Look younger with full brows and lush lashes
Full brows and lush lashes make us look more youthful and vibrant, so we weren’t pleased when we saw signs of aging in the area. ”Those hairs are prone to thinning and graying like the rest of hair, and that can add years to our look,” notes dermatologist Francesca Fusco, M.D. Here’s help!
Graying brows?
It’s tempting to pluck those grays that seem to pop up out of nowhere, but Dr. Fusco says there’s no guarantee new hairs will grow back to replace them, so you may end up with sparse patches. Fast fix: A pomade (like e.l.f. Cosmetics Lock on Liner and Brow Cream, elfCosmetics.com) deposits temporary color onto grays, plus smooths down the coarser hairs.
For lasting results: To stay gray-free for up to six weeks, color brows with a gentle dye—we like Godefroy Instant Eyebrow Tint Permanent Eyebrow Color Kit (Walgreens.com).
Balding brows?
Pregnancy, stress and age all trigger brow-hair fall-out, leading to bald spots that make brows thin and uneven.
Fast fix: Brow gel (like Kelley Baker Tinted Gel, KelleyBakerBrows.com) features tiny fibers that attach to existing hairs to fill in sparse spots.
For lasting results: Use a cotton swab to sweep a mix of equal parts castor oil and argan oil onto brows nightly. Castor oil’s ricinoleic acid increases blood flow to stimulate hair regrowth, and argan oil’s nourishing vitamin E helps thwart fall-out to deliver fuller brows within 30 days.
Short, sparse lashes?
Skin’s production of natural oil slows as we age. The result? Brittle lashes that are prone to breaking and shedding. Fast fix: Choose a mascara that comes with a primer (like L’Oréal Paris Voluminous Superstar Mascara, Ulta.com). This base coat creates “grip” that helps the mascara adhere, so even the sparsest of lashes look longer and thicker instantly.
For lasting results: “Keeping lashes hydrated prevents breakage and helps hairs complete their growth cycle,” says Dr. Fusco, who recommends coconut oil. While other oils just sit on top of fine lash hairs, coconut oil’s smaller-chain fatty acids penetrate lashes to moisturize from the inside out. Plus, this oil is gentle enough for the eye area. To do: Use a clean spoolie to brush a drop of oil onto lashes daily for results in four weeks. Since the oil can momentarily blur contact lenses, Dr. Fusco advises applying right before bed.