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Grandelash Vs Latisse – Eyelashes are our jam! Unfortunately, not everyone is blessed with long and thick natural lashes and in many cases, look to extensions or a serum to help them achieve the results they desire.
Two of the most well-known and proven products designed to treat inadequate lashes are GrandeLASH and Latisse.
Today we’ll dive into both, providing an overview of what they are, how they work, and the differences between the two. So let’s jump right in with GrandeLASH!
- What Is GrandeLASH?
- How Does GrandeLASH Work?
- How Long Does It Take To See Results With GrandeLASH?
- How To Use GrandeLASH?
- What Are The Side Effects From GrandeLASH?
- What Is Latisse?
- How Does Latisse Work?
- How Long Does It Take To See Results With Latisse?
- Latisse Before & After
- How To Use Latisse?
- What Are The Side Effects Of Latisse?
- GrandeLASH vs Latisse – What’s The Difference?
- Final Thoughts
- Related Articles
What Is GrandeLASH?
GrandeLASH is an eyelash growth serum that was developed and created by Alicia Grande. With 25 years of experience in the anti-aging, skincare, and beauty industry, Alicia certainly knows a thing or two when it comes to recognizing the next big thing.
Her company, Grande Cosmetics is one of the leaders in the lash serum business and its GrandeLASH eyelash enhancing serum contains a blend of amino acids, vitamins, and peptides that promote longer, thicker-looking eyelashes.
GrandeLASH is a conditioning serum that coats the lashes and helps to prevent the fall-out pattern. By doing so, your lashes can grow longer which over time can make your lashes appear thicker and full of volume – the dream!
How Does GrandeLASH Work?
Full of vitamins, peptides, and amino acids, GrandeLASH is packed with essential ingredients that will help nourish both your skin and eyelashes and protect them as they grow.
One of the primary active ingredients in GrandeLASH is a prostaglandin analogue called Isopropyl Cloprostenate.
From a lash serum perspective, a prostaglandin analogue can help extend the growth phase of a lash hair follicle. Additionally, the bulb from which the lash is derived can increase in size, resulting in thicker and darker eyelashes.
GrandeLASH-MD Lash Enhancing Serum also includes several vitamins, extracts, and amino acids to help boost the volume and thickness of your lashes. This proprietary blend of ingredients is known for its ability to increase lash growth, including:
- L-Proline – an essential amino acid to help you achieve healthy, stronger lashes
- Hyaluronic Acid – used to condition and protect your lashes to prevent breakages. It also helps hydrate dry, brittle, or damaged lashes
- Botanical Extract Blend – powerful nutrient and antioxidant combination which is used to strengthen the lash follicles
- Glycosaminoglycans – helps lock in moisture and boosts lash resilience
- L-Arginine – naturally occurring amino acid that helps stimulate collagen production. Collagen is one of the most important proteins found in our bodies. It provides strength, elasticity, and firmness that extends to your hair and eyelashes. It’s also responsible for helping repair damaged tissue and scarring
- Vitamin E – one of the most powerful antioxidants available today and is a great way to protect against free radical damage and promote lash health
- Peptides – increase blood flow to the eyelids which in turn helps to nourish the follicles and stimulate new hair growth
How Long Does It Take To See Results With GrandeLASH?
Thanks to the powerful ingredients GrandeLASH uses, this serum not only encourages the growth of new lashes but also prolongs the natural growth cycle of your current lashes. This means that you can expect to see results relatively quickly.
Some people have reported a difference in as little as 3-5 weeks; however, the magic for most occurs during weeks 6-12.
To feel the full benefit of using this serum daily, you should notice a huge difference around the 2-month mark with an increase in the volume and lushness of your lashes. The full benefit of GrandeLASH should be experienced by the end of month 3.
It’s important to note that the time it takes to see a difference can also depend on the age of the user. Younger users have reported seeing their lashes grow within the first 3-6 weeks, while older users tend to see the best results in later weeks.
Some have also noticed phased growth where they might see immediate growth in week 1, nothing in weeks 2 or 3, but additional growth in week 4 and thereafter, so it really does depend on the user.
→ See our detailed article on how long it takes for GrandeLASH to work.
How To Use GrandeLASH?
GrandeLASH comes in 3 different sizes, a 1mL 6-week supply, 2mL 3-month supply, and 4mL 6-month supply.
GrandeLASH is best applied at night. After cleansing your face, pat dry and apply your moisturizing products as usual. Once finished it’s time to target those lashes!
The serum comes with a thin applicator brush which is perfect for really getting into that lash line. With one single swipe, apply the serum slightly above your upper lash line. Aim to apply it to the root of the lash only and not your actual lashes. Also, avoid applying to the lower eyelid as it can more easily cause irritation.
You only need to apply it once per day (for best results at night) and avoid applying multiple coats as this will only waste the lash serum and won’t, as you might assume, speed up the process. Allow a couple of minutes for the serum to dry, and you’re good to go!
Each bottle should last you around 3 months or more. Once you’ve reached the three-month stage, you can use the serum every other day to maintain your amazing results.
What Are The Side Effects From GrandeLASH?
Longer and thicker lashes are the goals, but what are some of the side effects of using GrandeLASH?
While these may vary and while most GrandLASH users report experiencing little to no side effects at all from using the product, there is a small chance of experiencing the following as a result of using GrandeLASH and more specifically, the effects of its prostaglandin analogue (Isopropyl Cloprostenate):
- Irritation, eye pain, redness, and swelling – this is the most common side effect related to the use of lash serums containing prostaglandin analogues.
- Darkening eye color – though extremely rare, darkening of the iris within the eye has been reported by some users. Changes to the color of the iris are typically irreversible.
- Hyperpigmentation – this is the darkening of the upper eyelid as a result of applying the eyelash serum. Luckily this is mostly reversible if you discontinue use of the product.
What Is Latisse?
Latisse is a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved medication prescribed and used to thicken, lengthen, and darken your eyelashes.
The main ingredient in Latisse is bimatoprost ophthalmic solution 0.03% (bimatoprost), which is a prostaglandin analog clinically proven to help grow eyelashes. Bimatoprost is the same primary ingredient found in Lumigan, a prescription eye drop used to treat glaucoma.
Oddly enough, patients using Lumigan noticed an unexpected side effect in which their eyelashes began growing thicker and longer while using the drug. As a result of this, Allergan, the company that created Lumigan, studied the active ingredient bimatoprost and eventually created Latisse in response.
Based on its clinical studies, Latisse became the first FDA-approved prescription treatment in December 2008 for hypertrichosis, or inadequate eyelashes. As such, it must be prescribed by a doctor and cannot be purchased over-the-counter; however, there are now a handful of generic options available as well.
How Does Latisse Work?
Bimatoprost is the magic ingredient that makes Latisse such a powerful solution for addressing inadequate eyelashes. While doctors don’t completely understand entirely how it works, bimatoprost is thought to target the anagen (or growth) phase of an eyelash.
It does so by extending the length of the growth phase and by helping to increase the number of lashes generated during this phase.
Based on its clinical studies, using Latisse resulted in growth for 69% of patients after using it for 12 weeks and 78% of patients after using it for 16 weeks.
Additionally, patients experienced on average 25% longer lashes, a 106% increase in lash thickness, and an 18% increase in lash darkness.
How Long Does It Take To See Results With Latisse?
Like many topical cosmetic products, eyelash growth and thickening shouldn’t be expected to happen overnight. Latisse is meant to take effect gradually with the best results shown at the 16-week mark.
In order to get these results, it’s important to use Latisse once every day. If you stop using Latisse for an extended period of time, your lashes will resort back to their previous state over the course of several weeks or months.
Latisse notes that you’ll first see added length to your lashes, followed by gradual thickening and darkening. They highly recommend sticking with the 16-week plan even if you’re not seeing results halfway through.
Below is a helpful chart that demonstrates the growth, thickening, and darkening timeline one might expect to see:
Latisse Before & After
How To Use Latisse?
As noted above, Latisse must be used once daily and consistently over a 16-week period to see the best results. Likewise, you must continue to apply Latisse in order for the effects to remain evident, otherwise, your lashes will likely revert back to their original state over a few weeks/months. So let’s now take a look at how to apply Latisse.
Latisse comes in 3 sizes, 1.5mL (with 40 applicators), 3mL (with 80 applicators), and 5mL (with 140 applicators), and should be stored in your medicine cabinet at between 36-77 degrees Fahrenheit.
Application Steps:
- Cleanse – Like most topical eye cosmetics, the first step in applying is to remove all makeup and cleanse the face and eye area thoroughly. Make sure to remove contacts as well, and do not put them back in until at least 15 minutes after applying Latisse.
- Add Serum To Applicator – Once you’ve cleansed your face, take an applicator from your supply, and while holding horizontally, apply one drop to the applicator.
- Brush Onto Lashes – Use the applicator to lightly brush the Latisse onto the eyelid where the lashes meet the skin. Do one stroke across each of the top eyelids only (you do not want to apply Latisse to the lower eyelid lash line).
- Dab Away Excess – Make sure to avoid getting any in your eye and for best practice, use a cotton pad or tissue to gently wipe away any excess Latisse from your eye region. Toss the applicator when you’re finished and you’re good to go!
- Use Daily – Lastly, make sure you use Latisse once daily to see the best effects. If you miss a day, do not apply additional amounts as this can cause irritation and will not increase the effects.
What Are The Side Effects Of Latisse?
Latisse is clinically proven to help grow, thicken, and darken your lashes, but what side effects might you experience while using the product?
Latisse’s clinical studies indicate that the most common side effects are redness, irritation, or an itchy sensation around the eyes. They report that approximately 4% of patients experienced these symptoms.
Other less common symptoms include:
- Darkening of the eyelid skin where Latisse is applied – this is caused by the melanin in your skin and is likely reversible once you’ve stopped using Latisse
- Dryness of the eyes
- Redness of the eyelids themselves
- Darkening of the iris (the colored area of the eye) – this can be irreversible
- Hair growth outside of the application region
If you develop severe symptoms or new conditions, immediately consult your physician.
GrandeLASH vs Latisse – What’s The Difference?
The biggest difference between GrandeLASH and Latisse is that Latisse is FDA approved and requires a prescription for use while GrandeLASH does not. GrandeLASH can be purchased directly from Grande Cosmetics and other cosmetic outlets.
They both have a track record for providing excellent results; however, GrandeLASH tends to produce results slightly quicker than Latisse. With GrandeLASH, a user might see solid results in just 4-6 weeks, with the full effect taking place in 12 weeks. For Latisse, it’s often closer to 4-8 weeks when users start to see initial results and not until 16 weeks when the full effect takes place.
Another difference is the actual ingredient makeup of each of the products. They both contain a slightly different prostaglandin analogue which really drives the lash growth phase (Bimatoprost in Latisse vs. Isopropyl Cloprostenate in GrandeLASH).
Latisse also contains benzalkonium chloride which is used as a conditioner and citric acid which acts as an antioxidant. GrandeLASH other key ingredients include natural botanical extract blends, vitamin E, peptides, and amino acids which provide antioxidants, protects the lashes, and supports lash health.
The application process of each is slightly different. While it is best to apply both products once daily at night to a cleansed face, Latisse comes with separate applicators to which you apply one drop of product and then swipe on. GrandeLASH comes with the applicator as part of the product and you just unscrew the top and apply.
GrandeLASH is slightly cheaper as well. A 3-month supply of GrandeLASH is $68 and a 6-month supply is $125. The price of Latisse may vary from pharmacy to pharmacy but a bottle with 30 pairs of applicators can cost approximately $120.
Latisse
Pros
- FDA approved
- Clinically proven to help grow, thicken, and darken lashes
- Available in 3 sizes, 1.5mL (with 40 applicators), 3mL (with 80 applicators), and 5mL (with 140 applicators)
Cons
- Requires a doctor’s prescription
- Can be expensive
- Lashes revert back to their previous state when you stop using
- Rare side effects include darkening of the iris (irreversible) or darkening of the upper eyelid (reversible)
GrandeLASH
Pros
- Paraben-free
- Full effects in 12 weeks
- Ophthalmologist-tested
- Available in 3 different sizes, a 1mL 6-week supply, 2mL 3-month supply, and 4mL 6-month supply
- Helps prevent breakage and hydrates lashes
- Doesn’t require a prescription
Cons
- Not FDA-approved and may not work for everyone
- Rare side effects include darkening of the iris (irreversible) or darkening of the upper eyelid (reversible)
- Lashes may revert back to their previous state when you stop using
Final Thoughts
Both Latisse and GrandeLASH are great options when it comes to treating thinning, brittle eyelashes. Both brands offer different benefits and features and are likely to help create longer thicker lashes. When it comes down to GrandeLASH vs Latisse…
Get Latisse…
If you’re inclined to go the clinically proven route, then consulting your doctor and getting a prescription for Latisse might be the best route for you.
Get GrandeLASH…
If you’re interested in a cheaper alternative with faster results, that doesn’t require a prescription, then GrandeLASH is an excellent option.