If you could only wear one makeup product, which one would you go for? You might think a multitasker would give you most bang for buck – concealer to do double-duty on blips and bags, or perhaps a tinted balm to cheer up lips and cheeks in a swipe.
But actually, Hannah Waddingham just ended the debate for us with her latest look, where one element did all the heavy lifting. All hail the mighty lash!
The Ted Lasso star has shown just how much fire-power there is to be found in a great set of eyelashes, even when everything else is dialled right down.
As you can see, Hannah's hair is kept simple and pulled back and there’s only a mere whisper of blusher and lip colour, but nothing else is needed when those lashes are doing all the talking.
‘There’s nothing like dark, beautiful lashes to immediately open up the eyes, whatever your age,’ confirms makeup guru (and eyelash obsessive) Hannah Martin. It’s an opinion fully confirmed by Ms Waddingham, 50, who showed the youthful impact of lifted, curled lashes during a day out at the British Grand Prix on Sunday.
Fancy a flutter yourself? Here’s every lash-boosting product you need to add to your makeup bag, including favourites from both the GHI and GH beauty team, how to use it, and how to bag it for less.
A great mascara
Obviously, this is your key must-have, and as Hannah shows, the longer and darker the better. When you’re making lashes the showpiece of your look, there’s no need for a smokey eyeshadow as well, as this can end up obscuring your lashes a bit. Instead, use powder or a neutral eyeshadow on your lids to prevent it transferring, and then just a little kohl liner to frame your eyelashes.
Lancôme Lash Idôle Lash-Lifting & Volumising Waterproof Mascara
GHI approved, our testers can vouch for its lash-transforming power. With just one swipe, you’ll have fluttering, lifted lashes.
Another GHI winner, this mascara was loved by our testers for the luscious length it gives lashes - a key feature in achieving a Hannah-esque look.
A sweep of Kohl eyeliner is all you need to add depth and definition to your look, making your lashes appear fuller and thicker.
A GHI-winner: wave goodbye to pesky transferring! Simply set the eyes with some powder to keep everything in place.
Regular false lashes
Not the tacky, TOWIE monstrosities you might expect! False eyelashes are available in a range of softer, more subtle styles that still add plenty of oomph. The best, Waddingham-worthy styles are fluttery, rather than over-thick. Cut them down to size before fitting, and if you want something a bit more dialled down, trim them to three-quarter length, or even try a pre-cut corner lash for just a lift and flick.
Under-lashes
If you find regular stick-on falsies look a bit obvious, solve the problem with underlashes that attach under your own lashes for a truly invisible join. While they do take a little practice to apply, they’re easy once you have the hang of it, and some versions come with special, long-wear adhesive that allows the underlashes to be worn for several days in a row, with no need to remove at night. It’s the nearest thing to salon eyelash extensions, and a whole lot cheaper.
For a more seamless look, underlashes are applied beneath your natural lashes. This all-in-one kit from Eylure can be reused up to five times.
Lash serum
Although these won’t give the instant gratification of mascara or false lashes, it’s worth getting started on a growth regime, as you can expect to see it super-charging your mascara within a month or two. Top-rated products, Tried, Tested and proven by the GHI, include Talika’s Lipocils Eyelash Serum and Mavala’s Double Lash Treatment.
This serum is a GHI-approved gem, with one tester even ditching the lash extensions because they were so impressed with the results.
Rated by the GHI as the best budget eyelash growth serum, you'll notice lengthened and nourished lashes for less than £20!
