Do you dream of having the most lusciously long natural eyelashes but you don’t want to break the bank?
While eyelash serum can create effective results, they come with a price tag that may make them more of a ‘nice to have’ than a ‘must have’.
However, False Eyelashes UK understands the allure of luxurious lashes so their in-house experts have shared 7 budget-friendly hacks to lengthen your natural lashes.
7 genius hacks for growing naturally long lashes using green tea bags, water, avocados and more…
- Head to your kitchen cupboard for this common cooking ingredient.
Did you know that oils you’re likely to have in your kitchen cupboard can speed up your eyelash growth? Coconut, olive and vitamin E oil are all packed with the essential nutrients required. This is because they deeply penetrate the lash follicles, nourishing them from within and promoting healthy growth. Therefore, you should make oil application part of your nightly routine.
To apply these nourishing oils effectively, start by ensuring your face is thoroughly cleansed, removing any makeup or debris from your lashes. Then, using a clean mascara wand or a small eyeliner brush, dip it into the oil mixture, ensuring it’s evenly coated. Gently brush the oil onto your lashes, starting from the base and moving towards the tips, taking care to avoid getting the oil into your eyes.
Once applied, use your fingertips to delicately massage the oil into the lash line and lashes, promoting better absorption and stimulating circulation for enhanced growth. Leave the oil on overnight for maximum benefit, allowing it to deeply penetrate and nourish your lashes while you sleep. In the morning, simply wipe away any excess oil with a clean cotton pad or tissue.
- Treat your eyelids to a daily 60-second massage.
As you prepare to drift off into dreamland, indulge in a simple nightly ritual: a 60-second massage for your eyelids. Not only does this practice offer relaxation, but it also boosts blood flow to the lash follicles, ensuring they receive essential nutrients and oxygen. This heightened circulation accelerates lash growth, gradually leading to a fuller, thicker fringe. Moreover, the massage alleviates tension around the eyes, reducing the risk of lash loss due to stress.
- Don’t throw your green tea bags out after using them.
Green tea is rich in polyphenols like epigallocatechin, which stimulate the follicles and promote healthier and stronger lashes over time. While this may not result in immediate growth, it does foster stronger, healthier lashes over time, reducing the likelihood of lash loss and sparse appearance.
So whenever you make yourself a cup of green tea, don’t discard the teabags just yet. Instead, take a moment to relax and place a cooled tea bag over your closed eye for about 5 minutes, before another 5 minutes on your other eye. This allows a concentrated flow of green tea to reach your lashes and the surrounding skin, providing tightening effects and reducing puffiness.
- Always remove your eye makeup at night to prevent bacterial growth and more.
A common mistake people often make is not removing their makeup properly. However, leaving any residue on your lashes can result in brittleness, breakage, eye irritation, itchiness, and even infections. Likewise, it can encourage bacterial growth as makeup particles may transfer onto pillowcases and into your eyes, potentially causing issues such as eyelid cysts.
Take the time each night to cleanse your lashes thoroughly to encourage optimal growth. Employ gentle cleansing methods, utilising makeup removers specifically designed for the delicate eye area or micellar water, to ensure mascara, eyeliner, and eyeshadow are completely removed without the need for harsh tugging or rubbing.
- Eat more ‘lash lengthening’ superfoods.
There’s a reason why the phrase “beauty starts from within” exists, and why you should nourish your body with a diverse array of nutrients. Eating lean proteins and other health foods can help fuel the body’s natural processes, therefore, creating strong, long and resilient lashes.
For example, avocados are packed with vitamin E and antioxidants, which can help fight oxidative stress in our bodies, therefore, preventing hair loss. Another superfood for your eyelashes are sweet potatoes – they contain biotin, vitamin A, vitamin B5 (among many more), all of which help promote hair growth. Similarly, mushrooms are a good source of vitamin B3, and can improve blood circulation and aid in keratin production for stronger lashes.
- Stop rubbing your eyes.
Break the habit of rubbing your eyes to protect your delicate lashes from unnecessary damage. Rubbing or scratching the eyes can cause trauma to the lash follicles, leading to lash loss and stunted growth. Additionally, excessive rubbing can irritate the sensitive skin around the eyes, increasing the likelihood of inflammation and redness.
Instead of rubbing your eyes, practise gentle patting or use a clean, soft cloth to alleviate itchiness or discomfort. By showing your lashes some TLC and resisting the urge to rub, you preserve their natural beauty whilst promoting growth.
- Make sure to drink plenty of water.
Don’t overlook the importance of drinking at least 2 litres of water per day for the health and vitality of your lashes – amongst the many other benefits. Water plays a crucial role in maintaining the body’s overall hydration levels, including the moisture balance of the delicate skin around the eyes and the hydration of the lash follicles themselves. When the body is adequately hydrated, it ensures that essential nutrients are efficiently delivered to the lash roots, supporting their growth and strength whilst preventing dry, brittle lashes that are prone to breakage.
