Many people believe that long and thick lashes are a universal symbol of beauty. Although these tiny hair strands seem like a small detail in our faces, they can have a dramatic impact on our overall appearance.

Dr. John W. Bass, a plastic surgeon from Phoenix says, “Long lashes can make you look incredibly attractive in just a matter of minutes.” In addition, Dr. Michael Cunningham, a psychologist, who studies physical attractiveness at the University of Louisville, reports that large eyes with lush lashes signify youthfulness. Many people take this as a sign of good health, fertility, and femininity, and therefore make women with these features irresistibly attractive.

Because of the perceived attractiveness of long eyelashes, many women and even men desire to have them. But unfortunately, not all of us are blessed to be born with natural long, thick eyelashes. This is also one of the reasons why many resort to using beauty products, such as mascara, fake lashes, and eyelash growth supplements, just to have good-looking eyelashes.

According to mint.com, a typical woman spends approximately $15,000 on beauty products in her lifetime. Of that, almost $4,000 goes to mascara alone! Some women would even go the extra-mile in efforts to have fuller-lashed look, like undergoing certain enhancement procedures, such as eyelash extensions; and applying prescription medications, such as Latisse.

Risks of Eyelash Extensions and False Eyelashes

The problem is while some of these products work with surprising results, they can also cause irritation, allergies, and other side effects. Mascaras, for instance, contain chemicals that can be drying to eyelashes, which cause them to become brittle and thin, resulting to more lost lashes in the end.

The same is true for fake lashes. The glue used to fix fake lashes and extensions in place, as well as the solvents used to remove them, may contain toxic chemicals, which may cause adverse reactions to some individuals, such as irritation ad itching. And if not used or applied properly, these cosmetic products can collect bacteria, which can then cause infection and other serious complications. According to American Academy of Ophthalmologists, eyelash extensions and eyelash glue can cause:

Other cosmetic methods, such as eyelash growth serums and supplements are considered a great alternative for false eyelashes. In recent years, there has been a growing trend in the use of prescription medication, known as Latisse, for treating hypotrichosis (a condition that causes sparse or inadequate eyelashes).

In many reviews, many patients find Latisse to be effective for growing naturally fuller and longer eyelashes. However, despite the effectiveness of the product, it doesn’t come without risks either. The following side effects are associated with Latisse:

In addition, while Latisse provides great results, these results are not permanent. If you stop using Latisse, your eyelashes will go back to their original state gradually. You have to continue using this product to maintain the effects, which is not practical for most people since the product costs a fortune. Each bottle costs approximately $120, which only lasts for a few weeks.

Growing Longer and Thicker Eyelashes the Natural Way

If you’re afraid of using false lashes and other eyelash growth products, or you find them too expensive and inconvenient – or they simply really NOT your thing – then going the natural route can be your best option. Today, more and more women are switching to natural products to get their desired beauty. As for growing thicker, longer, and darker eyelashes, one of the best and natural solutions is castor oil.

Castor oil is well-known for its many health benefits. But this wonderful oil is also a great natural remedy for moisturizing the skin and promoting hair and eyelash growth. This product can be bought in almost any grocery stores, mostly in the organic section. You can also purchase them online, with prices ranging from $6-$15 depending on the amount, quality, and where you buy them.

Why castor oil?

Castor oil is the nature’s richest source of medium-chain fatty acids (MCFAs), a special type of fatty acid that has many beneficial properties, such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial properties. These fatty acids in castor oil are made up of about 50% lauric acid– the same substance found in breastmilk.

Lauric acid easily binds with the natural protein found in hair, which protects them from breaking; and therefore, allowing your eyelashes to grow. Castor oil is also effective in helping prevent protein loss in hair, which is beneficial in the growth of eyelashes and reducing hair damage. And because of castor oil’s unique molecular structure, it easily penetrates to the hair shaft, which increases the speed of growth of eyelashes.

Castor oil also contains antibacterial and antifungal properties, which are helpful for protecting your eyelashes against hair-damaging bacteria and fungi. In addition, it’s rich in vital nutrients, such as iron, Vitamins E and K, and other fatty acids, which are all beneficial for keeping your eyelashes longer and healthy.

Castor Oil Eyelash Serum Recipes

There are many different homemade castor oil recipes for stimulating eyelash growth and thickness. You can easily find one online, but here are some of our favorite recipes:

Castor Oil with Lemon and Lavender Serum

Lavender is an essential oil that has been found to help fight harmful free radicals and has shown to be effective in stimulating hair growth. Lemon, on the other hand, is a natural antibacterial agent that helps fight bacteria, reducing hair breakage; and thus, allowing hair to grow. Combine these two natural ingredients with castor oil, and you’ll have a powerful serum for growing your eyelashes.

1. After washing your face and removing your makeup, gently rub a little of the serum on your lash line (with the roller ball).

2. Rub it at least two times or until you see enough of the serum on your lash line.

3. Make sure that the tips of your eyelashes are coated well with the solution.

4. Blot off excess serum with clean, dry cloth or tissue.

5. Repeat this every night, preferably before going to bed.

Castor Oil with Coconut Oil and Emu Oil Serum

Castor oil is rich in omega-6 fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals that are crucial for maintaining healthy hair and promoting hair growth. Emu oil is packed with omega-3s and other essential fatty acids, which help prevent hair loss as well as promote hair growth. Plus, emu oil is non-comedogenic, which means it won’t clog your pores; therefore, allows your eyelashes to grow. Try the following recipe to make your lashes look naturally long and thick.

1. After washing your face and removing your makeup, squeeze one drop of the solution on to your finger or on a cotton pad, then gently apply it on your lash line.

2. Make sure that the tips of your eyelashes are coated well.

3. Blot off excess serum with clean, dry cloth or tissue.

4. Use daily for best results.

Important Things to Remember

Side Effects of Castor Oil

There are rarely any side effects reported with the use of castor oil. In fact, castor oil is known as a great alternative treatment, which even reduces the side effects of many other medications. However, allergic reactions may occur for individuals who are sensitive to castor. If you think you’re allergic to castor or want to know if you’re allergic to it, visit a certified dermatologist or doctor. Your doctor will run a series of tests to determine your castor allergies.

Alternatively, you can also test by yourself to see if your skin reacts to it by simply rubbing a drop of the serum on a small area of your skin. Monitor your skin for next 24 hours to see if there’s any sign of itching or swelling.

Other Uses of castor Oil

castor oil is considered one of the healthiest and most versatile substances on the planet. Aside from helping us achieve longer, thicker, and darker lashes, this powerful oil provides a lot of benefits to our skin, hair, and other parts of the body. Below are some of the top benefits and other uses of castor oil:

How to Choose the Best Type of castor Oil

Castor oil primarily comes in two forms: refined and unrefined. Refined castor oil is cheaper and usually tasteless and odorless. It’s produced from copra (dried castor) and undergoes various refining processes, such as deodorizing and bleaching. It’s also known as RBD castor Oil. Currently, the types of RBD castor Oil you can find in the market include expeller-pressed castor oil, hydrogenated castor oil, liquid castor oil, or simply castor oil.

Unrefined castor oil, on the other hand, is tastier and it usually possesses a beautiful aroma of fresh castors. Unrefined castor oil is also known as “virgin” or “pure” castor oil.

Unlike RBD castor oil, this oil is extracted from fresh castors, and it’s neither bleached nor refined. The methods of production include wet-milling or quick-drying. Since these processes don’t require any bleaching or additives, the oil retains its flavor and aroma. However, the quality still depends on the processing techniques and freshness of the castor used.

Now, the question is, which of these two types of castor oil should you pick? Well, the answer is it depends on your personal preference, your budget, and how you intend to use it. If you’re going to use it for cooking, it’s best to choose refined castor oil since it has high smoking point of 400 °F. If you want the flavor and aroma of castor, then choose the one that is unrefined.

As for nutritional value, virgin or unrefined castor oil contains more proteins and antioxidant. But this doesn’t mean that refined castor oil is “unhealthy”. RBD castor oil doesn’t have the same nutritional value as the unrefined version, but it’s also a great source of essential fatty acids.

Again, the decision on what to choose is always up to you!

Tips to Get Naturally Long, Thick Eyelashes

It is, indeed, every woman’s dream to have longer and thicker lashes. However, at some point, you tend to lose them. There are many reasons why eyelashes fall out or become thin overtime. And these include:

Although treatments for eyelash growth depend on the cause of the problem and may vary from person to person, there are basic essentials that can help you regrow your eyelashes naturally and prevent them from falling out. Of course, aside from applying castor oil serum, you may also want to try the following tips for growing your eyelashes:

Bottom Line

Eyelashes are one of the most important features of our faces. They don’t just add beauty and dramatic expression to our eyes, but also help protect our eyes from dust, moisture, and other particles that can cause eye injuries and infection. It is also believed that the growth of your eyelashes reflects the overall health of your body. So if you have poor eyelashes, for instance, it may be a sign that you lack nutrients or suffering from a medical condition. Therefore, it’s crucial to maintain the healthy growth of your eyelashes.

Fortunately, there are now many products available to achieve your desired long, thick lashes. But the problem is most of these products contain toxic chemicals that may be harmful than helpful. Also, most of these products require continuous application for them to work. If you stop using them, your eyelashes will return to their original state. With that said, you can always try alternative approach, such as castor oil. Unlike commercial products, natural ingredients are safe and don’t cause serious complications. They are wallet-friendly as well.

Of course aside from using natural serum, it’s also important to live a healthy lifestyle. A lack of nutrients and essential vitamins can have a huge impact on the growth of your eyelashes. Make sure that you get enough amounts of vitamins, minerals, and essential fats to maintain your eyelash health.

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