How to get those mega lashes.

Some consider the eyes the window to the soul.  To me, eyes are my most favorite feature on any living thing I encounter; it also happens to be my favorite feature of my own self.

Rivaled only by expert brows, eyelashes can enhance your face and, if your eyes are a favorite feature like me, can draw people in. I receive lots of compliments on my eyelashes (that’s me to the right with mascara only, no eyeliner and not much mascara on lower lashes), and lots of skepticism that they’re actually real.  For the record, yes, they’re real and I’ll give you some insight on how to get them yourself. Keep reading to see my lash routine and how I got this look.

Genetics.

First thing’s first, are genetics. I’m sorry, it’s the thing you don’t want to hear if you have barely there eyelashes already.  But. you have to realistic in what your hair and body will produce (much like me with my hair color). The good news for all ReadHead readers is that before I started taking care of my lashes, I’d give them a 5 out of 10.  There’s lots of room to grow.

Taking care of lashes from the inside.

For as much time as I take to talk about taking care of your skin, my diet leaves something to be desired. I did some reading, because that’s what we do here at ReadHead and found a vitamin with impressive ingredients called Alive! Whole Food Supplement that is packed full of just about any leafy green, fruit, vitamin, you name it.  It tastes like dirt, but wow does it work to give me the things my body is missing.  I also supplement this with my favorite beauty vitamin, Nature’s Bounty Optimal Solutions Extra Strength Hair Skin & Nail which focuses on hair’s building blocks of biotin, collagen, vitamins and argan oil.  These two things together gave my body the boost it needed.

Blogger’s Note: I am not a doctor.  Before taking any vitamins consult your doctor and be sure to follow all directions on labels. Vitamins and supplements are not to be taken lightly nor does more mean better. I do not take the recommended dose for these.  I take one pill of each per day vs. the recommended three.  More on vitamins in another post.

Taking care of your lashes on the outside.

Washing your face does more than get the gunk out of your pores.  It also removes drying mascara that can make your lashes hard and brittle.  Lashes are just like the hair on your head – putting them through curling, harsh chemicals and no rest can cause them to be brittle and break. Ever notice how men seem to have the most beautiful lashes us women envy?  It’s because they don’t put them through the ringer.

Tips:

• Give your lashes a rest from mascara on the weekends or days that you don’t have to get dolled up.
• Use a lash conditioner at night.  My favorite is Rimmel’s Lash Accelerator.  Although this clear gel says you can wear it under mascara, I don’t recommend it.  It helps lashes grow by conditioning them and protecting from fall-out.  Using a clean mascara wand with a light dip of castor oil also works.
• Check into lash-growth serums. If your lashes truly aren’t there, Latisse is an option you can get, but it’s pricey without a prescription.  It won’t replace Latisse, but RapidLash is one I’ve used in the past that worked well and was more budget-friendly.
• Get rid of the really cheap dollar mascaras that are high in alcohol.  You can find great drugstore brands, but skip the off-brands. Waterproof should also go if you don’t have extremely oily lids.  It puts a strain on your lashes during the day and when you’re removing it.
• Use a conditioning lash primer before your mascara to help protect lashes day in and day out.
• Different mascaras can give you different looks.  If you don’t mind a few steps, find good lengthening and volumizing mascaras vs. trying to find a great one that does both.
• Try using a hair dryer on your lash curler for extra curl staying power.  Use your hair dryer for about 10 seconds, test it on your hand first to make sure it’s not too hot, and voila, it’s like a hair curler for your lashes. Make sure to let them cool down to really set that curl before adding mascara.

What I’m wearing: Diorshow Maximizer 3D eyelash primer, two coats of BENEFIT’s Roller Lash mascara, and one coat of Two Faced’s Better Than Sex mascara (and if that name doesn’t intrigue you I’m not sure what does) for ultimate volume.

Have a favorite lash product? Drop us a line in the comments.