You know when you’re freaking out but trying not to freak out, but then trying not to freak out makes you freak out even more?
I’m doing that right now.
It’s because of these missing lashes! A big chunk of lashes are missing from my right eye.
My natural lashes aren’t “all that” to begin with, OK, and ever since I had Connor, they’ve gotten even thinner and shorter than they were before, to give you an idea of the baseline.
Basically, I’m not working with a lot in terms of lashes, which is why you’ll find random tubes of mascara everywhere in my house. EVERYWHERE.
So how did this happen? I don’t know. Last weekend I was curling my lashes, and after I finished my right eye I noticed that gap smack dab in the center of my upper lash line.
Nooooooooo! Dude. You don’t realize how important those center lashes are until they’re freaking gone!
I don’t know when it happened, but I’m guessing that it happened last week when I was wearing false lashes that I couldn’t wait to remove. They looked great in pics, but they were super long, so I could see them out of the corner of my eye, which was driving me nuts. So, instead of doing what I usually do, which is soak a cotton pad with waterproof eye makeup remover and hold it over the falsies until they gently slip off, I just ripped those bad boys off (perhaps a little too enthusiastically). In the process, I probably ripped out that chunk of lashes on the right side, too.
Hopefully this lash enhancing product I just started using called LASHFOOD (it’s at Sephora) helps them grow back.
I wanted to try it because it’s 99.49% natural, gets decent reviews, and it it’s more affordable than most of the alternatives…not that it’s inexpensive. It’s still $79 for a three-month supply, so it’s not totally cheap (although, honestly, I don’t want to associate the idea of “cheap” with something that’s supposed to grow hair close to my eyeballs).
I also thought about getting a subscription to Latisse through YoDerm (an online dermatologist), but it’s $140 per month, and I’m not ready to go there yet… In my googling, I also read that Lash Boost by Rodan + Fields works for a lot of people, but it’s $150 for a two-three month supply.
I sure hope LASHFOOD works, because I’m missing my missing lashes badly!!
Have you ever used a lash growth product? If you have, what was it, and did it work for you?
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Lex says
Wow, been there. But I never wear falsies, so not sure what happened with mine – I guess all it took was for a few of them to fall off naturally from ‘strategic’ places. Also to me it seemed like the more mascara I used, the more it emphasized the gap… But the lashes grew back fairly quickly, thankfully (!!). One thing I tried a long time ago and definitely had some effect was a lash enhancer from Foltene – a company who also do regular shampoos and hair treatments. Not sure if they sell it in the States tho?
Lex says
Yeah. So it was this thing: http://www.foltene.eu/eyelash_eyebrow_treatment.htm
Jen says
Latisse will last 3 months for each bottle.
sydnee says
OMG, that’s awful! My lashes are pretty thin as well, typical Asian lashes. Ugh! I heard great things about Lash Boost by Rodan + Fields, might have to try it out.
http://www.tulipsandpersimmon.com
Indya says
I am always there as I have gone back to wearing individual lashes regularly. I used to freak out about it but then noticed that they grow back fairly quickly anyway. I haven’t tried any lash growth products in a very long time. Also, I have been hearing Rodan & Fields pop up a lot lately!
Jill says
I have used Vaseline on my lashes at night it helps the lashes grow back I cut mine off with a eyelash curler a friend of mine told me use Vaseline at night my lashes was Barack in 2 weeks
Jules says
Hi Karen, I have Latisse and I am still using the same bottle I bought 10 months ago from my dermatologist. First month I used Latisse 5 days a week and after that about 3 days a week. My lashes are now super long, lush and dark. I also use Latisse on my eyebrows. I bought an eyeliner brush and ONE drop of Latisse works for both eyes and eyebrows, this is how I have made Latisse last so long. I have had no side effects. Several of my friends use it as well and they all have had great results with no side effects:) Good luck growing those lashes!!!
janine says
Funny I thought you were supposed too rip them! I have pretty good lashes but I always have spaces like that. I’ve only worn falsies once.
When I put on mascara on I just move the lashes over with tweezers. Alittle dangerous but I stay away from the eyeball.
I’ve used generic latisse for $30.00 a bottle, used it about twice a week. It works good. You do get alittle irritation (redness) on the skin just like latisse.
It works good just takes away to see. I’m interested in your results also interested in Grande.
Gina Bullard says
Hi janine — I couldn’t help but see your post – hon where do you find the generic latisse? I’d love to try it! Could you please provide me with a link or tell me how to procure it? I’d be very grateful!!! I didn’t even know there was such a thing!!
Thank you!!
Gina
janine says
Hi Gina! Sorry I should of included it. When it first came up you could pick it up on Amazon it’s made by Careprost and the generic banner is Bimatoprost Opthalmic Solution.
Latisse is essentially a glaucoma medicine that they discovered as the glaucoma patients were growing beautiful lashes as a side effect.
So I don’t think it’s really legal to have on Amazon. I think you can order it on sites directly from India but I think it’s more than I paid due to shipping. And scarey to give your cc# to India.
janine says
Sorry generic ‘name’! Stupid auto correct!
Gina Bullard says
janine –
Thank you so much for getting back to me so quickly!!! I appreciate it! And I “feel you” on the auto correct!!! Gosh I’d sure love to get my hands on some of this!! I have an eye exam coming up and I wonder if I could get it (generic) from my ophthalmologist ? Hmmm. Can’t hurt to ask? Otherwise, I’m just going to look around, and no – India and CC is out!!!
Thanks again!!! Have a great day!!!
Gina
Karen says
Yes, thanks Janine, for sharing that!
This is one of the reasons why I love beauty blogging. It connects people who would’ve never met and helps us learn new things.
You gals have a great day. 🙂
janine says
Gina , I did ask my optometrist about the safety issue and he looked at it in great depth and said the Careprost brand was safe but he wouldn’t recommend Latisse. I think Latisse is stronger possibly.
Good luck!!
Great subject Karen ? Your blog..such a fun upbeat vibe?
Cindy says
Hello Karen:
I’ve used three different eye lash growth serums before and I have found Revitalash to be the best of the bunch. It’s very easy to apply and my results have been the best with that one. It’s a splurge I never go without and lasts a long time – it’s actually a pleasure to put on mascara now.
Yooki says
I’ve been there too! I hadn’t noticed that the rubber pad in my eyelash curler had worn through so I basically guillotined my lashes when I curled them. It was traumatic and it took a while, but they did grow back. Check your eyelash curler and remember to replace the pads!
Karen Too says
This exact thing happened to me too. It freaked me out so much that I stopped using eye lash curler all together. I had curled my lashes every day for like 15 years. It took some getting used to, but now I don’t miss it. I feel that my lashes have a bit more natural curl now. Or I’m imagining things. ?
Georgia says
One of the girls at work has been using the Rodan & Fields Lash Boost and her lashes are AMAZING! They actually look like falsies, but they are not – they are lush, long and curl seemingly by themselves. If it wasn’t so expensive I would try it; heck I’m trying to keep myself from not buying it because I see her results every day and can’t believe that serum works so well. Let us know your results with the one you’re going to try.
Marty says
Karen, I have been using Revitalash and it’s working very well for me- I think it was about $65 for the tube but it lasts a LONG time. My lahes have gotten very sparse with age…:(
Anne says
I’ve never tried a lash serum, but I’ve been using sweet almond oil and castor oil for my brows and lashes and that has been working really great so far! You just have to get some disposable spoolies, because the oil doesn’t really wash out. It’s all in all much cheaper than any serums I’ve seen online and in stores, so I’ll probably stick with this routine. Good luck with your lash project!
Virginia says
I’d love to try that ! Whenever I use mascara it’s hard to take it off without losing a couple lashes (even with Miceller water ). Do you mix the almond oil and castor oil together ? What do you do ?
Anne says
I just mix the oils together, yes. Then I use a spoolie to apply the mixture to my lashes and brows. You should do it in the evenings –
everything gets very oily. And be careful not to get it into your eyes, because that hurts!
Virginia says
Thank you so much! I’ll be trying this !!
Melinda says
Hi, Karen…I’ve used Latisse (and you can get it through Dr. Lorri Klein @OCdermatology for cheaper than you quoted, plus they have specials all the time) but I began to not like the brownish-red line it made on my eyelids, so I switched to Alphaeon Beauty Lash Serum (I get mine from Lovelyskin.com; wait until they have a 20% special) and it works pretty well without the discoloration issues of Latisse. I think we’ve all been there with missing lashes…and aren’t they always in the middle??? ?. Good luck!
Chelsea says
I’ve used BabeLash (terrible name) on and off for years and it definitely works on me. My lashes are naturally short and blond, and this makes them a lot longer.
Tatiana says
When my daughter was living in TX I used Revitalash Advanced. It worked really well and I definitely had more lashes and longer lashes. For some reason they won’t sell it in CA. So I’d order it and have it sent to my daughter and she’d hold it until I went out to visit her.
I’ve been thinking of getting Latisse now, but a good lengthening mascara still works for me so I haven’t taken the plunge yet.
Joanne says
Babe lash, worked for me after chemo. I have more lashes, thicker and much longer. No dark skin, or other side effects. Fairly well priced too.
Kirstin O'Carroll says
Hi Karen – I get a case of missing lashes at least once per year that my derm equates to hormones + “manipulation.” (aka Tammy Faye mascara + eyelash curlers). I’ve used Latisse off & on for several years & as your other readers jave noted, it works really well & one 3mL bottle lasts several months is only needed per night. Allergan’s Brillant Distinctions program is also excellent & points can be earned quickly towards products & services (hello Botox & fillers!). It also helps to use a conditioning mascara while your lashes are reborn. GOOD LUCK
Shelley says
One more vote for Latisse. I haven’t tried any other lash growth serums so can’t make a comparison but Latisse works. One 5ml bottle has lasted me more than 3 mos and is still going. I have green eyes and haven’t experienced any change in eye color. Miraculous stuff.
LindaLibraLoca says
I used Revitalash years ago, it was very expensive, but worked great. Then they changed the formula. Now it is only expensive and I havent found anything to replace it yet.
Kim says
Oh, I’m so sorry! You know I’m right there with you on the love for luscious lashes! The upside is that it looks like they’re growing back (in your pic). I’ve never used a lash growth product because messing with my eyes makes me too nervous. I’d read that Latisse can turn your irises brown, which is not an issue for you, but would be a huge one for me. I try to avoid anything by R+F. Not because of their product quality but because of their AWFUL auto-ship policy and the ridiculous hassle it is to cancel. I hope Lashfood works for you!! 🙂
Toya says
I’ve used XLash multiple times and every time it works wonders for my lashes!! I do find I go through a phase in the beginning where I get a couple patchy spots for whatever reason but after a month they go away and the serum makes my lashes SO LONG. I think it’s 59GBP and it lasts for about 4 months with nightly use ?
Nan says
I’ve been using R&F Lash Boost for slightly over 2 months and have to admit it really works to grow your lashes LONG! The price is stupid expensive but pretty sure I can get another 2 months out of it and honestly at this point 3 x wk will be enough to maintain them. I had no problem canceling the auto ship. Will say that it does make my eyes feel itchy and can cause irritation