image from dermstore.comEyelashes. Our society seems to be obsessed with them. There are a ton of prescription and non prescription formulas on the market to enhance and grow ones eyelashes. When a PR rep from iQ Derma offered me the chance to try one of these non prescription products I jumped at the chance. Not that I'm unhappy with my lashes, they are of decent length and volume...nothing that couldn't be enhanced by mascara, but hey, if I have a chance to make them more lush and longer, why not?
A lot of these lash enhancement products sold over the counter, are VERY expensive and iQ Derma's product, SmartLash is no exception. Retailing at $125 USD this is not a product you buy because it will help you get to that total for free shipping. This IS the product that gets you free shipping..(sometimes)
According to the manufacturer, SmartLash is a "non-irritating lash enhancement" product that should give you a "lash line that looks thick, long and full". The product is prostaglandin-free (A hormone like substance) and is free from the harsh side effects of other lash enhancement products. It is ophthalmologist-approved for wearers of contact lenses and sensitive eyes. It is also beneficial for brow enhancement.
I read the insert that came with the product, and in clinical studies, participants experienced:
- Up to a 68% increase in the appearance of lash length!
- 100% saw an increase in the appearance of eyelash length, fullness and thickness after 30 days.
- 100% indicated a superior performance of this product when compared to previously used eyelash enhancement products.
- 100% said they feel like they need less mascara.
- 100% would recommend SMARTLASH to a friend.
- No increase in lash length via photographic evidence, however my lashes did hit my glasses one day (Does that count?)
- My lashes did feel and look SLIGHTLY fuller after using the product twice a day but nothing like a false lash effect...and I was really looking.
- This is the only product I have used for lash enhancement. I have nothing to compare it to.
- If I ever feel like I need less mascara I have obviously died. Put some dirt on me if I ever make this statement. Using this product for 45 days did not make me say this...so at least it didn't kill me.
- Oooh. recommending it to a friend? Well here is the thing. I can't. I cannot recommend spending $125 of your hard earned dollars on a product that I saw minimal improvement with. Now that being said, you can see that my lashes are a decent length to begin with. they may have been thin, but I would hardly describe them as sparse. IF your lashes are shorter and more thin than mine, and you don't want to get a prescription for Latisse or something else then you MIGHT want to consider this product, but don't come running to me if you have the same results I did and now you are out $125!
After using this product twice a day for 45 days, the small 0.06 oz tube is still fairly full. One uses such a small amount for each use I see that a tube will last you several months. I stopped using the product after 45 days because honestly, I just didn't see the point. Perhaps if I went 60 days I might have noticed a change, but honestly it was one more step in my routine that wasn't providing me any benefit.
I really, really wanted this product to work for me. I actually tested it longer than I told the rep I would (45 days versus 30) because the photographic results after 30 days were so poor that I thought giving the product extra time to work might help. Sadly the results I had were nothing like those experienced in the clinical trial.
Would I have purchased this product had it not been offered to me? No. Will I continue to use this product? No. Will I seek out other last enhancement products in the future. Probably, but I certainly will not make it my life's mission to find a product that gives me false lash effect lashes. I'll just buy false lashes or just be happy with the lashes I have.
Ingredients: Aqua/Water/Eau, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Pterocarpus Marsupium Bark Extract, Myristoyl Pentapeptide-17, Apigenin, Glutamic Acid, Biotinoyl Tripeptide-1, Octapeptide-2, Panthenol, Mannitol, Biotin, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Oil, Oleanolic Acid, Disodium Succinate, Sodium Oleate, PPG-26-Buteth-26, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Cellulose Gum, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Phenoxyethanol, Chlor Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Citrate, Potassium Sorbate, Disodium EDTA.
I too have quite thick eyelashes but I think that it is an excessivew amount of money for something that doesn't make a big difference. If I had sparse lashes and was told that this was the best product on the market I would still have to think twice.
ReplyDeleteThanks for this review, enjoyed reading it.
If you ever have the yen to try another product, I highly recommend RapidLash - much less expensive and I have had great results! I'm going to have to try some others too though, just to have a basis for comparison!
ReplyDeleteBest, Lisamarie
Interesting to read your review of this product. Sounds like you've done a great job testing it.
ReplyDeleteElvira,
ReplyDeleteI had the same results but I was not faithful about applying every day and I evenutally quit all together. I had much better luck with Talika Lash Lipocils for about $40, but like you I don't have problem lashes to begin with so whatever.
I've also had great luck with RapidLash. I've been using it now for several months. My lashes are darker and thicker and I have actually gotten a measurable 1/4 inch of growth. Although there are lots of products out there, I don't see any reason to change. If it ain't broke; don't fix it :-)
ReplyDeleteIn the past I tried Revitalash which irritated my eyes and Jan Marini's original which gave wild and crazy growth but which is no longer available. Latisse is just too expensive. So, RapidLash it is!
I've been using the L'oreal one. I have very sparse lashes and I have seen improvements. It is much cheaper!
ReplyDeleteExcellent review. It's always nice to see an honest evaluation of a product.
ReplyDeletegreat product, my friend has recommended this to me many times
ReplyDeleteYou have beautiful eyes that need nothing more than smile lines.
ReplyDeleteThat said, enormous lash has worked very well for me, but I suspect we all respond very differently to eyelash growth formulas. I tried Latisse (that's what got me started on this eyelash thing) and they exploded out of my lids> But it was irritating and glaucoma runs in the family. Plus it is too pricey. My sister tried it as well, but she's dead now... (I can say that 'cause she Loved dark humor)
Good luck with the eyelashes. Remember, if they get too long and interfere with your glasses, is it worth it?
Be careful ladies. I tried this product, and in four days my vision became less clear. I began having diplopia and a horried dryness. I followed the instructions to the letter, therefore I know that it was not an application process failure. Though my vision is better, my left eye remains clearer than my right. I returned the product!
ReplyDeleteBuyer beware!!!
Well the last post has me a little concerned. you said your eyes became dry and vision blurry? was the from the smartlash product?
ReplyDeleteI have been using the product for over 3 weeks and noticed slight changes in fullness and thickness but most definitely not the length. The clinical studies are exaggerated!
ReplyDeleteI just bought this through Derma store online after just 3 applications my eyelid base are swollen!!!!!! nooooooo bueno!!!!!! I will use for my brows as It was 29.00 to buy a special I assume...I will next maybe look into Rapidlash...
ReplyDeleteThanks for all your comments re: this product. I was tempted to buy it on Dermstore.com because they are offering it for $29 with free shipping. Sounded a little too good to be true. Even for $29, if it doesn't work, it's clearly not worth it.
ReplyDeleteAloha! Very good review, I enjoyed reading it, and found it useful. I was considering buying hte product, but don't think I will do so, now. Perhaps one of the others which has been mentioned.
ReplyDeleteI have used SmartLash for about two weeks now. It does not irritate my eyes the way Latisse did, nor make them itchy. Mt eyelashes are pretty short and I am amazed that after only two weeks of using SmartLash, my lashes are longer. Not sure about thicker or darker yet. Was surprised to see all the negative reviews. It was like $30 with free shipping from Derm Store and I will buy it again for sure!
ReplyDeleteWill your lashes revert back to its original length after you stop using the product?
ReplyDeleteI have been using Smartlash faithfully for about 3 weeks now and have noticed a slight improvement in thickness (not length). I have used Latisse before, and it works (my lashes got 'freakishly long'!), but you have to be patient as it takes a good 2 months (at least) to see MAJOR growth. With Latisse, it was like POOF! Overnight, big, bold lashes from out of nowhere. So, be patient with this product, ladies, and don't expect results in even 30-45 days...probably more like 2-3 months. And, as with any eyelash or eyebrow product, you have to be careful with your vision. I notice stinging with this product (no problem with Latisse).
ReplyDeleteI used Fysiko Lashes. I tries Smart lashes - waste of money. I tried Latisse - every time you need to go get prescription - 20 dollars, and tube lasts 1.5 months - not cool, 100 dollars... so I was happy when I found Fysiko Lash serum, it is natural , and yes, costs 139 dollars, but no prescription and lasted 8 months!
ReplyDeleteJust to reaffirm your findings...I used the Smartlash product faithfully for 2 months morning and night with no change to my eyelashes. Maybe...just maybe my eyebrows are thicker. Thx goodness I paid only $29. The one positive is that there is plenty in the tube for a few months. I definitely will not purchase this product again.
ReplyDelete