Eyelash situation

[RoséProsecco]

So I'm post-menopausal & one of the changes for me has been loss of eyelashes. They are just awful just now - about 50% have gone on each lid & it looks terrible.

I think a lot of it has been a change of mascara. I always used L'Oréal Paradise mascara which had added castor oil & this was really good but has been discontinued.

I always use eyelash curlers which doesn't help either.

Could you please help me formulate a plan before I lose the rest of them?

Are there any other castor oil mascara's out there?

A good, reasonably priced eyelash serum?

Anything else?

I’ve bought the eyelash growing serums before now and nothing happened.

The serums work but they work by making the lashes stronger so they last and grow for longer before dropping out. That means you have to use the serum religiously for about 2 months before you see change.
You can buy castor oil very cheaply and put it on with an old mascara brush at night if you think it helps. Again it works by strengthening your lashes.

Thanks for the replies - I'm using the Ordinary eyelash serum at the moment but not seeing much effect.

Mascara is the biggest accelerator of eyelash loss for me - I remember after my dad died I used a waterproof mascara & lost them very quickly.

A quick google reveals that there doesn't seem to be a mascara out there with castor oil so I might add a drop or two in to the one I use just now.

The serums absolutely work, and although it’s expensive it does seem that Revitalash is the most effective (from seeing results on friends). I have bought others that have absolutely helped, but have now been convinced and have just bought my first Revitalash. They do last ages.

Bimatoprost eye drops - painted on the lash line, grows lashes. In the US it's branded Latisse: you can buy it in the UK. I bought it from mylash in the UK some years back, more recently from another online service (name escapes me) where you have to do an online consultation. It's prescription only.

Can you not tint your lashes for a bit and give them a break from mascara or reduce the days you wear it? Apply castor oil at night when you remove your mascara and maybe drop the curlers for a bit while you get them in a better position.

I use Uklash eyelash serum, if you sign up to their email you get 10% off your first order.
My lashes were falling out due to my eyelash extensions.
It's not cheap at about £39 but lasts for ages.
My lashes are growing to the extent that I may give up my lash extensions.
I agree with the pp who said you have to use it for a while before you see any change.
I'd definitely recommend UKlash

@autumn1610 - my eyelashes are so rubbish that tinting barely makes a difference - I'm a natural blonde with fair skin & fine hair unfortunately.

I think I'll upgrade my eyelash curlers as they have seen better days.

I second Uklash lash serum, was a month or two until I saw a difference but my lashes are looking the best they have in years!

I use UKlash. Previously it did work but I'm now finding all my eyelashes fall out in one go & I literally have none for a while.

I've been using castor oil on my face, including eyebrows and eyelashes for about 2 months and I've started to notice regrowth in my eyebrows and lashes...I'm 50 and peri

This is a prescription medication to lower your eye pressure! Really not something to be taken for vanity purposes, please don't mess with your eye health.

Don't bother with The Ordinary - it doesn't work. I've been using Revitalash every single night for a year now and I honestly can't believe the difference in my short straight lashes. They're so long and curling and look amazing with tubing mascara.

I buy it on eBay in sealed boxes as it's half the price. It's truly incredible and I've had no side effects.

Ok, I'll start with revitalash & a bit of castor oil in my mascara plus replacing my eyelash curlers.

Just out of interest - has anyone found if HRT helps with eyelash growth? I'd use it for that alone if it did!

@RoséProsecco mine too I look like I have no eyelashes when I haven’t got mascara on or them tinted. I feel the pain. I brought a box of inserts for my curlers you might be able to swap the rubber out as find when it starts to go

@autumn1610 - thanks - that's exactly what has gone! I'll try & get inserts.

Who even knew disappearing eyelashes was a menopause thing?!

I would stop using the eyelash curler.

I read an article by a cosmetic surgeon that said eyelash serums can cause premature ageing of the eye. I think it’s the ones with prostaglandin.

I’ve tried them in the past - Revitalash was excellent, UK Lash did nothing for me.

I now put castor oil on my lashes and brows every night and I think it really helps.

Stop using eyelash curlers and give your eyes a break from mascara for a bit.

Never heard of anyone losing their eyelashes during the menopause! Sound like your lacking in a vitamin or a mineral.

I've been through the menopause and had no problems at all, thankfully.

I have since a teenager used Vaseline at night in my eyelashes and they are full and long. My grandmother did it, so did my mother and my sisters and I do it.

It's fabulous on eyelashes and nails to make them strong and supple.

Rather than using the curlers every day, how about a lash lift (basically perming your lashes)

I do this once a month (or so) along with dying them black, and it's a game-changer (I do it myself, but it's taken a few months to get good at it - probably better to have it done by someone else unless you enjoy a challenge!)

It's a common problem due to the decreasing amount of estrogen during peri/menopause

@CleftChin - thanks for the suggestion - I don't think I've got enough eyelashes at the moment for a decent lash lift.

I'm also worried that I might react badly to the chemicals & lose what remaining lashes I have.

Definitely going to have a break from the eyelash curlers for a bit.

Might be worth a patch test anyhow, so you know it's an option in the future.

Are you on some supplements? I'm taking collagen right now (aim for > 10g/day) and I could swear my hair is thicker (I've been taking it for 3 months, and I'm sure there's more volume a couple of inches long near my scalp) and the greys have slowed down.

Try Rumi mascara, it's so so good, doesn't budge at all great mascara and has a Lash growth serum in it as well. I haven't used it long enough to tell if the serum part works but the actual mascara is the dogs whatsits!