We received the following comment on our previous post related to the Jan Marini Age Intervention Eyelash product. The author helps to illustrate an important point about beauty product claims. Here’s the exchange.
Deb writes…Are you talking about the Age Intervention Eyelash being a mascara? It isn`t. It`s in an eyeliner-type container, and you brush it on like an eyeliner. It has no color, and you don`t put it on the actual eyelashes, just at the base of the lashes.
I have been using this for about three months now and for me, it has worked. I started using it because I noticed my eyelashes were starting to get sparse. They are now fuller and longer, and I am very happy.
So, take it for what it`s worth. It works for me.
The Left Beauty Brain responds
Thanks for the comments Deb. We haven’t used the product and it’s not clear from any of the literature that I read that it isn’t a standard mascara. It actually says it’s a mascara.
Eyelash Ingredients Are Nothing Special
However, after looking at the ingredient list, the advertising copy and the relevant scientific journals, I’m still unconvinced it does anything to make your eyelashes grow thicker and fuller.
Ingredients: Deionized Water, Hydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycan (and) Sodium Hyaluraonate, Triethanol-amine, Propylene Glycol (and) Methylparaben (and) Propylparaben, Acrylates C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Panthenol, Biotin, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Phosphate, Eylash Growth Factor.
There is no published medical evidence that hydrolyzed glycosaminoglycan or sodium hyaluraonate can effect eyelash growth. The next few ingredients are preservatives and fillers. Then you have a polymer that coats and artificially builds up your eyelashes (like every other mascara). Panthenol, biotin, sodium chloride & sodium phosphate will not affect eyelash growth. Finally, “hair growth factor” is an illegitimate ingredient name that could be anything or nothing.
But no legitimate ingredient in this formula will do anything to make your eyelashes growth differently than they naturally grow.
Jan Marini claims raise an eyebrow
I reviewed their claims and found the following “Age Intervention Eyelash can rapidly induce dramatic improvement in the appearance of volume, texture, density and, yes, even color.”
Notice how they add the phrase “in the APPEARANCE” Why add APPEARANCE? Because that way they can not be accused of lying to you when it doesn’t work. It could APPEAR to work without actually doing anything. If it actually worked they would say “dramatic improvement in volume” not “dramatic improvement in the appearance of volume”.
Just because you use a product and notice that your eyelashes are thicker and fuller doesn’t mean the product is responsible. You could’ve done nothing and your eyelashes may have just grown thicker naturally. Or maybe you just think they look thicker but they aren’t any different. When someone spends >$150 on a product they’ll be inclined to believe it works whether it does or not. It’s easier to believe a product works than to admit you’ve been taken in by a scam.
The Beauty Brain’s Bottom Line
No ingredient has been proven to make hair grow longer, thicker, or fuller. This product is no exception. Feel free to try it for yourself. For me, I’d rather spend $19 on Get Bent Lash from Benefit and donate the other $130 to a worth charity.
{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
I understand your skepticism. However, after two months of using the Jan Marini product I find my eyelashes both thicker and longer. Whether it’s merely “appearance” or measurable fact doesn’t matter to me. Where before my lashes looked thin and skimpy and felt bristly and I worried that my lids would soon be bald, my lashes are now longer and thicker. I no longer feel embarrassed about my lashes. It’s a great change from checking out false eyelashes. No other product has had such a dramatic effect.
The product truly worked for me and my sister, just be careful where you purchase it.
Took a few weeks to see improvement but once you do, you will be a believer. Not sure what the magic is in the ingredients but love it!
Eyelash proudcts like Jan Marini and Revitalash have prostoglandin, an ingredient known to decrease vision and darkening of the Iris. Beware Blue & hazel eyes, your eyes will change color to brown to dark brown. It even changes the color of the skin where your eyelashes are in touch with under eyes (periorbital area). Revitalash reviews indicates that these change have occured. Jan Marini wihdrew it’s product but Revitalash has not. Be careful with Revitalash. There are no ingredients listed on their website either. I wonder Why??
Latisse has recently been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for growing longer, fuller, darker eyelashes.
This message is in response to the Left Beauty Brain, “Thanks for the comments Deb. We haven’t used the product and it’s not clear from any of the literature that I read that it isn’t a standard mascara. It actually says it’s a mascara.”
You have NOT used the product, it does not matter what you READ, it is NOT a mascara. It contains to darkener and is not a bristled wand. It is a translucent white lotion like substance that is brushed along the BASE of the lashes. I find it interesting you would so strongly profess against a product you had never even physically seen. Do your research.
@Candice – you are responding to an old post. Look at some of our subsequent writings about Jan Marini eyelash products.
I think it would be safe to use Latisse . latisse is an ophthalmic solution. If any solution gets into the eye, it is not expected to cause harm. In fact, you do not need to rinse your eyes. While with stuff, if it gets into the eyes, it can cause abrasion which can lead to infection