Akiko Asks:
This product, Talika Lipocils Eyelash Treatment Gel
The Right Beauty Brain Reviews Talika
Well, Akiko, thanks for raising a very interesting question. Talika Lipocils (for those of you who aren’t well versed in esoteric French cosmetics with unpronouneable names) is an eyelash treatment with an interesting history. We quote the Talika website
“In 1948 a young Medical Doctor named Danielle Roches was treating war casualties in the Hospitals of Paris. Whilst using a special anti-bacteria cream she had formulated with plants extracts, Dr Roches discovered that the product not only promoted the healing of wounds, but also had a dramatic secondary benefit: significant and measurable eyelash and eyebrow growth.”
Intriguing, eh? Well it gets better. Talika’s website proudly proclaims that they have clinical proof of their claims. They claim their product provides “measureable eyelash and eyebrow growth” yet the clinical study referenced on the website only shows that their product helps eyelashes reach a longer “maximum length.” Read that part carefully - their study doesn’t show that their product stimulated the GROWTH of eye hairs, it only shows that more eye hairs reached their “maximum length” when treated with the product.
We keep putting “maximum length” in quotes because that’s the wording used in their report. The exact description of the data is “Percentage of hairs (eyelashes or eyebrow hairs) having reached a maximum length.” We’re not exactly sure WHAT that means. But we do have a theory.
Growing hair without growth
If you wanted to prove that a conditioner made hair grow faster, you could do this: Measure how long it takes to grow your hair to a certain length (lets say 10 inches) without using any conditioner. Since you’re not using conditioner you’ll get some number of broken or split hairs, which you’ll want to trim to keep your overall hair style looking frizz free. So, let’s say it takes you 3 months to grow out ten inches of hair that are split-free.
Now, do that same test but use conditioner this time. Guess what? Since you’re taking better care of your hair, it will get to that 10 inch length faster because you won’t be cutting off so many splits. Therefore, you may reach your “maxium length” in 2 months instead of three.
Ok, now imagine that instead of going for a specific length of 10 inches, you just measure how long your hair gets with and without conditioner. Same thing, you hair will get longer, faster, when you’re using conditioner. It doesn’t GROW any faster, it just reaches its maximum length quicker because you’re not trimming off the yucky parts. (”Yucky” is a technical term.)
We can’t be sure, but we think that our friends at Talika are doing their testing in a similar way. Maybe their eyelash treatment gels works like a hair conditioner. We’ve never tried to condition eyelashes and measure their breakage, but in theory that kind of test would account for Talika’s data. (Ok, ok we realize that you don’t shampoo, blow dry, and brush your eyelashes like you do your hair, but like we said, it’s just our theory. Sheesh!)
There’s another possibility that’s a slight twist on this theory:
Eyelashes, like other hairs, will eventually fall out on their own. What if their product just keeps the eyelashes from falling out so quick? Again, they’re not stimulating the growth rate of the eyelash but maybe they’ve found a way to keep the hair from it “stuck” in it’s follicle longer. If this is the case, that’s extremely cool! We’ve never heard of anyone ever accomplishing that feat, but heck, they’re French! Anything’s possible. Possible, but not very likely.
So, since we’ve never seen any published scientific studies on the possibility of increasing eyelash growth, we’re doubtful. And the fact that their report leaves a lot to be desired in terms of the explaining the control group, base size, and statistical analysis doesn’t exactly give us a warm and fuzzy feeling either.
The Beauty Brain’s Bottom Line
Maybe this product does what it says, but we’re skeptical based on the data the company presents. And we’ve never seen any cosmetic product that actually affects hair growth. If anyone’s actually tried this product, please let us know!
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Marina Says:
I completely understand your scepticism, and I think you may have a point by saying that perhaps Lipocils does just make prevent eyelashes from falling out. However, I have to say that I’ve used this product and the facts are staring me in the face- my eyelashes are definitely longer and thicker than they were before I started using it!
thebeautybrains Says:
Well remember there are three things that can happen when you use a product.
1. Your eyelashes will get better.
2. Your eyelashes will get worse.
3. Your eyelashes won’t change.
The same three things can happen if you don’t use any product. Just because you use a product and see a result doesn’t mean that it was the product that was responsible for the result.
PinkLyfe Says:
it didn’t do nothing for me
ana Says:
i just want to ask what is Vaseline?
brandi arguello Says:
ok first of all i have a problem with pulling my hair,eyelashes,and sometimes eyebrows and i need help to make me stop pulling and what will make them grow back quick please help me.
thebeautybrains Says:
Brandi,
It sounds like you have trichotillomania. This is a tendency to pull out your hair. Check out this post we did on the subject a little while back.
http://thebeautybrains.com/2007/03/19/the-terrible-toll-of-trichotillomania/
There are some links to resources which might help you combat the problem.
Good luck and let us know how it went.
Left Brain
Melissa Says:
You should try MD Lash Factor if you are looking for a good eyelash conditioner. They have done plenty of testing to insure its safe for everyone to use and I love my results. My eyelashes look a lot longer, its crazy.
Nuria Says:
Hello,
My question is regarding Talika ‘Eye Detox’ and ‘Eye Dream’ products. Do they really work and get rid of under-eye bags, dark circles and fine lines? Also, are they safe to use?
Many thanks and regards!
Nuria
Laurie Ritter Says:
I tried Talika lipocils and found that it worked for me. It was quite expensive but did a google search for discount eyelash products and paid $30.00 with eyesplendor.
Maria Says:
I have been an eye lash puller for over 30 years and Talika is a god send!!!!! I use it ever single day and it absolutely make a difference. Unfortunately when you have an episode of pulling a bunch out you are starting all over again. But with therapy and the help of my doctor I am FINALLY on the right track.
Satarah Says:
I just bought talika at sephora today. I was satisfied with my eyelashes before. Unfortunately, when i went to get my haircut.. The lady was trimming my side bangs and accidently sliced a fraction of my eyelashes off. I wasn’t that concerned because i never wore mascara and didn’t think it made a difference. I also thought they would grow back soon. Unfortunately, it’s been a very long time and i began to worry and started to feel ashamed of how uneven my lashes were. I plan on using talika for 28 days. I hope it works !!!!
Judy Says:
Greetings,
I tried talika eyelash lipocils conditioning gel…it works!!
Jade de Leon Says:
I use talika everyday and it doesn’t actually make your lashes grow longer its more like a really good primer that makes them look longer for that day.
bailey Says:
hey my question is regarding the talika eyelash lipocils. I have been growing my eyebrows out for awhile, and went to a salon to get them waxed and the lady waxed off an insane amount and now i am left with crazy thin eyebrows. i was just wondering if this product would work on helping my eyebrows grow quickly, and if not, does anyone know any products that would?
marlen Says:
I tried it and this thing really works. My lashes were very dry, short uneve and realy ugly. It really made a difference.
Trixie Says:
Enormous Lash not only gives you longer thicker fuller lashes but can do the same for eyebrows as well! it causes no eye irritation and you wont lose ur eyelashes once you stop using the product! LOVE it! saw results within 2 weeks!
shun the non-believer Says:
sounds like Talika has paid a bunch of people to go & talk wonders about their products -.-
i’m kinda skeptical about it too, i mean isn’t it better to leave your body alone? we’re the result of millions of years of evolution and i’d think that by now our body has evolved enough to work properly on its own without added conditioners…o.O
samantha Says:
Ive used this before and it does work - I noticed the difference and so did everyone around me - it does actutally work - you just have to keep on using it.
Cameo Says:
Talika Lipocils will not increase the length of your eyelashes. It will only make them look thicker. I used it for 4 consecutive months and my eyelashes didn’t lengthen as what Talika’s claimed it will be. Sort of like nourishing your eyelashes…that’s all.