We all know that eyelash growth serums often come with ambitious claims, promising all the length, volume and flutter. Yet the question still stands: do they actually work? Well, the answer isn’t strictly black and white.
It’s important to keep in mind that not all formulas are made equal. Sure, some iterations can indeed help transform even the most brittle and damaged lashes in a matter of a few weeks, to a point when those around you will be confused whether or not you’re wearing false lashes or eyelash extensions. Meanwhile, other formulations may not only prove less effective, but can also result in issues like irritation, stinging and itching.
So, how exactly do you go about ensuring the quality of an eyelash serum? That’s where we come in. As seasoned beauty editors with years of product testing experience, we’ve curated the ultimate edit of the very best eyelash growth serums, having consulted industry experts and tested said formulas first-hand.
From cruelty-free, budget-friendly, dermatologist and ophthalmologist-approved formulas to those that have been especially formulated for sensitive eyes, we’ve made sure to include something that works for everyone. Here’s everything you need to know.
SKIP TO: How do eyelash serums work? | How long does it take to notice the results? | Will my lashes go back to their original state once I stop using an eyelash growth serum? | Do eyelash serums have any side effects? Or jump straight into our edit of the best lash serums
Best eyelash serums at a glance:
- Best eyelash serum overall: RevitaLash Advanced Lash Serum, £129, RevitaLash
- Best conditioning eyelash serum: Uklash Eyelash Serum, £38, Uklash
- Best premium eyelash serum: Elizabeth Arden Prevage Clinical Lash and Brow Enhancing Serum, WAS £90 NOW £39.99, Amazon
- Best affordable eyelash serum: The Ordinary Multi-Peptide Lash and Brow Serum, £14.20, Cult Beauty
RevitaLash Advanced Eyelash Conditioner
Uklash Eyelash Serum
Elizabeth Arden Prevage Clinical Lash and Brow Enhancing Serum
The Ordinary Multi-Peptide Lash and Brow Serum
Meet the experts:
- Claire Larsen, global master educator at RevitaLash Cosmetics
- Nima Pourian, founder of Uklash
Which eyelash growth serum is the best?
RevitaLash is a brand behind one of the most popular eyelash enhancers to date. This hair serum has been praised by the likes of Meghan Markle, largely due to its ability to target hair growth by simultaneously defending against environmental damage with antioxidant-packed green tea and the BioPeptin complex. Our former Senior Visual Editor, Chelsea Hughes, reviewed the RevitaLash Advanced Eyelash Conditioner over the course of six weeks, and this is what she had to say: “To sum this product up; I’ve had numerous friends and family physically inspect my lashes to check whether or not I’m lying about them being real. The improvement is phe-nom-en-al!” Now, if this doesn’t convince you, we don’t know what else will. Other brands that are definitely worth considering include Uklash, Augustinus Bader, Elizabeth Arden, Maybelline, Lancome and Olaplex, to name a few.
RevitaLash Advanced Eyelash Conditioner
How do eyelash serums work?
“Eyelash serums help to grow your natural lashes, making them longer and thicker after continued usage – it is a commitment, but worth it for beautiful, natural lashes,” explains Nima Pourian, founder of Uklash. “Eyelash serums absorb into the lash and brow follicles to help stimulate growth, reducing fall out and enhancing the thickness of hair by strengthening roots.”
According to Claire Larsen, global master educator at RevitaLash Cosmetics, eyelash serums are similar to a hair conditioner. “They hydrate the hair with conditioning ingredients for shine and flexibility, to prevent brittleness and breakage, they strengthen the hair with ingredients rich in vitamins and strengthening peptides,” she shares.
“They protect the health of the hair with free-radical fighting antioxidants and they enhance the overall beauty of the lashes for healthier lashes.” “A comprehensive formula will contain a blend of ingredients like conditioners, vitamins, antioxidants and peptides to have a multi-faceted approach to beautifying the lashes and keeping them strong and healthier-looking,” Claire explains.
How we tested eyelash growth serums
Over the years, the GLAMOUR team – alongside our freelance writers – have tested hundreds of eyelash serums from a variety of brands, ranging in terms of price, ingredients and packaging. We’ve made sure to assess whether of not the formulas resulted in any irritation or stinging as well as its efficacy and how quick it has helped us achieve optimal results (find out how we test here).
Check out our edit of the best eyelash serums to nourish and strengthen your lashes properly…
1. Best eyelash serum overallRevitaLash Advanced Lash ConditionerKey ingredients: BioPeptin Complex, ginseng and Swertia Japonica extracts, saw palmetto, amino acids and vitamin B.Why we love it: A gentle yet mighty formula that’s developed by physicians and comes clinically approved by both ophthalmologists and dermatologists. It contains a biopeptin complex packed with biotin, green tea, peptides and lipids, which work together to help strengthen lashes and stimulate healthy hair growth. Plus, this bestselling lash growth serum is also packed with plenty of natural ingredients, including plant and flower extracts, as well as vitamins and antioxidants. And did we mention it’s also hypoallergenic, oil-free, vegan, cruelty-free and suitable for sensitive skin? Truly the best of the best.GLAMOUR-approved: “I’d say I began to see a difference after about two weeks and everyone else started to see a difference after four. At one point, I actually had to have a break from using it as my lashes became so long they were creeping into my brows. This whole time, I’ve been using the same 2ml tube, and I still haven’t run out.” – Chelsea Hughes, GLAMOUR’s Senior Visuals Editor.Save when you shop for eyelash growth serums using these Cult Beauty discount codes.£129 AT REVITALASH£129 AT CULT BEAUTY
2. Best conditioning eyelash serumUklash Eyelash SerumKey ingredients: Biotin Peptide, vitamin B5, Myristoyl Pentapeptide-17 and green tea extract.Why we love it: Fortified by nutrient-rich ingredients that stimulate keratin growth such as grape seed extract, swertia japonica extract, pentapeptide-17 and vitamin B7, this viral eyelash serum is 100% worth the hype. It lengthens and strengthens your lashes at the same time and is even suitable for wearers of both false lashes and eyelash extensions. It’s also reasonably affordable when it comes to lash serums, which is always a big plus in our book.GLAMOUR-approved: “The Uklash eyelash serum truly deserves all the hype it gets. It doesn’t irritate my sensitive skin and the redness is minimal. It only took me a couple weeks of use to start notice improvement and by week 8, the results were undeniable. All that for under £40? Yes, please.” – Denise Primbet, GLAMOUR’s Beauty Commerce Writer.Enjoy savings when shopping for eyelash serums using these Sephora discount codes.£38 AT UKLASH£38 AT SEPHORA
3. Best affordable eyelash serumThe Ordinary Multi-Peptide Multi-Peptide Lash and Brow SerumKey ingredients: Myristoyl Pentapeptide-17, Biotinoyl Tripeptide-1, Oligopeptide-2, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-3 and caffeine.Why we love it: When it comes to affordable yet reliable beauty products, not many do it better than The Ordinary. This water-based eyelash and eyebrow serum is suitable for all skin types and has a lightweight, non-greasy formula that nurtures both the hairs and skin. It comes with 11 different active ingredients, including arginine, four peptide complexes and a whole set of natural extracts to give your lashes and brows the boost they deserve.Save money on this eyelash serum with these LookFantastic discount codes.£14.20 AT LOOKFANTASTIC£14.20 AT CULT BEAUTY
4. Best eyelash serum for quicker resultsGRANDE Cosmetics GrandeLASH-MD Lash Enhancing SerumKey ingredients: L-Proline, hyaluronic acid, vitamin E, panthenol, glycerin and aloe barbadensis leaf juice.Why we love it: Looking to achieve naturally longer and fuller-looking lashes? Say no more. Powered by a blend of amino acids, prostaglandin, peptides and hyaluronic acid, this moisturising eyelash serum will give you what you want and then some. And although it’s certainly an investment, the good news is that it’s frequently on sale on Amazon for a fraction of the price. Suitable for people who wear contact lenses and promises visible results in just 4-6 weeks.Save money on this eyelash serum with these Amazon discount codes.£62 AT LOOKFANTASTIC£21.97 AT AMAZON
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5. Best premium eyelash serumElizabeth Arden Prevage Clinical Lash and Brow Enhancing SerumKey ingredients: Triple peptide complex, vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E and botanicals.Why we love it: This advanced eyelash serum from Elizabeth Arden comes with an ingredient list that boasts the brand’s exclusive triple-peptide complex, as well as lash conditioners, botanicals, vitamin A, vitamin C and vitamin E. In other words, everything you need to make your lashes look naturally healthy. Plus, the formulation is also fragrance-free and colourant-free so as to keep breakages at a minimum while protecting your lashes from environmental, chemical and physical damage.£90£39.99 AT AMAZON£99 AT BOOTS
6. Best eyelash and eyebrow serumShiseido Lash Full SerumKey ingredients: Glycerin and Zizyphus Jujuba fruit extract.Why we love it: Hailing from one of the world’s oldest cosmetics companies in the world, this lash serum is the result of years of research. Designed to help fill out your lash line with visibly healthier and fuller lashes, this product from Shiseido uses Zizphus Jujube fruit (also known as the Chinese date), which helps deliver rapid hair growth.£47 AT LOOKFANTASTIC£48 AT CULT BEAUTY
7. Best eyelash serum for longer lashesRapidLash Eyelash Enhancing SerumKey ingredients: Hexatein 1 Complex, amino acids, pumpkin seed extract, biotin and panthenol.Why we love it: Proven to improve the appearance of your lashes, this eyelash enhancing serum is enriched with Hexatein 1 Complex, a special cocktail that combines six high-grade ingredients: peptides, biotin, amino acids, panthenol, soybean oil and pumpkin seed extract.£39.99£31.99 AT AMAZON£39.99 AT LOOKFANTASTIC
8. Best overnight eyelash serumClinique High Impact Lash Amplifying SerumKey ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, vitamin E, ginseng root, turmeric root, alma extract, caffeine, arginine, acetylcarnitine, HCL and peptides.Why we love it: Filled to the brim with hyaluronic acid, ginseng root, vitamin E and plenty of peptides, this nourishing amplifying serum delivers quick results when it comes to improving the overall look and health of your lashes. Just slather it on with the included applicator regularly before bed and watch as your lashes get stronger and stronger with each use.Save when you shop with these Boots discount codes.£39 AT BOOTS£34 AT AMAZON
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9. Best affordable eyelash serume.l.f. Enhancing Lash & Brow SerumKey ingredients: Glycerin, castor oil, panax ginseng root extract and hyaluronic acid.Why we love it: Get ready for friends and family to ask you whether you’re wearing falsies or if you’ve had eyelash extensions done, because this serum will deliver longer-looking and fuller, natural eyelashes faster than you can say “antioxidants” – all thanks to its blend of amino acids and vitamins. A lash lift and superior brow growth for less than £10.£8 AT AMAZON£8 AT SEPHORA
10. Best eyelash serum for sensitive skinRevitaLash Advanced Sensitive Eyelash ConditionerKey ingredients: Revitasome Technology, Myristoyl Pentapeptide-17, rice protein, aloe vera and amino acids.Why we love it: If you’re someone who wears lash extensions, uses contact lenses or just has sensitive eyes, then it’s only natural to feel nervous about using eyelash serums. The good news is that RevitaLash has you covered – the brand designed a gentle formula that takes everything into account. Developed by a team of board-certified experts to minimise side effects and prevent irritation, this product also boasts a hydrating blend that’s both vegan and hypoallergenic to boot. Phew.£109 AT REVITALASH£109 AT CULT BEAUTY
11. Best eyelash serum with peptidesOlaplex LashBond Building SerumKey ingredients: Unique blend of peptides and hyaluronic acid.Why we love it: If Olaplex is good enough for Kim K, it’s good enough for all of us. This high-quality serum comes with a unique patented formula that uses the power of peptides to give you thicker lashes in no time at all. It also features all your favourite nourishing products too, including hyaluronic acid, to keep your lashes nice and hydrated.GLAMOUR-approved: “When it came to results, I definitely noticed less eyelash fallout when removing my makeup and felt like my bottom lashes had gained some length. While I was hoping to see more dramatic length on my upper lashes, when curled, I did notice a subtle difference and definitely felt like my lashes had a lot more fullness on the whole.” – Lian, GLAMOUR’s Audience Growth Manager£64£51.20 AT LOOKFANTASTIC£64£45.99 AT AMAZON
12. Best Korean eyelash growth serumLash Fuel Advanced Peptide Lash SerumKey ingredients: Peptides, panax ginseng root extract, glycerin, allantoin, collagen, panthenol and hyaluronic acid.Why we love it: When it comes to accentuating your natural beauty, K-beauty products should always be at the top of your list. This potent lash serum features a formula that’s powered by peptides, biotin and panthenol, and promises to deliver visible results in just two weeks. It’s also recommended to apply this towards the end of your routine, particularly after you’ve applied your eye cream and other skincare favourites.£19.50 AT BEAUTY PIE
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13. Best strengthening eyelash growth serumbenefit Eyes Whoop Lash Enhancing SerumKey ingredients: Panthenol, biotin, safflower extract, hibiscus extract, sunflower seed oil and hydrolysed rice protein.Why we love it: Looking to support your lashes and prevent any unwanted hair loss? Say no more. This new formula from benefit is fortified with a blend of plant extracts, biotin and rice protein, which help condition your lashes and breathe new life into them. 10/10 would recommend.£47 AT LOOKFANTASTIC£47 AT BOOTS
14. Best eyelash and eyebrow growth serumKosas GrowPotion Fluffy Lash + Brow Boosting SerumKey ingredients: Glycerin, hyaluronic acid, keratin, peptides.Why we love it: This hyaluronic acid-powered formula comes with a unique two-in-one applicator that suits both your eyebrows and eyelashes. Made with 97% naturally derived ingredients and suitable for those of us with sensitive eyes.£40 AT SEPHORA£40 AT CULT BEAUTY
15. Best enhancing eyelash growth serumAugustinus Bader The Eyebrow and Lash Enhancing SerumKey ingredients: Sunflower seed oil, glycerin, castor seed oil, hyaluronic acid, aloe leaf juice and biotin.Why we love it: Clinically proven to help lock in moisture and build fuller, thicker brows and lashes, this premium serum is a modern haircare miracle. It has a formula that features high-quality ingredients such as red winter algae, peptide-rich turmeric and hyaluronic acid, which help improve hair density and promote hair growth.£120 AT CULT BEAUTY£120 AT SPACE NK
16. Best eyelash growth serum for naturally long lashesHairburst Lash & Brow Enhancing SerumKey ingredients: Glycerin, castor oil, hyaluronic acid and clover flower extract.Why we love it: Made with 98% natural ingredients, this deeply conditioning formula is designed to strengthen your lashes and brows with each application. The best part is that this product is also vegan, fragrance-free and paraben-free.£36.50 AT LOOKFANTASTIC£35 AT HAIRBURST
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17. Best green tea-infused eyelash growth serumGlow For It Lash Growth SerumKey ingredients: Glycerin, glycol, green tea leaf extract, clover flower extract, biotin and Wasabia Japonica root ferment extract.Why we love it: Exclusive to Beauty Bay, this enhanced formula from Glow For It is scientifically proven to improve the appearance of your lashes in just under 14 days. Oh, and it’s vegan and cruelty-free to boot.£30 AT BEAUTY BAY
Are eyelash serums worth it?We have around 200-300 lashes on each eyelid, but we lose roughly four lashes a day. Then, it takes about three months for these full lashes to grow to their original length, before they shed and the whole growth cycle starts again. But in our efforts t to bless ourselves with long lashes (on average, they reach about 1cm in length), we’re constantly putting our peepers under undue stress – meaning the process takes longer.The ultimate secret to long and naturally thick lashes largely lies in genetics, but achieving long, fluttery lashes is also perfectly doable through consistent and regular use of eyelash growth serums. And before you say it: no, eyelash serums aren’t only meant for sparse and thinner lashes. Let’s put it this way: even if you’re naturally blessed with thicker and longer hair, you would still use conditioner, hair oils and hair masks to nurture it, right? Well, the same concept applies to your lashes.
What causes damage to our natural lashes?
- Even the best mascaras and eyeliners can make our lashes dry and brittle, making them more prone to breakage.
- Vigorous makeup removal can also exponentially increase the amount of lashes we shed each evening.
- Eyelash curlers can place stress at the base of our lashes, prising them out early.
- Long-wearing and waterproof mascaras sometimes require intensive removal process that leaves our skin raw and our eyelashes totally frazzled.
- Then there’s the issue of false eyelashes and lash extensions, which can create damage to our hair follicles by overloading and putting too much weight on the lashes.
- Meanwhile, wearing sleep masks can cause friction and tug at lashes, encouraging them to shed prematurely, as well as bad habits like rubbing your eye area at the end of a long day (even though it feels so good).
How long does it take to notice the results?According to Claire, results usually differ depending on the individual, however, the growth is often noticeable after six weeks of regular, daily use. “We conducted an independent consumer study with 63 participants. After six weeks of daily directed use, 98% reported improved lash appearance, 98% reported healthier-looking lashes, and 98% reported stronger lashes.”Meanwhile, Nima shared that the growth also depends on the stage of “your lash growth cycle.” “Our eyelashes and brows go through a cycle of around three months (12 weeks). This includes a growth phase (Anagen), a transition phase (Catagen) and a resting phase (Telogen),” Nima elaborates. “This is why Eyelash & Eyebrow serums are advised to be used once per day for 8-12 weeks to achieve best results – the same amount of time as a full growth cycle.”
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Do eyelash serums have any side effects? Are eyelash serums safe to use?“Aside from the positive benefits, some users can experience redness or irritation, particularly if they are excessively using,” says Larsen.Similar to many other beauty products with active ingredients, it’s always better to tread carefully and do a patch test to observe how your skin reacts to your chosen eyelash serum. “It is very rare that someone would have a reaction, but the eyes can be sensitive so always best to check first,” says Pourian. “It is also important to follow instructions correctly and not to overuse the serum.”For more makeup and skincare content from Glamour UK Beauty Commerce Writer Denise Primbet, follow her on Twitter @deniseprimbet and Instagram @deniseprimbet.