Imagine not having to scrub your mascara off before going to bed (it's the small things in life). With naturally longer, more defined and volumised lashes, you can finally ditch the mascara for good.
Lashes don't grow overnight, but there are a few tips and tricks you can try to eventually wake up with a flutter even Bambi would envy.
If you're ready to give your lashes a revamp and some much-deserved TLC (those lash extensions do take their toll after all), we've put together a guide on everything you need to know to get those sky-high lashes you crave. From the best eyelash growth serums, to the expert tips you need to try for a healthier, fuller flutter.
Keep scrolling for the expert tips on how you can ditch those falsies for good.
How can I grow my lashes?
Waiting for your lashes to grow is about as tedious as waiting for a new leaf on your monstera, but similarly to your indoor green house, growth will only happen under the right conditions and after some serious TLC.
We turned to expert and lash queen, Daxita Vaghela, for her advice on how to get your lashes in tip-top shape:
"The best advice I give to my clients who lose their lashes is to apply lash serums to grow and condition new ones. My favourites are Revitalash, RapidLash, and recently UKlash, which is brilliant."
When it comes to lash serums, there are a few ingredients to look for to ensure you're giving your lashes all the goodness they need.
"I normally check to make sure the serum is hypoallergenic and look for ingredients like protein (e.g. biotin), which helps with hair growth, and vitamins like A,C, E and B5 that help with all the stages of lash growth," says Vaghela.
There are also some changes you can make to your lifestyle. First up, take it easy on the lash extensions; too many sessions in a row can seriously hinder your natural eyelash growth.
"I advise my clients to take a break after five to six lash extension appointments and use serums or castor oil to condition and refresh,” says Vaghela. “I also advise them to take a break from makeup, especially mascara. The application and removal every day can negatively impact your lashes."
As always, your diet also plays a part. Vaghela recommends a high protein diet to help with hair growth and skin health. “Taking supplements like biotin or multivitamins can also help."
Why are my lashes falling out?
There are many reasons why you might be seeing some sparse patches in your lash line. Most of the time it won't be anything serious and could just be as simple as the time of year – hair can sometimes get more brittle in cold weather – or going a bit OTT on the mascara.
For Vaghela’s clients who complain about losing their lashes, the below issues are common culprits:
Leftover makeup: Failing to effectively remove makeup can cause a build-up that stops the supply of nutrients and can clog-up the lash line, preventing growth.
Rubbing: Rubbing and picking the eye area can cause faster shedding.
Skin conditions: Conditions such as eczema can leave skin around the eyes extremely dry and lacking in important oils. If you suffer from alopecia, this will also play a role.
Lash extensions: It's important not to overdo them and to take a break every once in a while, as they can cause lashes to fall out over time.
Skincare: Losing your lashes can even be caused by your choice of skincare, such as using a retinol that is too strong for your skin. It's important to be aware of what you're using.
If you’re worried about how often you’re losing your lashes, contact your GP for advice.
How long does it take lashes to grow?
As we've already mentioned, growing your lashes does take some patience.
Most lash serums claim to show results after 12 weeks of constant usage, though some of the best products on our list proved effective after as little as three. The key thing is to keep up a regular routine, otherwise you won't get the results you're after.
How we test
To see if lash growth serums really can work miracles, we asked our panel of 345 beauty testers to try 23 of the best lash serums over a two-month period.
They judged each product on how easy and gentle on the eyes it was to apply and noted any growth to sparse areas.
In our lab, our experts brought in the big guns (aka our VISIA photo analysis machine) to study any improvement to the volume and length of their lashes, right down to the last 0.1 of a millimetre. Below are the lash growth serums that passed our rigorous tests.
Best eyelash growth serums
Not only was this approved by our lash expert, Daxita Vaghela, but our panel also crowned it their champion. Within an impressive five weeks, almost all testers were enjoying longer, more voluminous lashes. It dried quickly and our lab test showed that it increased lash length by a mammoth 14%.
Not only is this serum as cheap as chips, but it also worked wonders for our panel, with the majority seeing their lash line looking fuller. Growth was seen in a remarkable three weeks, while testers’ lashes were also left moisturised and irritation-free.
This two-step treatment will revive both lashes and brows. It left brows so much fuller, that many testers said they could skip filling them in with a brow pencil – talk about overachieving. Lashes were left looking healthier and feeling more conditioned, with added definition after eight weeks.
We're not going to lie, this is eye-wateringly expensive, but it did ace our lab test for volumising and lengthening. Lash lines looked thicker and flutterier, while the fine brush allowed for precise application (so you don't waste any of this golden formula). No stickiness, oiliness or irritation was reported either.
Another 2-in-1, this serum was described as "invisible" on both brows and lashes by our testers, with zero greasiness. Lashes were left softer and in better condition overall, while brows were left fuller and fluffier. In short, it’s a perfect option if you’re guilty of over-plucking.
Charlotte Bitmead (she/her) is the Senior Beauty Writer at Cosmopolitan UK. She has over six years experience writing about beauty and has previously written for ELLE and The Sunday Times Style, covering everything from politics to sustainability to inclusivity within the beauty industry. When she’s not writing in-depth features, testing out the newest skincare fad or trying to decide what nail art to get, you can find her overspending in bookshops or shouting at Arsenal matches. Find her on LinkedIn
