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Why are guys the ones with gorgeously long and thick eyelashes that every woman would kill for? I know that I am not the only envious one out there! I have lived my entire life with thin blonde-tipped eyelashes, that just don't show up to the party without a few coats of some good mascara. While there are some eyelash serums on the market that profess miraculous results, their ingredients are less than stellar, many of which are known carcinogens. Like all of my other beauty products, this is what led me to create my own herbal infused eyelash growth serum, instead.
Castor oil is the secret to luscious lashes
When looking for my main ingredient for this serum, I knew I could look no further than castor oil. Rich in ricinoleic acid and omega-6 fatty acids, castor oil accelerates circulation at the root, helping to quickly strengthen and grow hair. My secret to long and thick lashes, castor oil makes the perfect base for this recipe. You might have heard of castor oil from your oil cleansing regime (if that's the way you cleanse your face), but it is also good for the eyes too! Recognized by Optometrists as a fantastic natural alternative to commercial eye drops, castor oil is used to moisturize and relieve dry eyes, allergies, and itchiness. You should now see why I chose castor oil for the base of my serum!
Essential oils shouldn't be applied to your lashes
There are a few recipes floating around the internet, for both eyelash growth serum and mascara, that include adding a drop of essential oil added to the recipe. While it's true that these essential oils can help with hair growth and even preservation of the products, they are too strong for these recipes and are better off left for your salves, facial care, and other cosmetics. The problem with adding essential oils to these items is that they are right next to your eyes, and will inevitably get into your eyes. When used in or around the eyes, these mixtures can cause all sorts of issues, including eye irritation, allergic reactions, and in serious cases, even damage to the eye itself. Your eyes are better suited for something gentle, and that's where herbs come in! I always think herbs first, especially when I am looking for something more gentle that can still get the job done! That's the reason I came up with this herbal infused eyelash serum! I chose to infuse rosemary, lavender, and horsetail into my serum because they are very well known herbs for hair growth!
DIY Herbal Infused Eyelash Growth Serum
The herbal infused castor oil can be used by itself as the serum, but I like to add a dash of hemp seed oil, coconut oil, and vitamin E to boost the awesomeness of this recipe! While this recipe is easiest used in mascara bottles, if you can't order them, this can easily be applied using a Q-tip instead. I find that the mascara bottles are easier to apply to my lashes.
HERBAL INFUSION INGREDIENTS
- 1/2 cup castor oil
- 1 Tbsp. lavender buds
- 1 Tbsp. rosemary leaf (fresh is preferred, but dried will work as well!)
- 1/2 Tbsp. horsetail
SERUM INGREDIENTS
- 1/4 cup herbal infused castor oil
- 1/4 tsp. hemp seed oil (optional)
- 1/4 tsp unrefined coconut oil (optional)
- 1/4 tsp vitamin e (optional)
- mascara bottles (these are small, so you will be able to make quite a few for all your friends looking for more lushes lashes!)
INFUSION DIRECTIONS
- Combine castor oil, lavender buds, rosemary, and horsetail in a mason jar and cover with a lid. Set mixture in a warm and sunny location and allow the castor oil to gently steep for 2 weeks. Be sure to give the jar a gentle shake every day, to give the oil and herbs a deeper steep.
- Strain herbs from oil, making sure to squeeze out every last drop of infused oil.
SERUM DIRECTIONS
- Combine 1/4 cup of herbal infused castor oil with hemp seed oil, coconut oil, and vitamin E.
- pour into a mascara bottle, label, and keep in a cool dark location, when not in use. I keep mine in my bathroom drawer with no issues!
APPLICATION
Apply to clean lashes (and eyebrows if trying to grow those out too!) nightly after cleansing your face and removing your makeup for the day.
