In case you didn’t know, lashes and eyebrows make up the majority of your beauty look these days. Long, thick eyelashes and bushy, perfectly shaped brows practically give you model status. Consequently, getting extensions or eyebrow fillers have been the focus of many people’s beauty regimes. For those of us who might not be ecstatic about exposing our delicate skin to harsh chemicals and false hair, or just aren’t impressed by the heavy price tag attached to these treatments, I’m here to help you find some natural alternatives.

The truth is that, when it comes to trending beauty hacks I usually lag a few skeptical steps behind, but this is one I’m on board with. This is largely due to the fact that the heavy focus on lashes and eyebrows means that these features have become your ‘makeup’. You can go out bare-faced with your lusciously long lashes and you’re good to go. Now, that’s my kind of look. With this in mind ‘falsies’, volumizing mascaras, and lash lifts are all the rage. Let’s dive into exactly what the latter is so that you can achieve this look as naturally as possible!

What Is A Lash Lift?

Long eyelashes.

The monstrosity that is an eyelash curler has baffled non-makeup-wearers for decades. If I’m honest I’ve always been a little nervous to bring the contraption anywhere near my eyes. This means that I inevitably end up having to use my mascara wand to force my lashes to curl or invest in a pair of false lashes (only once, and never again) to make sure my eyes get that pop. With the rising awareness of the need to have a strong #LashGame, extensions, lifts, and heavy-duty mascaras are pretty much the only way to achieve a ‘natural’ eye look. (I know, it’s as ridiculous as it sounds). So, what exactly is a lash lift, anyway?

In contrast to lash extensions which genuinely add more lashes into your existing ones, a lash lift is sort of like a perm but for your eyes. It helps your lashes to lift (shocker) upwards, basically giving them that fully prepped and curled look without the curler. This procedure conventionally employs chemicals to ensure that your lashes stay UP for as long as possible. I’m not the biggest fan of putting chemicals on my face if you hadn’t guessed yet, so let’s take a look at the top 5 natural alternatives for your very own lash lift.

Top 5 Natural Lash Lifts

1. Keratin

The use of keratin for hair should not be a surprise to anyone who knows anything about healthy hair. With this in mind, keratin is a powerful natural ingredient to give your lashes a full, lengthened look. Keratin works to strengthen your lashes while giving them a natural, semi-permanent lift. If you want that ‘I woke up like this’ look without the hassle (and potential damage) of extensions, then a keratin treatment is for you.

Keratin is a natural ingredient, but the lash lift treatment itself should be done in a studio. For me that takes a little of the control out of the DIY process, but if you’re all about the relax-and-get-pampered life then this is the natural treatment for you. The technician will apply keratin treatment all over your lashes which are wrapped upwards around a rod on your eyelids. This will then sit on your lashes to give the formula time to do its magic before being removed and, ta-da, lash lift achieved.

2. Argan Oil

Argan nut.

Originating from the Morrocan argan nut, argan oil is rich in antioxidants, fatty acids, and vitamin A – all of which are essential for healthy hair growth. Any natural ingredient that is particularly potent on hair can make a big difference to your eyelash health and length. With this in mind, argan oil is a lightweight oil that leaves your eyelashes nourished. Just like hair, healthy lashes look thick and full, which is why argan oil is such a winner for lash lifts.

I love an oil that has multiple uses. And when it comes to argan oil the uses are almost endless. You can work some into your hair post-shower, add a little to a hair mask, and now you can smooth some onto your lashes for a natural lift. All you need to do is put some of the liquid gold onto a cotton ball and apply gently onto your lashes before bed. Doing this every night has the potential to not only help your lashes get the natural lift but also ensure they stay hydrated and healthy.

3. Castor Oil

The use of castor oil for eyelashes and eyebrows should be nothing particularly new to you. This natural oil derived from a perennial plant native to tropical regions is known for its ability to lengthen lashes, give you full brows, and generally encourage healthy hair growth. This oil is rich in ricinoleic acid which is a fatty acid that boosts health hair growth by giving each individual lash a surge of moisture. It also contains vitamin E which gives each lash an antioxidant boost that prevents further damage to your eyelashes.

Applying this to your lashes is so simple you’ll wonder why you’ve never heard of it before. Ready? Use a clean, sterilized mascara wand, dip it in some castor oil, and apply onto the lashes like mascara. Make sure to coat each individual lash thoroughly and that’s it. One lash lift, coming right up. Just kidding, in all seriousness, you’ll need to use this for a while to see noticeable results. After about 3 to 6 months of nightly application your lashes will end up looking thicker, fuller, and lifted as promised.

4. Jojoba Oil

Woman using jojoba oil.

This golden elixir is touted as a hydrating and moisturizing oil for both skin and hair. Jojoba oil is positively brimming with vitamins and minerals like vitamin E to regenerate and revive lackluster anything. Your lashes won’t know what hit them with this

natural lash lift that not only gives your lashes a natural curl, but a protective nutrient boost.

The fact that this oil simultaneously nourishes and protects your eyelashes, means that if your lashes need a little extra attention this is the lash lift solution for you. Give your lashes a burst of nutrients to encourage thick and healthy growth. Use this oil in the same way as the other oils we’ve mentioned. Just brush on an ample amount (there’s no such thing as too much with nourishing oils, but the truth is you really don’t need that much) before bed and let your beauty sleep work its magic.

5. Aloe Vera

Aloe vera leaf.

I feel like I can’t go a whole natural-based article and not mention the wonder that is aloe vera. Seriously, you just need to keep some of this in your fridge because turns out it’s great for, well, everything. Lashes included. In terms of a natural lash lift, this one’s a little different though, in the sense that you can’t use it on its own. Well you can, but it’s best used in conjunction with another oil to make sure your lashes get that moisture locked in. I like to mix it up between castor oil and jojoba oil depending on what I have lying around. Mix equal parts and use a mascara wand to apply liberally to lashes. 

My favorite part about this natural lash lift is that I can grow the stuff in my home. Aloe vera is a succulent that’s possibly one of the easiest indoor plants to keep alive. You just break off a bit of leaf and squeeze out the goodness. There’s nothing better than going straight to the source to nourish your skin and hair. The antibacterial and anti-fungal properties of this ingredient leave your lashes clear, clean, strong, and thick – which is exactly what healthy lashes look like!

DIY Lash Lift Treatment Recipe

Okay so now that you know the top 5 natural oils for your lash lift, let’s get a little more complicated with a DIY treatment. Technically speaking you can use the pure ingredients as they are straight onto your lashes and get results. But infusing these substances with essential oils or mixing some of the potent carrier oils together can enhance your results. With this in mind, here’s an easy recipe to try.

Add equal parts of cucumber seed oil, argan oil, and apricot kernel oil into an empty mascara tube. These carrier oils all contain hair fortifying ingredients that leave your lashes strong, thick, and most importantly, healthier than when you left them. Shake well and apply a few coats before bed. Make sure to remove any eye makeup and wash your face before use to give your lashes a blank canvas for the oils. Keep in mind that this recipe contains no preservatives (that’s a good thing!) which means that you’ll want to regularly replace the solution every 1 to 2 weeks to ensure it stays as fresh and potent as possible.

Conclusion

There are a multitude of ways to up your #LashGame but this article has given you an insight on 5 natural-based ones, so there’s no excuse to turn to harsh chemicals to achieve your goals. Sure, some treatments will work better than others, and I’m not here to judge. That being said, your lashes, like any other part of your body, deserve to be treated with respect. If you can get the same effects with a treatment that leaves your hair looking better and healthier than they did before, I’m hard-pressed to understand why you would use anything else. My motto to impart has always been this: nourish don’t punish. And that includes your eyelashes!

I know not everyone will agree with me, but here’s the thing. In an attempt to make ourselves look better, we often put our health on the line. When natural options are out there to not only help us look better, but leave us healthier, you can sign me up. With that in mind, I want my eyelashes to not only look thicker but truly be living their best life. If you’re on the same page, give one of these 5 natural lifts a try!