Over time, our eyelids may begin to droop, and the skin around our peepers may not be as taut as it once was. And, to top it all off, our once full lashes may start to become sparse. But don’t let that discourage you! We got the inside scoop from some expert makeup artists and lash aficionados on how to achieve a full and lifted lash look over 40 without makeup.
Since the skin around our eyes tends to get a bit more delicate and sensitive as we age, they also shared some safe and effective tips for taking care of those precious lashes. Read on for tips, suggestions and insight from professional makeup artist Vivi Mintara, CEO of Eye Makeup Lab and expert Nicole Flevaris, co-founder and president of eyelash extension company, The Lashe, Inc.
Simple Hack For Instantly Lifted Lashes: Heating Your Eyelash Curler Before Using It
Did you know that warming up your eyelash curler before using it can give you an immediate boost in your look? Mintara shares that this trick works wonders with or without mascara, and you have the option to add some extra oomph to your lifted lashes with a swipe of your favorite product. The best part? It's totally up to you.
"You should always heat your eyelash curlers before using them," Mintara explains. She adds that this step "will hold them in place for much longer, and it will reduce the risk of transference from your lashes to your skin."
If you do choose to apply mascara (again, totally optional), she advises "waiting for the eyelashes to cool a bit before applying the mascara," or you will heat up the product and "cause it to have a runnier consistency."
Additional Pro Tip: Try 'Short And Lighter' Lash Extensions
If you're looking for another way to boost your lashes over 40, an additional makeup-free trick to consider is lash extensions. That's the tip shared by Flevaris, who seems to know a thing or two about making lashes look luscious. The simplest and safest way to sport lash extensions for mature beauties, Flevaris says, is to "choose shorter and lighter lashes that won't cause discomfort or irritation."
She also shares that a high-quality adhesive and gentle application technique are both "crucial for avoiding damage" to delicate skin and lashes. The skin under the eye, she stresses, is the "most sensitive, and as we age it becomes more even sensitive."
With this in mind, she advises making sure that any under-eye gel pads you use are "paraben-free" and that "don't contain fish oil." An alternate option is to use "silicone under-eye pads that don't have gel," she adds.
Additional Pro Tips For Aging Lash Extension Care
Lash extensions can be worn at "any age," Flevaris notes, but she says that it's important to "consider the health of the natural lashes" you already have, and to then work with a trained professional who has "experience with aging eyes."
As pointed out before, when we age, our "skin and lashes become more delicate," Flevaris reiterates, so "extra care must be taken to avoid damage and irritation."
In addition to lash extensions, "there are several recommendations for mature beauties to maintain healthy and natural-looking lashes," Flevaris continues.
Using a lash serum can promote "healthy lash growth," she says, while a "gentle eye makeup remover" and "avoiding waterproof mascara" can prevent damage and breakage.
She concludes that "good quality vitamins" such as horsetail grass and thyme release biotin, which make lashes healthier. "A lash lift is also a great option for low-maintenance lash enhancement," she recommends. (The more you know!)
