This Thursday, despite my long list of beauty questions I received this month, I’m actually skipping Beauty Q&A for one big reason: I need to do an eyelash growth PSA.
Recently I watched a video with almost 10 million views about “How to Grow Long, Thick, Healthy Lashes“. 10 Million views.. That’s 10 million people that have seen this video and potentially taken it’s advice.
The problem? It’s total BS.
That’s just one video from one Youtuber. There are dozens of lash growth videos with views in the 1M+ range. AHHHH I feel my inner beauty-scientist-type-A-truth-seeking self burning in her own special kind of hell.
Let’s be clear about something: When taking or giving beauty advice–or just in life in general–it’s important to get to the why of things, not just the how. This is especially true when we are putting things near our eyes. That’s not just common sense, it’s also necessary safety. For your eyes. That you see things with. For your whole life.
So that’s what I’ll be writing about today.
* Cue end of first rant ever on our blog *
Onward…. to TRUTH! Before I go crazy!
The Worst — and Totally BS– Way to Grow Eyelashes
Alright…are you ready? It’s Vaseline. I know, I know so many women swear by it, but the truth of the matter is that it does nothing to help your eyelashes grow. Zip. Zilch. Nada. I have received lots of nasty Youtube comments for trying to steer people away from disappointed, by pointing out that vasline doesn’t and cannot physically, scientifically grow lashes. Alas, I have been told many times “don’t believe everything you read online!” Unfortunately, (fortunately?) I researched and wrote said articles so.. I think I’ll believe them.
So let’s dig back into this: Vaseline (or petroleum jelly) doesn’t actually make your eyelashes grow. It doesn’t make them longer, fuller, thicker. It just chemically, structurally, fundamentally… doesn’t.
Vaseline can give eyelashes the appearance of being longer and thicker. That has something to do with reflection and how our eyes can perceive light. It can protect and moisturize, but Vaseline does not contain any elements known to help grow longer eyelashes. The known ingredients for thicker and longer eyelashes are currently prostaglandins (found in the prescription products like Latisse) and essential fatty acids (found in Wink). Prostaglandins have been shown to increase the length of the growth cycle, leading to longer eyelashes, while essential fatty acids may be able to stimulate natural prostaglandin/prostaglanoid production, which puts us where we start with Latisse. Catch my drift?
I have covered this topic before, so if you want to read an entire blog about Vaseline–how it’s made, what it is, why it doesn’t make eyelashes grow thicker, longer or fuller, you can do so here.
The Best Way to Grow Eyelashes
I know you’re probably sick of me saying this, but in all honesty, the best way to grow your eyelashes is with a serum.WINK contains essential fatty acids that are proven to stimulate the hair follicle to move from the “resting” phase (telogen) and to enter the “active” phase (anagen). By supplementing your eyelash follicles with essential fatty acids, you may be stimulating prostaglanoid production naturally, resulting in fuller and possibly longer lashes.
Other great methods for eyelash growth? A healthy diet! Your hair is made up primarily of protein, so it is essential that you include it in your diet if you want your eyelashes to grow. Start incorporating more lean meats into your diet like poultry, and for those who don’t eat meat, beans and tofu are fantastic sources of protein! You also need iron andvitamin E to really get your eyelashes growing. Spinach and other leafy greens, soybeans, and fish are all terrific sources of these nutrients.
So really, it’s that easy. And it makes sense, right? If you want a good body, you need to feed it what it needs. If you want to grow beautiful eyelashes, you need to feed them what they need, on the inside and outside.
For other tips and tricks on how to grow your lashes, read our full blog here.
Takeaways: Should I Listen to My Favorite Youtube Beauty Guru?
Honestly, it totally depends. Really, you can’t believe everything you see, hear or watch. Check your sources. Do your research. Maybe they have an AWESOME tip that’s worked for them, but then again, they might not have even read, researched or tested it. Why? Youtubers are creating videos to get VIEWS. Beauty gurus care about their authenticity, but they’re just human. They’re beauty gurus after all, not scientists. Again, well-intentioned, but not always properly informed.
Views = advertising dollars = a better lifestyle. They don’t care whether or not that cheap vaseline actually helps your eyelashes grow.
I care, because this is all I research about, advocate for, and do. You don’t have to use WINK, but I would like you to find a solution that does work. Free eyelash education for all!
Want More Tips on how to Grow Full, Lush Lashes?
Want more lash growing tips, for the lushest looking lashes ever? (Whew, that was a mouthful).
Check out our FREE E-book, The Lush Lash Guide (click here).
