I’ve wanted to try a lash serum for a while, but I’m was little nervous to try Latisse. Latisse was originally created to treat glaucoma, but an unexpected side effect of its active ingredient, prostaglandin, was a dramatic effect on eyelash growth. Latisse was subsequently approved to be used for cosmetic purposes as well as for glaucoma, and women everywhere started using it to get long thick lashes. My friends who use it are thrilled with the results. It is effective but you need a prescription to get it… and worryingly, people with blue eyes can experience eye colour change with Latisse. Remember that 1970’s Crystal Gayle song “Don’t it make my brown eyes blue?” Well, Latisse is the reverse; it can make blue eyes develop brown pigment, and according to the Latisse web site, it is “likely to be permanent.”
As an alternative to Latisse, I’d read good reviews of Neulash lash enhancing serum (is ‘NeuLash’ not just the worst name?). It was easy to find on Amazon so I gave it a try. I didn’t expect much. Since it doesn’t require a prescription, I was skeptical of seeing any real results. I assumed it would be about as effective as an anti-cellulite or anti-wrinkle cream, but I was intrigued by the very positive reviews of some other bloggers. I’ve been using it for just over two months now, and I can really see a difference! If I had known it would work this well, I would have taken some before and after photos, but I honestly didn’t have high expectations. Here is a photo after I’ve been using it for two months.
It doesn’t make my lashes any thicker (at least not yet… the reviews say that can happen later) but it DEFINITELY makes them longer. Anyone I’ve not seen in a while comments on how much longer my lashes are, or asks if I’ve had eyelash extensions. Last week, my mother in law asked me what I was doing differently because my lashes looked suspiciously long!
Here is how I use it– I apply the serum nightly on upper and lower lashes, just painting on a tiny amount of the clear liquid serum at the lash roots. Upon reading the instructions to write this post, I see you’re only supposed to use it on the upper lashes, but I’ve been using it on the lower ones as well. After a few months of nightly application, you can start to use it a few times a week instead of every night. If you discontinue using it, your lashes will go back to however they were pre-serum.
This lash serum works by prolonging the fallout pattern of your lashes. Since each lash is staying in its follicle longer, it continues to grow instead of falling out. There don’t seem to be any sinister things in the ingredient list, just some nourishing ingredients to enhance lash growth. Many lash serum manufacturers (including Skin Research Laboratories, the company who makes NeuLash) have been in and out of favour with the government agencies that regulate cosmetics, because some serums contain ingredients (called prostaglandin analogues) which simulate or mimic the prostaglandin in Latisse. It starts to get a little complicated here, because each country has different rules for what is considered a drug and what is considered a cosmetic. There are additional legal issues surrounding the intellectual property rights over a substance which is being used for off-label (not glaucoma) purposes. Most of these manufacturers have been forced to take the prostaglandin analogues out of their lash serums. Whatever NeuLash has replaced it with, it seems to work… and my eyes are still the same colour!
Have you tried any lash serums? I know quite a few of my readers swear by Latisse. I may still try it one day, but I’m so impressed with the dramatic results of this one in such a short period of time.
Edited to add: It is now two years after I published this post; Neulash isn’t being sold on Amazon anymore, and I tried the much cheaper Rapidlash instead. I wish I could say it worked as well, but it doesn’t. My lashes grew unevenly in length and a few grew almost sideways! I finished the tube, but I didn’t like the results. I’m now on a tube of Nanolash and I’ll see if it works as well as Neulash.
Subscribe below if you’d like to receive my weekly posts (no spam ever) when they are hot off of the laptop.
42 Comments
Stevie Wilson
May 17, 2016 at 1:20 AMI have tried at least 12 different lash -growing products including Latisse. I was careful to use it on my lashes and once upon seeing evidence of the problems with eye color, I decided to use it on my brows instead. There are some that worked great for me, others not so much.
Lisa
May 17, 2016 at 7:28 AMInteresting. Did you ever try NeuLash, Stevie? xx
Dani
May 17, 2016 at 3:38 AMI have been using castor oil on my lashes nightly with great results. And it’s very inexpensive. Like $12.00 for a giant bottle!!
Lisa
May 17, 2016 at 7:27 AMWow! That is great to know; I’ll definitely try that too, thank you! xx
sara delaney
May 17, 2016 at 9:10 AMNever tried these lash serums before – will definitely give it a go – thanks for the info xxx
Lisa
May 17, 2016 at 9:47 AMPleasure, Sara! xx
Mindy
May 17, 2016 at 2:56 PMI may look into this one Lisa–I’ve tried Smartlash without much of a result and Latisse worries me–glaucoma runs in my family and it feels like bad karma to try this product off-label, so to speak–not to mention the blue eyes brown thing…Your lashes look splendid by the way!!
Lisa
May 17, 2016 at 3:50 PMI’m really surprised how well this serum has worked, Mindy. Just use it consistently for the first two months and then wham! Lashes! Thank you so much. xx
Jan
May 17, 2016 at 3:31 PMI’m a bit of a chemical phobic (while wearing bold lips every day full of all sorts of junk). Glad to read about this.
Love Crystal Gayle. Thanks for the nod to her and the video.
Lisa
May 17, 2016 at 3:48 PMYeah, I am too, Jan. Glad you like Crystal Gayle too, haha xx
Michelle
May 17, 2016 at 4:10 PMWell my eyes are already brown so I’ll give it a go 😉 heehee
Actually until I saw your lashes last weekend I was extremely skeptical but Lisa YOU have given me hope! I used to enjoy regular compliments on my amazingly lush lashes…until I had children – Then they all broke & never ever grew back as thick or as long.
Honestly it’s like the kids just sucked the lush out of me!
I’m off to get some now. Thanks Mrs xxx
Lisa
May 18, 2016 at 1:19 PMYes, why not give it a go! Aging makes all of our hair, including brows and lashes thin and more sparse, so we need all the help we can get, children or not! The serum hasn’t made my lush and thick, but it has made them long. I’m hoping lush and thick will come soon! xx
Mithra Ballesteros
May 17, 2016 at 11:02 PMYour Rapunzel lashes are very flattering!! And Andy Gibb was an added bonus in that video. Don’t know who was prettier, he or Crystal. They would have had beautiful children. 😉
Lisa
May 18, 2016 at 1:09 PMThanks, love. My sister had posters of Andy Gibb EVERYWHERE in her room. I was a Scott Baio girl, myself. 🙂 xx
Abby
May 18, 2016 at 8:30 AMI’ve never thought about it but might give it a try. And your lashes are really loooooong! xx Abby
Lisa
May 18, 2016 at 1:08 PMThanks Abby! xx
Michelle
May 18, 2016 at 8:46 AMHaving seen your lashes in person I can attest to the fact that they are, without doubt, goddamn incredible!
Michelle xx
Lisa
May 18, 2016 at 1:08 PMLOL! Thanks so much, Miss Perfect Skin. xx
Suzy Turner
May 18, 2016 at 12:07 PMYour lashes look absolutely amazing!!! I’ve never tried a lash serum but it looks like something I really ought to try!
Suzy x
http://www.suzyturner.com
Lisa
May 18, 2016 at 1:07 PMI think a lot of them don’t work very well, but I can promise this one has worked really really well for me! xx
Catherine, Not Dressed As Lamb
May 18, 2016 at 11:51 PMLisa THANK YOU so much for this review – your lashes are lush(!) so there’s the proof that it works!! I’ve got Neulash ready waiting in my Amazon shopping basket, definitely going to give it a go. Plus it was funny seeing Crystal Gayle again… Her hair was down to her knees, what the what?! And it took me a while to realise that was a non-beardy Bee Gee at the beginning ;))
Catherine x
Lisa
May 19, 2016 at 10:06 AMHahaha, who could forget Andy Gibb! I hope you have the same great results with it that I’ve had! xx
Deborah Boland
May 22, 2016 at 12:40 AMThis looks good. Can’t wait to try it.
Lisa
May 22, 2016 at 9:28 PMIt works, Deborah! xx
Sheela Goh
June 5, 2016 at 7:27 AMCould this be the answer to my Asian lashes??? Or should I attempt Latisse since my eyes are brown to begin with? I’ve been toying with the idea of lash extensions, to be honest, since they’re easy and relatively affordable. I wonder, though, if women of my ethnicity have experienced such dramatic results as you did, Lisa.
Lisa
June 5, 2016 at 7:15 PMHmmm, I don’t know! I’d google it, and see if Asian lashes show the same results. I’ll google it myself later, once my son is in bed and I can exhale! If you want to cut straight to the chase, I’d do Latisse. An Asian friend of mine swears by it. xx
Carla
June 6, 2016 at 8:47 PMI have used Revitalash, Latisse and now rapidlash. I had great results with Revitalash, was underwhelmed by the Latisse and am currently very happy with the rapid lash. All provide length, but not density. The Latisse is so overpriced for what you get and the delivery system is a pain. In my opinion not worth it at all. I am going to try castor oil next, just for comparison to all the pricey stuff.
Lisa
June 6, 2016 at 8:48 PMInteresting, Carla! Please let me know how you get on with the castor oil. xx
lesley bronson
January 27, 2017 at 4:29 PMhi Lisa, i started to get extensions this last summer…i became allergic to the adhesive so started to use antihistamines to counter the allergic reaction, my lash lady is very professional, i cleaned my lashes every night, took good care of them, not pulling on them etc. However as months went by with repeated refills, my own lashes have been breaking off. Since this has happened to me i have heard this is a regular occurrence amongst 9 out of 10 women who get extensions…however i don’t see this info online…do you have any opinion? i decided to nix the extensions for fear i will lose all my own lashes before long…..sad! have you hear of 1-2 lashes? magnetic lashes…..
Lisa
January 27, 2017 at 8:34 PMI’ve not heard of that, but I’ve never used lash extensions. I love this serum which makes your natural lashes grow so you don’t need extensions. I’d give that a try if you are worried about your lashes falling out. xx
Dani
February 1, 2017 at 7:33 AMI’ve been using NeuLash for a month or so and have definitely seen a difference. Although, my right eyelashes seem to be growing faster and the tips are a blonde color…is this similar to what others have seen? I also wanted to try the bottom lashes but after emailing the company to ask, they said they had never tested them. Is it safe to go ahead and do it? Mine could use lots of love. Perhaps it’s best to do those less often? Thanks!
Lisa
February 1, 2017 at 8:50 AMThat’s funny, I always notice my eyelashes seem to grow better on my right side as well! Yes, I see you’re not supposed to do the bottom lashes, but I have, and I’ve not had any issues with it. If you have eye irritation, I’d stop, but as long as it doesn’t bother your eyes I don’t see what the problem is. Maybe try just alternate days for the lower lashes and see how you go. Keep me posted, Dani! xx
Honest Mum® (@HonestMum)
April 27, 2017 at 10:36 PMOh wow, I need this in my life. My lashes has grown since I ripped them out after hating semi permanent lashes (really) but yours look amazing. I tried other lash treatments but tiny hairs were growing round my eyes so I stopped them. Buying this asap x
Lisa
April 28, 2017 at 11:07 AMI can’t do semi-permanent lashes either… they go all wonky on me! I can’t recommend this one highly enough; I’ve had only positive feedback from people who’ve tried it. Keep me posted! xx
Noelle
November 9, 2017 at 6:45 PMHave you ever tried Rodan + Fields Lash Boost? Wondering how it compares… just broke out of the vicious lash extension cycle and looking for a way to get my natural lashes back. Thanks!
Lisa
November 9, 2017 at 9:05 PMHi Noelle! Funny, I’m just on my third week of it right now. A friend of mine started selling R+F so I decided to try it. So far, so good, but it is too early to tell. I’ll keep you posted! xx
Ina
February 1, 2018 at 9:53 PMHi! I’m an Asian and I’m on my second week with Neulash. Can’t wait to see the result.
Lisa
February 4, 2018 at 9:14 PMKeep me posted!! xx
Tanya Cachelin
February 5, 2018 at 3:18 AMI’m looking to increase lash density, moreso than length. What serum would you recommend? Thanks!
Lisa
February 5, 2018 at 2:06 PMI think the Rodin + Fields one I’m using right now is good for density… but you ONLY start to see that after a few months of lengthening. xx
passion fruit, paws and peonies
March 17, 2018 at 7:40 AMI’m blue eyed and rather attached to the colour – so I’d not want to risk the brown pigmentation. However, I’ve been gushing over your long eye lashes. I actually said to my daughter ‘She has the most amazing eye lashes. I’ve never seen such natural looking extensions before, you literally can’t tell’ haha!! Well now I’m even more impressed! xx
Lisa
March 17, 2018 at 9:42 PMYes, I’m the same. I have a friend in the States who had splotchy colour changes on her iris after using Latisse. Well, now you know my secret! I used the NeuLash for ages and ages, and then I’ve switched to the Rodin + Fields one and I don’t see any difference between them; they’re both equally good, so I recommend either. xx