Lashes are the new brows when it comes to accentuating your face. Here’s how to make the most of yours.
Brows have bounced between threadlike and bushy, and contouring’s taken on many shapes and forms - but long and full eyelashes have never, ever gone out of fashion. A trusty mascara is almost always a staple in everyone’s make-up bag as an instant way to look wide awake and give your eyes some impact.
New ways to achieve super lashes have cropped up over time and are increasingly gaining major popularity. LVL to lift and extensions to thicken and lengthen have become less of a one-off treat and more of a regular. Coloured lashes have been taken out of ‘Noughties teen’ territory’ and into ‘vivid statement’, while false lash technology has been updated to bring us magnetic bands for foolproof application and removal. Even mascara wands now feature 3D-printed designs and ergonomic bendy wands.
So, if you’re bored of your standard black mascara, Stylist breaks down the exciting new ways to make your lashes the central focus.
Upgrade your tools
Mascara wands are no longer one size fits all. There’s a bespoke design to suit every lash need…
Essence I Need a Miracle! Volumizing & Strengthening Mascara
The peanut-shaped brush is designed to lift lashes with a natural finish.
£3.50, essence.eu
Nars Climax Mascara in Explicit Black
Credit: These are Stylist's favourite new mascaras
The ribbed bristles coat each individual lash to add volume.
£21, selfridges.com
Beauty Pie Flash False Lash Mascara
Credit: These are Stylist's favourite new mascaras
Ideal for shorter lashes, this micro-brush gets right to the root without smudging all over your lids.
£24, beautypie.com
Chanel Le Volume Révolution De Chanel
Credit: These are Stylist's favourite new mascaras
Each bristle on this 3D printed brush is arranged in a millimetre-scale to avoid clumping.
£28, harrods.com
Eyeko Yoga Waterproof Mascara
Credit: These are Stylist's favourite new mascaras
The straight tip catches shorter lashes, while the densely packed bristles create volume.
£19, spacenk.com
Hourglass Caution Extreme Lash Mascara
Credit: These are Stylist's favourite new mascaras
Two brushes combined into one clever wand, with the conical shape reaching those tiny corner lashes.
£25, spacenk.com
L’Oréal Paris Unlimited Mascara
Credit: These are Stylist's favourite new mascaras
A flexible wand that bends at two different angles for precise application, to define every lash.
£10.99, feelunique.com
Fake it till you make it
Typically lasting three to four weeks, these are the three most popular curl types.
Credit: These are the different curl types of lash extensions
J Curl
The most natural extension. It has a gentle curl and is best suited for those with naturally straight lashes.
Credit: These are the different curl types of lash extensions
B Curl
Straight at the base and curled at the tip, this will give lashes a gentle flick. Suitable for all lash types, it offers a natural finish.
Credit: These are the different curl types of lash extensions
C Curl
Much curlier than J or B curls, this also adds a gentle lift that opens the eye. Ideal for people with a natural curve to their lash.
Moya Crockett, Stylist.co.uk’s Women’s Editor, tries London Lash Pro’s Glamorous Set of lash extensions with a C Curl.
Credit: Stylist trials London Lash Pro eyelash extensions
Verdict:
False lashes aren’t for me. Most days I don’t wear make-up to the office. But when I heard that extensions mean you don’t have to wear mascara, I was intrigued. The lash artist first assessed my short, anaemic lashes and pale complexion and recommended dark brown over black extensions. I thought I’d go for a natural look, but, when asked what length I wanted, I have an urge to go glam. It’s surprisingly comfortable: I plug into a podcast and have a nap (you can’t open your eyes during), and emerge 150 minutes later with tripled-in-length lashes. It feels like a big departure from my usual look, but the compliments roll in: friends and colleagues compare me to Adele and a “Sixties model”. I’ll take that.
£150 for a Glamourous Set with a Master Lash Artist, london-lash.com
The Modern-Day Lash Perm
LVL is the quickest and easiest way to get length, volume and lift. Digital writer Megan Murray tries it on for size.
Credit: Stylist tries the LVL lash lift treatment
What is it?
Created by Nouveau Lashes, LVL (length, volume, lift) is a treatment that lifts the natural lashes at the root, making them appear longer. Results last between six and eight weeks and prices start from £45.
How does it work?
A specially-formulated serum lets each hair be moved into a new shape, and then a fixing gel is applied on top that allows the lashes to be straightened from the root so they look like they are curled up. The lashes are then tinted to help further define them.
What happens during an appointment?
The treatment took just under an hour and was never painful, although pulling the lashes upwards felt strange. When I looked in the mirror afterwards, I did a double take. Not only had my fair ginger lashes gone from ghostly to glam thanks to the black tint, they also took well to the medium curl. My eyes now appear bigger and brighter, while I look more rested. It’s the perfect treatment for make-up minimalists.
False Lash Heroes
The best (temporary) lashes for all occasions
For everyday wear: Ardell Demi Wispies
Credit: These are Stylist's picks for the best fake lashes
It’s easy to see why these are some of the most iconic lashes: the graduated mixed length makes for the most natural of finishes.
£5.49, lookfantastic.com
For extra definition: Mac 20 Lash
Credit: These are Stylist's picks for the best fake lashes
If you want subtlety go for half lashes. These add drama to the outer corners for a fluttery finish.
£11.50, johnlewis.com
For minimal fuss: Lash FX Magnetic Lashes in Meghan
Credit: These are Stylist's picks for the best fake lashes
Say goodbye to glue and instead choose magnets. Place one layer under your lash line and the other on top. The magnets snap together, keeping them in place.
£15.79, lashfx.com
For saving time: Eyelure Volume No. 107 Pre-Glued Lashes
Credit: These are Stylist's picks for the best fake lashes
When you’re in a rush and have no time for fiddling, these clever pre-glued lashes will be your saviour.
£5.35, superdrug.com
For special occasions: Huda Beauty Samantha Lashes
Credit: These are Stylist's picks for the best fake lashes
The brand’s most popular style, these give instant drama and suit all eye shapes.
£15.50, cultbeauty.com
Coat them with colour
Take a break from everyday black and slick on a vibrant blue, ruby red or bold gold for all the compliments…
Tom Ford Lash and Brow Tint in TFX24
Credit: These are the coloured mascaras we want at Stylist
Adorn a black cat eye with this rose gold formula, or coat lower lashes for a subtle statement.
£36, selfridges.com
RMK Double-headed W Colour Mascara in 02
Credit: These are the coloured mascaras we want at Stylist
This was made for blue eyes – even if you just add it to the corners or the tips.
£25, selfridges.com
CYO The Thick Of It Volume Mascara in Take A Trip
Credit: These are the coloured mascaras we want at Stylist
This coats every lash while delivering a hit of vibrant cornflower blue for maximum impact.
£6, boots.com
3ina The Color Mascara in 103
Credit: These are Stylist's favourite coloured mascaras
Purple can transform brown eyes and Mina’s slightly electric shade will make them pop.
£10.95, feelunique.com
Dior Diorshow Pump’N’Volume Volumising Mascara in Pink Pump
Credit: These are the coloured mascaras we want at Stylist
Carry your blush over to your eyes with this watermelon pink.
£27, selfridges.com
Urban Decay Double Team Special Effect Coloured Mascara in Goldmine
Credit: These are the coloured mascaras we want at Stylist
Bold gold will raise a classic red lip up by a few levels.
£19.50, feelunique.com
Main image: Unsplash
Product shots and headshots: Lucky If Sharp
Illustration: May Van Millingen
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