Fringe Benefits: The Best Lash Growth Serums You Can Buy

It’s a sign of the times. Lipstick sales have taken a downturn, and eye enhancers—shadows, faux lashes, liners, you name it—are topping everyone’s wish list. Now that our focus is above the mask, many of us are also noticing that our natural lashes could use a little vavavoom, wishing that they looked a bit longer, thicker, and more lustrous. Thankfully, there are a host of lash growth serums that can help make that dream a reality.

First things first: the only clinically proven, FDA-approved lash growth serum is Latisse. The powerful active ingredient, bimatoprost, galvanizes follicles to produce new hairs, typically within four weeks. But there are some (rare) side effects, such as irritation and eye color changes, and you need a prescription to get it. If you’re not ready to commit, you can still get lush-looking lashes with over the counter serums, which typically incorporate follicle-stimulating peptides as well as conditioners such as Vitamin E and plumping hydrators such as hyaluronic acid. Together these ingredients work by strengthening the lashes you have and preventing them from breaking and shedding, so they appear healthier, denser, and extra fluttery. But remember, these products don't exactly work in the blink of an eye, so compliance and patience are key: You’ll need to use a serum once daily for at least a month before you begin to see significant changes. Here, our top picks for best results.