Luscious Lashes
A lick of mascara can make a huge difference to defining your eyes, and I personally never leave home without a good coat on my lashes. I feel bare without it.
But beyond mascara there are plenty of enhancing ways to make the eyes flutter.
Eyelash Tinting
If you don’t like wearing mascara every day or are going on holiday, play a lot of sport or have very fair lashes, eyelash tinting can give you the added definition without having to wear make up. Depending on your skin colouring and the effect you are looking for, you can choose the most suitable shade – either brown, brown/black, black, blue/black (which is the darkest).
The beauty therapist will apply the tint, which will be left on for around 10 minutes and the effects of the tint will last 4- 6 weeks. If you have never had your lashes tinted before, it’s best to have a patch test done 24 hours before your appointment to ensure you won’t have an allergic reaction.
Curling and Perming
Curling your eyelashes can instantly give you a more wide awake look. I love the Shu Uemura’s eyelash curlers (from Space NK). Clamp them as close as possible to the root of your top lashes (without pinching the lid) and hold for 10 seconds for a smooth curve. If you clamp the curlers in the middle of the lash you can get an undesirable harsh looking angle on the lashes so make sure you get to the root.
Eyelash perming can give you the same, but longer lasting look, done at a salon. The upper lashes are curled around a mini roller and set for 20 minutes and the effect lasts up to two months.
Growth Serums
There are a few new products that have hit the market in the last year that promise to make your own eyelashes grow to their fullest potential. My favourite is Lusty Lash.
This lash enhancing serum is made with pure natural ingredients and is bursting with lash growth power.
The applicator is similar to a liquid eyeliner brush, but for best results apply the clear serum to both top and bottom lash roots for longer, stronger, thicker, fuller lashes and thickening up fine eyebrows.
Apply in the morning a few minutes before mascara and in the evening after you have removed your make-up. After 30 days lashes will appear dramatically fuller and with continued use Lusty Lash will encourage your lashes to grow. After 3-4 months apply every second evening to maintain the strength in the hair follicle.
(£49.99 per bottle from www.lustylashco.com)
False Lashes
For extra oomph, false lashes are the ultimate accessory for eyes! Whether you want extra length, more volume, very natural or a super dramatic look, there are false lashes for every occasion. I love Eylure lashes available from Boots or Superdrug, or for check out the selection at the Illamasqua counter in Debenhams for something special.
To apply strip lashes, firstly grab the lash with tweezers and hold up to your eye to see if they are about the right length – if they are too long, trim a little bit off the end as otherwise they will wing out too far. Apply eyelash glue along the root of the false eyelash and leave for a few seconds till this starts to go a bit tacky. Using tweezers, manoeuvre the eyelash and place onto the root of your own eyelashes. The use your fingers to slide to the exact desired position.
Eyelash Extensions
Semi permanent eyelash extensions are now extremely popular to give longer, fuller, lashes which last for 8-12 weeks. Prices start around £50 depending on how many lashes you wish on each eye. Instead of getting the full set re-done every few months, it is recommend you go and get in-fills as you need it, perhaps every 4 weeks to keep your lashes looking their best.
