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How do you make your eyelashes grow?
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One of the topics which has generated a lot of passionate comments from the Beauty Brains community is the topic of eyelash growth products like Jan Marini Age Intervention or Revitalash.
Essentially, these products are claimed to actually stimulate hair growth at your eyelashes. The Beauty Brains have said they are skeptical and have been examining published proof. You can read some of the back and forth discussion about the proof and lack-there-of of these products at the following link Jan Marini admits product does not promote hair growth
The Beauty Brains are still not convinced that these products are worth the money, are safe, or even work. Are you able to show some proof that they should change their minds? What do you do to make your eyelashes thicker and fuller?
Skepticism means your mind can be changed with the right proof. -
First, thank you Brains for setting up this forum! I'm glad we can discuss some of these controversies more extensively now! I have tried Revitalash for about 6 months now, in addition to my usual Talika. My lashes do look very nice, probably because the Talika conditions them and maybe keeps them from breaking more often (as I think the Brains wrote about a while ago.) The Revitalash hasn't done anything remarkable, but maybe my lashes are slightly longer... The only "proof" i could really offer is that it does feel like when I use my eyelash curler, that my lashes stick out of the clamp thingies further than before... But I think the Brains (and me) would need more proof than that that the product is really worth it. Maybe Jan Marini is different, but Revitalash, if it does anything at all, really hasn't wowed me in any significant way. As for safety, I also had my first infection ever on my eyelid, I forget what the medical term for it was, and so I kinda blame the Revitalash.
If you want long lashes, thick looking lashes, I still think the best route is to find the right mascara for you. I'm using the Imju Fiberwig which, after a bit of tinkering, really does add a little bit of length and a lot of fullness in a way that looks pretty natural. It is messy and hard to get used to, but I've had more effect from that than I ever did from Revitalash. I think i'll keep using talika though, since, although it doesn't lengthen lashes extensively, it also doesn't extensively put me into credit card debt!
I'd really love to hear if anyone had better experiences with Jan Marini, especially the new formula, or if anyone could show us their before or after pictures. I wonder also about the fact that I bought Revitalash on ebay... although it came new and boxed, who knows, maybe it was not the real deal. Has anyone gotten any fakes off ebay, or is that just me being paranoid? -
I've never used any of these products but I can tell you - when I use my an eyelash primer with my benefit mascara - my lashes are way longer - I don't even know if that is actually possible but it is such a big difference. I find using a primer (I use the smashbox primer) really makes the mascara work better. Is it just me - maybe the brains can help out and let me know if the primer is all in my head - but I serioulsy notice the difference.
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I am definitely skeptical about any products that claim to make your eye lashes grow longer. I think to some extent they may appear to work by conditioning your lashes and preventing them from prematurely falling out before their reach their full growth. In the end, genetics reigns supreme and if you've got short lashes, then you've got short lashes.
I'm quite happy with the results I get from mascara though: I really like Clinique High Impact Mascara and paired with my eyelash curler, it's golden!
On rare occasions, I use individual lashes and find that these look very natural and effective! -
i cannot add much to this in the way of constructive lash growth, other than i consider most cosmetic applications to be quackery.
what i can say is that anyone noticing thinning lashes and brows is probably due for a thyroid test. variations in thyroid levels due to hormonal changes (pregnancy and menopause) as well as thyroid disease often show up in this area first.
sadly, i know from first hand experience -- when my thyroid is high hair and nails grow at a rapid rate, if it dips the opposite is true and i experience hair loss. i don't notice it so much on my scalp but in sparse brows and lashes.
i would like to encourage anyone with any doubts to talk to their physician -- who may also have a solution for thin facial hair (in the places we WANT it).
best of luck all,
cheryl -
Hmm... my lashes do look quite luscious this morning... =P
Honestly.. as long as I don't keep on pulling out my lashes when I'm removing make up, my lashes look fine. I think that's all there is to "growing more lashes". Just some nice preventive care. -
I have been using Revitalash for almost a year now. And I know for a fact that it really works. My lashes were so short I could'nt even put mascara on them. Now they are long and I even have people ask me if I am wearing extensions. Never in my wildest imagination did I think I would have my own long lashes. No more false lashes for me.
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Ampaone, thanks for the comments but we'll need more proof than that. How do you know that your eyelashes wouldn't have just grown out naturally without the Revitalash?
To really demonstrate to yourself that it works, why don't you stop using the product on one eyelash and see if the hairs get shorter. Do this for a year and report back on your results. Maybe it wouldn't take a whole year either, perhaps just 4-6 months. We'd love to see the experiment. :smile: -
Left Brain, You are so right about proof. That is what I wanted also because I was very skeptical when told about Revitalash. (That's just the kind of girl I am!) My friend's enthusiasm was not enough for me. But I was willing to try it because Revitalash comes with a Money Back Guarantee. First I took pictures of my eyelashes before I even bought the Revitalash (actually my husband took them).Then I faithfully followed the application instructions for 6 weeks. Then my husband took the 'after' pictures.
We were both astounded at the difference! My eyelashes were so much longer and thicker than they had EVER been before! My husband began noticing the difference in them DURING the 6 week period and he comments on them all the time on how beautiful they are. I repeated this same process of 'before' and 'after' photos with my two grown daughters (in their 20's) and their results were even better than mine!
SO, I tell all my friends about Revitalash. I generally have to because they want to know how or where I got such beautiful eyelashes! -
Since it's still possible that the eyelash growth is not related to the use of Revitalash, why don't you try the experiment I suggested above. This would help prove that Revitalash actually works. Treating both eyelashes at the same time doesn't help show that the product is doing anything because we can't be sure the eyelashes wouldn't have just grown fuller and thicker on their own.
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Left Brain, I disagree.
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I am not ashamed to say I owned revitalash- I won it in a giftbag at my stylists boutique and didn't shell out the money for it.
But I noticed that it only works as well as my blinc lash primer.
Once I removed my makeup my lashes looked conditioned, but the same length and thickness. I used it as a primer until it was gone, but would not pay for it. Not impressive considering I could spend $15 for the same in a primer. -
Anonymousblonde, I'm sorry it did not work for you.
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If I'm already getting it on the base it shouldn't matter if I apply it to the whole of the lash.
I saw no change. -
Anonymousblonde, You have a good point. But it IS possible to apply it to the lashes without really getting it on the baseline which is actually the skin, not the lash itself.
However, you are the one who knows whether you got it on the skin at the baseline of your lashes so that is all there is to that. All that can be said is that you may be one of the unfortunate few that Revitalash is not effective on. Just like any other product out there, due to our being unique individuals in various ways, including our body chemistry, Revitalash does not work for absolutely everyone. That's one reason why they offer the Money Back Guarantee. I hope that if you are still looking that you find something that does work with your chemistry. Sincerely, ampaone (am-puh-oan-ee) -
I have to admit, I find this possibility fascinating.
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I honestly was just thinking about this last night while I was washing my face. A few of my lifeless limp lashes (Hows that for alliteration?) came off. I thought about Left Brain's expierement with just doing one half of my face to see if there are any changes. And since there is a money back guarantee.....$150 is A LOT of money. Perhaps I really do like my pathetic lashes. I'd be willing to take up a collection to do the expierement :tongue: in the name of science and beauty....two great things that go great together :wink:
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I would support you, Cate!
Seriously, if Righty or Lefty got involved in this, maybe we could do our own mini-experiment here. -
The problem with this is, if it works, you've got lopsided eyelashes. I've thought of testing my one "voodoo" product (Relastin Eye Silk) by using it only one eye and seeing if there's a difference. But then I'd have one bag under one eye.
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Well, you could always trim your eyelashes to be the same length.
ampaone,
you still only provide anecdotal evidence that Revitalash actually works.
Your quote "To imagine that my eyelashes would 'choose' to start to make changes on their own at that time after doing nothing for over 40 years is unreasonable and ridiculously fairy tale at best!" demonstrates a classic logical fallacy called "Argument from Personal Incredulity. Since you cannot explain, understand or believe that your eyelashes would've started growing after 40 years that means it cannot possibly be true. Of course, other people can understand how it happens and it's not so unreasonable.
Strange things happen to your body as you get older. For 37 years every hair on my head was brown and now some of them are grey. By your logic, that can't possibly be true. Your body changes. Hair grows where it once didn't. Hair changes over the course of your life. And unless you can give some better proof than the anecdotal stories you've told, I remain skeptical. Cosmetics don't make hair grow. But you can buy & believe whatever you want. I wouldn't put it near my eyes. :wink: -
Uh oh, Cate. Left Brain is saying she wouldn't use it herself. :shocked:
I think it's best to stick with mascara... -
LOL! I would much rather spend $150 a few other fun purchases than just one tube of revitalash. Sooo I'll cross that experiment off my list! :smile:
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Left Brain. I can only state my own and my friends experience with Revitalash. And they have all been good.
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Gee! I've never been called a disciple before!
One thing I do know is that I'm not a chemist.... so I think it's wise to let others with that background analyze ingredient lists and go over the research before I make MY $150 decisions. Of course, the little red sores all over people's eyelids bothered me, too, when I Googled this product for reviews last week.
But I do think PurpleRules ROCKS, too! -
Ampanone, I've never thought Psychology was much of a science, so of all the things you said in your response, I take the most offense at the suggestion that I have anything to do with psychology. No matter.
You are again engaging in another classic logical fallacy, Straw Man, in which you try to put words in my mouth. Logical fallacies are not from psychology they are from philosophy and logic. Here you can see a list of 20 common ones.
I do not agree with the notion that Miracle-Gro is not responsible for your luscious green grass. It is a fertilizer that works and is provable both through a mechanism of action and empirical data. I completely agree that Miracle-Gro works. But evidence is convincing, not anecdotal stories. You have not provided tangible and credible evidence. Maybe you have and I've missed it. What is your tangible and credible evidence?
Anecdotal stories are interesting but they don't prove a cause and effect relationship between Revitalash use and eyelash growth. In science, testimony from witnesses does not prove anything. Where is the scientific study that shows Revitalash (or products like it) actually do anything? The reason that Revitalash won't get near my eyes is because if it did actually work (which hasn't been proven), it would have to be interfering with the body's biochemistry. This would make it a dangerous, unregulated drug that may have unknown side-effects such as...I don't know, blindness.
It probably wouldn't cause anything that bad but the company clearly hasn't tested for that since they are trying to pass this off as a cosmetic. You don't have to test cosmetics as thoroughly as you have to test drugs. I appreciate your position. You spent $150 for a product, tried it, and you noticed your eyelashes are longer. All of this can be true and still not prove that Revitalash was responsible.
You need to have an open mind. You have to accept the possibility that there is some other explanation for your newly perceived eyelash growth. That's the difference between us. I can accept that Revitalash works. I just need to see real evidence. Is there any evidence that could ever be presented which would convince you that Revitalash doesn't work? It certainly doesn't seem like it. -
Well, first of all I was being more serious than not about trying the experiment. Secondly, I went to look at the product and realized that it was ungodly expensive ,mentioned a collection joke, and read what Left Brain had to say about it. I decided that I can LOVE my own wispy non-fabulous eyelashes. I couldn't have my eyelashes grow any longer anyway because I wore those long ones for my halloween costume and I had to wear my contacts...which is what I was going to do anyway...but my glasses would be totally inefective....and I really like my glasses :shocked:
Hey, I agree with Karen, I am in no way a scientist, so I am am glad that we have people like Lefty and Righty to help us make informed decisions about what we are putting on and into our bodies and also if it is worth the money. So if that makes me a "disciple" as you say then so be it. I have learned so much from this forum and the daily blogs. We have a great community here
Anyway, that's my 2 cents :wink: -
$150!?!?!?!?!?!?!? If I spend $150 on a single product then I expect significant results. Like dozens of men lying dead in my wake. I can get little red sores for much, much less than $150.
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LB- thanks so much for the Skeptic's Guide link, I posted it all over the place after I read it.
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eeek, Left Brain, why do you hate Psychology so much? I must admit that there is a lot of pop-psych junk that is just psychobabble BS, but not all of it! In general, the stuff you find in academic, peer-reviewed journals has been researched by professionals who follow the same scientific method that you do; they just study behaviors rather than chemicals, etc. Just curious, why don't you believe that psych studies are credible? Is it all psych stuff? Because I can totally agree that some stuff is just ridiculous, but not all.
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pas,
I don't really hate Psychology. I just think it is ripe with junk science and find most stuff to be dubious at best. Psychologists have an incredibly difficult task as their experiments are nearly impossible to control. I prefer sciences like physics and chemistry where you can control all the variables. Don't get me wrong, I find the subjects and research in psychology interesting. But I take most conclusions with a grain of salt.
:wink: -
Ok good. :bigsmile: I did a Bachelor's in Psychology, and even though it's not what I'm now doing my Ph.D in, I still have feelings for my ex-academic pursuit!
But I do agree with you; you can get a lot of junk with Psychology, just pick up any Psychology Today magazine (not that it's all junk, but most is). -
LoL.. this totally reminds me of my school. The school is divided into "North Campus" and "South Campus", with all the science/math/engineer departments and classes housed in South Campus, and the pretty humanitarian/artsy fartsy stuff in the North. Psychology is right in the middle between the 2 campuses...
so us "real" South Campusers always made fun of psych students, saying "ooh, ur sooo not south campus!!!!"
then the physical science students made fun of us life science students, thinking we're chicken/wimps for not tackling physical science..
hahaha.. the pecking order of the nerd-world.. LoL!!!
anyways.. back to Revitalash.. I googled it and went to their website, but I didn't see their ingredients posted, nor any links to any sort of article stating that any of the ingredients they use actually will work..
Ampanone, if it's not too much trouble, can you please post the ingredients up for us to see? Unfortunately I did just graduate with my B.Sc, and I'm not making bank.. so I definitely cannot afford $150 on anything (not even on a cute bag!!) -
Left Brain, I do have an open mind, that is why I tried Revitalash in the first place. I am not a scientist but I did do before and after pictures of my experiment and the proof in the pictures and my husband's reactions was good enough for me. I recognize now that others will want more analytical proof. But again, this was my experience.
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ampaone: This website is all about beauty products AND science. That's why we come here. We want to know what's the science, if any, behind the hype. It's that simple.
Cate and I were simply having some fun. Nothing more. You've read WAY too much into our exchange.
However, since you are making this personal by name-calling, it's time for me to say more: It is utterly ridiculous and completely out of line for you to be giving Cate or myself advice. You really don't know either of us. This much I will tell you: Anyone who does know me, and read what you wrote, would have a good laugh; a VERY good laugh.
To borrow your line, "Enough said." ...or so I hope. -
Karen and Cate, you are right. I was absolutely out of line in my references to you two.
I apologize to both of you for my presumptuous remarks . Sincerely, ampaone -
Ampaone, what you wrote in response to Taiwanesegurl was also quite nasty. Just because she doesn't have the $150 to shell out for this stuff means she shouldn't know what the ingredients are? Most of us do not have the resources to spend that much on a beauty product! I wouldn't let myself buy the most beautiful Dior lipgloss the other day because it was $27 and I KNOW that it does what I want it to do. Can't we keep this non-personal?
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that was a f'ed up remark to Taiwanesegurl.
Anyway, I found a short list of ingredients for the concoction in question (i wanted to use the word concoction today:tongue:):
Ingredients
Deionized Water, Carboxymethyl-cellulose Sodium, Sodium Chloride, Citric Acid, Dibasic Sodium Phosphate, Benzalkonium Chloride, Panthenol, ProVitamin B5, Formula LashGro (proprietary formulation)
If I can find something about their "Formula LashGro" I'll post it. -
ampaone--thank you. No harm done!
mtrimier--good usage! I like to pick a word and try to use it during the day. It's the Linguist in me! -
cate -
i was totally going to make a bad pun just then. Okay I will do it. A cunning linguist. heee!
I enjoyed linguistics in undergrad.
Anyway, nothing on their LashGro formulation, though. -
Mtrimier, proprietary formulation is just a fancy word for "trade secret" so you wouldn't find the makeup of that particular ingredient (or ingredients) listed anywhere.
It means they don't have to release it, for fear of other companies taking the formula and running. It's an opportunity to obtain an advantage over competitors who do not know or use the formula. -
Cunning Linguist... Abercrombie had a men's t-shirt a few years ago with that written on it. I almost died when I read it. It reminds me of the French Connection t-shirts. I always wanted the one that said "Lucky Fcuk."
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i know it's their trade secret, but the hacker in me had to try anyway!
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Although I was offended by an attack on my personal finance matter, I'm even more offended by this attack on science and its methods. As a scientist (UCLA - Microbiology, Immunology, Molecular Genetics, go BRUINS!), I'm a bit sicken by how much society disregard us despite of our contribution to better the life and understanding of everything around us, from evolution and mutation of viruses (when we the bird flu be able to transmit from human to human? some scientist has gotten a ridiculous amount of money to study this) to this, understanding the chemical components of cosmetic products.
That being said, thanks to mtrimier for googling up the ingredients. Despite LashGro being a trade secret, I think we can dissect the product from the ingredients that are listed.
1. Deionized Water - aka distilled water, tastes like.. cardboard..
2. Carboxymethyl-cellulose Sodium - common eye lubricant
3. Sodium Chloride - table salt, most likely here to use as a preservative to kill off evil microbes
4. Citric Acid - used in cosmetics as a natural preservative. Biochemically, it's an intermediate in the Kreb's cycle, a metabolic pathway used to generate ATP (biochemical energy).
5. Dibasic Sodium Phosphate - most likely used as an emulsifier
6. Benzalkonium Chloride - a common preservative and fungicide/bacteriocide. Problem is that it is an irritant and should not to be in sensitive eyes
7. Panthenol - the conditioning agent in the ingredient list. It lubricates and seals hair follicles (at least the hair on your head), making your hair appear shiny
8. ProVitamin B5 - another name for.. Panthenol..
Now... I searched around a bit and saw that there IS a growth factor called Keratinocyte Growth Factor that stimulates growth of epidermal cells. I'm guessing it also stimulates the growth of cutaneous cells (hair, feather, etc) when applied. A synthetic form called palifermin is used for cancer patients who have undergone chemotherapy, and it is under the regulation of the FDA. link: http://www.fda.gov/Cder/drug/infopage/palifermin/paliferminQA.htm
This however, is a pharmaceutical products (hence FDA's involvement), and I don't think a cosmetic product that is not regulated by the FDA would dare to use this forum of KGF. It is possible that Revitalash uses another enantiomer of KGF, or it contains a derivative. This is an educated guess, so I would suggest you guys to do your own research on this.
And yes.. the FDA is extremely detailed. I work for a company that tests human plasma used to manufacture injectible drugs for various viruses, so we are completely under the watchful eye of the FDA. You can't mess with the FDA in any of the procedures.. EVERYTHING and EVERY PROCEDURE is heavily regulated. So I really don't think that Revitalash or any other related product would use KGF in their products.
and I just got the whole Cunning Linguist joke.. HAHAHAHAHAHHAA -
So yeah....6 years since graduation and the 3 that I studied Linguistics...and I can honestly say I hear that joke at least once a year. And I honestly really didn't expect to hear it here! LOL! that's what I get!
Oh and I did actually use my degree before I moved from MD to PA....I was teaching ESL in an Elementary school. Everyone always asks "what are you going to do with a Linguistics degree?"
I wanted to study Neuro-Linguistics and work with Parkinsons patients or patients suffering from Aphasias(sp)
Good Info Gloria! -
Apropos of nothing, the FDA regulates Blood Bank software as a class 2 medical device. I'm a programmer at a company sells Health Care Information Systems. I can't change a line of code that affects our Blood Bank software without jumping through hoops; the internal review process takes months. Tai's not whistling dixie when she says "EVERYTHING and EVERY PROCEDURE is heavily regulated". Tai, I feel your pain.
Do people really question the usefulness of a Linguistics degree? It seems very marketable. -
Yes, they do question it often because I didn't study a language along with it. Techinically at my school the definition of Linguistics is 'the scientific study of language'. I studied a lot language structure...it was very technical. I think a better definition would be 'the technical study of language." because I really don't think there is too much science involved...but hey UMBC was definitely a science/math oriented(sp) school so I guess the department needed to make it sound scientific!
It's extremely marketable...at one point in time I was supposed to be a translator and work for the gov't....parents can only dreamof what their childrenare going to be....and now I am a nanny...and I love love LOVE it! And still love languages :)
Rant about Linguistics is officially over...in my book :) -
taiwanesegurl, according to pas71 and mtrimier, I made a 'nasty remark',' fed up' remark relating to you're financial situation. My words to you were grossly miunderstood by them and I hope that you also did not misunderstand. I was only make a point concerning the practicality of pursuing something at the time that it is out of reach anyway. That's all. Unfortunately, in the highly charged atmosphere of this forum, which I know I have largely contributed to, things may be taken out of context or be misunderstood. I apologize if I did upset you. Sincerely, ampaone
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Well. This is quite the interesting thread, is it not? I love that Skeptic's Guide to the Universe page, Left.
All the Brains are like the Amazing Randi's of beauty. "The Beauty Brains: Bullshit!" :p
And don't forget the Jan Marini mascara at $160 a tube. -
Oh, and Cate, don't forget Lingusitics will come in handy when trying to decipher toddlerese. LOL
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Just wanted to update the Beauty Brains community on the latest with the Jan Marini eyelash product. The FDA impounded over 12,000 of these products. It seems they believed Jan Marini was selling a drug without the proper safety testing. Does anyone still want to try the product?
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hahahaha.. when I read that, I was just like... BOOYA!!!!
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