Are Men With Long Eyelashes More Attractive?

Are Men With Long Eyelashes More Attractive?

Everyone knows that long eyelashes are a desirable feminine trait, but what about for the gentlemen? You may be surprised to learn that the length of eyelashes for men is just as important as it is for women. Some may not pay much attention to the eyes, but for those of us who do, read on!

Why Do We Have Eyelashes?

First of all, lashes serve an important utilitarian function: to keep debris, sweat, and other contaminants out of our eyes. They are more than just a cosmetic feature. So of course, people of all genders have eyelashes. 

Even when our eyes are wide open, the lashes will catch some of the dust and debris that may be flying around, but when the eyes are closed those lashes act as a nearly impenetrable wall of defense.

Even more intriguing is the fact that the eyelashes can actually send a signal to the brain to shut the eyes if they are in harm's way. If tiny particles collide with the lashes, the nerves in the eyelid will automatically tell the eyes to shut as a protective measure. 

Lashes can also diffuse airflow that might cause the eyes to dry out. In reality, our eyelashes are totally necessary, even if we sometimes view them as a beauty feature. 

Why Do We Associate Long Lashes With Women?

If eyelashes are meant as a protective barrier against dust and particles, then why do we associate long eyelashes with women and femininity? There are actually some very real reasons for this phenomenon.

The male face, in general, tends to be larger than the female face, with a more pronounced brow bone and a larger jawline. As such, the eyes simply take up less space on the face of most men than they do on most women. Women’s eyes end up looking bigger than men’s and that includes the eyelashes. 

Even cartoons perpetuate this stereotype. If you slap a set of long lashes onto a cartoon mouse, that male cartoon mouse becomes a female cartoon mouse. But the fact is that long eyelashes are attractive on people of all genders, and there are some psychological reasons why. 

Why Do We Find Men With Long Lashes Attractive?

Believe it or not there has been some research into this question, and a certain degree of social psychology to back it up. Read on to see the reasons scientists have determined why we find men with long lashes more attractive!

They’re a Sign of Health

Having long lashes, regardless of your gender, is a sign of good health. We see those with long lashes and healthy flowing hair, and we associate these traits with general health and wellness. 

They Accentuate Your Eyes

It’s no surprise that long lashes accentuate the eyes. Females, traditionally, have been more inclined to accentuate their eyes and lashes with products like mascara, lash lifts, and lash extensions, but this is quickly evolving.

More than ever, men are busting right through previous gender norms and starting to partake in some of the amazing beauty trends that are available to accentuate eyelashes. 

Lash lifts are one of the most recently popular eyelash trends that males are beginning to hop onto. Many men have a preference for the lash lift trend because it is slightly more subtle than getting a full set of extensions, but still gives the lashes the appearance of length, and a nice curl. Lash lifts also give the illusion of large eyes. 

They Elicit a Caretaker Response

Something you may not have known, or may not expect about lashes, is that they can elicit a caretaker response. Though not true in all cases, many of us grew up with mother figures in our lives who we relied on to take care of us. We also have probably had a vast majority of female teachers, babysitters, and nannies, since women tend to dominate those fields.

As such, we see lashes as a feature belonging to those who take care of us. Of course, this is all on a subconscious level, but it is true nonetheless. 

In fact, in a strange way, the opposite is true as well: on some level, we associate eyelashes with youthful features. We see those lashes and it possibly triggers a caretaker! 

Since we associate lashes with not only our caretakers but also with cute little babies, we automatically correlate long eyelashes with perceptions of warmth, kindness, honesty, and positivity.  

They Draw Attention to the Limbal Ring

In case you didn’t know, the limbal ring is the circular area of pigment, or a dark ring, around the iris. Many people have them, but there are also many people who do not, or at least do not have a pronounced dark limbal ring.  

If you were to check it out in a mirror right now, you might just see that there is a tiny ring around your iris. If you don’t see one, don’t worry. There are a number of reasons why you might not. One reason is genetics. Limbal rings are just more pronounced in some people than in others.  

Another reason is age. Though most of us are born with them, they tend to fade with age. This is why, again subconsciously, we tend to associate a pronounced limbal ring with youthfulness. As such, we want to try to pull attention to that limbal ring if we can! Long lashes lead the eye right to that limbal ring and make it look more visible. 

How Can Men Take Care of Their Lashes?

The men’s beauty and grooming industry has really taken off in recent years. Gone are the days when men would be satisfied with a 10-in-one shampoo and a disposable razor. Men nowadays are much more discerning when it comes to their hygiene, and rightfully so!

For the men who crush cultural norms, care about their appearance, and want to take top-notch care of their lashes, there are some key steps to doing so. 

Cleanser

The first step to healthy lashes is keeping them clean. Men may or may not be wearing eye makeup in this day and age, so that’s something to take into account when choosing a cleanser. If you wear eye makeup, you want to select a cleanser that also functions as a makeup remover, or use a separate makeup remover before you cleanse.

The best cleansers are oil-free and will not irritate the eyes. Look for cleansers that have natural moisturizers in them such as vegetable glycerine or rosewater. 

If you have lash extensions, it may be in your best interest to purchase a cleanser that is formulated especially for extensions. These are guaranteed to protect the extensions and will not have any ingredients that could weaken the adhesive. 

When cleansing, here are the steps you should take:

  1. Wet your face with lukewarm (not hot!) water.
  2. Put a small amount of cleanser into your clean hands or fingers, and rub them together to create lather prior to putting it onto your face.
  3. Apply cleanser to face and eyes, focusing on lids and lashes. Massage gently—don’t rub!
  4. Rinse, again with lukewarm water.
  5. Pat dry, taking care not to rub the eyes. This can pull out lashes prematurely.
  6. Use a small comb or spoolie to brush through the lashes. Make sure to be extra gentle when doing this step. 

Lash Serums

If you are not blessed with long lashes, there are steps you can take that require a little less upkeep than the traditional eyelash extensions. One option is a quality lash serum. 

There are a variety of serums on the market that claim to promote lash and brow hair growth rates. The lash growth serum is effective, even though it sounds too good to be true! Essentially, the lash serum extends the period between shed cycles and slows eyelash loss.

Basically, your lashes simply don’t fall out as soon as they typically would without the serum. The growth serum ensures that those lashes will keep growing for a long period of time, which means in terms of length, they will also be longer than you would expect.  Of course, they will eventually fall out, but until then you are left with significantly longer lashes. 

Aside from over-the-counter serums, there is also a prescription solution called Latisse (generic name bimatoprost), which is the only FDA-approved prescription lash growth treatment. If you're not sure if this is right for you, talk to your doctor or dermatologist.

Lash serums are super easy to apply. They can be easily worked into your face-washing routine at the end of the day. After cleansing the eyes, simply swipe the serum across the lash line. Most serums include a brush in the cap. It couldn’t be simpler! It usually takes a few weeks to see results from a lash serum. 

Argan Oil

To enhance the appearance and health of the eyelashes, argan oil can help. Argan oil can be found in most drugstores, health stores, and even sometimes supermarkets. 

Argan oil is a popular method used primarily for skin and hair and has been used in other countries, like Morocco, for centuries. It is thought not only to improve the quality of skin and hair but to promote hair growth. 

It is a rich source of vitamin E and other fatty acids and will add a nice sheen to the lashes. It will also make them appear darker without the drama of mascara, which may not appeal to all men. 

Anyone Can Have Long Lashes

Long lashes are for everyone, regardless of gender! Psychologically, we are all predisposed to thinking that long lashes are attractive, so we should do what we can to make them look great. There are so many options when it comes to taking care of your eyelashes and accentuating them, including lash serums, argan oil, and even lash lifts and extensions. 

 

Sources:

​​What's the Most Attractive Eyelash Length? | Psychology Today

Why Are Long, Thick Eyelashes Considered Attractive? | Newsweek  

The Psychology Behind Why We Like Long, Dark Eyelashes | The Cut

Limbal Rings: What They Are and Who Has Them | Healthline 

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