Andrea Lavinthal
What is it: Latisse, an FDA-approved topical solution that makes your eyelashes longer and thicker
Who tried it: Andrea Lavinthal, Style and Beauty Director
Why I did it: Because the only thing I admire about Kim Kardashian is her lashes.
Level of Difficulty: 2. If you can apply eyeliner, you can use this. The hardest part is being consistent and using it every night, even the ones where you drink too many glasses of Cabernet while watching Scandal.
Note: This isn’t a #TBT post from 2009. It’s just taken me this long to try Latisse.
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Like most beauty trends that have become popular in the last five years or so, dramatically longer, thicker eyelashes can be attributed to Kim Kardashian and her sisters, all of whom never seem to leave the house without a full set of fake fringe.
It’s hard to deny the appeal of lashes so lush they create a breeze when you blink. But most of us don’t have the time or skills it requires to apply falsies every day, so we rely on mascara to do most of the work. Another option is lash extensions, and I have friends who love them, but the process sounds a little too high-maintenance even for me. That leaves Latisse and similar, less potent over-the-counter formulas. I went with Latisse since my doctor uses it and not only swears by its safety but has some seriously impressive lashes (they grew so long, she actually had to trim them).
Latisse is the first and only FDA-approved prescription drug for growing your lashes. Many people are nervous to try it because they heard that it can turn blue eyes brown, which is technically possible, but I’m pretty sure you have to practically drink the stuff for that to happen.
You’re supposed to apply Latisse like you do liquid liner, using the sterile applicators that come in the box, but I don’t like the brushes (they’re really stiff and scratchy) and use my pointer finger to smudge a generous drop across each lash line. Note: This is not recommended by the Latisse people. In fact, the instructions say not to allow the tip of the bottle to touch your fingers to prevent contamination. Also, I suspect my finger technique (seen in the Vine below) is the reason my lids have started looking purplish even when I’m not wearing any eye makeup.
Verdict: After using it every night for 10 weeks I started noticing results. Without mascara, my Latissed lashes look naturally long and feathery. With mascara, they veer into Kardashian territory. In fact, my lashes have surpassed my hair as my most popular feature (according to an informal poll I conducted with myself).
I have to continue using Latisse if I want to maintain the results (and I do!), but at about $120 per bottle, it’s definitely an investment. I’ll probably stick with it until another reality TV family comes along and makes short, stubby lashes a thing.
