Lengthening Mascara
Mascaras are great for defining your lashes and drawing attention to your eyes. However, not all mascaras will work for all lash types. It's especially important to choose the right mascara when you have noticeably thin, short or limp lashes because these types need specific qualities to enhance your natural features. If your lashes are particularly short, for example, you need a lengthening mascara.
What is a lengthening mascara?
A lengthening mascara is designed to add length or create the illusion of length to improve short and straight lashes. Longer lashes create an attractive frame for the eyes and draw more attention to them, which is ideal for most makeup situations. Most lengthening mascaras also have volumising and curl-holding properties, so your eyelashes look not only longer but also fuller and more beautifully shaped.
How does a lengthening mascara work?
A lengthening mascara contains all the typical mascara ingredients, with the addition of short synthetic fibers made to look like fake lashes. The fibers in a lengthening mascara, which are made of nylon or rayon, are intentionally left on the lashes upon application. They serve as ‘extensions' of your natural lashes, eliminating the need for artificial lashes which are difficult to apply and tend to look rather unconvincing. In such cases, a lengthening mascara may seem to be a better option.
Who needs a lengthening mascara?
A lengthening mascara is most commonly used by people with short lashes that could use extra volume and definition. A lengthening mascara is also ideal for makeup situations that call for deliberately gaudy makeup, such as those used in theatre and fashion shows. A lengthening mascara may also be necessary for lash coloring since the color will be more noticeable on long lashes.
What are the disadvantages of lengthening mascaras?
It's very easy to overdo lengthening when applying mascara, so it's important to apply it in places with good lighting and to check the results after each application. The makeup also tends to form clumps or get overly thick. Avoid this by using thinner formulas and applying no more than two layers of a lengthening mascara at a time.
