Several years ago, my friend Gail relayed the wisdom that one should never leave the house without applying mascara and lipstick. I’m not a big make-up person, but as I grow older, I see that a few strokes of mascara and swipe of lip gloss can be a girl’s best friend.
So, my ears perked up when I heard the news that the FDA had approved the prescription drug Latisse to promote growth of longer, lusher lashes. To the left are before/after photos.
Latisse is made by the drug company Allergan, the same company that brought us Botox. WebMD describes Latisse this way:
Latisse gets dabbed along the lash line on the upper eyelids to promote longer, thicker, darker lashes. Allergan states that “Latisse users can expect to experience longer, fuller, and darker eyelashes in as little as eight weeks, with full results in 16 weeks.” If Latisse is stopped, eyelashes will gradually return to their previous appearance as new eyelashes grow in.
Physicians such as dermatologists and plastic surgeons will begin prescribing the topical gel in the first quarter of 2009. Reported cost is anywhere from $120 – $170 month for 30 days. Side effects can include darkening of the eyelid skin and colored part of the eye. Oh, and hair growth in other areas frequently touched by the drug, so don’t forget to blot off that excess gel!
I’ve always had a case of lash-envy when I see people with naturally long lashes (and why is it that so many of those people are males like my brother Rob or my son Jackson?!?!). But, my envy is not severe enough that I’m willing to plunk down $1,500 a year for a look I can achieve by spending $25 or less on mascara.
What say you, Wise Women? Could Latisse be in your future? And, what other make-up routines are “must-do’s” before you leave the house?
1-15-2009 10:28:39
Goodness, is there no end to the “improvements” they’ll suggest for women? In today’s economy, I think I’ll stick to Lancome mascara, which I thought was pricey enough at that!
1-15-2009 10:58:50
I, too, will stick with my current L’Oreal Voluminous mascara and eyelash curler. We wise women receive constant media bombardment that our lives would be better if only we had longer lashes, fewer wrinkles, and less poundage. Why can’t we strive to be healthy, vibrant, and loving and save tons of bucks in the meantime?
1-15-2009 12:09:03
Cool idea, but I’d be wary of the drug aspect. We should really be happy with what we’ve got! But with fair lashes, I always put on mascara before going out. Eye lash tinting is great for the summer — costs no more than a manicure and lasts a few weeks. I also have some friends who’ve gotten eyelash extensions — that look like the photo in Elaine’s blog. Pretty cool.
1-16-2009 08:49:42
“The Great American Fake-Up” just annoys me to no end. I am really having to bite my tongue right now.
1-16-2009 13:04:45
I am a makeup junkie. It’s a problem. I am so easily seduced by a product’s promise that I’ve been known to walk through the make-up department of a store and actually purchase 3 different tubes of mascara made by different companies. “I need to be an educated consumer,” I reason. That said, these types of miraculous promises put forward by drug companies do nothing to entice me. It isn’t only the steep price, but the unknown side effects that give me pause. I rather spend my well-earned pennies on tubes and tubes of different mascaras. And since I’ve road-tested them all, Wise Women, I say Dior Diorshow Mascara is the best out there!
1-19-2009 15:06:44
Healthy skin is what matters most to me. I started taking better care of my skin 20 years ago with day and night moisturizers. In recent years I have found Olay Regenerist products that work wonders for middle-aged skin. When I use make-up, it’s lip gloss or lipstick and mascara. Occasionally I go all out and use under-eye concealer and liquid foundation.