Long lashes have been in fashion throughout history, and the use of false eyelashes was even documented in Ancient Rome. Fast forward to 2023 and it seems our love affair with lustrous lashes is going nowhere. Brands have taken note, and one area of the beauty industry seeing most growth this year is lash serums. New products and formulas are hitting beauty counters every week. “Lash serums often fall into three main categories based on their active ingredients: prostaglandin (lipid) derived, peptide based or vitamin based,” says Lavinia Popescu, chief scientist at Olaplex. “Generally, the best lash serums will include botanical extracts and vitamins to nourish and condition, too,” she adds.
How do they work? Lash serums provide a super boost of conditioning factors directly to the lash root, which encourage the lash to grow longer, stronger and more heavily pigmented.
Some – like market leader Revitalash – aim to slow down the growth cycle so lashes stay full for longer. Many products are multitaskers that can be used on the brows too.
What’s in them? Lashes are made up of 80 per cent keratin protein. So biotin is a common ingredient in lash serums as it helps to metabolise protein.
“You’ll find a blend of hair-healthy B vitamins like biotin and panthenol, lash strengthening peptides, and conditioning lipids,” says Claire Larsen, for Revitalash.
“And look for added botanically-based antioxidants like ginseng and swertia japonica too. These protect the lashes against damaging free radicals that can cause damage and leave them brittle and prone to breakage.”
How often do you apply it?
It’s important to look carefully at the instructions on the product you’ve chosen to get precise directions. But generally speaking, to begin with the product is applied once a day for around four weeks. After this, twice to three times a week will maintain results, but more than this can result in overgrowth and lash thinning.
“As with all lash growth serums, users will need to continue to use the product as the biological benefit will slowly fade,” says Lavinia.
TOP PICKS
Olaplex Lashbond Building Serum, £64, contains the brand’s famous bond-building technology, which promises to strengthen and lengthen lashes in as little as two weeks.
UKLash Eyelash Serum, £37.99, has been reformulated this year and is better than ever, containing vitamin B5 and keratin-boosting peptides. The brand is so confident, there’s a money back guarantee.
Hairburst Lash & Brow Enhancing Serum, £32.99, went viral on social media with fans hailing its efficacy. Containing panthenol and castor oil, the pen works to improve the condition of lashes with daily application.
L’Oreal Clinically Proven Lash Serum, £9.99, is a brilliant budget buy, harnessing the power of conditioning ingredients such as amino acids and castor oil for less than a tenner.
