How To Apply The Ordinary Lash Serum​?

How To Apply The Ordinary Lash Serum​?

The Ultimate Guide: How to Apply The Ordinary Lash Serum for Maximum Growth

For decades, the quest for longer, thicker, and fuller eyelashes was dominated by expensive salon treatments and pricey, mysteriously formulated serums. Then came The Ordinary, a brand built on clinical formulations, transparency, and accessibility. Their Multi-Peptide Lash and Brow Serum quickly became a cult favorite, promising the allure of enhanced lashes without the exorbitant cost.

But here’s the secret that many miss: a revolutionary product requires a revolutionary application technique. Simply swiping it on haphazardly won’t unlock its full potential. Proper application is not just a suggestion; it is the critical bridge between a good product and extraordinary results. It ensures efficacy, maximizes absorption, and, most importantly, guarantees safety for your most delicate feature—your eyes.

This guide is more than just a set of instructions. It is a deep dive into the science of the serum, the anatomy of your lash line, and the meticulous technique required to transform your lash game. We will explore the how, the why, and the what-if, equipping you with everything you need to know to apply The Ordinary Lash Serum like a seasoned expert.

Part 1: Understanding the « Why »: The Science Behind the Serum

Before a single drop touches your skin, it’s crucial to understand what you’re applying and how it works. This knowledge informs the entire application process and underscores the importance of precision.

The Ordinary’s formula is a carefully engineered cocktail of ingredients designed to address the four key phases of the eyelash growth cycle:

1. Anagen (Growth Phase): This is the active period where lashes grow. The serum aims to extend this phase.
2. Catagen (Transition Phase): Growth stops, and the hair follicle shrinks.
3. Telogen (Resting Phase): The lash remains in place but is no longer growing.
4. Exogen (Shedding Phase): The old lash sheds, making way for a new one to begin the cycle again.

Key Active Ingredients and Their Functions:

• Peptide Complex: The star of the show. Specifically, it contains Myristoyl Pentapeptide-17 and Myristoyl Hexapeptide-16. These are signal peptides that essentially communicate with the hair follicle, encouraging it to stay in the growth (anagen) phase for a longer period. Think of them as a gentle, constant whisper to your follicles: « Keep growing, keep growing. »
• Caffeine: A well-known stimulant that helps improve micro-circulation around the hair follicles. Better blood flow means more oxygen and nutrients are delivered to the follicle, creating an optimal environment for healthy growth.
• Hair Densifying Compounds: Including Biotoyl Tripeptide-1. This group of ingredients works to improve the thickness and density of each individual hair strand, leading to lashes that not only are longer but also appear fuller and more robust.
• High-Performance Humectants: Such as Hyaluronic Acid and Sodium Hyaluronate. These molecules can hold up to 1000 times their weight in water, providing intense hydration to the follicle and the surrounding skin. A well-hydrated follicle is a healthy follicle.

Why Application Matters for Efficacy:
The target for these powerful ingredients is the hair follicle, which lies just beneath the skin surface along the lash line. If you apply the serum only to the length of your lashes (a common mistake), you are completely missing the target. The peptides and nutrients cannot effectively penetrate the hair shaft; they need to be delivered to the root. This is why precise application directly to the lash line is non-negotiable.

Part 2: Pre-Application Essentials: Setting the Stage for Success

You wouldn’t paint a masterpiece on a dirty canvas. Similarly, preparing the skin ensures optimal absorption and minimizes the risk of irritation or contamination.

1. Start with a Clean Canvas:

• Mandatory Makeup Removal: This is the most critical step. Every trace of eye makeup—mascara, eyeliner, eyeshadow, and especially waterproof formulas—must be thoroughly removed. leftover makeup creates a barrier that blocks the serum from absorbing into the skin. It can also mix with the serum and be pushed into the eyes or follicles, leading to irritation, clogged pores (millia), or infections like styes.
• Use a Gentle Cleanser: Follow up your makeup remover with a gentle, oil-free facial cleanser. Carefully wash the eye area, ensuring no residual cleanser remains. We recommend:
  • The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser: A fantastic oil-based pre-cleanser that melts away makeup without stripping the skin.
  • A gentle, pH-balanced foaming or cream cleanser.
• Pat Dry: Gently pat the entire eye area dry with a clean, lint-free towel. The skin should be completely dry before application.

2. Gather Your Tools:

• The Ordinary Multi-Peptide Lash and Brow Serum: Ensure the cap is on securely before shaking.
• A Clean Mirror: A well-lit magnifying mirror is ideal for precision.
• Steady Hands: Rest your elbow on a firm surface to stabilize your hand.

A Note on Brushes: The applicator brush provided with The Ordinary serum is designed to be precise. Its small, fine tip is meant to deposit product directly to the lash line. Unlike some brands that use a mascara-like wand, this brush is for line application, not for combing through lashes.

Part 3: The Step-by-Step Master Technique: A Detailed Guide

This is the core of the process. Follow these steps meticulously for safe and effective application.

Step 1: Shake and Prime
Gently shake the tube for 2-3 seconds. This ensures the formula is perfectly mixed. Carefully unscrew the cap. The first time you use it, you may need to gently squeeze the tube until the product saturates the brush tip. For subsequent uses, a light squeeze should be sufficient.

Step 2: Assume the Position
Sit down and rest your application elbow on a table. Bring the mirror close to your face. Tilt your head slightly back. This position provides stability and gives you a clear view of your lash line.

Step 3: The Application Motion (The Most Important Part)

• The Target: You are aiming for the skin of the upper lash line, exactly where you would apply eyeliner. Not the waterline, and not the lengths of the lashes.
• The Action: Using your dominant hand, hold the serum like a pen. With your non-dominant hand, use a finger to gently pull your eyelid taut horizontally, towards your temple. This creates a smooth, stable surface and helps you see the root of the lashes.
  • Crucial Tip: Avoid pulling the lid away from the eye. You only need to pull slightly sideways to create tension. Pulling the lid away from the eyeball increases the risk of poking yourself or applying too close to the eye.
• The Contact: With extreme care, place the tip of the brush directly onto the skin of the lash line. It should feel like a light touch.
• The Stroke: Using tiny, gentle, stippling or dotted motions, trace the brush along the lash line from the inner corner to the outer corner. Imagine you are drawing a dashed line. You do not need a thick, continuous line. You only need a light, precise deposit of product along the entire lash line.
  • Why stippling? This technique ensures controlled, even application without flooding the area with product, which can easily migrate into the eye.

Step 4: Addressing the Lower Lash Line (Proceed with Caution)
Application on the lower lash line is optional and requires even more caution. The lower lid is more prone to product migration into the eye. If you choose to do it:

• Use an even lighter hand.
• Look upward as you apply.
• Use the tiniest, most minimal dots of product along the outer two-thirds of the lower lash line. Avoid the inner corner entirely.
• Many users find that applying only to the upper lash line is sufficient, as the serum’s effects can diffuse to the lower lashes over time.

Step 5: The Brow Bonus
The same formula works wonders for brows. Apply using the same stippling motion along the brow bone, following the natural shape of your brow. Focus on sparse areas.

Step 6: The Waiting Game
Close your eye and keep it closed for 10-15 seconds. This allows the serum to absorb into the skin rather than migrating onto your eyeball or eyelid. Do not blink rapidly immediately after application. After the brief waiting period, you can blink normally. Any slight, temporary blurriness should resolve quickly.

Visual Guide Summary:

Step	Action	Key Tip	Visual Cue
1. Prep	Cleanse & dry face.	Ensure zero makeup residue.	Clean, bare skin.
2. Prime	Gently shake tube.	A light squeeze is enough.	Brush tip is moist.
3. Position	Tilt head back, elbow rested.	Use a mirror for precision.	Stable, clear view.
4. Apply	Pull lid taut, use stippling motion on lash line.	Target the skin, not the lashes.	A dotted line of product.
5. Wait	Close eyes for 10-15 seconds.	Allow for absorption.	Prevents migration.

Part 4: Integration into Your Skincare Routine: When and How Often

Consistency is the twin sibling of proper application. Without it, you will not see results.

• Frequency: The official guidance is to apply the serum once daily. For most users, this is the perfect balance of efficacy and safety. Some with resilient skin may experiment with twice-daily application, but this significantly increases the risk of irritation and milia without a guaranteed boost in results. Stick with once a day.
• Timing: Nighttime is unequivocally the best time to apply. Your body enters its peak repair and regeneration mode while you sleep. Applying the serum at night ensures the active ingredients are working in synergy with your body’s natural rhythms without being disrupted by makeup, sweat, or environmental pollutants.
• Order of Application: Your skincare routine order matters.
  1. Cleanse
  2. Tone (if you use one)
  3. Apply all water-based serums to your face (e.g., Niacinamide, Hyaluronic Acid).
  4. Apply eye cream around the orbital bone (avoiding the immediate lash line).
  5. Apply The Ordinary Lash Serum directly to the lash line.
  6. Apply moisturizers and facial oils.
  7. Apply occlusives (e.g., Vaseline) – but keep these far away from your lash line to avoid blocking the serum.

Part 5: What to Expect: The Timeline of Results and Potential Side Effects

Managing expectations is key to staying motivated.

Realistic Timeline:

• 0-4 Weeks: The priming phase. You likely won’t see visible growth, but you may notice lashes feeling softer or looking healthier.
• 4-8 Weeks: This is when most users begin to see a noticeable difference. Lashes may appear longer and have more curl. You might notice fewer lashes falling out during makeup removal.
• 8-16 Weeks: The peak results phase. This is the full length and density your lashes can achieve with consistent use. This timeline is based on the natural lash growth cycle; you must complete at least one full cycle to see the serum’s full impact.

Potential Side Effects and How to Mitigate Them:

• Eye Irritation (Redness, Itching, Watery Eyes): This is the most common side effect. If it occurs, stop use immediately. You may be sensitive to one of the ingredients. You can try reapplying after a few days, ensuring you are using an even more microscopic amount. If it persists, discontinue use permanently.
• Milia (tiny white bumps): Caused by product (or heavy eye cream) clogging the tiny hair follicles or sweat glands around the eyes. Prevention is key: use a minimal amount of product and ensure your eye area is impeccably clean before application.
• Eyelid Darkening/Hyperpigmentation: A rare but potential side effect of prostaglandin analogs (which this serum does NOT contain) and, very rarely, peptides. The Ordinary’s formula is considered low-risk for this, but it’s something to be aware of. It’s usually reversible upon discontinuation.
• Hollowing of the Eye Area/Orbital Fat Loss: This is a well-documented side effect of prescription lash growth serums containing prostaglandins (e.g., Latisse). The Ordinary serum is prostaglandin-free, so the risk of this occurring is considered extremely low to non-existent, as its mechanism of action is entirely different.

Part 6: Advanced Tips, Tricks, and Frequently Asked Questions

Maximizing Your Results:

• Be Patient and Consistent: Set a daily reminder. The results are gradual but cumulative.
• Nourish from Within: A healthy diet rich in Biotin, Vitamins A, C, D, E, proteins, and omega-3 fatty acids supports strong hair growth everywhere, including your lashes.
• Be Gentle: Avoid aggressive rubbing when removing eye makeup. Use a soft, saturated cotton pad and hold it against your eye for a few seconds to allow the remover to dissolve the makeup before gently wiping away.
• Take Breaks: Some long-term users recommend taking a 1-2 week break every 3-4 months to allow your follicles to reset and avoid potential desensitization, though this is not a official recommendation.

FAQ Section:

• Q: Can I apply mascara after?
  • A: After your nighttime application, no. After a hypothetical morning application (not recommended), you should wait at least 2-3 minutes for the serum to fully absorb before applying any mascara.
• Q: What happens if I get it in my eye?
  • A: Don’t panic. It is not acid. Immediately rinse your eye thoroughly with lukewarm water or a sterile saline solution for several minutes. The temporary stinging or blurriness should subside. If severe irritation persists, consult a doctor.
• Q: Can I use this with lash extensions?
  • A: It is generally not recommended. The oil-based or creamy formula could compromise the adhesive bond of your extensions, leading to premature fallout. Always consult your lash technician first.
• Q: How long does one tube last?
  • A: With once-daily use, a single 5ml tube should last approximately 2-3 months.

Conclusion: The Art and Science of the Perfect Application

The Ordinary Multi-Peptide Lash and Brow Serum is a powerful tool in your beauty arsenal, but its power is unlocked not by the formula alone, but by the hand that applies it. By understanding the science, meticulously preparing your skin, mastering the stippling technique, and integrating it consistently into your nightly routine, you elevate your practice from a simple chore to an act of precise self-care.

The journey to longer lashes is a marathon, not a sprint. It requires patience, dedication, and an unwavering commitment to technique. But for those who follow this comprehensive guide, the reward—a frame of naturally longer, thicker, and healthier lashes—is well worth the meticulous effort. Now, equipped with this deep knowledge, you are ready to apply not just with confidence, but with expertise.