1. Go gentle with the lash curler.
The point is to make them look longer and thicker, not to yank them out. Make sure the pad on your eyelash curler is spongy and fresh, and it’s better to curl the lashes before applying mascara so that stiffened hairs don't snap off. Place the curler at the base of the upper lash line as close as possible without pinching your eyelid. Hold for five to 10 seconds before releasing.

2. Don’t rub your eyes.
Lash roots are very delicate, so any disruption to them can make eyelashes break or fall out. (And it should go without saying that tugging and pulling at them is a terrible idea.) Besides making your eyes look bigger, lashes protect your eyeballs from dirt, dust and other debris floating in the wind. So you need them to stay where they are.

3. Remove mascara before heading to bed.
Rubbing stiff eyelashes across your pillow all night ups your odds that they will snap off. Waterproof mascaras are harder to remove than non-water resistant formulations, increasing your odds that you will be scrubbing at your delicate lids when you take it off. Use a gentle makeup remover before heading off to dreamland, and baby oil also works well in a pinch.

4. Toss your old mascara.
The general rule of thumb is that you can use the same tube for up to six months. If you use it longer than that, it's more likely to become infested with bacteria, which can lead directly to a lash-losing eye infection. If you get pink eye or another contagious eye disease, replace your mascara immediately.

5. Condition them.
Just like the hair on your head, these strands strengthen from moisture too. Over-the-counter lash conditioners can help, as can other drugstore staples like Vaseline or Aquaphor.

6. Consider a prescription.
If you're ready to break out the big guns, Latisse is an FDA-approved prescription drug that increases eyelash fullness with continuous use. It should only be applied to the upper eyelashes and not the lower lids. Side effects may include increased brown pigmentation in the color part of the eye or along the upper eye lid, as well as itchy and red eyes.

By Cathy Garrard
DERMAdoctor Staff Writer

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