The party is over, the costume is on the floor, and your lashes and brows have had a long night: false lashes, glue, waterproof mascara, brow wax and probably some glitter in places it was never meant to be. This morning is the best time to give them a little care, before small irritations turn into lost lashes.
Here is a simple routine for the morning after, and what to do over the next few weeks to keep lashes and brows at their best.
Step 1: Finish the cleanup
Even with a careful removal last night, traces usually remain. Look closely at your lash line and brows in daylight. Roll a cotton swab dipped in a gentle remover along the base of your lashes to lift leftover liner, glitter or glue, then cleanse with a mild, fragrance-free cleanser and lukewarm water. Pat dry. No rubbing.
Step 2: Calm the lids
If your lids look puffy or feel a little irritated, lay a clean, cool, damp cloth over closed eyes for a few minutes. It is a simple way to ease the morning-after puffiness that comes from late nights, salty food and heavy makeup. If your eyes are painful, very red or your vision is affected, skip the home care and see an eye care professional.
Step 3: Brush and assess
Once everything is dry, run a clean spoolie through your lashes and brows. Brushing separates hairs that stuck together overnight and shows you how they came through the night. A few lashes on the spoolie is normal. Noticeable gaps at the outer corners usually point to glue that was pulled off too quickly, and those areas deserve extra gentleness for a while.
Step 4: Give them a day off
If you can, skip mascara, lash curlers and brow products for the day. Lashes and brow hairs that have been coated, glued and tugged benefit from a break, and so does the delicate skin around them. If you need to look polished, a tinted brow gel and a light coat of a non-waterproof mascara are gentler choices than heavy pomade and waterproof formulas.
Step 5: Start a nourishing routine
Recovery is also a good moment to start supporting your lashes and brows from the lash line and brow line, where new hairs begin. In our Beverly Hills and New York salons, the routine we recommend is our Lash & Brow Serum: a prostaglandin-free, oil-free blend of ten amino acids with Fo-Ti and Blue Lotus that nourishes and strengthens lashes and brows. It is safe with lash extensions, and we have used it on hundreds of salon clients with no reported reactions.
How to use it, morning and night:
- Start with clean, dry skin.
- Lashes: one stroke on the eyelid just above the upper lashes and just below the lower lashes.
- Brows: brush the serum so it touches the skin beneath the brow hairs.
- Allow 2 to 3 minutes to dry before applying makeup.
Most people see visibly longer, fuller lashes and brows in about 30 days, with the fullest results at around 60. Consistency is what matters, so make it part of your morning and evening routine rather than a once-in-a-while treat.
The next few weeks
- Be gentle at night. Hold remover on your lashes before wiping, and sweep in the direction they grow.
- Space out the glue. If you love false lashes, give your natural lashes a few weeks between wears.
- Leave strays alone. Brows that were glued, bleached or plucked for a costume need time to grow back. Put the tweezers away for a few months.
- Watch for changes. If lashes or brows are falling out in patches, or the skin stays red or flaky, check with a doctor or dermatologist.
A big night should be fun from start to finish, including the morning after. Clean gently, calm the lids, give your lashes and brows a rest, and keep up a simple routine. They will be ready for the next celebration on the calendar.
Want more lash, brow and skincare tips? Follow us on Instagram at @shigerubeauty for new guides and tips as we publish them.
This article is for general information. If you have ongoing eye irritation or lash or brow loss, please speak with your doctor or an eye care professional.
The Shigeru Beauty Team