If you’re struggling with sparse eyebrows and lashes, don’t lose hope. Read on for a look at some tried and true techniques that offer a fuller, more voluminous look.

THE CAUSES

Noticing the thinning of our eyelashes and eyebrows can be enough to leave us in a panic. There are many possible causes of hair loss, including anemia, a thyroid hormone imbalance or even alopecia areata, an autoimmune disorder which can cause, among other symptoms, the loss of hair on the scalp and face.

Our eyelashes and eyebrows can begin to fall out following an emotional distress or chronic stress and anxiety, and hair loss is also often a side effect of chemotherapy treatments. Finally, if you succumbed to the razor-thin eyebrow trend in the 1990s or early 2000s, you could still be struggling with sparse brows today!

DOS

• Perfect brows can frame your face and accentuate your look. To have impeccable eyebrows whatever their condition, arm yourself with an ultra-fine tip eyebrow pen that allows you to draw in small hairs. In order to achieve the most natural effect possible, try using two shades to create dimension. Opting for a waterproof product also ensures that your brow makeup will last all day long.

• For thinning lashes, try the tightlining technique. By applying eyeliner on the upper waterline, you can help fill in the sparse areas and add definition. To create a more natural and subtle look, blend the liner with a brush. Next, prep your lashes with a primer before applying mascara to your top lashes from root to tip, wiggling the brush back and forth slightly as you go. To thicken the look of bottom lashes, apply mascara with a precise flat liner brush, making sure to get to the root of the lashes.

• To create the perfect canvas for your lashes and brows, use a complexion corrector adapted to your needs. This will cover imperfections such as redness, pimples and dark circles. • Regardless of the cause of eyelash or eyebrow sparseness, it’s always a good idea to focus on and draw attention to what you love most about yourself, like your lips or cheekbones.

A blush and a lipstick in the same colour family can create a flattering tone-on-tone harmony to bring your look together.

DON’TS

• Avoid tugging or pulling on your eyelids when applying makeup, and when taking it off at the end of the day, don’t rub too roughly. Being gentle with your eye area helps reduce lash breakage and thinning.

• Never go to sleep with your makeup on. Mascara makes lashes stiff, which can make them brittle and subject to breakage, not to mention the risk of bacterial infection and inflammation. Before you close your eyes for the night, make sure they are makeup free!

• To brighten the eye area, stay away from eye shadows that are too dark. In order to highlight and illuminate the eyes, apply lighter, shimmery shades. Champagne, rose gold or bronze eyeshadows have the advantage of being suitable for all skin tones, in addition to being easy to apply with your fingertips.

PRO TIP

“Serums designed to stimulate the growth of eyelashes and eyebrows can sometimes cause redness in the eye area. To illuminate your eyes, you can camouflage the redness with a neutral coloured pencil.” —Sarah Lucero, global executive director of education and artistry for Stila.

Our product picks

1. WANDER BEAUTY Double Date Eyeshadow Duo in First Kiss/ILYSM, $36, wanderbeauty.com.

2. MILK MAKEUP Lip + Cheek Cream Blush and Lip Tint in Perk, $28, sephora.ca.

3. STILA Stay All Day Waterproof Brow Color, $29, stila.ca.

4. NYX COSMETICS Jumbo Lash! 2-in-1 Liner & Lash Adhesive and Vegan False Lashes Extension Clusters, $15 each, nyxcosmetics.ca.

5. RODIAL Banana Lowlighter Concealer, $45, thebay.com.