Looking for stronger, longer, conditioned brows and lashes – then you need to read this!
The Purpose Of Eyebrows & Eyelashes
Yes, your eyebrows and eyelashes have a reason for being there other than aesthetics! Eyebrows and eyelashes are not just aspects of our face to enhance beauty, they have a biological function also.
Sure, eyebrows have the gift of being able to alter the way we look by defining and framing our best features and frame our eyes; however, their main biological function is to keep sweat and moisture away from our eyes. Similarly, eyelashes do an equally important job acting as a barrier to keep out dust, sand, dirt, and airborne debris out of our eyes.
Over the years, eyebrow styles have changed but the bottom line is that well-groomed brows and dark luscious thick lashes are a highly sought-after beauty trait by many to not only stay in ‘fashion’ but on an evolutionary level that are a physical indicator of good health and youth.
Thinning Brows And Lashes As We Age
As women hit midlife, our hormones start to change and there can be a significant impact on the health of our hair. Hormonal imbalance is the main cause of hair loss midlife. Our lady hormones such as estrogen, prostaglandin, and progesterone decline resulting in weak strands of hair that are then susceptible to falling out. Moreover, with time, skin loses its elasticity, causing hair follicles to become damaged and some even stop producing hair altogether leaving patchy eyebrows and thinning lashes.
Don’t worry, it is not all doom and gloom. There are things that you can do to minimize the damage and there is one ‘secret weapon’ that shows huge promise in helping retain thick eyebrows and luscious lashes – Castor Oil.
What Is Castor Oil?
All I knew about castor oil was that is how I came to be in this world. My mum drank half a bottle and out I flew. How times have changed and now, this uniquely derived vegetable oil is making waves as the go-to magic elixir for stimulating growth and conditioning brows and lashes.
Castor oil is a centuries-old elixir dating back to ancient Egypt. It is a thick, odorless oil made from the seeds of the castor plant.
What Does Castor Oil Do For Eyebrows & Eyelashes?
Its active ingredient is ricinoleic acid and it is super rich in Omegas 3, 6 & 9 fatty acids, all of which will help stimulate growth, keep hair conditioned, strengthen follicles and soften hair to stop it from becoming brittle.
The fatty acids that make up castor oil are believed to be extremely nourishing to skin and hair.
Many people report that with regular application, castor oil has helped them to grow thicker, longer eyelashes and eyebrows.
How To Use Castor Oil For Eyebrows & Eyelashes
Consistency is key after making the decision to use castor oil. Select a time of day that is comfortable for you to ensure that you apply castor oil on a regular basis to your brows and lashes. For most people, this is night time just before bed. This then allows the thick oil to go to work and do its job while you sleep!
Application of castor oil must be on a cleansed face, making sure to have removed all traces of makeup from the brows and lashes. Compounds in products such as brow gel, brow powder, and mascara can negatively impact the absorption of the oil.
According to one of the leading eyebrow artists in Israel, Maya Dabuul, using a mascara style brush, you should ‘scrub’ your brows firmly for several minutes back and forth in order to stimulate and strengthen the hair follicles as well as generate growth.
She also advocates for doing this in the shower! The humidity and warmth help waken the follicles and remind them to do their job and grow hair!
And one more thing, don’t give up, be patient, you will see results in the end.
How Long Does It Take For Eyebrows & Eyelashes To Grow Back
On average, it will take between three to six months to see a difference. This is the normal length of time for eyebrow and eyelash hair to re-establish healthy growth. You may find a difference in the color and/or the texture but this can be addressed with your eyebrow designer who can tint your brows and lashes and reshape them according to the new growth pattern.
Castor Oil For Eyelashes & Eyebrows: Before And After
I am currently a work in progress using castor oil to grow my brows and lashes. I don’t have before and after pics as yet. I will revisit this post one day and update with before and after images but for now, I want to share some of the ones that I found online and typical of the results you can expect to enjoy.
Castor Oil & Vitamin E For Lashes & Brows
Just when you think it couldn’t get any better for your brow and lashes, enter stage right vitamin E. By adding vitamin E to castor oil you can provide a synergistic boost to ensure that the superpowers of castor oil are actually amplified.
Vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin that is best consumed in a carrier oil and castor oil is the perfect source.
Summary 101 For How To Grow Eyebrows & Eyelashes
There are many things that you should and shouldn’t do to ensure your lashes and brows stay looking great.
Of course, the #1 is to use castor oil! Here are a few more:
Eyebrows:
1. Let them grow out, don’t be tempted to trim!
2. Keep them nourished & conditioned.
3. Keep them in shape by visiting an eyebrow specialist.
4. Don’t self-pluck!
Eyelashes:
1. Ditch the extensions.
2. Ensure to keep clean and nourished.
3. Don’t use old mascara.
4. Remove makeup daily.
Castor Oil For Eyebrows & Eyelashes: The Take Home
Aging is an unavoidable aspect of life, but a privilege not given to everyone. Naturally, with aging, women experience an array of negative health issues and our hair falls victim to this. Hormone drops are the main reason why hair thins and weakens which explains thinning brows and lashes. Many women are turning to micro-blading and tattooing which is really rather drastic and should it go wrong, or you change your mind, could be a costly mistake.
Adding nourishment in an easy way is to use castor oil to significantly help stop the breakage, and strengthen and lengthen lashes and brows.
The key here is consistency and patience. There is huge mounting evidence to suggest that castor oil will do its thing but you need to make sure that you are using it daily.
If eyes are the windows of your soul, make sure you frame them well. Good brows and lashes add real definition to your face so do all you can to take care of them in the most natural of ways possible.
