So, you want to make your lashes grow naturally? Besides using natural serums, a great way to help your eyelashes grow is by making sure that you are receiving all of the right nutrients in your diet! If you add just some of these foods in the list below into your diet, not only will you help support hair growth, but you will be supporting your body with a balanced diet. What’s better than that? At ForChics, we are all about supporting you on a healthy beauty journey. 

Let’s get started:

No matter what diet you subscribe to (vegan, vegetarian, pescatarian, omnivore, etc.), you can find foods that support overall hair growth. Salmon, certain dairy products, fruits (like blueberries), veggies (like kale) and fat-dense foods like avocados and nuts will help your lashes grow while supporting a healthy diet and body. 

For the Vegans

For all of our plant-based goddesses, we have created a list here to ensure that you are getting all of the nutrients needed to support healthy eyelash growth. As I am sure you are aware, one of the greatest myths of veganism is that you “don’t get enough of the nutrients that your body needs”. Some of the greatest athletes, like Venus Williams and Alex Morgan, are vegan. Most veggies are action-packed with minerals and vitamins, and if needed, supplements will always get you where you need to go. 

(Image Source: Fitness Mag) 

For eyelash growth with vegans, in particular, it’s important to make sure that you are getting enough of the following in your diet: protein, B Vitamins, iron, and calcium. These nutrients are a bit harder to include in a plant-based diet, so we will show you how! 

Protein

If you are already vegan, I’m sure you already know how to get a substantial amount of protein in your diet. For people looking to become vegan, the typical protein sources for vegans include nuts, tofu, beans/legumes, chickpeas/lentils, tempeh, vegetarian meat, and nutritional yeast (LiveKindly, 2019). While all of these proteins are amazing for supporting a healthy diet, we will specifically talk about beans and legumes, as they are a great way to support eyelash growth. 

Beans and Legumes 

All beans and legumes are a great source of protein. Kidney beans, in particular, are loaded with biotin, protein, and niacin, which are essential for providing you strong hair and nails (StylishWalks, 2019). Biotin helps your hair grow quickly and healthily. Black beans are also a great food to consume if you are trying to grow your eyelashes. Go ahead, make those black bean enchiladas, and slap on some natural eyelash serum! Sit around and watch those lashes grow ;)

B-Vitamins

Most vegans are already consuming B12 Vitamin supplements. According to  Healthline, Vitamin B12 is very important for many bodily processes, including protein metabolism and the formation of oxygen-transporting red blood cells. It also plays a crucial role in the health of your nervous system. If you are vegan and not taking B12’s you may want to do additional research and consider adding this vital supplement to your daily lives. 

Beyond B12, the other B Vitamins essential for eyelash hair growth include B3, B5, and B6. Luckily, with a vegan diet, you should be able to have these vitamins covered. For B3 vitamins (niacin), you can eat asparagus, mushrooms, sunflower seeds, and peanuts. B3 vitamins are helpful because they improve blood flow to the hair follicles. 

For B5 (Pantothenic Acid), you can eat whole grain cereals, peanuts, legumes, and depending on your definition of veganism, brewer’s yeast. This vitamin strengthens hair follicles. 

For B6, you can eat most vegetables and whole-grain cereals. B6, or Pyridoxine, is helpful in preventing hair loss. It also creates melanin, which gives lashes its color.

Iron

Iron is another essential hair growth nutrient that vegans need to take into consideration. It is a myth that vegans do not get enough iron. Usually, with a balanced diet and enough leafy greens, there is no need for supplements. But as always, listen to your body. And if you are trying to get some extra length on those lashes, load up on leafy greens! 

Spinach or Kale

Spinach is rich in vitamins and minerals like vitamins A B, C, and E, potassium, iron, folate, omega 3 fatty acids, calcium, and magnesium, all of which help in the healthy hair growth of your eyelashes. Add even more leafy greens into your diet if you are trying to grow your lashes. Mom was right when she said veggies were good for you…

Calcium

Calcium is the last nutrient that is essential for eyelash growth. If you are vegan, you will need to find this ingredient in places other than dairy. Vegans can find this amazing nutrient in calcium-set tofu, fortified plant milk, kale, pak choi, okra, spring greens, dried figs, chia seeds, and almonds. Beyond that, calcium-supplements can help to ensure that you are receiving enough calcium for your eyelashes, and more importantly, your bones! 

Vegetarian

For vegetarians, eggs and dairy products are usually fair game. Vegetarians should pay special attention to the list above for vegans, but can also add in these foods to their diets to support eyelash growth. These amazing and delicious ingredients are jam-packed with calcium, protein, and much more. 

Eggs

Eggs are loaded with Biotin, which is a must-have ingredient for hair growth and a healthy scalp. They are also super-rich in protein, the most important nutrient for the hair. Eating eggs any which way will work for your lashes. Scramble them. Make them sunny-side up. Whatever your preference is, eat those eggs and grow those lashes, girl. 

Milk

If you are a vegetarian and have “Got Milk” then drink up! Milk is awesome for your lashes. It’s rich in folic acid which prevents hair loss and also helps your lashes grow longer. Additionally, folic acid stimulates melanin production, which is a big bonus because melanin makes your lashes grow darker.  Long, thick, dark lashes? What more could you ask for?

Pescatarian

As a pescatarian, you can eat fish and seafood, on top of eggs and dairy. There are many seafood dishes that can help stimulate eyelash growth. In this list, we will talk about salmon and oysters in particular. 

Salmon

There are countless health benefits that salmon provides. Salmon is a great source of omega 3 fatty acids, which promote hair and eyelash growth. Not only that, salmon is also rich in protein and fish oil, both of which are great for keeping the hair healthy. Any other fish that is high in omega 3 fatty acids is great as well! 

Oysters

Oysters are a great source of zinc. Zinc keeps the scalp healthy and nourishes the hair follicles to keep them working properly. Not getting enough zinc can cause hair loss and slow down hair growth. Oysters also contain iron which helps the hair adhere to its roots and prevents fallout. The same nutrients work for your eyelashes as well. So getting a sufficient dose of oysters will do wonders for your lashes.

Diet + Serum = Success

Overall, no matter what kind of diet that you subscribe to, you can find foods that will promote overall hair growth. If you are trying to grow your eyelashes naturally, you should also consider the ForLash Growth serum by ForChics. ForLash is both vegan and cruelty-free, and uses natural ingredients to help stimulate hair growth! 

So the next time you take a trip to the supermarket, make sure to have these items in your grocery list. You’ll be doing both your health and your eyelashes a big favor.