To maximise your natural lashes, lift them skywards. Start by curling eyelashes to make them appear much longer than they actually are. “You will be amazed at the curl and extra length with a lick of mascara,” says Kim Evans, the founder of Melbourne’s Lux Brows & Lashes. If you’re new to eyelash curlers (or just lazy about replacing the protective silicone pads), Evans suggests a heated curler. Gently slide it towards the brow bone to shape eyelashes upwards and outwards.

If you’ve got sparse, skimpy lashes, try a lash serum to promote eyelash growth.

Expect: Longer, stronger lashes. Eyelash serums nourish with peptides and lock existing lashes into place with lipids so they grow better than ever.

Don’t Expect: A set of thick falsies. Lash serums help lengthen and add shine for a fuller lash look, but you won’t grow an abundance of new lashes.

“Just like the hair on our head, everyone’s lashes are different,” says Chanel Australia’s official makeup artist, Victoria Baron. Finding The Ones starts with knowing your lashes and your desired effect. For fine and few lashes, “a voluminous bristle brush is going to be your best friend,” says YSL Beauty Australia’s education manager, Bianca Downward, who adds that a glossy, lengthening mascara and a curved rubber wand are “the way to go”.

Don’t be fooled into thinking black mascara is the only way to define eyes; there are softer (and unexpected) options out there. A swipe of a rich chocolate mascara adds volume without the intensity of ultra-black formulas. Baron suggests coating tips with Chanel’s new metallic terracotta shade for a playful yet understated look. Whether you opt for subtle or smoky makeup, remember to think of the eyes as a work of art. “The frame shouldn’t overtake the painting,” says Baron, who pairs sparkling mascara with earthy, natural tones so “the vibrancy of your eye colour is the feature of your makeup.”

If straight, stubborn lashes are your issue, perhaps try a lash lift. “They’re a simple change in the direction of your natural lashes,” says lash and brow expert Amy Jean. The treatment gives lashes a wide-awake, youthful feel. But heed this: if fine, short, and sparse lashes are your gripe, you’re better off opting for a lash extension. “It defines eyes and adds volume to the individual strands,” says Jean.

Don’t overlook false lashes – they’ve come a long way since their inception. To avoid looking doll-like, Amy Jean suggests trimming “one-third of the length off a full strip and applying them to the outer eye, so they don’t look too heavy.” As a rule of thumb, Amy Jean selects falsies that offer eye-opening lift and natural volume for daytime, while keeping the more bold and fluffy sets for the evening. For a seamless finish, use invisible band eyelashes and clear glue to help the line disappear into your makeup. A lash comb will also help blend falsies into your natural lashes.

Text: Bauer Syndication

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