How to make short or thin lashes look longer

The advisor looks at how far the lashes extend past the lid and whether they curl upward or point straight out. Straight lashes, even long ones, hide behind the lid from the front and do little to frame the eye. We also check the lower lashes, which are often ignored but balance the look when the upper lashes are made up.

Pale lashes are a separate problem from short ones. Blonde or light brown lashes disappear against the skin, so the fix is colour and definition rather than length.

Curl first, always. An eyelash curler held at the base for ten seconds, then again at the mid-length, lifts lashes so they show from the front. Mascara sets that curl and makes it last.

Choose the wand for the problem. A thin cone or comb-style wand separates and lengthens short lashes without clumps. A thick fluffy wand adds volume but can weigh short lashes down. A flexible or curved wand grips the roots and adds lift.

Wiggle the wand at the base before pulling through. Most of the visible length comes from coating the root, where the lash is thickest. Two thin coats look better than one heavy one, and let the first dry for thirty seconds before the second.

Do not pump the wand in the tube. It pushes air in, dries the formula, and leads to flakes. Twist it out instead.

Peptide lash serums, applied along the upper lash line like eyeliner once a night, extend the growth phase of each lash so it reaches a greater length before it sheds. Expect four to six weeks for a visible change and the full effect at around three months.

Remove mascara gently every night with an oil-based remover or micellar water on a pad held against the lashes for a few seconds, then wiped downward. Rubbing and tugging break lashes that were about to reach their full length.

Waterproof mascara for daily wear is a common cause of lash loss because of how hard it is to remove. Save it for occasions and use a regular formula the rest of the time.