Lash serums' dirty little secret

So as I mentioned in my last post, I do my lash extensions a little differently than most, straying from what is recommended - but that's what works for me. As I said, I get my lashes done every 2 months, waiting until they are almost gone. I also layer castor oil and lash serums on WHILE I have extensions on. Personally, my lashes last forever (thanks to my lash tech, Em) so I'm not too worried about overgrowing the original hair follicle that is attached to the extension. I keep a lash serum next to my bed and a lash serum in my car, in the console so I can apply at stoplights before doing my makeup. ALSO - I use Physician's Formula Eye Booster 2-in-1 eyeliner/lash serum which is a milder, less pigmented version of Kat Von D's tattoo eyeliner, as far as look and style go. I have some goop for Ardell that looks like clear mascara that is also a "lash conditioner" whose main ingredient is "castor oil". Plus, I glop on pure castor oil at night and take Multivitamin + Biotin + Fish Oil gummies (by NatureMade.) I'm serious about keeping the hair follicle underneath strong and healthy, you could say! My lashes underneath aren't AS long as my extensions -but- with mascara, the underneath real lashes pick up the mascara and seem comparable in length. However, compared to other people, I don't get the LENGTH that other people do, as much as I get new follicle growth - which kind of bums me out! I want my lashes to touch my eyebrows/sunglasses! But remember, lash serums don't necessarily makes your hair longer as much as it increases the growth cycle of the hair follicle. 

...And now for the bad news: Latisse/Careprost/Bitamaprost and their analogs (BabeLash, GrandeLash, LashBoost etc.) recently have been said to thin the skin around the eye, causing aging effects. Now, I haven't researched it myself bc A) I have an eye phobia and B) I don't wann give up my lash serums but my sister looked it up and said it's true.

Now I'll tell you the other personal downside: (aside from the redness from the vasodilation effect lots of people get) I get hair growing EVERYWHERE around my eye - sprouted in the corner near the tear duct and down my cheeks and under my eye. Now as I've mentioned before, I'm of Eastern European descent and my hair is strong and coarse. So I just end up dermaplaning with my DermaFlash or using a regular razor in a pinch or waxing the overgrowth. If I don't, my eyeliner/mascara drip will cling to the micro-hairs, making me look aged and tired. 

 

Cruelty-free and cheap at around $30-35 dollars!

Cruelty-free but not highly pigmented