Having Trichotillomania is hard to control but luckily there are some ways to hide your Trichotillomania eyelashes, eyebrows and bald spots using some simple makeup and beauty tips.

How to Hide Trichotillomania Eyelashes

The easiest ways to hide your Trichotillomania eyelashes is to apply magnetic lashes, individual false eyelashes, or try to make your remaining lashes look fuller with mascara and lash curler. Depending on the severity of your Trichotillomania, you may need to use a combination of these techniques in order to hide your Trichotillomania eyelashes.

Apply False Lashes

Magnetic Lashes

A great way to hide Trichotillomania eyelashes without glue is to use magnetic lashes. Magnetic eyelashes are made of two strips of false lashes that “clamp-on” your natural lashes via magnets at the base of each lash.

How to Apply Magnetic Lashes to Hide Trichotillomania Eyelashes:

Step 1 – Study your eyelashes. If you are missing at least 30% of your lash hairs on 1 side of your lash, this method might not work for you. Magnetic lashes depend on your natural lashes in order to hold them up.  This means you will add extra stress on your remaining eyelashes if you apply magnetic lashes on top of them.

This method might work for you if you have small patches of lash hair missing and have a large portion of your natural lashes still intact. The magnetic lashes will act as a “patch” and cover up your missing lashes.

Step 2 – If your magnetic lashes are stuck together, roll them gently in between your fingertips to separate them.

Step 3 – Once separated, pick up the top lash with your fingers tips. The side with the longer lash hairs is the side that goes towards the beginning of your lash (nose side), while the side with the shorter lash hairs is the side that goes towards the end of your lashes (tail of your eye).

Step 4 – Place the top lash on top of your natural lashes. Make sure to line it up as to how your natural lashes would look.

Step 5 – Place the bottom lash under your natural lashes. If you are having trouble with alignment, use your other hand to hold the top piece in place. Attach the bottom piece on one side of your lash first and then slowly attach the rest along your lash.

Step 6 – If you feel a gentle clasp on your eyelid skin, it means that you may attach the lashes too high. Gently push the magnetic lashes with your nails down toward your natural lashes and this should give you a snug fit along your eyelid.

Step 7 – If the lashes are not fully connected together, gently snap them together with your fingertips.

Step 8 –  Repeat steps 2 – 6 with your other eyelash.

How to Remove Magnetic Lashes on Trichotillomania Eyelashes

The easiest way to remove magnetic lashes on Trichotillomania eyelashes is to pull your magnetic lash from the corner and lift it up. This creates the least amount of tension on your natural lashes. Do not forcefully pull magnetic lashes out by pulling them upwards or downwards.

Glue-On Lash Extensions

You can hide Trichotillomania eyelashes with glue using individual false lashes. Lash glue may cause some irritation on your skin, which may trigger you to pull out your lashes even more. By using false individual lashes, you are minimizing the use of glue and only filling in the gaps in your lashes with false lashes.

How to Hide Trichotillomania Eyelashes to With False Individual Eyelashes:

Step 1 -Curl your lashes and apply mascara. It’s harder to do this after you’ve applied your individual false lashes as they tend to go in different directions when you try to curl them later.

Step 2 – Apply a dab of glue on the back of your hand that you won’t be using for applying your lashes.

Step 3 – Using tweezers, gently remove 1 individual false lash from the package. Dab the root end into the glue.

Step 4 – Apply the individual false lash on top of your natural lash. Position it towards the edge of your gaps so the lash can help cover the gap.  You can use fingers or tweezers to push and adjust the lash into position.  If the individual lash begins to twist, simply lift it up and re-apply.

Step 5 – Repeat steps 2 -3 for all gaps on your lash. Keep in mind that natural eyelashes usually have shorter hairs towards the inner side of the eye and longer hairs towards the edges. Select the right length of individual lashes that match your natural lash length for a more natural look.

Step 6 – Repeat these steps for your other eye.

Try a Lash Serum and Warm Lash Curler

If you want to hide Trichotillomania eyelashes without extensions, take care of your eyelashes regularly with lash serum, curl your lashes with a warm curler and apply an eyelash primer before applying mascara. 

Here’s How:

Step 1 – Take Care of Your Natural Lashes Regularly with a Lash Serum: These are growth-boosting serums that can help your natural lashes grow faster. Lash Serums usually contain conditioning peptides and fatty acids to stimulate lash growth. For best results, lash serums must be used regularly every 4-6 weeks.

Step 2 – Curl your Lashes with a Warm Curler: Just run the lash curler under hot water and then squeeze it down on your eyelashes while holding it shut.

Step 3 – Apply Eyelash Primer: Eyelash primers can help your Trichotillomania eyelashes look fuller and it’s recommended to be applied before applying mascara. Eyelash primers usually come with an applicator in the bottle. Make sure you coat even the smallest hairs for best results. Choose eyelash primers with keratin because keratin can smooths cells that overlap to form hair strands which makes your lashes more manageable.

Step 4 – Apply Mascara: Apply mascara and ensure you have covered each lash hair. I would not recommend using waterproof mascara as they are usually harder to remove. Some people find them irritating which may trigger them to pull on their lashes. Instead, use a mascara that is lightweight and doesn’t require any makeup removers to remove.

How to Hide Trichotillomania Eyebrows

The easiest way to hide trichotillomania eyebrows is to fill patches with an eyebrow pencil. You can use an eyebrow stencil to help shape your eyebrows. You can also apply an eyebrow wig or use small bits of your real hair. 

Below is a method that I use to fill in eyebrows with an eyebrow pencil and eye stencil. I’ve also written a detailed guide on filling in eyebrows using eyebrow wigs and even bits of your real hair.

Step 1 – Choose a stencil: It’s a good idea to purchase a pack of stencils that come with a variety of brow shapes. I find pop-out stencils to be easier to use. Place each stencil on top of your brows and lineup the arch, tip, and tail of your brow according to instructions on the stencil. Choose the stencil that matches closely with your natural brow shape. This will ensure that your results will look natural as well.

Stencils are usually marked with a cross at the “B” mark and this is where your arch should go. Next, match “A” to the head of your brow and “C” to the tail.

Step 2 – Pluck and Trim: Pluck stray hairs with tweezers. Look for strands of hair near the edges and under your brow that is growing in directions that are against the flow of your brow.  Put your stencil against your brow and trim hairs that are outside of the stencil area.

Step 3 – Fill in Your Brow: Hold your stencil against your brow, use your brow pencil and begin tracing the shape of your brow. Start at the bottom of your brow and use small strokes to fill in sparse patches.  Hold the stencil close to your skin which will help to minimize mess-ups. If you’ve made some hard lines with the liner, gently fade them by rubbing them gently with your fingers towards the direction of your brow hairs.

Step 4 –  Use a Brow Concealer (Optional): Apply eyebrow concealer under the arch of your brow and along your bottom brow line. This makes your brows look more defined.

Step 5 – Use eyebrow gel: Eyebrow gels can help you keep your brows in place. They make your brows more slippery which makes it harder for you to grip onto your brows to pull them out.  Apply a light layer of gel to your brows you’ve created in steps 1 – 5 and you are good to go!

How to Hide Trichotillomania Bald Spots

Bald spots caused by trichotillomania may be challenging to cover. I would recommend not to add products to your hair as they may cause irritation, making you want to pull on your hair even more. Although wearing a hat or wig is an obvious solution, I find the easiest way to hide Trichotillomania bald spots is with hairstyles. 

Try Hairstyles like Braids and Ponytails – There are some hairstyles you can try that will help hide trichotillomania-related thinning areas. For example, if you have a small bald spot, try putting your hair into a low ponytail on the opposite side of the thinning area. This will draw attention away from that spot and make it seem thicker than it is.

Try a Side Part – If you have longer hair, part your hair to the side and flip the longer portion of your hair over your bald spots to cover them.