Paula and I get lots of requests to review the glut of lash growth products being sold. We’ve covered the big ones, but there was one we hadn’t reviewed until recently: RapidLash. After analyzing the formula and scouring published research to serve as the basis for our review, we came to the following conclusion: RapidLash doesn’t work as claimed.

I am sure many women were disappointed, as they really wanted to believe this was a slam-dunk alternative to prescription lash-growth product Latisse (which really does work and, unlike RapidLash, is supported by published studies confirming its efficacy). After all, RapidLash is widely available (I’m surprised I haven’t seen it sold at my local Safeway, right there in the checkout aisle) and, at $49.95 per tube, is a relative bargain compared to Latisse.

Even though we couldn’t find any ingredient in RapidLash that is proven to grow longer, thicker, darker lashes (and eyebrows), the number of online comments from women who use this product were too great to ignore. In fact, I mentioned this in our review: “What I can’t account for is the number of women who’ve tried RapidLash and swear that it worked for them. You can find pages and pages of positive reviews for this product, not to mention a legion of fans on Facebook, and endless mentions in fashion magazines.” Even though we presented this perspective, it hasn’t stopped several women from writing to us, describing our assessment of RapidLash as unfair, one-sided, or just plain wrong.

Sigh. I admit, to some extent, I expected a bit of a backlash. After all, if RapidLash works for you you’ll know it: the results are staring back at you with each glance in the mirror. It could be (and probably is) a placebo effect, something that often happens in the cosmetic industry, but that doesn’t change the emotional personal experience. However, there may be another reason we hadn’t considered before. Given that RapidLash doesn’t contain anything proven to grow longer, thicker lashes, perhaps the company that makes it (International Research Laboratories) is using something in their product without revealing to consumers what it is. We have no proof that this is true—it’s merely speculation on our part—but it would explain why women are seeing results if it isn’t just a placebo effect.

Arkansas plastic surgeon Dr. Ramona Bates also thinks something may be amiss with RapidLash. Why? As she reports on emaxhealth.com, there have been concerns from consumers over irritation along the lash line and pigmentation changes to the eye from RapidLash, two potential side effects for the prescription eyelash growth product Latisse. We know Latisse’s active ingredient and how it functions. We also know its potential side effects, which include what some users of RapidLash have reported. Whether or not there’s a legitimate connection has yet to (and may never) be confirmed. If it were me, and I have used lash growth products in the past, I’d go for the one with research behind its formula, not to mention up front information about safety concerns and known side effects. That means Latisse, even though it’s more expensive and requires a prescription. When it comes to the health and safety of your eyes, why wouldn’t you go with what’s been proven safe and effective rather than a similar product awash in the art of cosmetic claims?

I recently attended a Webinar (online seminar) put on by Allergan, the pharmaceutical company behind the upcoming lash-enhancement prescription product Latisse. As those who read my Lash Wars blog entry know, Latisse is poised to become the hot lash product women nationwide will be clamoring for.

There is no doubt Latisse will work to make eyelashes longer, thicker, and darker, with maximum results visible after 4 months of daily treatment. The Webinar was full of impressive before-and-after pictures from the 278 women who participated in the clinical trials that led to FDA approval of Latisse for eyelash growth. I imagine anyone watching the Webinar and bemoaning the state of their small or sparse lashes is eagerly awaiting this product—I know I would be and as someone who had used the Jan Marini version that was confiscated by the FDA I can vouch for how impressive the active ingredient can be!!!

Allergan certainly isn’t taking the sorry state of the U.S. economy into account—a 30-day supply of Latisse will set consumers back $120. With ongoing use, you’re looking at spending over $1,400.00 per year to maintain impressive lashes. Ouch! While some women won’t bat an eye at the cost, I’m sure others will pause before contacting their physician about a prescription for Latisse (it’s shipping now and expected to be widely available by the end of March). I was willing to spend that much on a 10-year supply when I bought up all the Marini product I could after it was no longer available.

Granted, applying an already excellent mascaras to lashes that have been made longer and thicker will produce greater results, but when is enough enough? Considering the average drugstore mascara we rate highly costs around $8 and lasts for 3-4 months, you’re spending a minute fraction compared to using Latisse and renewing your prescription every month and using Latisse doesn’t mean you will no longer want to use mascara. And that’s what Allergan said during the Webinar: 90% of the women involved with the clinical trials for Latisse reported that they will still use mascara even though their lashes were now longer, darker, and thicker. The folks at Allergan were quick to point out that Latisse is not trying to compete with the $1 billion + mascara industry (U.S. sales figure). Rather, Latisse improves the “lash canvas” and mascara is the “paint”. I like that analogy, but it shouldn’t have to cost this much to improve your lash “canvas”!

To further put the price issue into perspective, consider that Lumigan, the anti-glaucoma eye drops that contain the same active ingredient (bimatoprost) as Latisse, costs around $81 per bottle. Since glaucoma is a medical condition, these prescription eye drops are likely covered by most health insurance plans. Not Latisse. I can’t imagine the health insurance provider that is going to deem longer, thicker eyelashes as “medically necessary”! Maybe you should ask your ophthalmologist if you can just use a glaucoma medication which would last far long and be far cheaper. Okay just teasing, well sort of.

All of this comes down to how much you’re willing to pay for improved eyelashes—if using an excellent mascara can get you close to the results you want (and many of them can) you have to come to the conclusion that a prescription for Latisse isn’t worth the hit to your beauty budget. But expect to be very, very tempted to give it a try, I know I was!

Over the years that I have worked for Paula’s Choice many customers have asked “ You must use only her products right?” While I do use several of Paula’s products and follow her advice, one item in my cosmetics wardrobe that is not a Paula’s Choice product is mascara.

I’ve been wearing it since I was 11 and found a tube on my mom’s vanity table. I noticed it made my eyes appear larger, which was a great help given that I wore giant red Sally Jesse Raphael style glasses which made my eyes appear diminutive at best. Combine that with shoulder length mall hair, jelly bracelets, frosty pink lip gloss and I was quite a sight to behold.

Until recently, I had never found a mascara that truly performed for me in all aspects. Most had provided thickness but not much length, or length but not much thickness. Call me greedy, but I just really want a mascara to do both. Last December, while doing some Christmas shopping, I stopped into a local Sephora to check out a mascara I had heard about called Blackout by Dior. It was $25 and I wasn’t sure if I wanted to spend that much money on a mascara when Paula suggests several which cost much less. I justified this purchase on the principle that a $25 mascara is infinitely cheaper than a Hermes Birkin Bag.  I know Paula would cringe, I didn’t check her review of this product and I spent well over the amount she considers necessary. Thankfully Paula is patient and rarely cares about her employees straying from her path.

I tried the mascara the next day by itself without liner but with a bit of concealer and powder on my eyelids. I had to run to the grocery store for some last minute baking ingredients. As I am pondering the difference between pre-sifted and non pre-sifted flour a customer had asked if I wore false eyelashes or had eyelash extensions. When I told her they were not she asked which brand of mascara I used. This was the first time I had ever had someone stop me in all my years of wearing mascara, so it must be doing something right! The compliments did not end there, I probably did more business for Dior then some of their sales reps!

I’ve since purchased this product two or three more times while, of course, still trying the ‘latest and greatest’. It’s nice to know my Holy Grail of mascara is attainable for less than a designer handbag.