Here's How To Get Thicker Eyelashes Without Extensions

The desire for long, luscious eyelashes began way back in Rome. Apparently, lashes fell out from excessive sex, which sounds crazy, so Roman women would use kohl and burnt cork as an early version of mascara to create the look of long full lashes (via Marie Claire). Before you knew it, wanting long lashes caught on, and everyone was doing it. 

Fast forward to now, and luscious lashes are more desirable than ever. In fact, 30 to 50% of women are known to get lash extensions (via ABC News). 

What are lash extensions? Well, they're individual lashes glued strand by strand to your natural lashes, giving them a fuller look (via Byrdie). The thing about lash extensions is, while they make your lashes longer and fuller, they're costly to get and a pain to maintain. So, if you're like us and aren't in the mood to put lashes on top of your natural lashes but rather let your natural lashes be the star of the show, you might be interested in some products and remedies you can use at home. 

The first thing we'd recommend for trying to make your lashes longer and fuller is lash primer. What are lash primers? They're essentially the base coat you'd put on before mascara, not dissimilar from putting face primer on before foundation (via Kaja Beauty). Lash primer also has similar benefits, keeping your mascara in place and even helping mascara remain clump-free. Everyone knows mascara clumps are the worst, so to have a product that can help avoid those sounds like a lifesaver. 

On top of how it makes your lashes look, lash primers can also nourish and strengthen your lashes, and who doesn't want that (via Marie Claire)? The best part of lash primers? They can make your lashes look longer and fuller even if you aren't wearing mascara. You heard us right: You can ditch mascara altogether if you want. You can put it on just like mascara and walk out the door. How iconic is that? 

Another product you can use is lash oil. One of the most popular lash oils is castor oil. While there are no studies connecting eyelashes and castor oil, the oil is rich in ricinoleic acid, which has been reported to be instrumental in helping to reverse hair loss (via Healthline).

That said, castor oil is a route to take if you want to stay on the organic side. Like anything you might put close to your eyes, just be sure it doesn't get in your eyes, and be certain that what you're using is 100% castor oil, as your peepers are super sensitive (via Bustle).

One highly recommended castor oil for lashes is Kate Blanc Cosmetics castor oil, which is pretty inexpensive (via Amazon). The product even comes with spoolies for easy application. Castor oils also come in mascara-type tubes if you feel like that's a better option for you.

Another option for thicker eyelashes are lash growth serums.

Growth serums are known for doing exactly what they say; they help promote lash growth. Unlike primers and castor oil, lash growth serums may help grow new lashes along with adding that thickness and length you're looking for.

Dermatologist Dr. Fatima Fahs reminds people to have realistic expectations, though. "Most over-the-counter lash growth serums work by conditioning the lashes — allowing them to appear more hydrated and volumized— but may not contribute to actual growth," said Fahs (via Forbes). Either way, it doesn't hurt to try it out.

While there are tons of drugstore lash serums you can try, Elite Daily made a great list; there's only one that's FDA-approved. This serum is called Latisse. While it has rave reviews, it does have a downside: It's a prescription product. Latisse was one of those happy accidents because its key ingredient is an eye drop used for glaucoma, but people noticed lash growth occurring when using it, and Latisse was born (via Byrdie).

Be warned that this will be a lot of science talk, but we promise it's worth it. 

Biotin is a supplement everyone thinks of when discussing hair growth. Biotin is infamous for helping hair grow; it's a miracle worker. If you're not willing to swallow a pill, you can find biotin in foods like eggs and bananas, which is a pretty easy breakfast if you think about it (via D'Lashes). Though biotin is the front runner, it's not the only supplement that can help. Vitamin C is also a great supplement if you're trying to make your lashes full and lengthy. Vitamin C is needed to create collagen, an essential protein found in your lashes, making it super helpful (via Evedare). 

A surprising lash helper is iron. Iron is known for helping transport oxygen into your blood, and that blood can reach your hair follicles; the next thing you know, your lashes are growing (via Chic Girl Online). 

All right, hear us out: Green teabags on your eyes. 

Now this one's going to sound a little out there, but it has reportedly worked for some people, and we're always interested in trying new things. According to celebrity lash artist Shannique Austin, "Green tea is rich with antioxidant properties which have been said to aid in the stimulation of the growth of lashes" (via Bustle). Austin said you should soak some cotton rounds in Green tea, let them cool down, and then plop those suckers right on your lashes. Of course, you could skip the cotton rounds and just put the tea bag on your eyes.

Seeing that it sounds outlandish, it's bound to feel like pseudoscience. Healthline has reminded everyone that this green tea treatment isn't scientifically proven to help your lashes grow, so you'd be trying it at your own risk. You can also stick to drinking it and see if it gives any results.

Aloe is a lifesaver when it comes to sunburns, but it turns out it might be useful in helping lash growth as well. 

The gel that comes from the aloe leaves, which is called latex, can be mixed with water and applied directly to your lashes. Aloe promotes the growth of healthy cells and tissues, which is probably why we use it to treat things like sunburn (via Healing Picks). When used on hair — in this case, eyelashes — it can help bring moisture and strengthen the lashes. 

Do you want to make aloe 10 times more effective for lash growth? Turns out you can mix it with castor oil and Vitamin E to make the ultimate lash-growing serum (via Makeup and Beauty). Essentially you can take three things off this list and combine them to make your lashes better than ever — and to top it off, it's all-natural. 

We think this might be the weirdest one, but it seems like you can use Vaseline for everything.

According to an article on Healthline, "A thin coat of Vaseline applied at the base of your lashes or to the lash tips may help give them a thicker and fuller appearance." Who knew? Vaseline is something anyone can find, in fact, it's pretty likely that you already have some in your own home. Just remember, Vaseline isn't going to make your lashes grow. It's magical, but not that magical. Vaseline will help keep your lashes moisturized which can help prevent lash breakage (via The Lash Lounge). 

Though it has the power to help you on your way to those luscious lashes, it does have the potential to make your eyes uncomfortable and possibly blur your vision, so watch out for that if you decide to try this remedy. 

Since we've given you some pretty helpful dos, it's only fitting that we give you some helpful don'ts — one of which is using lash curlers.

Don't get us wrong: Lash curlers can make your lashes look really nice, but that's only if you're using them correctly. Certified lash tech @ipsbeauty posted to her TikTok, what the result of using lash curlers improperly can be. "They are so damaging and literally cut your natural lashes," she wrote.

Now, we can all agree that no one wants cut lashes, but that doesn't mean you have to stay away from curlers entirely. Others recommend not clamping down too hard with the curler and not using a lash curler every day (via Cliradex). The biggest lash curler no-no? Don't curl them with mascara on. You don't want to be like that girl on YouTube who left the curling iron on her hair for too long, and it pulled off a whole chunk of her hair.

Long story short: Stay away from lash curlers if you don't know how to use them properly.

If you aren't about lash extensions, you're most likely using mascara. It's the second-best way to give off a false lash illusion without the hassle of applying lashes. But, like any other product, mascara is also something you must be careful using. First and foremost, stay away from expired makeup. It might sound obvious, but some may not realize that makeup eventually expires, so be sure to check the expiration date on all of your products regularly.

When trying to make your lashes all pretty, you may feel inclined to pack on the mascara — but there is such a thing as too much. Using a lot of mascara can lead to using more product and scrubbing to try and take it off, which can lead to damaged lashes (via Alexie). On the topic of makeup removal, try to avoid waterproof mascaras, too, as they also take some extra force to remove.

Also, don't share mascara. This is not hygienic and can lead to bacterial infections (via Insider).

Since you're trying to make your lashes look like you have lash extensions, do your best to stay away from lash extensions — strip lashes, too.

The Howerton Eye Clinic warns that using strip lashes and lash extensions can lead to breakage and pulling some of your natural lashes out, which is pretty counterproductive for the goal you're trying to achieve. However, if you do cave and get lash extensions anyway, please don't try removing them on your own. We're asking nicely with a cherry on top. Lash expert Edyta Kurowska says, "Under no circumstances should you try pulling them out. Extensions are attached to an individual natural eyelash, so pulling the extension can cause permanent damage to your follicle," (via Harper's Bazaar).

The same goes for strip lashes, be careful how you remove them. Celebrity makeup artist Kate Stromberg recommends, "The gentlest way to remove them is to soak a Q-tip in an oil-based cleanser to loosen the adhesive on the lash line," (via Insider).

The biggest no-no? Don't touch your eyelashes — like, at all. Touching them can cause bacteria which can block clog the lash follicles and prevent new lashes from growing (via The Zoe Report). 

TikTok user @ipsbeauty has also begged you not to pull your lashes out, as it's not healthy for them. You can't get lovely full lashes if you're pulling all of them out. Suppose you struggle with trichotillomania, a disorder in which you often pull your lashes out. In that case, health professionals recommend the supplement  N-acetylcysteine (NAC), as it's been known to help stop the urge to pull them out (via Trichstop). 

You should also try and avoid rubbing your eyes. Celebrity makeup artist Clementina Richardson explains, "Anytime you're rubbing or tugging your lashes aggressively, you can pull them out and weaken them," (via InStyle).

We know all of this is easier said than done, but try to do the best you can. 

Like any regimen or routine, you have to be consistent. You can't just put on oils or lash primers now and again and expect to see results. The best way to see results is if you implement these products or treatments into your daily routine; whether you do it in the morning or at night is up to you.

Personally, we'd recommend the evening. After you've taken off your mascara and washed your face, it's always possible that you've dried out or damaged your lashes, so why not take the time to add a few extra steps to keep your lashes looking nice.

Lash extensions aren't cheap, and we all know they're sometimes a pain to maintain, so if you want to avoid them, take care of your lashes using any or maybe even all of these techniques because, let's face it, self-care is the best care.