How to Make Your Eyelashes Grow Longer at Home: 11 Tips

PDF download Download Article
Expert advice to help you get longer, thicker lashes
PDF download Download Article

Long, upturned eyelashes not only make your eyes look bigger, but they’re also a characteristic associated with youth, beauty, and flirtatious eye-batting! If you want to get big, beautiful, and healthy lashes in a natural and DIY-friendly way, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve interviewed expert beauty specialists and aestheticians to let you in on exactly what makes eyelashes grow and how you can grow longer, thicker, and healthier lashes in just a few simple steps.

How to Grow Your Eyelashes

  1. Use a mascara with peptides.
  2. Apply castor oil or olive oil to your lashes.
  3. Apply Vitamin E oil to your lashes.
  4. Moisturize your lash line with organic beeswax.
  5. Apply a lash growth serum like GrandeLASH-MD.
  6. Gently remove your makeup every evening.
Section 1 of 4:

How to Make Eyelashes Grow

PDF download Download Article
  1. Certain oils and balms can promote lash growth and keep your eyelashes hydrated and healthy. [1] Choose between organic beeswax or an oil like castor oil, coconut oil, olive oil, or Vitamin E oil. Use a clean mascara wand or cotton swab to gently apply the oil or wax to your upper lash line every night before bed. [2] Wait up to 12 weeks for full results.
    • Castor oil has ricinoleic acid as its active ingredient, which may stimulate prostaglandin E2 (“PGE2”)—a molecule that’s been shown in studies to encourage hair growth. [3]
    • Naturally refined coconut oil moisturizes your lashes, which can help them to avoid breakage and stay hydrated, leading to possible hair and lash growth. [4]
    • Olive oil contains a high percentage of oleuropein, a compound that’s been found to induce anagen hair growth in some studies. [5]
    • Vitamin E oil is an antioxidant that deeply conditions your lashes while also protecting the cells from external stressors.
    • Organic beeswax , when responsibly sourced, is full of rich vitamins and antioxidants which will help keep your lashes moisturized and protected. [6]
  2. Apply a small amount of aloe vera gel to your upper lash line. The aloe will help to hydrate and moisturize the hair follicles, since the substance has a long history of use as a humectant and hair loss aid. [7] While aloe vera hasn’t been shown to directly make lashes grow, it will help to hydrate and strengthen your lashes, which is likely to promote hair growth.
    Advertisement
  3. Try an eyelash accelerator or growth serum to “help strengthen your lashes, allowing them to grow longer and stronger,” instructs licensed esthetician Alicia Ramos. Certified esthetician Karina Villalta also agrees that “the best way to grow thicker lashes is to use a lash growth serum,...[which] works by prolonging the anagen, or growth, phase of the lash hair.”
    • Ramos specifically recommends two effective lash serums: GrandeLASH-MD and the LashFood Phyto-Medic Eyelash enhancer .
    • To apply these over-the-counter serums, beauty specialist Barbie Ritzman instructs to “remove all eye makeup and ensure your lashes are dry. Then, use the applicator brush to apply a thin line of the serum along your upper lash line, similar to applying a liquid eyeliner.”
    • “Use the lash growth serum once daily, preferably at night,” continues Ritzman. “Consistency is key for best results.”
    • To prevent irritation, Ritzman warns against “applying the serum to the lower lash line…If you experience any irritation or redness, discontinue use and consult with a healthcare professional.”
  4. Brush your lashes at least once per day with a spooly (aka a clean mascara wand or eyebrow brush), and “do a once-through with an eyelash comb before you go to bed,” says Ramos. Your eyelashes naturally accumulate debris, face oils, and dead skin cells. [8] By combing a spooly through your lashes, you may be able to clear some of that debris and give your lashes more space to grow. [9]
    • Spoolies are also super cost-effective, making this a great hack, and you can keep them in a small plastic container or baggy to carry around with you wherever you go!
  5. Many mascaras have drying ingredients that can cause the hair structure to weaken, and long-term use of standard mascaras may lead to increase lash fall. [10] Instead, look for a mascara with nourishing ingredients like propeptides or other valuable nutrients that have been shown to stimulate eyelash growth. [11] Search for mascaras that advertise themselves with keywords like “ nutrient rich ,” “ peptide ,” and “ lash-boosting .”
    • You can also look for mascaras that contain some of the DIY solutions used to promote lash growth, such as coconut oil, castor oil, and organic beeswax.
  6. Over time, thick coats of makeup or heavy lash extensions can put too much pressure on your hair follicles and damage your fragile lashes. If you typically wear makeup every day, try dedicating at least one day per week to skip the mascara and give your lashes a chance to breathe. [12]
    • Limit your use of other tools like eyelash curlers and false lashes to restore strength and volume to your natural lashes. “Harsh eye drops…can [also] diminish the strength of your lashes,” adds Ramos.
  7. “When applying makeup to natural lashes, make sure to remove all makeup at the end of the night,” instructs Villalta. It’s crucial to remove eye makeup before bed in order to prevent lash breakage and eye irritation. [13] When washing your face, however, Ritzman stresses the importance of “avoiding any rubbing or wiping of your lashes,” as these motions can make your lashes fall out.
    • To wash your eye makeup off in a gentle way, avoid makeup remover wipes and cleaners—instead, opt for organic, raw coconut oil or other oil-based eye removal products . [14]
    • Use a cotton pad (not a ball or swap) or your fingertips to gently massage the oil onto your eyes. Then, rinse it away and pat dry.
    • In addition to avoiding rubbing or wiping your lashes while washing your face, try not to pull or tug on them in daily life. It’s best to leave your eyelashes alone as much as possible, since even applying makeup or eyelash extensions too close to the last line can cause the lashes to fall out or break.
  8. Massaging your eyelids for 1-2 minutes a day can stimulate blood flow to that area and promote healthy lash growth. Start by washing your hands thoroughly, then gently place your fingertips along your lash line. Gingerly rub the area in small circles, making sure not to apply so much pressure that you might damage your lashes or eyelid skin. [15]
    • Continue for up to two minutes and repeat once daily.
  9. Consuming a healthy, well-balanced diet can help your body retain the necessary nutrients to thrive. Ritzman suggests eating foods that are “rich in vitamins and minerals…like biotin, Vitamin E, and omega-3 fatty acids.” Some great foods to incorporate into your diet to promote healthy hair growth include leafy greens, avocado, fish, and nuts. [16]
  10. If your lashes always seem to be weak, thin, or brittle, your body may need additional help getting nutrients to promote hair growth. Consider implementing collagen or biotin supplements into your daily routine. [17]
    • However, it’s best to consult your primary care physician about which supplements may be right for you and what (if any) side effects you should be on the lookout for.
  11. If these DIY and at-home methods aren’t working for you, try a prescription-only lash serum. One of the most popular FDA-approved lash growth treatments is called Latisse (Bimatoprost Ophthalmic Solution). [18] To start using Latisse, “visit a healthcare provider to get a prescription,” instructs Ritzman. Once you have the product, “clean your face thoroughly of makeup and remove contact lenses if you wear them.”
    • Then, “use the sterile applicator provided by Latisse to apply one drop of solution to the applicator brush,” instructs Ritzman. “Apply the lash solution to the upper lash line of each eye, being careful to not let the solution contact other areas.”
    • Apply Latisse once daily, preferably at night. According to Ritzman, “initial results are typically visible within 4-8 weeks, with full results expected in approximately 16 weeks.”
    • “Potential side effects include itching redness, darkening of the eyelid skin, and darkening of the iris,” warns Ritzman. If you experience any of these side effects, temporarily discontinue use and contact the medical provider that wrote your prescription.
    • Ritzman advises to “continue using Latisse regularly to maintain results. Discontinuing use will cause lashes to return to their original length over time.”
    12. Advertisement
Section 2 of 4:

How to Make Your Eyelashes Appear Longer

PDF download Download Article
  1. Use a clean mascara wand to gently brush your eyelashes upward—this step can help to separate your individual eyelashes and make them look more voluminous and defined.
    • Then, take an eyelash curler and start at the base of the lash—but don’t get too close to your eyelid! Gently squeeze the curler a few times and slowly move toward the tip of the lash on each squeeze. [19]
  2. If you want the look of long lashes without actually growing your lashes, a mascara advertised for lift and length is probably your best bet. Place the mascara wand at the base of your lashes and “squiggle the brush as you move upward,” instructs licensed aesthetician and makeup educator Daniel Vann. “Make sure to agitate the lashes and work the product into them. Don’t just graze over [the lashes] lightly and timidly…you really want to work into the lash vigorously.”
    • You can also layer your mascara to create a thicker look, but Vann reminds us to “layer dry over wet,” not wet over wet. “Put a little [mascara] on,” says Vann, “step away from it, do another feature, then come back and layer a little more on. If you keep working at it too furiously when it’s wet, [the mascara] doesn’t ever build.”
  3. After applying your mascara, run the tip of the wand along each lash to separate and define them. It may be easier to use an eyelash comb to separate your lashes, or invest in a specialized mascara applicator such as a spiral or fine-toothed wand . [20]
  4. Eyelash tinting dyes your lashes to a darker shade, giving them the illusion of more fullness and length. Contact a local beauty salon or esthetician in your area to ask if they offer eyelash tinting. Ramos specifically recommends lash tints because “even good quality eyelash tint appointments can be the same price as, or cheaper than, expensive mascaras. And they last up to 6 weeks!”
  5. You may have long lashes that appear shorter because of how straight they are. If frequent use of your eyelash curler isn’t doing it for you, Ramos recommends an eyelash lift to “make your lashes appear as long and strong” as possible. Contact your local beauty salon or esthetician to find out what kinds of lash lift treatments they offer—these treatments usually last about 6-8 weeks. [21]
    6. Advertisement
Section 3 of 4:

Why aren’t my eyelashes growing?

PDF download Download Article
  1. When using eyelash serums and other growth-enhancing products, it can take up to 12 weeks to see results. If you’ve torn off your eyelashes and are trying to repair them, this process can also take 6-12 weeks for your eyelashes to fully grow back. [22] Make sure you’re being consistent with whatever strategy you’re using to promote eyelash growth —if you’re not applying your products frequently, you’re unlikely to see results. [23]
    • If you’ve been consistently applying a serum or other growth enhancer for a few months without any results, you may want to try a different product.
    • Keep in mind that eyelashes are constantly growing (and dying) in a four-to-eleven-month life cycle, and they only grow about 0.13 millimetres (0.013 cm) per day! [24]
    • Over that eleven-month cycle, eyelashes move through three phases: anagen (growth), catagen (follicle shrinkage), and telogen (rest). After the telogen phase, your eyelashes naturally fall out and the new lashes behind them begin their anagen phase. [25]
    • For your lashes to grow as thick and healthy as possible, they need nourishment and protection throughout each phase of this life cycle.
Section 4 of 4:

Does Vaseline help your eyelashes grow?

PDF download Download Article
  1. There is no evidence to support that Vaseline affects the cells that control or promote hair and lash growth. However, petroleum jelly can keep your lashes moisturized, which may prevent breakage and make them appear darker and longer. [26] So, while Vaseline can definitely strengthen your lashes, it won’t make them grow on its own. [27]
    2. Advertisement

Community Q&A

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    Will honey (only) help to make my eyelashes thicker, or should I really use almond oil as well?
    Cecilia Flores
    Top Answerer
    Honey does nothing for lashes; castor oil and coconut oil work best.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 11 Helpful 46
  • Question
    Can I apply Vaseline gel? I can't get other petroleum jelly where I live.
    Community Answer
    Yes you can. Vaseline gel is petroleum jelly. As long as you don't use any body wash or lotion.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 5 Helpful 33
  • Question
    Does conditioner help to grow healthy lashes?
    Community Answer
    No.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 13 Helpful 39
See more answers
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Video

      Tips

      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

      You Might Also Like

      How to
      Get an Eyelash Out of Your Eye
      5 Ways to Naturally Curl Your Lashes Without a Curler
      3 Ways to Safely Remove Eyelash Extensions
      How to
      Use a Lash Curler
      How to
      Make Eyelashes Longer with Vaseline
      How to
      Make Your Eyelashes Naturally Longer
      How to
      Stop Your Eyelashes from Poking Your Eye
      How to
      Grow Eyelashes
      How to
      Curl Your Eyelashes
      How to
      Clean Eyelash Extensions
      How to
      Grow Back Your Eyelashes After They Fall Out
      How to
      Apply Eyelash Extensions
      How to
      Wash Eyelashes
      How to
      Get Longer Lashes
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7158911/
      2. ↑ https://youtu.be/plc1H9cdYbU?t=363
      3. ↑ https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.2042-7158.1984.tb02993.x
      4. ↑ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12715094/
      5. ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4462586/
      6. ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7827872/
      7. ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK92765/
      8. ↑ https://www.uclahealth.org/news/article/eyelash-mites-are-normal-part-of-bodys-microbiome
      9. ↑ https://www.beverlyfischer.net/blog/how-to-grow-your-eyelashes/
      1. ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3927173/
      2. ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7158911/
      3. ↑ https://wexnermedical.osu.edu/blog/eye-makeup-risks
      4. ↑ https://wexnermedical.osu.edu/blog/eye-makeup-risks
      5. ↑ https://www.ahealthiermichigan.org/stories/prevention/eye-makeup-safety-101
      6. ↑ https://youtu.be/AbQlvJ5FOYA?t=315
      7. ↑ https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/the-best-foods-for-vitamins-and-minerals
      8. ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9042074/
      9. ↑ https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2012/022369s005lbl.pdf
      10. ↑ https://www.15minutebeauty.com/best-mascara-application.html
      11. ↑ https://www.makeup.com/product-and-reviews/mascara/how-to-separate-eyelashes-with-mascara
      12. ↑ https://nima.edu/blogs/what-is-a-lash-lift-everything-you-need-to-know-about-them/
      13. ↑ https://www.aao.org/eye-health/tips-prevention/why-are-my-eyelashes-falling-out
      14. ↑ https://www.instyle.com/do-lash-serums-work-7975742
      15. ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2861943/
      16. ↑ https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Eyelash-growth-cycle-showing-the-four-phases-namely-anagen-catagen-telogen-and-exogen_fig1_312903914
      17. ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5849435/
      18. ↑ https://greatist.com/health/how-to-get-longer-eyelashes

      About This Article

      In other languages
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 159,591 times.

      Reader Success Stories

      • Sasha k Jessy banks

        Mar 21, 2021

        "Well I love it and I have a question. Why is it that every article I open about being beautiful without make up, it ..." more
      More reader stories Hide reader stories
      Share your story
      If you buy through links on our site, we may earn a commission .

      Did this article help you?

      Advertisement