I was lucky enough to trial L'Oreal's new clinically proven lash serum before it hit the market here and was excited to experience it myself. Firstly, the packaging is about the size of a mascara wand, tubular and sleek with a white body and two silver ends - a lid, and a rotating base used to twist up product. While I liked the look of the packaging, I was forever pulling on the wrong end.
To apply the serum you twist the end and a small amount of product is dispersed through a brush, which you then apply along your lashline to the base of your lashes.The brush is much wider than my lash line but is really easy to use. I found that when twisting up product it comes out really easily and often too much comes out, resulting in wasted product.
The consistency of the serum is quite thick. After application it really coats your lashes and you need to give it time in the morning before applying eye makeup. The serum irritated my eyes at first but I have experienced this before with a lash serum and found that after some time of using it I got used to it and no longer experienced irritation.
Since I normally use a lash serum anyway so I decided to trial the L'Oreal version on one eye and my usual Revitalash on the other and see if I noticed any difference between the two.I applied both products each day as directed, Revitalash once in the evening before bed, and L'Oreal twice a day. The results after two months usage?
One of the serum's claims is less lash fall out. This is something I regularly noticed before the trial and I can say that I have noticed less lash fall out since using the serum. My lashes are also looking long and healthy. Without mascara I didn't really notice any difference between my two eyes. However upon applying mascara and closely examining them, I do think the lashes on my right eye (Revitaliash) are slightly longer. Unfortunately I don't have any lash length measurements but I will be posting before and after photos for comparison next week after I have my lash lift, as I had a lash lift at the beginning of the trial and having my "after" photos pre lash lift doesn't give a fair comparison.
Would I use the serum again myself? I probably wouldn't however I would recommend it to friends and family. Why? Personally I didn't like how thick the serum felt on my lashes and combined with the thick brush my lashes felt really gluggy just after applying it, which I don't get with my usual serum. I can also see that I have gotten slightly better results with my regular serum, which aren't dramatically different but worth the difference for me.
The L'Oreal serum has a way more affordable price point and because of it's proven results I would happily recommend it to others to try, either as their first lash serum or as an alternative to a pricier one they are currently using because with the price tag, EVERYONE should be on the lash serum train.
Having worked extensively in the salon environment, I've been exposed to lash serums for years. From boutique brands, to market leaders. From local 'natural' fortifiers to scientifically back, pumped full of lab-made chem lengtheners.
I was excited to try this - I saw in an email from Farmers this is going to retail at about 33 bucks - an insanely low price for a lash serum, way below what I'd considered 'cheap'.
And you might have guessed by my rating...but this works! It doesn't promise length, so if you're after spider legs for lashes, stick to multi-level-marketing mascaras. If you want a more full lash line, retained lashes and a generally more impressive eye area...get on board the L'Oreal train.
It's easy to use, the brush is fine. The clicky-twisty top dispenser is a bit annoying to use, but it works and it hasn't failed me yet.
You use this top and bottom. For me the most dramatic difference was my top lashline. Having to use twice a day is a chore to start, but like most things, if you just commit to doing it religiously, it becomes part of the routine.
I actually can't believe this salon snob is RAVING about a drugstore brand, but hey, if it works, it works. And if it works for a budget price...even better!