The best eyelash-growth serums help your lashes look so full that you won’t need layers of mascara or falsies. How do they work? The formulas hydrate, condition, and fortify your hair structure against breakage, and help them grow longer than they typically would before shedding during a normal hair-growth cycle, says Diane Hilal-Campo, MD, a board-certified ophthalmologist in Oakland, New Jersey. And our testers say they really do work—as long as you’re patient and consistent with application.
To help you narrow in on the ones that really deliver that Hollywood fringe, we put more than a dozen of the most popular, dermatologist-recommended products to the test. Our team of reviewers dutifully swiped them on each day, taking notes on ease of use and overall efficacy. We saw incredible results with RevitaLash and Latisse (though the latter requires a prescription to use), but were similarly impressed with over-the-counter options like GrandeLash-MD and Lumify that made our testers’ natural lashes thick, full, and dark. Below, find the best lash-growth serums from our trials (most of which actually double as eyebrow serums too).
The best eyelash-growth serums, at a glance
How we chose the best eyelash-growth serums
We followed dermatologist recommendations to test our serums. If the serum contained hormones (prostaglandin analogues) and promised to increase lash length, then our tester used the product for at least 12 weeks to see results. The same testing minimum was applied to peptide-based serums that claimed to reduce breakage and shedding. Lash serums that focused more on conditioning and hydration (instead of growth) and that were hormone-free were tested for four weeks. The tester applied the serum daily (or twice daily, depending on the product’s directions) during that period, and evaluated it based on ease of use, effectiveness, how long it lasted before running out, and value.
Do eyelash-growth serums really work?
“Lash serums can work, but their effectiveness depends on the active ingredients in the formula,” says Rachel Westbay, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Marmur Medical in New York City. The most effective include a prostaglandin analogue (PGA) called Bimatoprost, an FDA-approved ingredient that’s shown to extend the growth phase and to effectively increase length. “Latisse, for instance, is clinically proven to make lashes longer, darker, and thicker,” says Dr. Westbay. You need a prescription for it, but there are over-the-counter products that contain less prostaglandin (RevitaLash and GrandeLash-MD are among them). Their safety and efficacy aren’t as widely reported. It’s important to note that there are side effects to using prostaglandin analogues (more on that in our FAQs).
There are many other formulas on the market that do not contain prostaglandin (such as Vegamour and Kosas). Though they’re less effective at thickening and lengthening, they can help condition and strengthen.
1. Best Overall Eyelash Serum: RevitaLash Advanced Eyelash Conditioner
Original image by Glamour commerce editor Malia Griggs
Original image by Glamour commerce editor Malia Griggs
- What we love: Rapidly grows new lashes; curling; long-lasting; doesn’t irritate sensitive eyes
- Worth noting: Pricey (though a little goes a long way)
Formulated to accommodate sensitive eyes, this beauty product was actually developed by a physician for his wife when she was undergoing cancer treatment. It has a peptide complex that strengthens and softens, and it’s the only formula on the market that also gives a built-in curl—allowing you to lay off the curler and keep lashes that much healthier. The product also happens to be the one that Meghan Markle “swears” by.
Our Glamour tester says: I’ve always been self-conscious of my short, straight natural lashes. I’ve spent decades chasing eyelash curlers, lifts, and conditioning serums, but RevitaLash finally made my dreams come true. Every night, I swipe it along my lash line before bed (kind of like eyeliner). I’ve done this for the last 10 months now, and it is wild how much fuller and plentiful my lashes are now—they look fake! I started seeing real results after around six weeks. I get compliments all the time now, and I love how much more awake my face looks, even without makeup on. I have sensitive skin, especially in my eye area, but I’ve never developed any of the side effects like irritation that I’ve read—and worried—about. I’m also a huge fan of the value of this product; it took a little over six months of daily use for me to finally need a new tube. In a world where a lift requires a monthly $100 spa stop without actually giving me new hair, there’s no question that this serum feels like a far better deal. —Malia Griggs, Glamour commerce editor
2. Best Budget Eyelash Serum: Lumify Eye Illuminations Lash & Brow Serum
Original image by Glamour reviewer Emma Stein
Original image by Glamour reviewer Emma Stein
- What we love: Safe for sensitive eyes; pregnancy-safe; more affordable than competitors; acts as a brow serum
- What could improve: Results may seem subtle versus a serum with PGA
It may surprise you, but some of the best lash growth serums can be found at the drugstore—and this one is a great example of that. “I like this product because the nutrient-rich formula is clinically proven hypoallergenic and is formulated without prostaglandins, mineral oil, or harsh irritating ingredients,” says Jennifer Tsai, OD, a board-certified optometrist in New York City. “In as little as two weeks with daily use, lashes will not only look fuller, but they’ll look healthier too.” The formula is rich in peptides and biotin, which hydrates and and reduces breakage.
One Glamour tester says: I used this almost every day right before bed. It was easy to use and I experienced no discomfort, which was my concern, as I’m prone to dry, itchy eyes. Actually, I really loved the feeling of the serum on my eyes, like I was hydrating my lashes at the end of the day. After only a month, I’ve seen a definite difference. My lashes feel longer and thicker than ever before—as do my brows, since this doubles as an eyebrow serum, too. —Emma Stein, Glamour reviewer
3. Best Eyelash Serum for Volumizing: Grande Cosmetics GrandeLash-MD Lash Enhancing Serum
Original image by Glamour senior commerce editor Jenifer Calle
Original image by Glamour senior commerce editor Jenifer Calle
- What we love: Quickly grows long, feathery lashes; safe for use with contact lenses
- What could improve: Some users say it stings the eyes a bit; not pregnancy-safe
Powered by a combination of vitamins, peptides, and amino acids, this ophthalmologist-tested formula delivers softer, fuller lashes and minimizes breakage within six weeks. “I started using this item during COVID, since I could no longer get eyelash extensions, and couldn’t believe how well it worked,” says Limor Weinberg, a board-certified nurse practitioner with a master’s in aesthetics. “I’d been getting extensions on and off for eight years, so my lashes weren’t in the best shape. After 30 days of regular use, my lashes were noticeably longer; after 90 days they were touching my eyebrows.” The precise applicator makes it easy to swipe onto the upper lash line, and you can choose between six-week, three-month, and six-month supplies (we’ve linked to the six-week).
One Glamour tester says: I was scared to try an eyelash serum because I have extremely sensitive eyes (and wear contacts), but the Grande Serum never irritated my eyelids. I alternated between applying it before bed or during the day paired with tubing mascara—really, whenever I remembered. My application wasn’t the most consistent, but I was pleasantly surprised that my lashes grew longer after just a month. I’m excited to see how much more eyelash growth this will result in once I start using it more consistently. —Jenifer Calle, Glamour senior commerce editor
4. Best Eyelash Serum for Strengthening: RapidLash Eyelash Enhancing Serum
Original image by Glamour contributor Missy Henrikson
Original image by Glamour contributor Missy Henrikson
- What we love: Moderately priced; easy to use
- What could improve: Some users say it stings their eyes a bit; not pregnancy-safe
What sets this lash serum apart isn’t just that it clocks in at a more moderate price point than some of its peers, but also that it features a six-ingredient complex to target various pain points—polypeptides to limit breakage, panthenol to nourish, and amino acids to fortify proteins, among others. Overall, it’s one of the more conditioning options we tried, which makes it ideal for those with brittle lashes. “Honestly, I don’t have the budget for the more expensive options, so I was really excited when a friend recommended this one,” one reviewer told us. “Sure, I had to wait eight weeks or so, but I definitely notice a difference in length and density with consistent (daily!) use.”