Eyelash Serums - Best Eyelash Serums for Growth, and my number one secret to get results

Ahhh, thick, long and beautiful lashes.  I love the way it makes me look awake and dare I say it….younger.  Think about a fawn, like Bambi, with big eyes and curled lashes.  It is a youthful and healthy look, plus a fawn is just adorable.  So how do we as adults get that look?  Let’s talk about our options and how we can achieve the lashes we dream of.

First, let’s review eyelash, and hair growth, basics.  Hair on your body, including your lashes, go through three phases of growth:  anagen, which is the active growth phase; catagen, the transition stage; and telogen, the resting phase.  Because every hair can be in a different phase at any given time, hair will fall out and regrow at a different rate.  Think about when you lose an eyelash, for example.  You can lose up to seven lashes a day, but as all the lashes are in a different phase of the growth and loss cycle, you won’t really notice.

Eyelash Extensions

The quick way to achieve the open-eyed look is eyelash extensions.  This involves going to a lash extension expert, and having individual lashes adhered to your own lashes.  It takes about 90 minutes for the lash tech to add a new set of lashes, and then a follow up visits every two weeks for a “fill” takes 40-60 minutes.  As noted above, if you lose 5-7 lashes a day, that’s around 35-49 lashes a week!  And those lash extensions will shed along with your natural lash, thus the two-week refill appointment.  If you decide to get lash extensions, there is a lot of maintenance, which involves keeping any oil-based products away from your eyes (you don’t want to break down the lash glue), cleaning the lashes daily (a soft brush and dedicated cleanser works great) and avoiding sleeping on your face or rubbing your eyes.  Because of the expense of lash extensions – anywhere from $200-$350 for a new set, $75-$120 for a fill – you will want to follow the maintenance to protect your investment of time and money.

I’ve enjoyed lash extensions off and on over the years.  But I did get tired of the maintenance. I was able to train myself to not touch them, or rub my eyes, which is key to keeping the lashes adhered. I also started sleeping on my back, because the last thing you want is to grind your face into your pillow at night and wake up with a pillow full of lashes!

An alternative to Extensions - Eyelash Serums

A great alternative to the time and expense of extensions is a good quality eyelash serum.  One well known serum is Latisse, which is prescription only, and has an interesting history.  The manufacturer, Allergan, was studying the effects of a product called Lumigan, a medication used to treat glaucoma.  They found that the patients using the medication had a side effect with cosmetic appeal – they were growing longer lashes!  It turns out that the active ingredient in Latisse keeps lashes in the anagen phase longer (remember, that’s the growth phase).  Allergan decided to market this glaucoma medication as Latisse, an eyelash growth serum, and received FDA approval to do so in 2008.  Using this product can have side effects, including eyelid swelling, itching, darkening of the skin around the eye, and can possibly change the color of the iris.  Yikes! 

Other non-prescription options are available that are popular and well-loved.  GrandeLash-MD, Neulash and Revitalash are a few that are currently available.  Because they are sold as cosmetics, they are not subject to FDA approval.  These contain prostaglandin analogs (PA), just like Latisse.  They have the same possible side effect list, and that is why I don’t use them anymore.  I have dark circles, I don’t want to add any darkening to my eye area or risk the other side effects.

Safer options for eyelash growth include peptide-based serums that stimulate growth of the lashes by promoting keratin, a structural and protective protein that makes up hair and nails.  There are many on the market, and my current favorite is Lash24 by Hair la Vie.  It does not contain PAs, and I have had great results and zero side effects. Another brand to consider is Vegamour, which is natural, vegan and cruelty-free.

My secret to achieving the lashes you want

Lash24 Hair la Vie

Now, how do you get started with an eyelash serum and use it consistently?  Here is my one trick to achieve the lash growth you desire.  Keep your lash serum with your toothbrush!  You brush your teeth before bed, right?  That’s the time to put the serum on, too.  So, do your double cleanse and skincare routine, brush your teeth, and put on your serum!  You will be on your way to longer lashes in no time.

I hope this was helpful to you.  Take care, and don’t forget to wear sunscreen,, everyday!!!

Kelly😎