It is said that the eyes are the windows to the soul. If that is so, then eyelashes are the window dressings. Eyelashes come in all shapes and sizes from thick and lush to thin and sparse. Some girls have long, thick lashes and look fantastic without mascara while other girls have short, sparse lashes and look like an embryo without mascara. This is why mascara and fake eyelash extensions are so popular today. A girl can go from "ow" to "wow" in just moments.

Regardless of the shape of your lashes, though, proper care is important. There are ways to make your lashes look longer and thicker without the use of extensions.

1. General Eyelash Care

Caring for your eyelashes is fairly simple. Cleansing and conditioning is really all that is required. However, the better care that you take of your lashes, the better condition they will be in and the easier it will be to make then look longer and thicker. These few tips will help you keep your lashes looking their best:

* Use an eye makeup remover to remove your mascara. A conditioning formula is your best bet.

* Do not vigorously rub the eye area either with your hand or when you are cleansing your face.

* Put a little petroleum jelly on your eye lashes at night when you sleep. Rinse it off in the morning prior to putting on your makeup.

* Never pull or tug on your lashes, this could cause them to fall out. If you curl your lashes, do so before applying our mascara.

* Don't use old mascara on your eyelashes or mascara that has gone bad. This can be harmful to your eyes and it can cause your lashes to fall out.

2. Tips on Using Mascara

Mascara can make your eyes really stand out. When you are choosing a mascara, there are many considerations to make. You also have a lot to think about when you are using mascara. These tips will help you

* Do not use old mascara. After six months, throw it out. You should not use mascara that is ole or has gone bad. This can cause eye infections and it can make your eye lashes fall out.

* Be careful with waterproof mascara. Waterproof mascara may be great in the pool, but it can be hard to remove and excessive or harsh cleansing can cause the lashes to fall out. Be careful when you use waterproof mascara and make sure that you use an eye makeup remover when you take off your makeup.

* Use a shade and formulation that works for you. Some mascara formulas promise thick lashes while others tout theirs as being the brand that will make your lashes long and lush. Find a formula that appeals to you and works best for the type of lashes that you have.

* Use an eyebrow brush to remove clumps and separate lashes. Some mascara formulations are very thick and can cause clumping. To avoid this, use an eyebrow brush to brush out the clumps and separate your lashes.

* Use the tip of your mascara wand to brush the mascara over your lashes, particularly the lower lashes. You don't want "spider eyes" so if you put mascara on your lower lashes, do so very sparingly.

3. How to make eyelashes look longer without extensions.

Eyelash extensions are not the only way to get longer looking lashes. There are several makeup tricks that you can use to get lashes that look longer. You can also find mascaras that have special lengthening formulations that will really put some length on your eye lashes. These four methods of making your eye lashes look longer without extensions are the more popular ones. See if any work for you.

* False eyelashes. They aren't the false eyelashes that your mother wore! False eyelashes now are super easy to put on, are comfortable, look totally natural and are easy to remove. You can pick them up just about anywhere that sells makeup. If you have never tried false eyelashes and want to give them a shot, pick up a pair and try them. Use just a little glue and apply them from the inner corner of your eye to the outer corner, as close to your lash line as possible. You might be surprised at how pretty and natural they look.

* Dark eye liner. When you use dark eyeliner such as charcoal, chocolate, black and navy, you add depth to your eye and make your lashes appear longer and thicker. Apply the liner as close to your lash line as you can, starting at the outer corner and working your way in. You want the liner at the outer corner of your eye to be wider and then gradually decrease as it moves across your eye.

* Extra coats of mascara. Apply your mascara, brush it out, wait for it to dry then add another coat. You can follow this formula several times until your lashes are as thick and as long as you want them to be.

* Special lengthening formulations of mascara. Many mascaras come in special formulas that make your lashes look longer and thicker. When you are shopping for mascara, look for brands that are "lengthening." These formulas will add length to your lashes.

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4. Pros and Cons of Fake Eyelash Extensions

Eyelash extensions are the practice of bonding a synthetic lash to your natural lash to create a longer, fuller look that appears more natural. Eyelash extensions have their roots in Asia, but have finally made their way west. The extensions are glued to each eyelash, one at a time, using tweezers. As with any process, eyelash extensions have their good and bad points.

* Pro - They look better than mascara. There are no clumps and the look is very fresh.

* Con - It is a long process. It takes typically two hours to do an entire set of eyelash extensions.

* Pro - They are easy to care for and keep up. As long as you cleanse your face and eye area properly, your extensions will remain intact.

* Con - The process is costly. A set usually costs somewhere between $300 and $500.

* Pro - The application process is pain free. Eyelash extensions are not like some other beauty enhancements that cause pain. Eye lash extensions are virtually pain free.

* Con - They don't last that long. A set of eye lash extensions usually lasts about two months. It is possible to get touch-ups periodically and this will extend the life of your extensions.

It all comes down to personal preference. If the pros outweigh the cons for you, the eye lash extensions are a great option. The important thing is that you do what feels right to you.