Beauty & the Brush

If you’re fond of reading foreign fashion magazines, you’re sure to have come across ads for Latisse, the new miracle lash growth serum, splashed across the pages. The product and its commercials are quite fascinating - both because of how gorgeous spokesperson Brooke Shields still is at her age, as well as the amusing fact that scientists have found a way to make eyelashes to grow but still can’t give balding men back their hair.

Yes, Latisse is a great invention, but it also comes with a long list of side effects. We personally prefer to find an easier way to make our lashes longer. Try out one of our three favourite methods, and we’re sure you, like us, will find the dramatic results you’re looking for.

Just as foundations and eye shadows stand out with a primer and lipsticks last longer with a liner base, eyelashes look five times better with a protective coating underneath the mascara.

Now, we know that most of you have mascaras that you absolutely love and are faithful to. But, with an eyelash primer, you can use any drugstore brand mascara and end up with similar or even better results than the one that cost you thousands of rupees.

Primers come encased in similar packaging to mascaras. They are mainly white in colour and are sticky in consistency. To use, apply a coat just as you would your regular mascara, wait till dry, and then sweep your regular colour on top. Primers build both volume and length, so you can toss out the curler and ease up on the number of coats you apply.

Even better, primers keep your eyelashes healthy - they protect and nourish with the moisturisers and vitamins they contain. This is very important if you’re a regular user of mascara, as it can dry out your lashes. Because the mascara adheres to the primer rather than your actual lashes, your mascara will clump less and you can avoid the dreaded raccoon look; you know the one we’re talking about - when your mascara ends up under your eyes.

If you can’t find a decent primer, try the commonly found product used by celebrity makeup artists - face powder. Yes, we said face powder. Apply a quick thin coat of mascara to your lids. Dip a fluffy shadow brush into your face powder (loose vs pressed doesn’t matter) and quickly brush onto the underside of your upper lashes and the topside of your lower lashes (ie where the mascara goes).

Put on a second coat of your mascara, which should stick to the powder. The extra coating of powder around each lash should result in thicker, longer lashes. Be sure not to get any powder in your eyes and you should be good to go. It’s cheap and simple, and will make your lashes pop.

Don’t want to go the primer/powder route? Try mixing up different combinations of mascara to achieve your desired look. Most ladies expect one mascara to fulfil all their eyelash needs and are disappointed with the result. Instead of double coating with the same product, use two different types. Curl your bare lashes and then apply a coat of lengthening formula. Wait until it dries and then top it off with volumising mascara. Or, if you prefer, combine a product that is curling with one that dramatically darkens your lashes.

Whichever method you choose to elongate and thicken your lashes, don’t forget to carefully remove your mascara each night to prevent bacteria build-up. Trust us, an eye infection is not hot no matter how va-va-voom the lashes are.

Maria Saadat is author of the popular desi beauty site Lipstick Masala.

QUESTION TIME

Do you have a question about make-up? Can’t figure out a hairstyle for an upcoming wedding? Do your attempts at smoky eye make-up leave you looking like a raccoon? Have no fear! E-mail your questions and issues to [e-mail] and Maria Saadat will respond to them in an upcoming column.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 6^th, 2010.