[DoubleDBeauty]

Problem: My eyelashes are short, thin, and barely visible. A beauty consultant told me to condition my lashes with mineral oil, but after several nights of this, nothing happened (except getting the oil in my eye). Besides mascara, is there anything I can do to make my eyelashes long and thick again?

Solution: Unfortunately, the fix you are looking for doesn't exist. Think of it this way: if there was a product that could be applied to lashes that would cause them to grow longer and feel thicker, why would major cosmetic companies like L'Oreal, Clinique, Maybelline, and Revlon (among others) release so many new mascaras every year, each with varying promises of creating long, thick, voluminous lashes? Your experience with mineral oil was harmless, but as you quickly noticed, it does not make lashes grow longer and thicker. At best, it can soften them, but not without feeling greasy and causing blurred vision! Plus, making lashes softer does not equate to enhanced lash growth. Eyelash length and thickness is genetically determined and nothing you apply to your lashes can change that.

Although there is not a miracle product available to make lashes grow longer, stronger, or thicker, you can make the most of what you have by choosing the appropriate mascara and, if needed, lash primer. I am not a proponent of most lash primers, but there is one whose formula is more than just colorless mascara and really does make a difference. It's a subtle difference, but for someone with short, fine lashes, subtle is better than none! That product is Shiseido The Makeup Mascara Base. Pairing this product with a mascara such as L'Oreal Lash Architect 3-D Dramatic Mascara, Clinique High Impact Mascara, or Paula's Select Lush Mascara can make even the tiniest lashes look dramatically longer and thicker. Other top mascara choices can be found in my book Don't Go to the Cosmetics Counter Without Me, 6th Edition.

On a health-related note, if you are losing your eyelashes and they are not regrowing, you may have a condition known as madarosis. This is characterized by progressive loss of eyelashes, resulting in an uneven, sparsely populated lash line. It may be a sign of an eyelid infection, eye trauma, infestation with the Demodex Folliculorum mite, or metabolic conditions such as hypothyroidism or deficiency of the pituitary gland. If you suspect you have madarosis, consult an eyelid specialist (oculoplastic surgeon) for diagnosis and discussion of treatments.

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