A long, lush set of eyelashes is so desirable that people pay hundreds of dollars to get them for just a few weeks at a time. (Yes, I’m talking about extensions.) But perhaps due to the pandemic and/or the fact that there are so many great products coming out all the time, people have really been focused on caring for and enhancing their natural lashes lately, as opposed to paying for salon services.
I don’t know about you, but I spend a lot of time on Instagram zooming into selfies to check out eyelashes. (I’m pretty sure I’m not the only one!) I decided to take it a step further and ask some of the women with eyelashes I’ve admired on Instagram what their secret is for beautiful lashes. The products and tips they shared with me were incredibly helpful, and they obviously work—just zoom in.
Keep scrolling for the best eyelash tips (and what products to buy) straight from eight in-the-know women.
“I’ve always stayed away from lash extensions and have concentrated on taking care of the lashes I have. I use Briogeo’s Cold-Pressed Castor Oil every night to nourish and grow my eyelashes naturally. I also use Elemis’s nourishing cleansing balm to gently remove eye makeup and not strip my eyes of their natural oils.”
“This sounds random, but I find it best to make sure my eyelashes are completely dry before applying mascara. When I blow-dry my hair, for example, I’ll quickly (quickly!) just zap my eyelashes from afar. Then, I apply L’Oréal Mascara in the Blackest Black. I’ve tried every brand, and nothing compares! I also blink slowly a couple of times while I’m applying the mascara in order to get the mascara from the very top of the lash to the very bottom, as this makes them look even longer. Also, I always make sure to pay special attention to the lashes on the outside and inside corner of your eye. They tend to get forgotten and yet are the most important ones, in my opinion, to coat with extra mascara because they help make your eyes look brighter and more open, no matter how tired you are.”
“I don’t wear a lot of eye makeup (eye shadow and eyeliner), so mascara has always been an extra-important step in my makeup routine. I’ve sworn by L’Oréal Telescopic Mascara since I was in high school! It’s all in the wand for me, and this one is perfect. It has short rubber bristles that make it really easy to get long, fluttery lashes without any clumps or mess.”
“First and foremost, I always, always, always curl my lashes (I love this Tweezerman model best!) for a good minute on each side, making my way slowly up from the base and all the way to the tips. Since my lashes are naturally long, they can get tangly (weird, I know), so I also like to run a lash comb or spoolie through them to keep them tidy before I start adding other products. I’m a fiend for mascara, and I always opt for wands that are more rodlike or have rubber brushes—I find that the formulas are usually less heavy and wet, which really gives me the best length, separation, and lift. I swear on my life that Glossier Lash Slick is the best mascara on earth if you’re looking for an extended, super-fluttery Bambi effect, but if your budget allows, this weird-looking lash tint from Surratt is truly one of my most prized beauty possessions. I’ve never gotten the simultaneous length, curl, separation, and buildability from another lash product before. It’s legit magic.”
“I get so many questions about my lashes… What mascara do you use? Are those your real lashes?? Well, no secret over here darlings. I wear individual Ardell lashes that I do myself once a week. I love that they give the appearance of wearing makeup even on days when I’m not. After seven years of practice, I have a few things I have learned to keep them fresh throughout the week. My number one tip is to only use mascaras that gently wash away, never waterproof. The key, I have found in order to effectively get your lashes clean, is to double cleanse. I begin by gently massaging my eye area, including my lashes, with cleansing oil or balm using my fingertips, never with a cotton round because they tend to snag lashes. Then, I follow that up with a water-based gel cleanser. My final tip is to know when it’s time for a fresh set! Individual lashes can look tired and crushed after several nights of sleep, so for me to keep that “natural lash look,” I give a set about seven to eight days max.”
“I actually use RevitaLash lash serum! It’s been a total game changer for me.”
“I care a lot about my eyelashes, but there are really only a couple of things I do to make sure they get the love and care they need. My first rule of thumb is to never use makeup wipes. I find that no matter how gently I rub my eyes with them, a lash or two always falls out. Instead, I use the Versed Cleansing Balm to gently remove all my eye makeup, which requires barely any harsh eye rubbing at all. As far as mascara goes, I am very loyal to Covergirl Lash Blast Volume Mascara in Very Black. I love the way the brush evenly separates my lashes for that lifted and perfectly coated look. I will usually do one coat with that, and then when I’m feeling really fancy, I add a bit more drama with the Nars Climax Mascara. It always gives my lashes that extra drama that I crave when creating a more intense eye makeup look.”
“The products I use for my eyelashes are both from Dior. First, I put Diorshow Maximizer 3D—it’s a serum base for mascara—then I wear the DiorShow Iconic Overcurl.”
