Extreme lengths

Life, they say, isn’t fair. As far as we’re concerned, a prime example of this is long eyelashes being wasted on boys when we go to considerable time and effort to cultivate our lashes into something longer and worth batting. 

Trying to grow eyelashes can take plenty of time and patience. Eyelashes are built of keratin, like all hair. In turn, keratin is built from amino acids. Our natural eyelash growth cycle is around eight weeks, so lash serums and natural collagen supplements can take anywhere from two to twelve months to show real results.  

If you’re looking for significantly longer-looking lashes in a hurry, Bloom’s Sheona Forrest advocates for their LVL lash tint and lift treatment. Sheona commented, ‘It’s one of our favourite and most popular services here at Bloom. It adds volume, depth and length to the lashes by lifting, curling and tinting them to create the perfect natural glam lash, for your non make-up, make-up free days. LVL also comes with low maintenance aftercare, we recommend using the Nouveau lash conditioning serum (RRP £19.99) to keep your lashes hydrated and protected against environmental pollutants. LVL can last up to 6-8 weeks with the correct homecare.

Brenda Cardno at Treat Company’s salon in Inverallochy offers a full menu of lash treatments. ‘As well as LVL, we can tint lashes, making them appear darker and fuller, or our Lash Lift treatment is like a perm for the lashes, raising them into a curve and opening up the eye. We also have a full range of eyelash extension and false lash treatments, from 1:1 lashes to a fuller, more dramatic look with our hybrid or volume lashes. Eyelash extensions last for up to a month with care. Infill is required after 2 weeks, which will last another 2 weeks.

False lashes can be fiddly and there’s always the fear that one’s going to fall off during dinner, but the trick is to apply the glue, then leave it for a minute before application, according to Inverurie-based makeup genius Julia Strachan. Julia has her own line of false lashes available at jewelcosmetics.co.uk. There are nine sets to choose from, from the natural-looking Cotai, to the full-on showgirl looks of Vegas.  

If treatments and false lashes are not for you, a serum might be just the thing to promote the growth of longer, thicker lashes. RapidLash’s Eyelash Enhancing Serum is an award-winning formula packed with polypeptides, biotin, amino acids, pumpkin seed extract and soybean oil that promises results in as little as eight weeks. You need to apply it to the base of the upper eyelashes before bed and dream of improved lash durability, shine, sheen and overall healthier-looking appearance. You’ll find it on lookfantastic.com for £40. 

Mascara can be a bit hit and miss, with different formulas looking great on one person and making the next look like a depressed panda. Eyeko’s award-winning Black Magic Mascara is enriched with a botanical shea butter blend to help care for your lashes, while intensely volumising and curling.

Its lash-hugging shape coats every lash from root to tip to lengthen, lift and add curves to your eye makeup look. The mascara’s nourishing formula delivers full-bodied eyelashes whilst providing long-term care with a carbon black finish that stays put without smudging, flaking or crumbling. Find it at thehut.com for £19.