You know that friend with the ridiculously long eyelashes – the one that swears she was simply blessed by the Gods? She’s probably lying.
While a decent mascara can get you far enough in the lash-lengthening stakes, for a flutter that seriously skims your eyelids, you need an eyelash growth serum.
Promising longer, stronger lashes in a matter of weeks, there's good reason you'll struggle to find a beauty editor that doesn't have one stashed by their bedside (alongside a hair growth serum, probably). Some are even so effective, you might just be tempted to ditch the mascara altogether (baby steps, ok).
Eyelash growth serums: the ELLE top five
- Champo Pitta Lash Serum, £38
- Beauty Pie Lash Fuel Advanced Peptide Lash Serum, £19.50
- UKLASH Eyelash Serum, Was £38, Now £28.50
- Revitalash Advanced Eyelash Conditioner, Was £99, Now, £79
- Rapidlash Eyelash Enhancing Serum, Was £39.99, Now £31.95
How do eyelash growth serums work?
These mysterious tubes may appear to be magic, but there’s actually scientific reasoning behind the best lash serums on the shelves. Like the hair on your head, your lashes grow and shed according to a four-phase cycle: anagen, catagen, telogen, and exogen.
‘Active’ lash growth serums – in the UK, Revitalash and Rapidlash are the most well-known – contain ingredients that studies suggest are able to keep hairs in the anagen, or growth, phase of the cycle for longer.
These ingredients are known as prostaglandin analogues – and, while they may be the most reliable shortcut to brow-skimming lashes, it's important to know they have also been linked with some unwanted side effects, namely skin pigmentation and irritation. While every product on the shelves in the UK will have been thoroughly tested for safety, it's important to know what you are applying and to do so with caution – especially if your skin is sensitive. Read the instructions (one more time: Read. The. Instructions) and be sure to stop using your lash serum immediately if you notice any irritation or discomfort.
How about lash conditioners?
If you're keen to skip the prostaglandin altogether, you still have plenty of choices. Conditioning lash serums work in a slightly different way. They’re usually packed with amino acids, which are the building blocks of protein. Like the hair on your head, your eyelashes are made up of over 90% proteins, including keratin (for strength) and melanin (for colour). So, more amino acids = better potential for long, strong lashes.
If you’ve spotted peptides on your lash serum INCI list, that’s a good sign too: studies have found these ingredients to have the potential to stimulate lash growth.
Essentially, a conditioning lash serum is a nourishing, nutrient-dense meal for your lashes, providing them with the fuel they need to grow to their best ability.
So, ditch the falsies this season – you no longer need them. Here, discover our verdict on the best eyelash growth products to try now.
The best eyelash growth serums to invest in now
With Black Friday fast approaching, almost all of our most-loved lash serums have been discounted, including the likes of Revitalash, Olaplex and Rapidlash. So, there's never been a better time to scoop one up...
The reviews for this one are borderline obsessive – and you'll quickly see why. The latest lash-enhancing name to know, UKLASH's active formula uses a low level of prostaglandin analogue alongside peptides and follicle-feeding plant extracts to encourage a seriously full flutter.
The key details
- Product size: 3ml
- Contains prostaglandin? Yes (the Sensitive Eyelash Serum does not).
- Key ingredients: Prostaglandin, biotin, peptides, panthenol
Revitalash was originally created by an ophthalmologist for his wife, to help boost her lash growth following chemotherapy treatment. It worked so well, the brand is now a leader in the lash-serum space. If your lashes are broken or brittle, this potent peptide blend is a major contender that delivers satisfying results after four weeks.
The key details
- Product size: 2ml
- Contains prostaglandin? Yes
- Key ingredients: Prostaglandin, biotin, peptides
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3
Rapidlash Eyelash Enhancing Serum
Now 20% Off
An OG lash growth serum, Rapidlash delivers results to rival the spendiest options for a price that won't make your eyes water. It might take you a little longer to get there, but this peptide-based formula will lead you to your longest lashes ever.
The key details
- Product size: 3ml
- Contains prostaglandin? Yes
- Key ingredients: Prostaglandin, biotin, peptides, pumpkin seed extract
Olaplex's lash serum combines peptides, biotin, hyaluronic acid and red clover extract – which studies have suggested is able to support hair growth – in one powerful formula. It's free from prostaglandins, and the reviews are glowing.
The key details
- Product size: 4.5ml
- Contains prostaglandin? No
- Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, biotin, peptides
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Predictably well-priced and reliably results-driven, The Ordinary's peptide-based serum really works to encourage longer, darker lashes. It's not quite as potent as the OGs, but the performance far belies the bargain price tag.
The key details
- Product size: 5ml
- Contains prostaglandin? No
- Key ingredients: Peptides, caffeine
Not content with creating every beauty editor's go-to moisturiser, Augustinus Bader expanded his cult brand into every corner of our beauty cupboards in 2023.
This creamy eyelash and eyebrow conditioner eschews the traditional peptides in favour of the brand's trademarked TFC8 nutrient complex. Bolstered by circulation-boosting plant extracts, this gentle serum hydrates lashes and encourages keratin production, leading to longer, glossier hairs in four weeks. Try it on both lashes and brows.
The key details
- Product size: 8ml
- Contains prostaglandin? No
- Key ingredients: Safflower, hyaluronic acid, turmeric, biotin, TFC8 complex
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Hairburst's eyelash and brow serum is based around peptides, castor oil and hydrating hyaluronic acid. the star ingredient, however is red clover extract, which is said to help hairs anchor into the follicle, keeping them just where you want them for longer.
The key details
- Product size: 9ml
- Contains prostaglandin? No
- Key ingredients: Castor oil, peptides, red clover extract
From Ariana Grande's stellar beauty line, this lash-boosting serum also contains red clover extract, cocktailed with tetrapeptides to maximise hair-growth potential. The fine nib makes precise application easy, while the supporting humectant ingredients ensure it leaves lashes feeling hydrated and fortified.
The key details
- Product size: 7ml
- Contains prostaglandin? No
- Key ingredients: Peptides, algae
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From the brand that brought us the editor-approved Pitta Hair Growth Serum (a product that has convinced the most sceptical member of the beauty team, no less), comes this equally promising lash growth serum.
The formula is free from prostaglandin, but the clinical trials still stack up. According to testing, the blend of pentapeptide, amino acids and stem cells from turmeric works to encourage both longer and stronger lash growth in as little as two months.
The key details
- Product size: 4ml
- Contains prostaglandin? No
- Key ingredients: Pentapeptides, stem cells, amino acids
A powerful alternative to prostaglandin-based products, Beauty Pie’s lash-growth serum contains a specially developed peptide that has been shown to enhance lash length in two weeks. Biotin and soothing panthenol boost the efficacy further, making this the first thing you should be adding to your next Pie haul.
The key details
- Product size: 5ml
- Contains prostaglandin? No
- Key ingredients: Peptides, ginseng, biotin
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Susanne Kaufmann is the latest brand to create a natural, prostaglandin-free lash and brow serum – and trust us, this one really impresses.
It contains an edelweiss-derived peptide alongside plant extracts with high humectant and emollient properties to fortify brittle lashes. Early users claim results appear to sprout up at the two-month mark, so be patient.
The key details
- Product size: 5ml
- Contains prostaglandin? No
- Key ingredients: Edelweiss, mallow leaf water
As a make-up brand designed to honour, not mask, what you've got, it makes sense for Kosas to launch its own lash serum. This almost-entirely natural formula contains peptides and vegan keratin in a base of castor seed oil. If you're after strength alongside length, this is good one to try.
The key details
- Product size: 3.5ml
- Contains prostaglandin? No
- Key ingredients: Vegan keratin, peptides
