There might be more to your blink than you think. "Lashes' primary purpose is to keep debris out of the eyes, but they’re also big communicators," says David Givens, Ph.D., director of the Center for Nonverbal Studies, in Spokane, Washington. When we’re attracted to someone, our heart rate goes up, we get a flush in the cheeks -- and we blink more often. "Eyelash batting is an ancient, subconscious signal of interest, and in almost every culture around the world, women have worked to make their lashes longer and more visible." Givens adds, "Think about silent movies -- before there was sound to lend drama, there were lashes."

Even if you're not blessed with the longest, thickest lashes, you can naturally enhance them with a few simple tricks.

Using light pressure, squeeze lashes in a curler, which makes them look longer.

TweezerMan ProCurl Curler, tweezerman.com

Look for a mascara with natural lash-plumping ingredients, like Physicians Formula Organic Wear Lash Boosting Mascara, which contains a probiotic protein.

physiciansformula .com for stores

Remove makeup carefully, so you don’t pull out lashes you can’t spare.

Klorane Soothing Make-up Remover Lotion with Cornflower Water, soap.com

In the March 2012 issue, we originally suggested Aveda Lash Abundance Boosting Serum to help with lash growth. This product is no longer available. Please contact aveda.com for details.