The eyes are said to be the windows to the soul and, if that’s the case, then lashes are the all-important window dressing. If you happen to be blessed with naturally abundant, dark lashes, well, good for you (we’re not jealous at all). If, however, like us, your lashes could do with a helping hand, read on for the latest options on the market.
EXTENSIONS
Individual false hairs are attached to your own lashes for a long-lasting effect. The extensions can last anything from three to six weeks and they really open up the eyes. Remember, they will be there every day, so, go for a subtle effect, which can give a naturally anti-ageing look. We were happy with the ones at Vanity salon at Mercado Mall but salons across the island offer this service. For an ultra-luxe option, try Russian extensions which are much finer than the regular ones allowing for many more lashes to be attached to each eye giving a super-thick, longer lasting effect.
FALSIES
Unbeatable for a big night out and requiring minimal effort, especially if you ask the nice ladies at the salon to apply them, false lashes go back decades and have never fallen out of favour. But, they can be a bit fiddly if you’re not used to them. We’re keen to try the latest innovation – a magnetic strip which attaches to a magnetic liner applied to the top lid. Could this be the end of glue disasters? We hope so.
LVL
LVL stands for length-volume-lift and this is a brilliant treatment if you have good lashes but are very fair. The therapist semi-permanently straightens the lashes at the root, which makes the ends curl up. They’re then tinted. Say hello to several mascara-free weeks. There are various salons in Bahrain offering this treatment, we tried Dessange and were suitable impressed.
MASCARA
Some would say this is the old-fashioned option but, with new formulas being created daily and the others requiring a certain level of commitment that we’re not all capable of, mascara is still the most popular option for eye-defining lashes. We particularly like Rimmel’s Scandalyeyes Reloaded which promises the look of false lashes and is one of the few options which still has a proper brush. Too Faced is also a great cruelty-free brand. Our favourite has a name we can’t print!
SERUMS
What are they and do they work? They’re daily application liquids that stimulate hair growth at the follicle level resulting in noticeably thicker lashes. And, yes, some of them do work. We particularly like Lush Lash Eyelash & Eyebrow Serum, available online at wildmintcosmetics.com which is cruelty-free and vegan. Rapidlash also comes highly recommended. It’s not tested on animals and is available from ws.loveletter.iherb.com
