Shahnaz Husain
If your lashes are thin and sparse, do not despair. You can make them appear thicker and darker with skillfully applied make-up. A little practice is what you need.
But, first things first – take good care of your lashes to protect their natural beauty. Actually the main function of the lashes is to protect the eyes, but they also help to enhance their beauty.
Remember to use a cleansing gel or cream at night to remove eye make-up, with a gentle touch. Use a cleansing gel to help dissolve eye make-up for easy removal. For upper lashes, put cleanser on tissue and wrap it around your index finger. Brush the tissue through the lashes from underneath. To remove mascara from the lower lashes, use a cotton bud, which has a little cleanser on it.
* Remember to use a cleansing cream at night to remove eye make-up, with a gentle touch.
* Once a day, apply very little castor oil on the lashes, using a cotton bud. Apply it during the day. Do not apply it at night and go to sleep, as cream or oil left on around the eyes can lead to puffiness. Castor oil is said to thicken and darken eye lashes.
For eyelash make-up choose good quality mascara. Roll-on mascara is easy to apply. You should also have a small brush, to brush out the lashes, after applying mascara. Remember to change your roll-on mascara after 3 to 4 months and definitely within 6 months.
* Be sparing when you apply mascara – too much of it will make the lashes stick together.
* Use a hand mirror, looking downwards into it. Application is best this way.
* Apply it in two or three light coats, using upward strokes for the upper lashes and downward strokes for the lower ones.
* Wait for the first coat to dry and then apply the second one.
* After applying the final coat and letting it dry, brush out the lashes to separate them.
Useful Tip: If you apply a little powder on the lashes between the coats of mascara, they will appear thicker.
For a gala occasion, try false eyelashes. You need some practice and skill to achieve a natural look.
What you need: A pair of small tweezers, a small hand mirror and a special adhesive, which is available with the eyelashes.
Holding the lashes with the tweezer, apply the adhesive along the band, at the edge of the lashes. Then, hold the mirror in one hand and looking downwards into it, place the eyelashes along your lash line, so that they are part of your own eyelashes. Press gently on the centre first and then go towards the sides, making sure that the false lashes are smoothly placed. Brush out your own lashes and the false ones together. Apply eyeliner after you have worn the false eyelashes, followed by mascara.
To remove the lashes, pull it off gently, holding them from the outer corners. Clean the lashes with cleansing gel to remove make-up. Keep them in a box, away from dust and grime.
The buzz word now is eyelash extensions. Soon false eyelashes may become a thing of the past, because eyelash extensions are becoming popular. They are attached on natural eyelashes, one by one, and make the lashes look thicker. Of course, you need to have them attached to your lashes by a trained beautician. It’s up to you to decide how thick you want your lashes to be. The eyelash extensions may last to about 3 weeks to a month and then you will have to get them done again. Basically, the eyelash extensions are synthetic strands that are specially curved to look like natural eyelashes. It is claimed that mascara is note really needed, but if applied, should be the water based kind.
We will soon be launching our new eyelash serum, which helps to enhance growth of natural eyelashes. A clinically proven product, it contains Ayurvedic ingredients like wheat protein, brahmi, methi seed and rose water. It also improves the health and texture of sparse and brittle lashes. In serum form, it is easy to apply and includes a brush applicator. It is best to follow the directions on the label.