Well-groomed eyebrows and long lashes enhance the eyes and capture attention.
As we age, hair, eyebrows, and eyelashes tend to thin, shorten, and turn white.
Trends from the 90s with excessive eyebrow plucking and the use of waterproof mascaras have contributed to the loss of lashes, sometimes not regenerated.
Fortunately, solutions exist nowadays to promote hair regrowth.
Specific serums and oils have been developed for this purpose.
Simple DIY tricks also allow creating the illusion of denser eyebrows and darker lashes.
According to experts in the field, here are methods to stimulate eyelash growth and thicken eyebrows.
How to make eyelashes grow
From natural oils to affordable serums, a multitude of options are available to promote eyelash growth.
The good news? These methods can often also stimulate eyebrow regrowth!
Try castor oil
A little reminder for healthy eyelashes: hydration.
As we age, the production of natural oils by our skin decreases.
This leads to weaken and dehydrate eyelashes, making them more prone to breakage and falling out.
Natural oils are an excellent starting point to promote eyelash growth.
Castor oil is particularly renowned in this area.
According to Lindsay Holdorf, an esthetician at Dermstore, this oil is popular for hair growth because it is rich in ricinoleic acid, a type of fatty acid that promotes hair growth.
It also helps moisturize and create a conducive environment for healthy hair follicles, resulting in thicker and stronger lashes.
For application, it’s simple:
- Gently coat a clean brush, called a spoolie, with castor oil.
- Apply carefully to the lashes before bed, every night.
Opt for a lash serum
Quick tip for captivating lashes: handy serums.
Serums aimed at promoting lash growth are numerous and their promises enticing.
However, with often high prices, budget can quickly become a barrier.
Fortunately, more and more brands are offering more affordable options.
The secret to choosing the right product?
Examine the list of ingredients carefully.
Lindsay Holdorf, an esthetician at Dermstore, recommends serums that combine efficiency and natural components.
These elements, combined, offer a powerful cocktail to revitalize lashes and eyebrows while preserving their health.
Here are the ingredients to look for in a lash serum, according to Holdorf:
- Peptides
- Biotin
- Vitamins E and B5
- Natural oils and extracts
- Hyaluronic acid
There are also components to avoid to maintain the health of your lashes and eyebrows without undesirable side effects.
Holdorf advises to favor gentle and effective formulas and to be wary of prostaglandins or prostaglandin analogues.
Despite their stimulating properties, these substances can lead to unwanted changes, such as iris color change or darkening of the eyelid skin.
Alcohol, which can dry and make lashes brittle, should also be avoided.
Finally, pay particular attention to parabens and sulfates, potential irritants that can disrupt the natural growth cycle of lashes and eyebrows.
Among prostaglandin-free serums, some stand out for their quality-price ratio and absence of side effects:
- The Multi-Peptide serum for lashes and eyebrows from The Ordinary, under $15, is an economical option that acts on both fronts.
- The Lash Spell lash enhancer serum, made up of polypeptides, proteins, vitamins, and conditioning agents, offers a gentle formula with visible results in four weeks.
- The Whoop Lash serum from Benefit Cosmetics is also an excellent choice thanks to its formula enriched with biotin, rice protein, and extracts of hibiscus flower and safflower.
Consider petroleum jelly
Lindsay Holdorf also recommends petroleum jelly, a timeless classic.
Petroleum jelly, found in products such as Aquaphor and Vaseline, is an effective alternative for locking in moisture.
This property can help strengthen and naturally condition hair follicles.
Petroleum-based emollients are particularly beneficial for maintaining optimal hydration of the area, which can lead to a fuller appearance.
Opt for a tubular mascara
If you’re looking for a quick solution to enhance your lashes, tubular mascara is an interesting option.
This type of mascara uses flexible polymers that coat each individual lash.
It creates length and natural-looking volume.
Dani Kimiko Vincent, a makeup and brow shaping specialist, highlights the advantage of this formula.
She points out that tubular mascaras are easily removed with warm water without intense rubbing.
This characteristic makes them less aggressive for delicate lashes compared to other mascaras.
A popular product in this category is the Essence Bye Bye Panda Eyes tubular mascara!
How to promote eyebrow growth
Just like lashes, eyebrows can benefit from specific care to improve density.
Techniques used for lashes are often transferable to eyebrows.
However, a few additional tips can help achieve thicker and fuller eyebrows.
You can use the same oils and serums mentioned earlier for lashes.
This includes castor oil, serums enriched with peptides, biotin, vitamins, and hyaluronic acid.
For targeted eyebrow care, take into account the following:
- Using a small brush or brow brush to apply the products can make application easier and allow better penetration of the active ingredients.
- Gently massaging the eyebrows with your fingers after applying oil or serum stimulates blood circulation, which can promote better growth.
- Establish a regular routine by applying the product of your choice every night before bed.
For visually denser eyebrows, here are some tips:
- Brow pencils and specific powders can fill in sparse areas and give the illusion of fuller eyebrows.
- Opt for shades that match your natural eyebrow color for a harmonious result.
- A makeup technique called microblading can offer a semi-permanent solution to densify the appearance of eyebrows.
This method involves tattooing fine lines resembling hairs to fill in sparser areas.
- There are treatments such as micropigmentation, which is a form of cosmetic tattooing, to redefine the shape of eyebrows and fill in thinning areas.
Finally, it is important to limit repeated plucking, which can damage hair follicles and prevent hair regrowth.
Careful and less frequent plucking can help eyebrows maintain their natural shape while remaining full.
Prefer natural ingredients?
For thickened lashes and brows, turn to the benefits of natural oils.
Saw palmetto oil is appreciated for its thickening virtues, thanks to the phytosterols it contains, capable of improving hair density by up to 33% in three months.
Use a palmetto extract, such as Nature’s Answer, by applying it twice a day on the eyebrows.
Coconut oil is a nature’s treasure for beauty care, known for hydrating dry skin, serving as a hair mask, and yes, promoting lash and brow growth!
According to Lindsay Holdorf, its moisturizing properties help reduce breakage and promote healthy growth.
It is rich in fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals that nourish hair follicles.
Vitamin E, a renowned antioxidant, can work wonders for the skin and hair.
Holdorf explains that it helps repair and build tissues, which could encourage hair growth.
To apply, dip a clean spoolie brush in vitamin E oil and brush it over your eyebrows before sleeping.
Aloe vera, known for its soothing properties on burns, is also a natural remedy that contains enzymes promoting lash growth.
Tara Bogna, founder of Lash Spell, supports its effectiveness.
In the evening, coat a clean spoolie brush with aloe vera gel and gently brush your eyebrows.
Prefer a brow serum?
The RapidBrow Eyebrow Enhancing Serum is formulated with a Hexatein 2 complex, including sweet almond extract and biotin, to improve the appearance of eyebrow density, suggests Holdorf.
Another serum praised by Holdorf is the Grande Cosmetics GrandeBROW Brow Enhancing Serum: it complements the GrandeLASH serum, designed to thicken sparse eyebrows by offering a more defined look through a blend of vitamins, antioxidants, and amino acids.
Bogna’s favorite is the Brow Spell serum, composed of biotin conducive to hair growth, keratin, peptides, allantoin, and apple extract.
Tara Bogna, after over-plucking her eyebrows in the 2000s, considers the Brow Spell serum revolutionary.
“I apply it twice a day. Its spoolie applicator also serves as a styling tool in the morning and keeps my eyebrows full,” she shares.
Feeling tempted by an immediate solution?
To fill in sparse eyebrows, opt for a kit with stencils and tinted applicator.
Position the stencil on the eyebrow, then dab the color matching your hair.
We recommend the Madluvv Brow Stamp Kit for its ease of use.
Solutions for graying eyebrows
When eyebrows start to turn gray, they can make you look older.
To camouflage gray hairs and regain a youthful appearance, here are quick and effective tips.
Applying makeup daily can conceal gray hairs and give a younger look to your face.
Tinted brow products are specially designed to cover gray hairs while blending with your natural color.
Semi-permanent eyebrow dyes offer a long-lasting solution, with a range of shades to match different hair colors.
Permanent makeup, such as microblading, can also conceal gray hairs and redefine the shape of eyebrows for a lasting effect.
For an immediate effect, consider eyebrow mascaras or pencils specially formulated to cover gray hairs.
Some of these products contain fibers that add volume to eyebrows while covering unwanted hairs.
For precise application, use an eyebrow brush to evenly spread the product and avoid clumping.
If you prefer a more natural approach, home remedies like henna can tint eyebrows without harsh chemicals.
It is essential to choose products that are suitable for your skin type and hair color for a natural and harmonious result.
Try eyebrow dyeing
Just as you would go to the hairdresser to touch up gray hair or buy a dye at the store, it is also possible to color your eyebrows, and it’s simpler than you think.
To do this, get a beard dye for men in the shade of your choice and dye the eyebrow hairs comfortably at home.
The Just for Men beard dye includes a developer and a color to mix in equal parts in the provided plastic tray.
Once the mixture is ready, apply it evenly to the eyebrows with the brush or a spoolie and leave it on for 3 to 5 minutes.
Tip: To avoid staining your skin, apply petroleum jelly as a protective barrier, such as Aquaphor or Vaseline.
Camouflaging graying eyebrows
Graying eyebrows can affect facial harmony by visually adding years to your appearance.
To remedy this, various methods can be used to regain a uniform color and rejuvenate the look.
Tinted cosmetic products, specially formulated for eyebrows, effectively conceal gray hairs while blending with your hair’s natural color.
Semi-permanent eyebrow colors offer a long-lasting solution, with various shades to match your hair color.
Permanent makeup, like microblading, is another option to hide gray hairs and redefine the shape of eyebrows with a long-lasting effect.
For a quick solution, turn to mascaras or eyebrow pencils designed to cover gray hairs.
Some of these products contain fibers to add volume while concealing sparse areas.
For an even application, use a specific brush to distribute the product evenly and avoid clumping.
For those who prefer less chemical treatments, henna-based dyes offer a natural color without harsh ingredients.
It is essential to choose shades and products that match your skin type and hair color, ensuring a natural and aesthetic result.
