Lashing Out :

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I was wondering what you thought about natural eyelash enhancers such as Talika, DHC eyelash tonic and Jan Marini. Do these really work? I’ve also heard that castor oil and vitamin E will do the same trick. I have naturally short and stubby eyelashes and wish to make them longer.
– Jennifer

Vitamin E and castor oil are not known to increase hair growth, and there is incredible risk involved in applying these products to the eye area. Don’t do it! As for “lash grown accelerators,” common ingredients found in these products include panthenol, soy lecithin and plant extracts. What you’re essentially getting is a hair conditioner for the eyelashes, which helps to protect the cuticle and preserve the “life” of the hair. Your lashes will appear longer and fuller because you are conditioning your lashes, just as your hair would appear softer and shinier if you used a deep conditioner. This may be beneficial if you use lots of mascara on a daily basis or waterproof mascara, which can lead to breakage and lash loss.

You can use the lash conditioner nightly as a treatment, or under mascara during the day, which will act as a barrier between your lashes and potentially drying mascaras.

There are a number of products that claim to regrow lashes and make them thicker and longer. Talika, Mavala, Jan Marini and Ardell are just a few brand names that manufacture lash growth accelerators. Depending on which product you purchase, these items can range anywhere from $3 to $150 for one tube.

Like any product, the results are subjective. What works on one person may have no effect on another. My recommendation is to try out the lower priced versions first for a month or so see what happens. If there is no difference, you’re only out a few bucks.

If all else fails, find a really good mascara and primer. The main difference between a primer and a lash growth treatment is that a primer is usually white in color and simply fattens the lash by coating it. Their purpose is to “prime” and thicken the lash before you apply a color mascara on top. You wouldn’t use a lash primer overnight or by itself.

You can find great mascaras and primers at the drugstore for under $10. For really long and thick lashes, use one coat of lash primer on bare lashes. Using a metal fine tooth lash comb, brush through the lashes to separate and remove excess product. Next, apply a light coat of your favorite mascara, starting from the base of the lashes and wiggling the brush to the ends.

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