If there’s one thing I’ve been consistently complimented on over the past year, it’s my lashes. And for the sake of this article, you’ll have to forgive my not-so-humble bragging. But I’ve lost count of how many times people have asked me, ‘Are those your real eyelashes?’ or ‘Are you wearing false lashes to the office?!’ – and I have a zero tolerance policy for gatekeeping.

My response is always the same: ‘Yes, these are my real lashes, and no, who is out here applying falsies every day? It’s a combination of two things: this insanely good mascara, but more importantly, consistent application of my go-to lash serum.’

If you’re inwardly eye-rolling, I get it. Lash serums are all the rage and while they sound like yet another fleeting beauty fad, I’m living proof that they work. I started using a lash serum a year ago, but I saw noticeable results in just two weeks. By the time I’d used it for 3 months, my lashes were so long and thick that people started commenting on them.

What are lash serums and how do they work?

“Lash serums are topical treatments that are applied to your eyelashes to enhance their natural growth,” says Dr Amy Vowler, Hair Restoration Doctor at Hair GP. “They do this by nourishing the lash follicle and stimulating dormant follicles, encouraging them to produce stronger hairs. Lash serums create lasting change by extending the hairs’ growth phase, leading to gradual but semi-permanent thicker, longer lashes.”

Dr Vowler explains that cosmetic-grade lash serums – the ones readily available to us – are peptide-based and contain ingredients such as amino acids, botanical extracts and vitamins. They reduce breakage and make lashes look fuller and shinier, but they don’t change the lash cycle directly.

“The growth phase of an eyelash is shorter than the hair on your scalp, lasting only 30-45 days before being replaced,” she explains. “With consistent lash serum use, most people notice an improvement in 6-12 weeks, but because you’re not altering your lash cycle, you’ll notice your lashes gradually returning to their old pattern once you stop using the serum.”

Are there key ingredients to look out for?

Not all lash serums are built the same, but because the market has become so saturated, it can be difficult to know which one to pick.

“The ones to look for are ones with ingredients that nourish and strengthen lashes by improving follicle health and hair shaft condition,” advises Dr Vowler. These include: