Fluttery, flirty, mesmerizing. However you describe it, long lashes are one of the most desirable features of the face and when you see someone who has them, you simply can’t stop looking. Those who were born with naturally thick, long lashes are truly blessed. And within our beauty-obsessed culture, we’ve discovered and attempted every way imaginable to try and boost our lashes.
Unfortunately, not all the methods are healthy, or good for your own lashes. In an attempt to recreate a retro-glamour, bombshell look – women are actually losing their own eyelashes. It’s true, the lengths women will go to, to fulfill their lash fantasies are doing far more harm than good. And while it may seem like a good idea to spackle some falsies at the last minute, or just apply your daily mascara for enhancement, there are a few things you should know.
In 1911, a Canadian woman was the first to patent artificial lashes, which sprang a whole new trend that would extend around the world. When Hollywood got its grip on the lash obsession, it was off to the races. All the famous starlets had them, so everyone wanted them. Fast-forward to today, people are still wearing fake lashes and likely don’t know that lash glue is one of the most toxic products on the market. From redness and swelling to extreme infection and cancer, the majority of women have no idea how harmful this chemical is that they are putting next to their eyeballs.
Why Lash Glue Is Bad
Prolonged use of lash glue can actually cause something called traction alopecia, where your eyelashes begin falling out. It all starts because you have to pull the false lash off and then you end up losing hair follicles that won’t grow back. Not to mention what happens when you get that stuff IN your eye. If you’ve used lash glue before, you know that intense burning feeling that makes your eyes water, swell up and you can feel it for hours.
Eyelash glue has a cocktail of hazardous chemicals, including paraben, ammonia, formaldehyde, lead and sodium dodecylbenzenesulfanate. Yes, the stuff they use to embalm people – you are putting that on your eyes. Pretty soon, the lashes you once had, no matter how thin or short, will be gone completely and there won’t be anything to attach.
Eyelash Growth Alternatives
And it’s not just the lash glue that causes major issues. There are several harmful products on the market that claim to help you grow your lashes. One of which is bimatoprost, which you actually have to see a doctor and get a prescription for – sounds really safe, right? This medication was originally created to treat glaucoma. The side effects from this can be redness of the thin tissue over the white part of the eye (conjunctiva), itchy, red eyes, dry eyes, darkened eyelids, darkened brown pigmentation in the colored part of the eye (iris), hair growth around the eyes if the medication regularly runs or drips off the eyelids. Yes, it can actually drip off the eyelid, to your eyeball – one of the most sensitive and valuable body parts we have. This product also requires serious commitment – application twice a day, for at least two months minimum. The medication hasn’t been used for this purpose very long, either, so the jury is still out as to what happens after long-term use.
Mascara
What about mascara? Most of us can’t live without it. In fact, the average woman will spend nearly $4,000 in her lifetime on mascara. It seems safe enough because billions of women have been using mascara for centuries to help enhance their eyes. But let’s dish about what mascara holds. Most brands contain a substance called guanine, which is made from ground-up fish scales. It gives mascara its shine.
Which many vegans may not be aware of. There are also trace amounts of mercury. In 2013, the United Nations excluded mascara and other eye makeup from the ban on mercury in cosmetics and soaps. The reason: there are “no effective safe substitute alternatives” available for the chemical. I don’t know about you, but this is enough to raise a red flag. It also contains petroleum distillates which is linked to system toxicity and contamination, among many other harmful chemicals.
Mascara, although widely used, can also cause painful styles, cause allergic reactions and removing it? You guessed it; it can also cause lash loss. You have to be ever so gentle when removing your mascara or those hair follicles are coming right off with the formula.
The Best Solution
But, your quest for Hollywood lashes doesn’t have to end. In fact there is a great product on the market called Lash Alive which can actually stimulate your lash growth in just 28 days – and the best part? It’s made with organic ingredients which won’t irritate your eyes. In fact, it’s so gentle it can be used on any hair type.
This is a product you do have to apply once a day, but after three weeks – you’ll be glad you did. The parent company, Adonia Organics, actually had an independent clinical study performed on the product and found a 60 percent lash improvement in just 28 days. After 42 days there was an 88 percent improvement and after 56 days there was a whopping 92 percent improvement in the fullness, length, visibility and thickness of lashes. This organic wonder requires just one application per day and is completely safe and healthy for eyes. The serum even nourishes the hair follicle, which is what helps your lashes look so great. It’s been a celebrity favorite for years due to all its benefits.
Conclusion
Before you stock up on your next supply of false lashes, lash glue and mascara – you may want to think again. Beautiful lashes are easily attainable without all the garbage and side effects associated with the modern measures of improvement. And take it from the lab itself – products like Lash Alive are actually healthy for your lashes, doing the exact opposite. When your lashes are long and full, you feel beautiful inside and out. And that’s what beauty is all about.
