Not everyone can be blessed with naturally fluttery eyelashes like Audrey Hepburn. Most of us need a wave of the mascara wand to help perfect that doe-eyed look.
But imagine if you didn’t have to bother with mascara at all. Not only would you avoid the dreaded under-eye smudge come lunchtime, but it could also mean a couple of extra minutes in bed in the morning. And who doesn't love hitting the snooze button?
The treatment is eyelash tinting and you can do it during your lunch break, no down-time required.
What is an eyelash tint?
Think of eyelash tinting like getting your roots touched up. The dye will intensify your natural lashes by darkening them and adding definition to the eye. The dye itself is similar to what you use on your hair, except it’s specifically developed to be safe around the eye area. It will also only take 40 minutes maximum to achieve the tint, depending on where you go, unlike getting highlights, which can leave you looking like a tinfoil satellite for at least a couple of hours.
It has the added benefit of making lashes look instantly thicker, without 100 coats of mascara (which normally results in a lot of clumps). Unlike mascara, it also lasts quite a long time.
How long does an eyelash tint last?
Your average eyelash tint lasts around a month. Your lashes will gradually start looking lighter and lighter, not because the dye has faded but because the lashes that were coated with dye have slowly dropped out (as your lashes do naturally). That’s when it’s time for another treatment, and so forth.
To get your money's worth, there are a few things you can do to extend the results of a lash tint: 'You can prolong the wear of the tint by avoiding any harsh skincare products and sun exposure', explains Jaimineey Patel, Head of Training at Blink Brow Bar. 'The sun has a bleaching effect as with chlorine water, wear shades and goggles to prevent and use a gentler makeup remover especially around the eyelashes.'
Do I need an eyelash tint?
Eyelash tints are ideal for anyone with fair hair, whose eyelashes tend to stand out less due to them being lighter. If you have dark lashes, but want them to be more noticeable, the better option to go for is a lash lift. This acts as a push up bra for your lashes, giving them more volume and making them appear more fanned-out.
A tint will suit everyone's lashes, but do get a patch test 48 hours before the treatment as some people can be allergic to the dye or chemicals used, similar to getting a test done before you go bleach blonde at the hairdressers.
The TLDR: If your lashes only magically appear once you’ve applied mascara, this is the treatment to go for.
Before you book your appointment, there are are a few things to be aware of warns Patel: 'A lash tint is ideal for anyone looking to accentuate the natural lashes. Unless you have any contraindications or allergies that can prevent the treatment from taking place. This includes, watery eyes, active hay-fever, any eye infection or reaction to the patch test, the treatment must then be avoided.'
Can you tint your eyelashes yourself?
You can buy a range of at-home lash tint kits but it's good to consider the risks before you go ahead. As your eyes are such a delicate area, the worst case scenario is going blind (dramatic, we know) so if you're not feeling confident with your own application skills it’s best to leave things to a professional to avoid accidentally getting dye in your eyes (shudder).
ELLE Edit: At-Home Lash Tint
Can you wear mascara after an eyelash tint?
You can, but ultimately the goal is for you to not have to. It might be better to invest in some eyelash curlers that give you the lift of the mascara, without having to cleanse anything off before you go to bed.
ELLE Edit: Best Eyelash Curlers
What not to do after getting your eyelashes tinted…
'You can do everything as normal immediately after, this treatment is low or no maintenance, however, you shouldn’t really need mascara immediately after', says celebrity brow expert and owner of Nails & Brows Mayfair, Sherrille Riley, who's responsible for Meghan Markle's perfected brows.
Before getting your eyelashes tinted, Riley advises removing any contact lenses to avoid irritation.
Are eyelash tints bad for your lashes?
'No, not at all. However, having a tint regularly can dry the eyelashes so we recommend using a conditioning lash serum to stimulate growth and maintain the condition of the lashes', advises Riley.
ELLE Edit: Best Lash Serums
The best places to go to get an eyelash tint...
Blink Brow Bar - from £22 BOOK HERE
Nails & Brows Mayfair - from £28 BOOK HERE
Cowshed - from £18 BOOK HERE
Benefit - from £18 BOOK HERE
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