“Expect the best” that is the promise of California-based company Athena Cosmetics to women who decide to use Revitalash, a line of brow and lash coloring and conditioning products. Revitalash Advanced Eyelash Conditioner was developed by Dr. Michael Brinkenhoff, an American ophthalmologist who is experienced in treating patients suffering from glaucoma. The medications used to treat glaucoma were found to have a cosmetic side effect: they can help make eyelashes grow longer and thicker. Dr. Brinkenhoff’s wife Gayle was undergoing chemotherapy to fight breast cancer and had lost her eyelashes. This prompted Dr. Brinkenhoff to create a lash-growing formula based on the glaucoma treatments for his wife. The formula he developed became what you now know as Revitalash. But just how effective is this product? Read on to find out.

Official Site: www.revitalash.com

Pros

• Developed by an ophthalmologist
• Backed by a clinical study that claims that 97 percent of users experienced improvements in lash appearance
• Can provide results in as little as three weeks
• Uses “proven functional cosmetic ingredients” like botanicals and peptides
• Also works on eyebrows
• Does not contain potentially harmful ingredients like quanternium, benzalkonium chloride, ammonium laurel, laureth sulfates, hormones, methyl parabens, urea or uric acid, bimatoprost, PABA, or propylene glycol.
• 90-day money back guarantee
• Mostly positive reviews from users
• Certain portion of sales is donated to breast cancer research centers and other non-profit organizations

Cons

• Expensive (no 30-day supply option available)
• A California district court recently ruled that Revitalash Advanced Eyelash Conditioner is a drug
• Phenoxyethanol, one of the ingredients, is an eye/skin irritant, and can affect your central nervous system
• Chlorphenesin, another ingredient, is actually not commercially available in the United States. The FDA advises pregnant and nursing women to avoid using personal care products that contain this ingredient because it can cause shallow or slow breathing in infants.
• Sodium Chloride may reduce hair growth and encourage hair fall.
• Formulation is changed periodically

Overall Rating

Compared to other similar products, Revitalash contains less than a dozen ingredients but still manages to help enhance eyelash growth for most women. Is it because of the power of Dr. Brinkenhoff’s love for his wife? While those who love a fairy-tale ending would appreciate that, the real reason why Revitalash is quite effective is because it might actually be a drug rather than a non-prescription cosmetic product, as the California district court decided. The lawsuit was instigated by Athena’s competitor Allergan Inc., the makers of prescription lash enhancer Latisse and it remains to be seen how this saga will end. But regardless if it will still be available over-the-counter or will soon require a prescription, this product is worth trying (if and when Athena distributes it again domestically).

How to Apply

Wash your hands and face with mild soap and water before applying the product. Revitalash should only be used once a day, preferably in the evening and before bedtime, after eye makeup has been removed. Put a small amount of conditioner on the application brush and draw a thin line across the base of your eyelashes. A single brush stroke is enough.

Cost and Size

0.067 oz (2.1 ml) bottle for $98 (three-month supply)
0.118 oz (3.5 ml) bottle for $150 (six-month supply)

Ingredients

Water, Sodium Chloride, Panthenol, Citric Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin, Disodium Phosphate, Trifluoromethyl Dechloro Ethylprostenolamide, Cellulose Gum.