If I had a dollar for every time someone sent me a frantic text about eyelash serums, I would be…rich. I mean, it makes sense why they’re one of the buzziest beauty products rn: The idea of growing longer, thicker lashes overnight is kiiinda magical. But here’s the thing—there’s a ton you gotta know about what you can (and can’t) expect from eyelash serums before you give ’em a try. That’s why I reached out to two experts to run through the basics (including, yup, if they’ll actually add permanent length and shine). And ’cause I’m not about to leave you to comb through the hundreds of formulas on the market, I also rounded up the 21 best eyelash serums of all time. But first…
Do lash serums really work?
K, I’ll give it to you straight: Even though OTC eyelash serums (which are usually formulated with moisturizing ingredients like vitamin E or castor oil) can help hydrate and strengthen your lashes, they can’t technically make them grow. That said, if you’re trying to grow your eyelashes longer, you can still help the natural process along by investing in a good serum that’ll help cut down on breakage and shedding.
“Lash conditioners may help strengthen lashes, prevent them from breaking, or lightly swell them so they look a little thicker,” says Ilyse Haberman, MD, assistant professor of ophthalmology at NYU Langone. BTW: If you’re really committed to eyelash growth, your next option is to get a prescription for Latisse: the only FDA-approved eyelash serum on the market (more on that in a bit).
How long does it take to see results?
Even if you use The Best best eyelash serum and apply it diligently every single day, you have to be patient, since you won’t see results immediately. “Lash serums take time to show any results, so get into the habit of applying one each morning,” says Courtney Buhler, founder and CEO of Sugarlash ProR. And, depending on how your body reacts to the serum, your timeline will vary—some may see results after a month, and others might not notice a difference until month three or four (or if you’re using the wrong formula, never).
Are eyelash serums safe?
As with any product you put on your face—or near your eyeballs—it’s always smart to check in with your doctor before trying it. Pay attention to how your skin and eyes react to the formula—if you notice any redness or irritation, stop using it and consult a physician (you’ve only got one set of eyes, after all). And, now, what you really came here for: Keep reading to find the 21 best eyelash serums, including the only prescription-strength formula, a cheap (but effective!) drugstore option, and more. Even better: Some of these are on sale for Prime Day today.
1
Latisse
Before we get into the OTC options—Latisse is currently the only FDA-approved, prescription-strength eyelash serum. It’s formulated with an active ingredient called bimatoprost, which helps grow your existing lashes and stimulate the growth of new hairs in 4-6 weeks.
So, why is a solution this amazing only available by prescription? Because like any powerful product, it has risks—namely irritation and potential eye-color change (yes, really)—so it’s important to chat with your doctor about the side effects before you give it a try.
2
Best Eyelid and Eyelash Serum
Vichy LiftActiv Antiaging Serum 10 Eyes & Lashes
With some lash serums, you have to be careful to apply the formula snug to the lash line to limit possible irritation of your delicate eyelid skin. But this multipurpose formula is gentle enough for even sensitive skin, so you’re allowed—nay, encouraged—to apply it all over your lids and under eyes. The formula contains hyaluronic acid and peptides that condition and strengthen lash hairs and hydrate the skin. And it’s on sale rn for Amazon Prime Day 2021 (a win-win, truly).
3
Best Eyelash Serum for Damaged Lashes
Lancôme Cils Booster Lash Revitalizing Serum
Whether you’re dealing with damage from falsies, extensions, or harsh makeup removal, you can expect this eyelash serum to deeply hydrate and strengthen over the course of four weeks. It’s all thanks to the formula’s amino acid complex, which helps condition even the driest of lashes (score).
4
Best Eyelash Serum for Thicker Lashes
Embryolisse Lashes Booster
If thicker, fluffier eyelashes is your goal (which, uh, duh), you need to try this formula from Embryolisse. It’s spiked with botanical ingredients and vitamin B5 to give your lashes a major dose of shine every time you swipe it on. P.S. It’s even gentle enough to use on sensitive eyes/skin.
5
Best Eyelash Serum for Under Mascara
CoverGirl Lash Blast Lash & Brow Serum
A combination of bamboo extract, biotin, peptides, and castor oil makes this serum a godsend for conditioning dry, brittle lashes (and brows!). The best thing about this bb? It’s easy to layer under your favorite mascara—just swipe on the serum from root to tip, let it dry for two-ish minutes, and then add your mascara. And, I mean, that drugstore price point doesn’t hurt either.
6
Best Multitasking Eyelash Serum
Indeed Labs Peptalash II Eyelash Serum
Not only does this eyelash serum strengthen and condition your lashes (shout out to the formula’s peptides and plant stem cells) but it also helps smooth and hydrate any fine lines around your eyes. Bonus: It’s got a super easy-to-use pen applicator too, so no need to worry about messing it up.
7
Best Lash and Brow Serum
Milk Makeup Kush Growhouse Lash + Brow Serum
The coolest thing about this eyelash serum from Milk Makeup is that you can also use it on your eyebrows. Swipe it along your upper and lower lash lines, then draw short, hair-like strokes through your brows and the formula’s cannabis seed extract and peptides will help hydrate and condition.
8
Best Affordable Eyelash Serum
Neutrogena Healthy Lashes Lash Enhancer Serum
Something not so fun about eyelash serums: They can be pretty pricey. That’s why I love this affordable option from Neutrogena so much. The formula still has all the hydrating and volumizing benefits of an expensive serum (hi, biotin and peptides), but it comes in at a very reasonable $12.
9
Best Lightweight Eyelash Serum
Dr. Lara Devgan Scientific Beauty Platinum Long Lash Serum
This eyelash serum is definitely on the expensive side, but these’s a whole lotta power in the formula. A blend of vitamin B5, peptides, and clover flower extract all come together to help hydrate and strengthen your lashes. Swipe this formula on the base of your lashes (like you would liquid eyeliner) twice a day, and the lightweight serum dries down and gets to work ASAP.
10
Best Mascara and Eyelash Serum Hybrid
The Lip Bar Lash Flash Strengthening Mascara
This option is technically a mascara (and a super good one, at that) but the strengthening formula means it also moonlights as a lash serum. Thanks to ingredients like conditioning green tea extract and hydrating castor seed oil, you’ll love how long and healthy your lashes look with this one.
11
Best Opthamologist-Tested Eyelash Serum
Grande Cosmetics GrandeLash-MD Lash Enhancing Serum
Once a day, swipe this eyelash serum along your lash line like you’re applying liquid liner, then allow it to dry. The hyaluronic acid in the formula helps to hydrate even the most brittle of lashes. The best part? It’s opthamologist-approved, so you don’t have to worry about it irritating your eyes.
12
Best Shine-Inducing Eyelash Serum
Rapid Lash Eyelash and Eyebrow Enhancing Serum
Lash serums can really get up there in terms of price, but some reviewers claim this formula works better than serums twice as expensive. How? The soybean oil base gives your lashes a healthy shine, while polypeptides strengthen weak hairs.
13
Best Brow- and Lash-Enhancing Serum
Peter Thomas Roth Lashes to Die For Turbo Nighttime Eyelash Treatment
Okay, don’t get your hopes up here—this serum doesn’t claim to stop hair loss or even grow hair—but it does contain peptides that help enhance the fullness and density of the lashes you already have. Apply it like you would an eyeliner, then brush some through your sparse brows for a slight plumping effect.
14
Best Conditioning Eyelash Serum
RevitaLash Advanced Eyelash Conditioner
Similarly to the hair on your head, your lash hairs are prone to breakage if they become weakened or fragile, due to drying mascaras, not washing your face, or skin irritation. A conditioning serum like this is filled with amino acids and peptides (sensing a theme here?) to strengthen brittle lashes and, dare I say, revitalize them.
15
Best Vegan Eyelash Serum
LashFood Phyto‐Medic Eyelash Enhancer
In addition to noticeably lengthening your lashes, this Ecocert-certified clear gel contains soy protein and lavender water to strengthen and hydrate the tiny hairs. And its thin brush helps you apply it precisely right at the base of your lashes too.
16
Best Hydrating Lash Serum
Shiseido Full Lash and Brow Serum
If layering on loads of mascara over the years has left your lashes brittle, this hydrating formula (which works on your lashes and brows) will help restore them, leaving them looking healthy and oh-so-shiny over time.
17
Best Moisturizing Lash Serum
Lancer Lash Serum Intense
Yes, the price tag is on the more expensive side, but this serum delivers on its promise of voluminous lashes, thanks to its base of strengthening polypeptides and conditioning biotin. It also lightly moisturizes your lashes, leaving them looking glossy in a way that will make everyone ask, “Wait, how?!”
18
Best Priming Eyelash Serum
Diorshow Maximizer 3D Triple Volume Plumping Lash Primer
Although this one’s technically called a lash “primer,” it still works like serum in that it adds thickness for majorly amped-up lashes that frame your eyes. The brush applicator and gentle formula mean that you can easily swipe it on in the morning before you put on mascara or at night as a deep conditioner before you get into bed.
19
Best Strengthening Eyelash Serum
NeuLash Lash Enhancing Serum
If you have short, sparse, or thin lashes (or let’s be honest, all of the above), you’ll love the strengthening benefits of this formula, thanks to its classic peptide-and-amino combination, which is essentially the holy grail for all lash conditioners.
20
Best Tinted Eyelash Serum
By Terry Terrybly Growth Booster Mascara
Almost like a mascara, this tinted eyelash serum plumps your lashes by increasing their volume and length while also conditioning the hairs with its nutrient-rich formula. It’s got hydrating hyaluronic acid and lash-repairing collagen for a combo that promotes long lashes. Plus, the added tint will make your lashes look so dark and shiny that it might just replace your normal mascara.
21
Best Drugstore Eyelash Serum
No7 Lash Impact Lash Serum
Over a period of eight weeks, this serum will give you seemingly denser lashes that look like a set of falsies. Plus, the drugstore price point is perfect for those looking to try out a serum for the first time but not wanting to drop a lot of cash.
Ruby Buddemeyer
Beauty Editor
Ruby is the beauty editor at Cosmopolitan, where she covers beauty across print and digital.
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