Looking for long, luscious lashes? (Try saying that after a G&T or three…) From salon treatments to at-home serums, here’s how to get lashes you’ll be proud to flutter.
At home serums
You condition your hair, so why not condition your eyelashes? Growth serums aim to strengthen lashes, promote healthy growth and reduce lash loss. Eyelash serums are particularly beneficial if your eyelashes are brittle or damaged, for example due to regular extensions.
There are lots of eyelash serums on the market. At £37.99, the UKlash Eyelash Serum is on the pricier side, but it’s packed with vitamins and peptides, and fans rave about it. A good budget-friendly alternative is e.l.f. Enhancing Lash & Brow Serum, which is just £8.
A note of caution: to avoid irritation, always do a patch test first, and don’t overuse the serum.
Lash extensions
The best thing about lash extensions is that they can be tailored to you. Want full, long, natural looking lashes? Coming right up. Have some big nights out planned so craving a more dramatic effect? Again, not a problem. Done well, lash extensions should last around six weeks, but you’ll need them infilled every two to three weeks. Do make sure you take regular breaks from extensions, or you risk damaging your natural lashes.
Lash tint
If you want something a bit more subtle, a lash tint could be perfect, particularly if you have naturally fair eyelashes. You’ll need a patch test before the tint, so book in with your salon in plenty of time. You can buy a kit to tint your eyelashes at home, but it is pretty fiddly to do yourself. Whether you go DIY or professional, a tint should last for around four to six weeks.
Lash lift
A lash lift curls your eyelashes upwards. It’s often combined with a tint to give the best results. It’ll make your eyelashes more visible, but it won’t add length or volume. A lash lift is semi-permanent, so should last for around six weeks. Lash lifts do use chemicals, so choose a qualified practitioner with plenty of experience and good reviews.
The best mascara
There are hundreds (if not thousands) of mascaras to choose from. So how do you pick the best one? One way is searching Boots.com for ‘mascara’ and filtering by four stars and up. Then look for those with more than 500 reviews and close to a five-star rating. As an example, Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky High Mascara has an average of 4.5 stars, from more than 1,500 reviews, but is actually one of the cheaper brands at £11.99. Read the description of each of the top mascaras to find one that will deliver the effect you’re looking for. Of course, not all brands are available through Boots, but it’s a good place to start.
