ‘The product harnesses a number of expert technologies, including our proprietary peptide blend, which features an Olaplex-exclusive peptide to support the natural lash growth cycle,’ she explains.
‘This blend also enhances lash retention to promote the appearance of longer, fuller, denser lashes. The product benefits from our patented Olaplex Bond Building Technology too. It helps support the skin barrier at the lash line and creates a better environment for lash growth.’ Brittle lashes, be gone!
The Olaplex LashBond Building Serum also targets five top lash concerns without unwanted effects: we’re talking everything from lash length, volume and density to loss and shedding, as well as dry lashes and lack of natural lift and curl. It’s enough to make us want to ditch the falsies for good.
Can waterproof mascara damage your lashes?
While the actual formula of waterproof mascaras is, of course, fine to use on your eyelashes, Adenuga advises avoiding it unless absolutely necessary because of how difficult it can be to remove. ‘Even when using waterproof eye make-up remover, you still need to apply a lot of pressure to get it off and it’s not healthy for your lashes,’ she says. If you have watery eyes, try water-resistant mascara instead, which doesn’t smudge but removes easily with cleanser.
How important is nutrition for longer lashes?
Even the most diligent of us can lack nutrients in our diet. The same supplements that work on our hair, skin and nails are great for helping with lash growth too, so where possible add a multivitamin and mineral into your daily routine to keep levels topped up. Nutrients like biotin, iron and vitamins C and D all aid in healthy hair growth when combined with a balanced diet.
Discover Olaplex LashBond Building Serum here from the #1 Brand in Prestige Haircare*
*Source: The NPD Group/U.S. Prestige Beauty Total Measured Market, July-September 2022
