When I first learned that there were products that promised to help you grow longer, thicker eyelashes and eyebrows, I was both skeptical and intrigued. I want to have naturally long, thick and beautiful lashes but I questioned if such a product would really work, how it worked and, of course, how much money it was going to cost me.
I read many reviews on various websites written by what I hope were real women (and a few men) who actually tried, used and tested these products. What was interesting was that whether the product was relatively inexpensive or pretty pricey, they all got fairly good reviews. This was enough to convince me that maybe it was worth a try and that the only way I would know for sure was to experiment with these products myself.
So far, I have tried two eyelash growth stimulators and conditioners that are available without a prescription. In both cases, I followed the instructions carefully and waited to start seeing a difference, as I had read in many of the reviews that you have to be patient. I even refrained from using mascara during the first week in order to give the products a better chance to work.
I must say that, in both cases, I did notice an improvement in both my eyelashes and eyebrows when I applied my usual mascara for the first time after a week. (I use mascara on my brows as well.) Normally, I would have to apply several coats of mascara in order to achieve the look that I wanted. After using these products for only a relatively short amount of time, one coat of mascara was all it took to make my eyelashes look longer and thicker than they ever had before.
I started wondering how this was possible because I know that eyelashes only grow to a certain length and that this is determined by your genes and your lifestyle (nutrition, vitamin intake, etc.). I also know that new lashes cannot grow in to their full length in only two weeks’ time, as this process generally takes 4-8 weeks, depending on the individual.
After giving it a great deal of thought, I concluded the following:
1. In my opinion, these products do not actually cause your lashes and brows to grow faster, thicker or longer. What they appear to do, however, is to condition and protect the existing eyelashes that you already have. This conditioning, done on a regular basis, helps to guard the lashes from becoming brittle and breaking off or falling out and also helps them to become stronger. As new eyelashes grow in and receive this same conditioning right from the start, they have a much better chance of surviving to grow to full length and maybe that is why, in time, lashes appear to be thicker.
2. Again, in my opinion, when you commence using these products, you are focused on caring for your eyelashes and you probably take much better care of them than you did before. Since most of these products require application twice a day, you probably take extra care to clean your lashes really well before each application. You certainly do not forget to completely remove your eye make-up before going to bed. I am guilty of that sometimes and have recently discovered that mascara left on your lashes overnight has a devastating effect on the health and appearance of your eyelashes.
3. In cleaning my eyelashes and eyebrows, I used a conditioning eye make-up remover twice a day. Use of a nourishing and conditioning eye make-up remover both in the morning and in the evening undoubtedly also aided in the process of making my lashes healthier and stronger.
4. Although I have never worn false eyelashes, I imagine that those women who do would stop doing so while using one of these products. Applying and removing false eyelashes, even if done properly, causes wear and tear and damage to your natural lashes. By halting or minimizing the use of false eyelashes, there would be less breakage and damage to the natural lashes.
5. Finally, I think that after all of this attention and conditioning, my lashes did, indeed, become stronger and healthier and when I applied my mascara, they appeared to be much longer and thicker than before.
Based on my own experience with these products, do I recommend using them? Yes, I most definitely do! Not because I believe these products will actually cause your lashes to grow in faster, thicker and longer, but because based on my own results, these products will condition and protect your eyelashes, and will encourage you to take excellent care of your lashes on a regular, consistent basis, and these two factors will greatly improve and enhance their health and appearance.
