For many of us, the quest for long, luscious lashes is something akin to Goldilocks looking for that “just right” bowl of porridge. Except Goldilocks, being a supposed natural blonde, probably had eyelashes noticeable only under NASA’s strongest telescopes. Why? Because as many descendants of Northern Europe like myself will tell you, eyelashes were not an evolutionary priority in the back woods of Gaul.
Therefore, many of us are left looking enviously at our darker-lashed kin and sighing extensively. Usually we are staring at men, who inevitably sport the eyelashes we would have to paint on with industrial-sized tubes of mascara. So what’s a pale-lashed girl to do?
First, are there any ways to naturally lengthen our lashes without makeup? Apparently, the secret to long natural lashes is olive oil. If you coat your eyelashes each night with olive oil, they will allegedly become long and lustrous. In actuality, they will probably be so shiny they will reflect light, and yes – they will look longer. The same goes for castor oil and vitamin D.
How to apply? I would use a clean mascara brush for application. Olive oil straight to the eye cannot be a good thing. You can also dab some oil between your fingers and roll your eyelashes between them. Experts report that eyelashes have a six month growing period. Then it separates from the root while a new last forms in the follicle. Keeping them moisturized will help stimulate growth.
And most importantly? Take care of your health. Your eyelashes can actually fall out when you are sick. Luckily, they will grow back once your health is restored. In the meantime, some nutritionists suggest adding more natural foods that are rich in biotin, silica, magnesium, sulfur, zinc, and vitamin B6. One nutritionists suggests olive oil and seafood to get these necessary nutrients.
And of course, if all else fails, there is a new drug on the market that is patented to actually lengthen your eyelashes. It’s called Latisse, Brooke Shields hawks it, and it is said to stimulate eyelash growth. Of course, “one possible serious and permanent side effect could be that it might change the color of the iris.” Still want to try it? (Are pigs flying?)
Image: kylemay