Beyond Mascara: Meet the People With the Longest Eyelashes in the World

We spend countless hours curling them, coating them with serums, and even attaching faux strips to achieve length and volume. For most of us, long eyelashes are a beauty goal achieved through cosmetics and patience. But for a rare few individuals, eyelashes aren’t just a beauty feature—they’re a world-record-breaking phenomenon.

Imagine having an eyelash so long that it reaches your chin, or so heavy that it obstructs your vision. While the average person’s eyelashes grow to about 10 millimeters before falling out, some people possess lashes that defy biology, growing to lengths measured in inches rather than millimeters . Here are the stories of the people with the longest eyelashes ever recorded.

The Undisputed Champion: You Jianxia

If you search for the longest eyelashes in the world, one name dominates every result: You Jianxia. This Chinese woman has not only broken the world record but has shattered her own record twice, setting a benchmark that seems nearly impossible to beat.

A Record-Breaking Phenomenon

You Jianxia first entered the Guinness World Records on June 28, 2016, when her longest eyelash—located on her left upper eyelid—was officially measured at 12.4 centimeters (4.88 inches) . This alone was enough to secure her place in history. But remarkably, her lashes kept growing.

By May 20, 2021, when her record was verified again in Shanghai, China, that same eyelash had grown to an astonishing 20.5 centimeters (8.0 inches) . To put that in perspective, that’s longer than a standard pencil and long enough to reach her chin .

“You Jianxia first realised that her eyelashes were growing in 2015. They continue to grow slowly, becoming longer and longer,” she explained in her interview with Guinness World Records .

A Biological Mystery

What makes You Jianxia’s case particularly fascinating is that medical professionals cannot explain why her lashes grow to such extreme lengths. Unlike hair on the scalp, which can grow indefinitely, eyelashes typically have a short growth cycle before they shed and regrow. Jianxia’s lashes defy this biological norm.

“I did visit medical professionals to find out why my eyelashes are longer than other people’s eyelashes,” she told reporters. “The doctor couldn’t explain this—he just felt it was really amazing” .

She also explored genetic explanations, but found none. “I also tried to find scientific reasons such as genes or something else. However, none of my family has long eyelashes like me, so it can’t be explained” .

A Gift from Buddha

Unable to find scientific answers, You Jianxia has embraced a spiritual explanation for her unique feature. She believes her eyelashes are a gift from Buddha, connected to a period when she spent more than 480 days living in the mountains during a nature retreat .

“I kept thinking about why I have such long eyelashes, then I remembered I’d spent more than 480 days in the mountain years ago,” she shared. “So, I told myself my eyelashes must be a gift given by Buddha” .

She also sees her record-breaking lashes as a sign of good health. “There might be some connections between my long eyelashes and a stronger body. I’m in fair health now, but when I was born, I was relatively weak. Now I feel quite good and many people think I look younger” .

Life with 8-Inch Lashes

One might assume that having an 8-inch eyelash would be a constant source of irritation, but You Jianxia reports the opposite. “In my daily life, my eyelashes don’t bring any concerns or difficulties. Just lots of joys. Only joy, no trouble,” she insists .

She has even discovered practical benefits. “My natural long eyelashes act as eyeliner,” she explains. “Because my eyelashes are natural, I find it easy to wash my face and go about my daily life” . She describes them as a “natural curtain or sunshade” that protects her eyes .

Her maintenance routine is surprisingly simple—she cleans them gently when washing her face once a day . And like natural lashes, they fall out and grow again, maintaining their extraordinary length through her body’s unique growth cycle .

An Inspiration for Unique Beauty

You Jianxia has embraced her fame as a record-holder and hopes to inspire others to celebrate their unique features. “I’d like to say to other people who have unique beauty—let us rejoice together and encourage happiness,” she says .

She sees herself as a champion for “different beauties,” including those with the longest hair, longest legs, or longest nails . Her message is one of self-acceptance and finding gifts in unexpected places.

The Previous Record Holder: Stuart Muller

Before You Jianxia claimed the title, the record for the longest eyelash belonged to an American. In 2007, Stuart Muller from Florida, USA, had his left upper eyelash measured at 6.99 centimeters (2.75 inches) . This record stood for nearly a decade before Jianxia’s first record-breaking measurement in 2016.

The Man with Lashes to Die For: Valery Smagliy

While You Jianxia holds the undisputed world record, a Ukrainian man named Valery Smagliy gained international attention for his remarkably long eyelashes, which reportedly grew to nearly 3 centimeters .

A Secret Food Diet

What makes Valery Smagliy’s story intriguing is his claim that his eyelash growth was triggered by a dietary change. The 58-year-old from Kiev, Ukraine, noticed his eyelashes started growing rapidly after he began eating a particular type of food .

However, Smagliy has refused to reveal what that food is, citing commercial interests. “I started eating something and noticed that my eyelashes really started growing quickly at the same time,” he told local media. “I’m thinking of marketing it so I’m not giving away the secret of what it is” .

Mixed Reactions and Practical Concerns

Smagliy’s long lashes drew significant attention, but not all of it was positive. “Women would stop me in the street and ask me what the secret was, they can see that they are real and not fake,” he recounted .

But the attention wasn’t always welcome. “Whether it’s man or woman, most people don’t seem to pay much attention when I’m talking to them because they’re always looking at my eyelashes,” he lamented. Some men even asked him “if he was crazy” .

Unlike You Jianxia, Smagliy experienced practical difficulties from his long lashes. “To be honest they are just heavy now and my eyelids are getting sore. And it’s also difficult to see properly with huge grey eyelashes in front of my eye,” he complained .

Choosing Vision Over Records

While Smagliy considered pursuing a place in the Guinness Book of Records, he ultimately decided against it. He acknowledged that while he might achieve a European record, the world record was likely out of reach .

“I suppose I could go for the world record, but to be honest what’s the point? I prefer to be able to see better and I plan to get them cut in a professional salon so I reckon they will still look pretty good afterwards,” he said .

The Science of Eyelash Growth

The cases of You Jianxia and Valery Smagliy raise fascinating questions about what controls eyelash growth. Typically, eyelashes have a growth cycle of about 30 to 45 days, after which they shed and are replaced. This cycle limits their length naturally.

So what could cause such extreme growth? While no definitive scientific explanation exists for Jianxia’s record-breaking lashes, several factors can influence hair growth in general:

Genetics: The primary determinant of hair growth patterns, though Jianxia’s family history shows no similar trait .

Hormones: Hormonal changes can affect hair growth cycles, though this hasn’t been confirmed in her case.

Nutrition: Smagliy’s claim about a secret food suggests diet might play a role, though he hasn’t revealed specifics .

Medical conditions: Certain conditions can cause excessive hair growth, but doctors have not identified any underlying condition in Jianxia’s case .

Celebrating Natural Wonders

The stories of You Jianxia, Valery Smagliy, and Stuart Muller remind us of the incredible diversity of human biology. While most of us turn to serums and extensions for longer lashes, these individuals possess something truly unique—a natural feature that sets them apart from everyone else on the planet.

You Jianxia’s perspective on her record-breaking lashes offers a beautiful lesson in self-acceptance. Rather than viewing her unusual feature as a burden, she celebrates it as a gift and an inspiration. “Let us rejoice together and encourage happiness,” she encourages others with unique features .

In a world where beauty standards often push us toward conformity, Jianxia’s story is a refreshing reminder that our differences—even those measured in inches—are worth celebrating.

Would you ever consider growing your eyelashes to record-breaking lengths, or do you prefer the convenience of daily serums and falsies? Share your thoughts in the comments below!