You've got a lot of options when it comes to mascara, and one way to narrow the search is to buy a product that doubles as a nourishing agent. Thomas says, "Using a nourishing mascara means that all of the work you were doing to improve the health of your lashes is not counterproductive." Try It Cosmetics' new Lash Blowout Mascara, $25, which was developed with DryBar as a "blowout for your lashes" and is infused with hair-nourishing biotin. Another great option is Wander Beauty's Mile High Club Volume and Length Mascara, $26, a jet-black mascara and cult favorite that's formulated with a blend of conditioning ingredients.
If you're seeking a little more oomph — especially for an upcoming event — lash extensions can make a world of difference. "Classic extensions are applied with a 1:1 ratio and can be styled to enhance your eye shape. Your lash artist will be able to recommend the appropriate length to ensure a natural look that does not cause damage to your natural lashes," explains Courtney Buhler, the founder and CEO of Sugarlash PRO, where this service is provided. "It gives an elegant, understated look for everyday wear. They're your lashes, but with thicker, longer ones mixed in." Depending on the number of lashes, appointments take about one and a half and two hours.
Image courtesy of Sugarlash PRO
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Get Triple the Volume With Only One Coat
Ain't nobody got time to sit around and wait for lashes to dry between coats of mascara. The solution: apply one coat, but do it very strategically. "Start by rolling your mascara wand down the top side of your lashes from root to tip, then repeat the process from underneath your lashes, rolling the wand forward while simultaneously wiggling it slightly from side-to-side as you move up the length of the lashes," says Bryan Cantor, an editorial makeup artist based in New York City. "By coating the tops and bottoms of your lashes, this trick multiplies the amount of product they receive with just one coat. As an added bonus, it also gets rid of any powder or eyeshadow that may have fallen on top of your lashes during your application process." He says this trick works with any mascara, but that it really makes a big difference with tubing mascaras. Try Surratt Beauty Relevee Mascara, $30.
Inky black mascara with enough volume to give Dolly Parton's hair some competition is great, but you may not want that all the time... especially midday on a run-of-the-mill Monday. For a natural, subtle, but still glamorous look Cantor has a little trick. "Simply apply black mascara on your upper lashes and then brown mascara on your lower lashes. By using a softer color on your lower lashes, the overall effect is less severe than using all black, but still delivers the definition you desire," he says. His favorite is Burberry Cat Lashes in Chestnut Brown 02, $30.
"My best advice to clients — that I also practice on myself — is to get a keratin lash lift every few months. Doing so opens the eye as if you had used a lash curler without having to use your curler daily, which will eventually cut and damage your lashes," says Thomas. Do a search in your area, making sure that you're signing up for a keratin lift specifically. "Keratin is actually a fibrous protein that your body creates to make your hair, nails, and outer layer of the skin so this treatment actually helps to build a protective layer around your lashes and improve their overall health and appearance over time."
