June 23, 2009
The Great LATISSE Experiment
A couple months ago I went to my dermatologist and got a prescription for Latisse, the new FDA-approved eyelash enhancing serum from Allergan.
I have to admit that I have not been using it religiously (in fact, I still have the same bottle I started with on April 17th) but I can really see a difference in the fullness and length of my eye lashes with just 4-5 days per week of use.
The before and after shots above are rather deceiving, as I feel like the improvement is much more prominent in person than you see here in these photos.
Now, I must say, I have dark brown eyes so the warnings of potential increased brown iris pigmentations (which is likely to be permanent) did not freak me out one bit. If I had blue or green eyes, however, I think I would seriously consider whether longer lashes are worth the risk of permanently staining my eyes.
I think my friend Kristen from Beauty Addict speaks for all blue-eyed women when she said in this post, “There is just no way that I’m willing to risk losing my blue eye color, which I love dearly, just for the sake of better-looking lashes.”
The first week I used Latisse, I experienced red, itchy eyelids where I apply the product (you can kind of see my swollen red eyelid in the first photo) but it went away after ten days or so. So far, that is the only side effect I’ve experienced.
How to Use Latisse
Latisse comes with 60 disposable applicators—a one-month supply. Here is how I’ve been applying it:
- Remove eye makeup and contact lenses and wash face thoroughly.
- Apply serum, eye cream and other night-time moisturizers as usual.
- Carefully apply one drop of Latisse to the very tip of the disposable applicator. This is very important because if you drip the solution too far down the brush, it seems to be absorbed into the bristles and there isn’t enough product to apply to your eye.
- Apply the Latisse to the skin along the base of your upper lashline as if you were applying liquid eyeliner. Your eyelid should feel wet without any excess dripping off. (If you apply too much, use a tissue to blot.)
- Dispose of the applicator after one use.
- Repeat on other eye with new sterile applicator.
Allergan claims that you’ll begin to see results by week 8 with full results after 12 to 16 weeks.
Check out actress Brooke Shields’ before and after Latisse photos:
I’ll keep you posted on my Great Latisse Experiment as I approach weeks 12 and 16.
Latisse is available by prescription only for $120.00 for a one-month’s supply (or, if you’re lazy and forgetful like me, it might last you twice as long!)
