Pure Mavens

They say the eyes are the windows to a person’s soul. That’s great, but they’re also key for flirting and can complete that sexy look that gets noticed…

And thus, few vanities and handbags would be complete without that go-to, mascara. So we wanted to provide a few tips to get the most from your lashes – both today, and for years to come.

I always marvel at my toddlers’ eyes – they look like Bambi and can most definitely get their way with a quick bat of those long, beautiful lashes. But many women notice that over the years lashes can become damaged, shortened, and thinned. According to dermatologist Jeannette Graf, MD¹, everything from stress to diet to environmental impacts can put strain on your lashes. She goes on to stress that a woman can actually be her own lashes’ worst enemy. “Wear and tear can result from rubbing or tugging at our eyelids, sleeping in mascara (the stiffness can break lashes), and wearing water-proof mascara, which can be drying. Usually the process of removing mascara, especially waterproof formulas, is the problem,” Graf says.

Eyelashes, after all, are hair much like that on our heads. While many women pamper their locks with organic shampoos, conditioners, and styling products, they take for granted the TLC those batting-beauties deserve. And like hair, once lashes have been plucked out, and the follicles damaged, they’re less likely to grow back.

Fret not, however. With a few pure beauty tips you can maintain that daily-dazzle while nurturing your lashes for the long haul. Here are a few of the tips we like best to keep the lashes you’ve got looking lovely:

• Use a gentle remover like pure petroleum jelly and pat or dab at the lids rather than rubbing or pulling.
• Never tug at lashes.
• If you use a lash curler, make sure you’re not pulling on your lids at all.
• If you want to remove clumps from mascara, you must do it when the mascara is still wet and easy to comb through.
• Replace your mascara every three to six months to prevent germs that can lead to infections (replace eye cosmetics immediately if you get pink eye or any other eye infection).
• Condition lashes just like you would your hair. Petroleum jelly can help, but products like jane iredale PureLash Lengthener and Conditioner are a more effective, elegant solution.

So go on and repurify those lashes. They’ll thank you with years of loyal service.
¹Source: WebMD, May 19, 2010, Liesa Goins, reviewed by Laura J. Martin, MD