Lush Lashes: 8 Thickening Tricks

We’ve all mastered at least one trick that astonishingly transforms thin, wiry lashes into the lushest things our eyelids have ever endured. However holding up fake lashes can get tiring, because really, is there any other lengthening and thickening trick more magnificent?  

Actually, there is and we’ve got 8 of them.

Mascaras & Primers

Yes, we know, of course you can create thicker, fuller lashes with just a few coats of mascara. After all, that’s why the cosmetic industry created the beauty essential. But we’ve got to admit some mascara’s do the trick better than others, not to mention there’s a hidden helper, lash primer, that can deliver an extended boost.

Estee Lauder Lash Primer Plus ($25.50 at FragranceNet.com)

Estee Lauder knew exactly what they were doing when they created this fragrance-free.Lash Primer, from the custom-designed brush, which provides superb control for a perfect line, to the long-wear formula. Simply apply a coat of primer to your upper and lower lashes, give it about five seconds to dry, and then apply your go-to mascara. By prepping your lashes with the primer you're creating more surface area for the mascara to cling to in turn giving lashes a thicker look

Jane Iredale Purelash Lash Extender & Conditioner ($19.50 at FragranceNet.com)

A single coat of this conditioner before applying mascara will help strengthen, lengthen and thicken your lashes, making the mascara twice as effective. Infused with algae extract, Jane Iredale's formula keeps lashes from drying out and splitting potentially optimizing growth. Layer on a thin coat and then quickly apply mascara. You don’t want to let the conditioner dry, it should still be tacky. One coat of mascara afterwards should be enough.

High Tech Cosmetics Instant Lash Extender ($24.50 at FragranceNet.com)

High Tech Cosmetics enlisted Swiss scientists to help formulate this mascara, which stimulates lash growth leaving lashes visibly longer and thicker. Seriously, they even ran clinical trials that have shown lashes can grow on average 0.7 mm in a month when Instant Lash Extender mascara is used regularly. All you have to do is apply this mascara as you would any other, and get ready to oooh and ahhh as the special formula prevents clumping and the wand separates and shapes lashes for a fuller appearance. Meanwhile patented ingredients will be getting to work on nourishing your lashes.

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Growth Products

While mascara does a great job of masking your lack of lashes, sometimes you just really want more actual lashes. The following products have been formulated to increase lash growth.

DiCesare Aquabiotic Eyelash Treatment ($11.50 at FragranceNet.com)

Created by Emmy Award winning key hair stylist Michael diCesare, this plant-based serum helps strengthen lashes to make them appear longer and thicker. diCesare, who for almost 18 years held the title of Key Stylist for The Late Show with David Letterman, developed his line of thickening products in 1995, relying on natural ingredients, such as Hydrolyzed Oat and Wheat, which are rich in amino acids. Apply DiCesare Aquabiotic Eyelash Treatment morning and evening to lashes starting at the eyelid and brushing out to the end of your lashes. The serum may also be used as a base before to applying mascara.

MyChelle Ultimate Lash and Brow Serum ($58.50 at FragranceNet.com)

MyChelle relied on nature when developing theUltimate Last and Brow Serum. Combining Apple Fruit Stem Cells (Myracle Peptide Complex), which stimulates and protects hair stem cells supporting hair growth, with their special formula Anageline, from the lupine plant, which improves follicle thickness and prevents hair loss, they created a product that could be backed by science. In clinical trials, Myracle Peptide Complex increased eyelash length and thickness by 25% in only 2 weeks and a 72% increase after 6 weeks. Apply once daily to base of upper lashes from the inner corner to the outer edge. Just don’t apply in eye or to lower lid.

HydroPeptide Lash - Longer, Fuller, Lusher ($119.50 at FragranceNet.com)

HydroPeptide is all about scientific beauty made simple, and they do it while using natural ingredients. Lash works in four ways to combat lash aging. Peptides strengthen lashes allowing them to look fuller and longer. Biotin and folic acid nourishes lashes. Hyaluronic acid conditions lashes to minimize breakage and brittleness. Antioxidants protect against dryness and damage. All you have to begin the process is apply the serum to your lash line twice a day, preferably morning and night.

Priori Lash Recovery Serum with Triple Lipopeptide Complex ($95.50 at FragranceNet.com)

Priori’s serum is the first prostaglandin-free product on the market with a unique complex of three different potent lipopeptides working in synergy to give compounded results. Wondering what’s so special about lipopeptides? Well, they stimulate lash follicles to enhance the appearance of length and thickness of the lashes. The serum also contains botanical extracts that help soothe, calm and moisturize the follicles promoting overall healthier, stronger, shinier-looking lashes. Clinical studies have shown Priori Lash Recovery Serum to increase lash length and density by 28% in just 2 weeks and by 56% in 6 weeks. Make sure eye area is clean of makeup and/or creams prior to application. Use once daily, at bedtime.

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DIY Serum

 Sometimes the best trick of all can be the simplest. If whipping up a serum made from a few basic ingredients appeals to your beauty sensibilities then you may want to give this DIY concoction a try.

• Essential Lash Serum:  You’ll need Vitamin E capsules, Almond Oil and Castor Oil. In a 2 ounce container mix equal parts Almond Oil and Castor Oil. Then puncture the Vitamin E capsule and squeeze its contents into the oil mixture. Once all three ingredients are stirred together spread this antioxidant-rich serum along your lash line with a q-tip. It’s best to apply the serum at night, washing it away in the morning. The antioxidants in the oil and capsule will help moisturize and strengthen the lash follicles, promoting growth in about four to five weeks.