How to define your eyelashes

Your eyelashes and cancer treatment

Some cancer treatments cause hair loss and this might include losing your eyelashes. Your eyelashes help to define your eyes, so learning how to define your eyes can boost your confidence. It might help you look and feel more like yourself.

You can watch this 3 minute video on how to define your eyes.

Before applying make up

There are different types of products and each has its own pros and cons. Start by gently washing the area around the eyes. This removes the skin's natural oils or extra moisturiser and helps make up stay in place. Applying eye primer can also help make up last longer.

Check with your doctor or specialist nurse before using any of these skin care products if you:

• are still having cancer treatment

• have had treatment to your face or neck

• have had a skin reaction

Eyeliner pencil

Eyeliner pencil lasts a few hours. You can buy pencils that last up to 12 hours.

With practice, it is relatively quick and easy to put on. The skin here is very delicate so choose a soft pencil.

The colour you use depends on your skin colour and the effect you want. Brown or grey are softer. Black gives a more definite, strong look. There are also other colours available.

You can smudge the line with a clean cotton bud, an eyeshadow brush or a sponge applicator to give a softer look and hide mistakes.

Eye shadows

Eye shadows are a quick and easy way to highlight your eyes. You can use eye shadow instead of an eyeliner pencil. Or you can apply it to the whole of your upper lid which will also define your eyes.

Eye shadows aren’t as long lasting as a pencil but are easier to put on. A neutral, matt colour will give a more natural look. You can dampen some shadows and use them as eyeliner. You can use the same colour if you are defining your eyebrows. Apply it with an angled brush.

How to do your eyebrows

Gel eyeliner

Gel eyeliner is more difficult to apply but lasts about 12 hours. You can put it on with a shadow brush or a small wedge brush. Use a few short strokes at a time. Don’t overload your brush.

Eye gel dries quickly giving you a short time to soften the line. Try to soften the line as you apply it. This gives a softer look and also hides mistakes. Put the lid back on as soon as you have finished, to stop the gel from drying out.

Gel eyeliner usually lasts longer as there can be a lot of waste if you have to sharpen pencils.

False eyelashes

Cancer treatments can make your skin very sensitive. Some people find that eyelash glue irritates their skin. Check with your nurse or doctor before using it.

False eyelashes can be very difficult to put on and keep on. They can be especially hard to use if you have lost all of your eyelashes or have watery eyes.

If you have any eyelashes left, taking false ones off can pull them out.

Skin care and make up workshops for people with cancer

Look Good Feel Better is a charity that runs free skin care and make up workshops. Anyone with a cancer diagnosis can attend. 

Trained beauty experts will teach you how to look after your skin, make up tips and what products might benefit you. The workshops take place in hospitals, support centres across the UK or online.

You can find your nearest workshop and read more about the work of the charity on their website.

Find out about Look Good Feel Better workshops