Here are some tips for long, full, flirty lashes no matter what your budget is. First things first...remove your mascara EVERY night, no matter what, using an oil-free eye makeup remover formulated specifically for your eye area and to remove mascara. Why? Mascara isn't made to stay on your lashes forever and as it dries out over the night and breaks off, you could have lash breakage. Lashes don't grow back easily, and you often need a prescription to help them grow. Using a remover especially formulated for your lashes and eye area will keep your lashes conditioned to avoid breakage, make mascara removal easier (also to avoid breakage) and treat the delicate skin around your eyes, with special care. An oil-free will keep the pores from getting clogged and prevent milia (little tiny white bumps under your eyes) and easy to remove means less pulling and stretching the skin around your eyes, (which can cause wrinkles) .
Another tip, curl your lashes when they are clean, before putting on mascara (to avoid breakage) with an eyelash curler; a tool made specifically to curl your lashes. Keep your eyelash curler clean by replacing the cushion when necessary, and cleaning with anti-bacterial soap or spraying with and alcohol & water mixture.
Replace your mascara every 3-4 months, even if you don't use it every day. Bacteria can breed in the tube and the older the mascara is the more risk you have of the bacteria causing an infection or other eye problem, stye, itchy/water eyes. etc.
Newer mascaras on the market have great new wands for separating lashes and depositing more even coverage of the lashes with less coats. They also are containing more active ingredients to help build stronger, fuller lashes (vitamins, anti-oxidants). Try this one!
There are also products that will make more lashes grow, like Latisse and also some OTC competitive products with the same claims. These products are receiving great reviews and seem to work but if you need them to make more lashes grow, it is said that you stop using them, your lashes will eventually go back to the way they were. False lashes are always an option and can be simple strips or small individual clusters just applied to outer corners. You can even opt for longer-lasting individual lash extensions, applied at a salon by someone certified in the products.
How far will you go to get luxurious lashes?