Better Homes and Gardens (Australia)
Lovely lashes Ten things you didn’t know were damaging your eyelashes
Ten things you didn’t know were damaging your eyelashes
Long and lush lashes look sensational, so it’s no wonder that women strive to create the e ect. But, did you know that your day-to-day bathroom habits could actually be jeopardising your chances of having beautiful lashes naturally? Here are 10 common no-nos to avoid.
1 SCRUBBING OFF MAKEUP
Habit You use unnecessary pressure to remove eye makeup. Issue Excessive rubbing can make your lashes fall out. Solution Next time you’re at the basin, turn off auto pilot and use a light blo ing and wiping technique while the makeup remover does the rest. No rubbing or tugging needed!
2 USING EXPIRED MAKEUP
Habit You don’t refresh your makeup bag.
Issue All makeup and skin care products have a use-by-date, featured on their packaging.
Solution As a general rule, replace mascara every three to six months or, if your eyes get watery or itchy a er use, change brands. When you make a new purchase, note the date.
3 CURLING AFTER MASCARA
Habit You apply mascara to your lashes
and then use your eyelash curler. Issue Using your curler after putting on mascara will harm your lashes. If your mascara is wet, the curler will act like glue and your lashes can stick to it and be pulled out or damaged. If your mascara is dry, using a curler can cause your lashes to break. Solution Only use your eyelash curler on clean lashes and for 10-20 seconds at a time.
4 HAVING LASH EXTENSIONS
Habit You continually have lash extensions a ached to your naturally short or damaged eyelashes. Issue Extensions look fabulous, but there are a few things to note. Not only do they require constant upkeep, they can also damage the follicles and lead to bald spots. Plus, if they’re too heavy or too long, they can impact the growth of your natural lashes. Solution Save them for special occasions or at least give your natural lashes a break from them on a regular basis.
5 SHARING YOUR MASCARA
Habit You share your eye makeup with a good friend or family member. Issue This is a kind gesture, but one that can have devastating consequences. Sharing mascara is unhygienic, as it creates a breeding ground for bacteria that can be transferred with a single use. Solution As much as you might want to share, when it comes to mascara specifically, and eye makeup in general, don’t do it.
6 SLEEPING WITH MAKEUP
Habit You go to bed without washing off your makeup. Issue This is not only tough on your skin, leaving mascara on for long periods of time can actually damage your eyelash hair follicles. The volumised, fanned-out effect it gives eyelashes is achieved by making them stiff. So if you sleep in mascara, once your head hits the pillow, your eyelashes can be crushed against the surface, leaving them prone to breakage. Solution Remove mascara before bed.
7 APPLYING HEAT
Habit You always use a heated eyelash curler instead of a manual one. Issue Too much heat from a curler can actually damage and weaken your lashes, and may even cause them to fall out. Solution Use a manual eyelash curler and go gently to avoid causing havoc.
8 WATERPROOF MASCARA
Habit You don’t want to risk ending up with panda eyes, so you always opt to wear waterproof mascara. Issue While being smudge-proof all day is good, a waterproof mascara is made to last, meaning it requires extra pressure and rubbing when you’re taking it off. As a result, your eyelashes suffer through a pre y serious work-over. Solution For everyday life, consider swapping over to a water-resistant mascara and save the waterproof one for special occasions.
9 RUBBING YOUR EYES
Habit Your feel the urge to rub your eyes when you’re feeling tired or have spent hours in front of a screen. Issue It may feel good at the time, but eye rubbing is not kind to your lashes as it can damage or break them. Solution Try to catch
yourself in the act and make yourself stop. Yes, it’s a hard habit to break, but for motivation, remind yourself that it makes a victim of your lashes.
10 RIPPING OFF FALSIES
Habit You wear false lashes and, when you’re done, just pull them off. Or, you have extensions and sometimes pick them out.
Issue When you don’t remove extensions and falsies with care, you can traumatise or pull out your own lashes. Solution Use an oil-based, eye-safe cleanser on your lash line and massage it in. Then use a warm, wet cloth to gently loosen the glue and release the lashes.