As a member of the short and stubby lash brigade it really dawned on me one day: Mascara can only do that much. Falsies every day, then? Too time-consuming. Lash extensions? Start once, and you have to do it for the rest of your life. And Revitalash Eyelash Conditioner came into my life. Here’s the Revitalash lash serum review.
Revitalash is one of a handful of cosmetic products that’ll give you measurable results (more skincare products that’ll give you immediate results!) – and did indeed change my look. It’s one of the few products I’ve used continously since 2015.
There’re many lash serums on the market. A lot of them work with ingredients like castor oil and caffeine that should prolong the life cycle of your lashes. Revitalsh works with different ingredients, which are clouded by a lot of misconceptions.
History of the brand
The beginnings of the brand and development of their first lash serum is rooted in personal and painful history. Gayle, the wife of ophthalmologist Dr. Michael Brinkenhoff, was suffering from breast cancer and therapy had her hair, lashes and eyebrows fall out. Her husband developed the serum for her, and while Gayle died in 2013, the brand is still committed to help sufferers of breast cancer. They not only support breast cancer awareness all year round, but are also giving regularly to research facilities.
Revitalash lash serum review: Ingredients
The first lash serum developed wasn’t, in fact, a lash serum, but eye drops for Glaucoma. A common side effect was increased growth of lashes. The reason for that was Bimatoprost, a prostaglandin analogue.
Prostoglandin has shown hormone-similar effects in studies with animals. That’s the reason that until this day, the package insert of many lash serums will warn you to use it while pregnant or breast-feeding.
Bimatoprost, btw, had a serious side-effect: theoretically it was possible for it to change the colour of the eyes. (Still a reason to be diligent when applying and being careful not to get it onto your eyeballs.)
Analogues for cosmetic use
Revitalash (until 2013), or the much-known Latisse used Bimatoprost. Nowadays, higher-priced serums will use either Dechloro Dihydroxy Difluoro Ethylcloprostenolamide, Isopropyl Cloprostenate or Methylamido Dihydro Noralfaprostal, ALSO prostaglandin analogues. Differently to Bimatoprost, though, those are made for cosmetical use, not medicinal.
Beautypedia rather snootily claims that those prostaglandin analogues won’t work for growing more and longer lashes, because there aren’t any studies proving this. To which I can only say that it’s totally possible for something to work, even if there’s no study about it. Let’s all remember that evidence-based medicine is something we all rely on, but only a laughingly low number of treatments are actually evidenced-based. (Numbers are still in the single digits. – Little tidbit from my working in healthcare past for you!)
The formula that works
Revitalash uses Dihydroxy Difluoro Ethylcloprostenolamide (DDE) and a mix of ingredients that promotes the health and strength of lashes (peptides, moisturisers and plant extracts like ginseng and calendula). While only DDE promotes the growth of lashes, all other ingredients try to condition the hair structure of the lash to make it stronger and healthier, which in turn will slow the process of lashes breaking off or falling out. (More on their website, including the exact ingredients.)
Application
The slim tube comes with a brush-like applicator (think eyeliner brush thin). With that, you apply the watery solution as close to your upper lashline as possible. Go only over that area once, multiple applications aren’t needed. There’re two things you’ve to be careful of: apply only to clean and dry skin (I use it after cleansing), and make sure to wait a few minutes until you apply any additional product like eye cream over it.
Also be very careful not to get it into your eyes and wash out if it does – it stings a LOT when that happens. (Try not to blink during application to avoid as best as possible.) During the first three months, I used it every night religiously, after that, I switched to an every-other-night regime that I still follow. It might be possible to stretch that out even further, like two times a week, but that doesn’t work for me personally. In the end, a 3,5 ml tube lasts ages for me (think one year+).
Results
I started to use Revitalash in 2015. A MUA had called them ‘teeny tiny’, and they were, no matter which mascara I tried. I didn’t see much change when I used Revitallash in the first four weeks. But after six, it was undeniable – my lashes were longer and thicker, and there were more of them. They had a nice curl, and suddenly, it wasn’t that important to find ‘the best’ mascara, because truth to be told, all looked kinda nice on my new lashes.
There’re some negatives, though: I usually have crusty eyes when I wake up after using the product the evening before. I also think the skin directly above my lashline is very slightly discoloured. I don’t mind though – I do wear makeup regularly!
Also, last year I couldn’t be bothered to order a new tube and saw the differences after a few weeks: the new-grown lashes where as short and skimpy as before, while there were still a few longer hanger-ons. After that experience, I got a new tube.
Availability
There’s no denying that Revitalash is hellishly pricey. Google is your friend in that case. Compare prices, wait for special discounts or events to grab it at a reduced price. Be careful where you buy, though and make sure it’s a trustworthy shop.
I got the new tube (2 ml) I photographed here for about 50€ at Douglas when they had a discount. In the US, it’s available from Nordstrom or Walgreens, for example.
This is for you if…
- your lashes are short and sparse.
- you don’t want eyelash extensions or wear false lashes every day.
- you don’t mind and extra step in your evening routine.
- you’ll apply diligently and not forget to, especially in the first two or three months.
- you’re not pregnant or breast-feeding at the moment.
Please note that this review is not sponsored in any way. We buy products ourselves, with our own money, and don’t accept exchanging goods, or money, for reviews. We are completely independent, and our reviews reflect that.
