How To Grow Your Natural Eyelashes

Written by Jenelle Paris, certified lash artist since 2009 and founder of Lash Affair

To grow your eyelashes naturally, focus on protecting the lashes you already have and nourishing the follicles. Skip aggressive lash strips and harsh fake-lash glues, which can pull out natural lashes. Instead, use a peptide-based lash serum, support your daily lash hygiene, and eat a balanced diet that supports keratin production.

After lashing since 2009 and running Lash Affair since 2014, I've worked with thousands of clients and trained countless artists. The question I hear almost as often as "how long do extensions last?" is "how do I grow my natural lashes longer and thicker?" Whether you're recovering from damage, taking a break from extensions, or just want healthier lashes as a baseline, here's exactly what works.

Understanding the Lash Growth Cycle

Before diving into tips, it helps to understand how your lashes actually grow. Each eyelash goes through three phases: the anagen (active growth) phase lasting 30 to 45 days, the catagen (transition) phase lasting two to three weeks, and the telogen (resting) phase before the lash naturally falls out and is replaced. At any given time, your lashes are at different stages of this cycle, which is why you're constantly shedding a few lashes daily. That's completely normal.

The key takeaway is that you can't force a lash to grow beyond its genetic potential, but you absolutely can create the conditions for your lashes to reach their full natural length and thickness. Most people's lashes aren't reaching that potential because of habits, products, or nutritional gaps that are stunting or damaging growth.

1. Nourish with Conditioning Oils and Peptides

The most direct path to longer, thicker lashes is consistent nourishment of the follicle and lash shaft.

Peptide-Based Serums vs Prostaglandin: The Critical Difference

There are two main categories of lash growth serums, and the difference matters.

Prostaglandin-based serums (like bimatoprost, the active ingredient in prescription options) work by extending the anagen growth phase. They're effective, but they come with potential side effects including iris color changes in some users, darkening of the eyelid skin, and occasional irritation. These require a prescription and medical supervision.

Peptide-based serums use biotin, peptides, and botanical extracts to nourish the lash follicle and support the growth cycle. They're gentler, available over the counter, and dermatologists recommend them as a safer first option for most people. Results are typically visible after 8 to 12 weeks of consistent nightly use. Our Lashgasm Growth Serum uses a peptide and biotin formula specifically designed to avoid the eyelid-darkening side effect that prostaglandin users sometimes report.

Castor Oil: Conditioner, Not Growth Treatment

I get asked about castor oil constantly. Honest answer: there's no peer-reviewed clinical evidence that castor oil makes lashes grow longer. However, castor oil IS an excellent emollient. It coats the lash shaft and helps retain moisture, which can make lashes appear thicker and reduce breakage from dryness. If you enjoy using it, apply a small amount at night with a clean spoolie. Just manage expectations: it's a conditioning treatment, not a growth treatment.

Condition Daily to Prevent Breakage

Just like the hair on your head, your lashes benefit from conditioning to keep them flexible and hydrated. Hydrated lashes are less likely to be brittle or prone to breakage. The drier the lash, the more chances for breaking. A dedicated lash conditioner or serum applied nightly keeps the lash shaft pliable so it doesn't snap during daily wear.

Patch Test Before You Apply

Before incorporating a new serum or oil into your routine, especially around the delicate eye area, always perform a patch test. Apply a small amount to the inside of your wrist or behind your ear and wait 24 to 48 hours. If you experience any redness, itching, or swelling, do not use the product on your eyes. This precaution helps prevent allergic reactions and ensures the products you use are safe for your skin.

2. Improve Lash Hygiene and Care

Mishandling your lashes can stunt their growth or break them off. Sometimes growing longer lashes isn't about adding something. It's about stopping the things that are causing breakage and premature shedding.

Remove Makeup Gently

Rubbing or tugging at your eyes with cotton pads is one of the most common causes of lash breakage I see. Use a gentle micellar water or cleansing balm and press it against your closed eyes for 15 to 20 seconds to dissolve mascara before wiping gently downward. Never pull or scrub.

Skip Waterproof Mascara Daily

Waterproof formulas require more aggressive removal, which means more friction and more broken lashes. Save waterproof mascara for special occasions and use a regular formula for daily wear.

Use Eyelash Curlers Wisely

A traditional clamp-style eyelash curler can crimp or break delicate lashes if used too aggressively. For a gentler alternative, consider a heated eyelash curler. These tools use gentle warmth to curl the lash without the harsh pinching motion, giving a smoother, longer-lasting curl with less risk of damage. As always, prioritize lash health by using any tool with a gentle hand. And if you must use a clamp curler, do it before mascara application and use a gentle squeeze rather than a hard clamp.

Clean Your Lash Line Daily

Debris, oil, and dead skin cells can clog the follicles along your lash line, which can slow growth and even cause lash loss over time. A gentle foaming TLC Lash Cleanser used daily keeps follicles healthy and clear. This is one of the reasons I developed our cleanser at Lash Affair. I saw firsthand how much lash health improved when clients adopted daily lash hygiene.

3. Focus on Diet and Overall Wellness

Hair growth starts from the inside out. Your lashes are made of keratin protein and, like your hair and nails, respond to your overall nutritional status. Feed your lashes from within.

Feed Your Lashes from Within

Beautiful lashes start from a healthy diet. Your follicles need the right nutrients to produce strong, resilient hair. Make sure your diet is rich in the following:

• Protein-Rich Foods: Chicken, eggs, beans, and Greek yogurt provide the building blocks for keratin, the protein your lashes are made of.
• Biotin Sources: Almonds, walnuts, sweet potatoes, and eggs are excellent natural sources of biotin (Vitamin B7), which supports keratin production.
• Healthy Fats: Salmon, avocados, and walnuts are rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, which help reduce inflammation around hair follicles and support the lipid layer that keeps lashes hydrated and flexible.
• Vitamins and Antioxidants: Leafy greens, citrus fruits, and berries are full of vitamins C and E, which protect lash follicles from oxidative damage.

Don't Forget Internal Factors: Stress and Hormones

Your overall health is reflected in your hair, including your lashes. High stress levels can increase cortisol in the body, which can disrupt the hair growth cycle and potentially lead to increased shedding (telogen effluvium). Similarly, hormonal fluctuations during pregnancy or menopause or from thyroid imbalances can also affect your lash density and length. Managing stress and addressing any underlying health issues can have a positive ripple effect on your lash health.

Enhance What You Have: Lash Lifts and Tints

If you want to enhance the appearance of your natural lashes without the commitment of extensions, a professional lash lift and tint can be a game-changer. A lash lift uses a gentle solution to curl your natural lashes upward, instantly making them appear longer and more defined. Pairing it with a lash tint darkens your natural lashes from root to tip, eliminating the need for mascara. The result is wide-awake, beautiful eyes that look effortlessly polished, all while keeping your natural lashes healthy and intact.

Top 6 Mistakes That Sabotage Lash Growth

Sometimes what you stop doing matters more than what you start doing. Avoid these common pitfalls to keep your lashes looking their best:

• Aggressive Eye Cleansing: Harsh scrubbing or aggressive cotton pads can break lashes mid-shaft. Use a soft pat-dry motion with a lash-safe foam cleanser.
• Oil-Based Mascara Removers: Heavy oil-based removers can degrade lash proteins over time. Pick a gentle micellar or extension-safe cleanser instead.
• Sleeping in Mascara: Dried mascara stiffens the lash overnight, making it brittle and prone to snapping when you rub your eyes in the morning.
• Skipping Sunscreen on Eyelids: The thin skin around your eyes is highly susceptible to UV damage, which can affect follicle health over the long term.
• Mechanical Curlers Used Aggressively: Pinching too hard or holding too long crimps the lash shaft permanently.
• Using False-Lash Glue on Bare Lashes: Strip-lash adhesive isn't designed for extended wear and can pull natural lashes when removed.

Recovering Lashes After Damage

If your natural lashes have been damaged from improper extension application, allergic reactions, over-processing with perming solutions, or aggressive makeup removal, the good news is that lashes do grow back. The full replacement cycle takes about 6 to 8 weeks for most people.

During recovery, keep it simple: no extensions, no curlers, minimal mascara. Use a peptide-based lash serum, clean your lash line daily, and be patient. Your lashes are resilient. They just need time and a healthy environment to regenerate.

The Connection Between Extensions and Natural Lash Health

One common misconception worth addressing: properly applied eyelash extensions should not damage your natural lashes. When extensions are isolated correctly, applied with the right weight ratio, and maintained on schedule, your natural lashes continue their growth cycle normally beneath the extensions. You can wear extensions AND use a peptide growth serum at the same time. The serum supports natural growth underneath the extensions.

Problems happen when extensions are too heavy for the natural lash, when multiple natural lashes are glued together, or when clients pick and pull at their extensions. This is why choosing a skilled, well-trained lash artist matters so much, and why we put so much emphasis on proper technique in our Lash Affair training programs.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I grow my eyelashes naturally?

Focus on three areas: (1) Nourish with peptide-based lash serums applied nightly to clean lashes, (2) Improve daily lash hygiene with gentle makeup removal and a dedicated lash cleanser, (3) Support growth from within with a protein-rich diet, biotin, and omega-3 fatty acids. Avoid aggressive eye rubbing, sleeping in mascara, and harsh oil-based removers. Results from consistent care typically visible at 8 to 12 weeks.

Do peptide lash serums actually work?

Yes, with realistic expectations. Peptide-based serums nourish the follicle and support the natural growth cycle. They produce gradual, gentle results without the iris-color or eyelid-darkening side effects associated with prostaglandin (prescription) serums. Most users see noticeable improvement after 8 to 12 weeks of consistent nightly application.

Does castor oil grow eyelashes?

No, castor oil does not actively grow eyelashes. There is no peer-reviewed clinical evidence to support that claim. However, castor oil is an effective lash conditioner and emollient. It coats the lash shaft, retains moisture, and reduces breakage from dryness. Use it for conditioning, not for growth.

What vitamins help eyelashes grow?

Biotin (Vitamin B7) supports keratin production, the protein your lashes are made of. Omega-3 fatty acids reduce inflammation around follicles. Vitamins A, C, and E protect follicles from oxidative damage and support collagen. A diet rich in eggs, salmon, almonds, leafy greens, and citrus fruits covers the key nutrients for lash health.

How long does it take to grow eyelashes back?

The full lash replacement cycle takes 6 to 8 weeks for most people. If your lashes have been damaged, give them at least a full cycle of consistent care before evaluating results. During recovery, avoid extensions, mechanical curlers, and waterproof mascara.

Can I use a lash growth serum while wearing extensions?

Yes. Your natural lashes continue their normal growth cycle beneath properly applied extensions. A peptide-based serum applied carefully along the lash line supports natural lash health without affecting the extension bonds. Avoid serums with oils or heavy emollients that could degrade adhesive.