Many women and men want longer eyelashes. It’s not hard to see why—long, thick lashes have been gracing the red carpets and Instagram for years. And longer lashes open up your eyes, making your eyes appear bigger.

But of course, not everyone is blessed with naturally long lashes. You can get professional lash extensions done, but those are expensive and require maintenance. So those of us who obsessively curl our short, straight lashes are left wondering if there’s a magic trick to growing long eyelashes at home.

The reality is that there’s not a single magic trick or DIY solution that will give you the lashes of your dreams. There are, however, a few tips and tricks that you can use to give yourself healthier lashes—and healthier lashes often appear longer and thicker.

Always talk with your dermatologist before trying anything new. Your eyes are extra sensitive, so you should double check with a professional to avoid any injuries.

Apply Oil

This has been a long-time trick to supposedly encourage your lashes to grow. In reality, it probably doesn’t do that (sorry). These oils actually just work to condition and moisturize your lashes, which could make them appear longer and thicker.

Different people swear by a variety of oils:

• Olive oil
• Coconut oil
• Almond oil
• Castor oil
• Petroleum jelly

Apply a small amount of oil to a cotton swab or your finger, and gently dab onto your lash line (where you would put eyeliner—as close to your lashes as possible but not in your eye!).

Avoid Rough Rubbing

We know it’s tempting to roughly remove your mascara with a makeup wipe, but this could actually be damaging your lashes! Rough motions can break your lashes or cause them to fall out, so be sure to use a gentle yet effective makeup remover to remove mascara. Many people swear by oil-based makeup removers because of their moisturizing properties! We find Micellar Water to be a gentle and effective makeup remover as well as long as you use a gentle pad and don’t scrub!

Don’t Wear Fake Eyelashes

Fake eyelashes are one of the best ways to get instantly longer lashes, but they could actually be doing more harm than good! Lash glue and the rough removal process can damage or remove your natural lashes. If you’re trying to heal your natural lashes, save falsies for special occasions.

Always Remove Your Makeup

This is absolutely key to maintaining healthy eyelashes. Find a gentle makeup remover to remove even stubborn waterproof mascara. Move gently and slowly around your eye area, taking care not to be rough. And moisturize after! Makeup that stays on overnight increases the chances of clumping and can cause lashes to fall out so take the extra few minutes and save your lashes by removing makeup every night!

Try a Growth Serum

Many brands offer products that they claim will help you grow longer- and thicker-looking lashes in just a few months. While none of these products have been approved by the FDA, the reviews by users often rave about these “holy grail products.”

Always check with your dermatologist before using any growth serums, or any product that you put near your eyes. They’ll be able to help you understand the ingredient list and if the product is right for you!

Get a Prescription

If none of these tricks worked for you, you can try a prescription-grade lash growth serum. The only FDA-approved one is Latisse (originally a glaucoma medication), so you’ll need a prescription from your doctor to get it. But many people see incredible lash growth!