Wondering how to grow eyelashes that are long and full? With a little patience and the right routine, you can trade in sparse, aging lashes for strong, healthy ones that will have everyone trying to guess your secret.

1). Be as gentle as possible with your lashes.

Mascara is usually our go-to solution when it comes to faking a fuller set of lashes. But low-quality makeup sometimes contains harsh chemicals and dyes that can cause lashes to grow brittle. When it comes time to take eye makeup off, harsh rubbing motions can cause lashes to thin and even fall out over time. False lashes aren’t much better since the glue can weaken or damage hairs during the application and removal process.

The fix: If you can, give your lashes a break from all makeup a couple times a week. When it’s time to reach for the mascara, choose a gentle, mineral-based formula, like jane iredale Longest Lash Thickening & Lengthening Mascara, which contains natural extracts that help hydrate and strengthen lashes.

For makeup removal, instead of using rubbing motions, try soaking two cotton pad in Avene Gentle Eye Makeup Remover and then gently pressing them to your eyes for 30 seconds. This will help break makeup down without the need for scrubbing, tugging or rubbing, allowing you to easily sweep away every trace.

2). Try an eyelash conditioner.

You wouldn’t just shampoo without following up with a hydrating conditioner, would you? Just think of the frizz! Dry hairs are prone to thinning and breakage, and while you thankfully don’t have to worry about flyaways on your eyes, you do have to worry about fragile, lackluster lashes.

The fix: Applying a professional lash conditioner in the evening as part of your nighttime routine can help you strengthen and hydrate thin lashes while you sleep. Jan Marini Marini Lash Eyelash Conditioner encourages fuller, longer and stronger lashes with a combination of nourishing peptides, biotin and hydrating hyaluronic acid.

3). Apply an eyelash serum.

While you can improve eyelashes substantially by changing up your routine, an eyelash growth serum will take your look to the next level. Eyelash serums differ from eyelash conditioners in that they’re packed with even more award-winning ingredients to prevent breakage and fallout and encourage growth. Just remember to be patient. It can take a month or more to notice a difference in the length and fullness of lashes, but if you stick with it, you should experience great results.

The fix: LATISSE is a prescription eyelash regrowth treatment that Dr. Schlessinger highly recommends for your maximum results. This powerful treatment helps restore lash thickness, fullness and darkness by keeping lashes in the growth phase for longer. This stimulates the active growth phase and slows regular shedding. In four weeks, you’ll experience initial results, and after 16 weeks, you can expect full results like those pictured in this seriously impressive before and after!

If you can’t get LATISSE or would rather try an over-the-counter option, apply ALPHAEON Beauty Eyelash Serum nightly. This serum uses peptides and biotin to strengthen lashes against breakage while hyaluronic acid hydrates. Pumpkin seed extract, an ingredient rich in fatty acids and essential minerals, helps reinforce lashes and keep them from growing weak. With once daily use, you can experience a noticeable difference in eight weeks.

Will you try out these eyelash tips? Let us know in the comments below, or tell us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram using #LovelySkin!