Live. Laugh. Lashes.
Image Courtesy: Pinterest
From the moment my mother bought me my first clear mascara, it has been my mission to frame my eyes in the most dramatic way possible; to double the airflow in any room with one wink. I have scoured the Internet and beauty tabloids for years in hopes of finding any way to make my lashes stand out. From what is trending this year on social media to some obscure archived Reddit post from 2009, I have compiled novels worth of tips, tricks, hacks—whatever you would like to call it—on how to make your lashes your own.
Unfortunately, I was not lucky enough to be born with naturally stunning lashes. I would spend a grotesque amount of time applying and reapplying every mascara you could think of just to end up disliking the way my lashes looked. I had reached my wit’s end and decided to build up my luscious lashes beyond mascara.
Enter lash serums. Using a lash serum has quickly become one of the most popular ways to grow your natural lashes, and rightfully so. Since serums are typically a bit pricey, it is important to invest in one you know will work for you. A study published in The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology shows that the peptides myristoyl pentapeptide-17 and myristoyl hexapeptide-16 are the two important ingredients to stimulate keratin production in your eyelashes, allowing them to grow quicker. In other words, you want to be on the lookout for a “multi-peptide” serum to really see a difference.
If you are skeptical of serums or if the prices are unjustifiable, another great way to see lash improvement is the utilization of essential oils. Castor oil is probably the most popular oil when talking about the health of your lashes, but it works differently for everyone. Typically, you will see a difference in the quality of your lashes rather than an increase in their length. Playing alchemist and mixing a couple of different essential oils will probably serve you best. A killer combination I found was mixing castor oil, jojoba oil, and vitamin E oil, and directly applying this to your lashes with a spoolie every night.
As far as making your lashes “your own,” the possibilities for play are endless. One of my personal favorite ways to add emphasis to my eyes is the use of false lashes. The best part about false lashes is the plethora of styles and colors available. You could opt for a more natural look using individuals, cautiously placing each cluster where you see fit. Or maybe you would rather have a more permanent statement look achieved by semi-permanent extensions. Whatever your preference, there is a false lash out there for you.
Image Courtesy: Pinterest
Eye shape is incredibly important when choosing how you want to go about applying false lashes. One trend that recently gained traction on TikTok was the elongated “cat eye,” in which the lashes are applied beyond the outer corner of your eye and connected to the lower lash line with liner. Since lashes drastically change the appearance of your eyes, you should have an idea of what you want your final look to be. Let’s say your end goal is more of a doe-eyed look. For this, you would want to apply longer lashes in the middle of your eye to bring attention to the natural curvature of your eyelid. If you wanted a “siren” look, you would want to place longer lashes towards your outer corner to elongate your eye shape. To really amplify the effects of your lashes, apply mascara once they’ve been glued on.
Image Courtesy: Pinterest
Now let’s talk color. One of the most striking ways to make anything more visually appealing is playing with color. Your beautifully painted eyes are no exception. There aren’t any rules when it comes to self-expression, however, color theory will be your best friend. Hypothetically, if you have foxy brown eyes, play with hues of blue and purple to add an instant sparkle. If you’re feeling frisky, a light green would brighten your eyes, and a sexy silver would give you a flirty glam. With colored eyes, like green and blue, use the color wheel to pinpoint the color opposite that of your eyes to really bring out an ethereal shimmer. Green eyes are begging to be paired with red undertones, while blue eyes love to be paired with hues of caramel and orange. Keep in mind this is extremely generalized, as any color combination can be extravagant. A classic black mascara can be so much fun, but adding a subtle pop of color will really allow your eyes their moment to shine.
Image Courtesy: Pat McGrath Labs
Everyone has a different preference when it comes to how they do their makeup. If you want your eyes to be the star of the show, remember there are so many ways to experiment until you find a look that perfectly suits you. Don’t be afraid to try different things, as there is a whole world out there to be explored. Stay beautiful.
Strike Out,
Writer: Grace Groover
Editor: Cristina Angee
Tallahassee