For a long while, eyelashes have been cast as the supporting act when it comes to experimenting with makeup, but now they’re back in the spotlight, taking centre stage in all their spiky, glittery, or (intentionally) barely there glory.
by AILEEN LALOR /
June 25, 2018
YSL Beaute’s Mascara Vinyl Couture collection includes six lustrous and unexpected shades ($55 each), including this rich cobalt blue (#05).
Poor old eyelashes! Every season, women go nuts for different eyeshadows or liners, or Pinterest 12 dozen lipstick shades. Even eyebrows have become a talking point (to go bushy or not?). When it comes to lashes though, it almost seems that long, fluttery and soot black have become the SOP – whether you’re working with mascara, falsies or extensions.
Makeup artist Larry Yeo says the highly popular look makes sense: “Long lashes open up the eyes, bringing focus and brightness to your face.” In other words, it’s supposed to be a foolproof way to look young and doe-eyed. But aside from the Twiggy look of the ’60s, it’s not easy to think of more definitive, playful ways to experiment with one’s lashes – until now.
On this and next season’s runways, lashes were neon-coloured, glitter-encrusted or completely bare – a look that only draws greater attention to them. Technology wise, treatments now promise length and volume without the damage often thought to accompany perming and extensions. And there are dozens of lash-centric products – from nourishing serums to a veritable rainbow of mascaras. And, you know, unlike a smoky eye or a flicky ’50s look, all one needs is a coat (or five) of mascara, and there: a whole new statement.
On the runway
From imperfectly clumpy to neon-hued, lashes were the highlight and defined some of the freshest beauty looks on the S/S ’18 and F/W ’18 catwalks.
Referencing Twiggy, Dior Makeup’s creative and image director Peter Philips created “fat lashes” with up to five coats of mascara, accented with a rim of kohl.
Gucci S/S ’18
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Sometimes, all one needs is a lashing of glittery coloured mascara (and yes, you can even ditch the lip colour).
Moschino S/S ’18
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The brand’s recreation of the ’90s supermodel look wouldn’t be as powerful without those bombshell lashes.
Dries Van Noten F/W ’18
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Makeup maestro Peter Philips custom mixed neon coloured mascaras (this here is “chemical yellow”) to perk up bare faces.
The products to know now
Think pop-hued mascaras and innovative serums that recently hit stores and make classic lash products seem, well, a little boring.
Smashbox Photo Finish Lash Primer ($39) is a translucent primer that helps extend your mascara’s wear. One end of the wand boasts a brush, while the other has a comb – meant to be used as a last step to separate lashes.
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Shu Uemura’s Brows Unlimited boasts six kawaii-toned mascaras ($47 each) like candy pink and lime green. PS: The brush has a twisted sculptural shape for easier application on lashes and brows.
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Besides defining lashes, Chanel’s Dimensions De Chanel ($53) reportedly conditions them too. And it now comes in the limited edition metallic grey shade Nero.
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Nars Audacious Mascara is said to give maximum coverage, thanks to its hook-and-bristle brush design that’s meant to coat every lash. The colours ($44 each): standard black, navy, and Park City, a sophisticated purple.
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Urban Decay Double Team comes with not one, but two coloured mascaras in each tube ($38). Available in four colourways: cream and metallic pink, purple, turquoise or peacock; as well as a fifth offering the double whammy of gold and silver.
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Diorshow Pump’n’volume Mascara ($55) was the product used to amp up the Twiggy look at Dior’s S/S ’18 show, and comes in a squeeze tube that helps make the mascara more fluid and coat the brush evenly. The brush, by the way, was designed for Asian lashes, and has powders that boost volume.
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Benefit Badgal Bang! Volumizing Mascara ($42) promises not the usual 24- but 36-hour wear, thanks to lightweight ingredients derived from space technology. It’s also smudge-proof, flake-free and water-resistant.
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The non-sticky Browhaus Extend Lash And Brow Serum ($95.23) contains peptides and pro-vitamin B5 to nourish lashes, and glycerine and sodium hyaluronate to moisturise. Apply a thin line to the base of lashes once a day after cleansing. Oh, it also works on brows.
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In the YSL Beaute Mascara Vinyl Couture line ($55 each): six electric hues, including fuchsia and emerald green, all with a vinyl finish; and three topcoats – a clear to set, and two iridescent ones for a touch of glitter.
The treatments to know
For a more fashion-forward look with classic black mascara, swipe on multiple layers (and don’t fret if the finish is uneven).
Originally from Germany,Lash Regrowth (both the name of the service and the salon offering it) supposedly makes lashes stronger, longer and thicker for up to two years. First, a serum made from plant stem cells is applied to the lash roots. Then, extremely fine needles are rolled over the area (this reportedly gives a tickling sensation). Besides helping the serum to penetrate, this is said to clear dead cells and stimulate follicles to help strengthen the hair roots. After needling, another coat of serum is applied, and the 75-minute treatment ends with a heated eye mask. Founder Jas Tan recommends two to three sessions ($380 each) at one-month intervals, at one of the salon’s branches at Clarke Quay Central or Mount Elizabeth Novena Hospital.
Photography Zaphs ZhangStyling Imran JalalMakeupManisa Tan/Paletteinc, using YSL BeauteModel Marina/Mannequin
This story first appeared in Female’s June 2018 print issue.
