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When I had my eyelash extensions removed, my natural lashes were short, sparse, and kind of sad. I wrote about that whole emotional saga in my post about life after eyelash extensions, including how I leaned on magnetic lashes to get through the awkward in-between phase.
This is the follow-up I promised. It’s the part where my real lashes got long, dark, and curled, to the point where I stopped reaching for falsies altogether.
It came down to three things: a lash serum I’ve used daily for eight years, a salon treatment I get every few weeks, and a supplement I started for a completely different reason. None of it was overnight. But together, this is the routine that got me here.
Why I went the natural route instead of more extensions
Extensions looked amazing, but they were expensive, the glue irritated my eyes, and I never stopped worrying about what they were doing to my real lashes underneath. When I finally took them off, I decided I’d rather invest the same money into making my own lashes better.
Eight years later, I’m glad I did. My natural lashes are easier to keep clean, I’m not booking fills every two weeks, and I don’t panic if I get them wet. Here’s exactly what I use.
Disclaimer: I’m a skincare enthusiast sharing my own experience, not a doctor, dermatologist, or medical esthetician. This post isn’t medical advice. Lash serums with prostaglandin analogs and oral supplements can carry risks, so talk to a licensed medical professional before starting either, especially if you’re pregnant, nursing, have any eye conditions, or take other medications.
Step one: GrandeLASH-MD serum (my eight-year non-negotiable)
GrandeLASH-MD from Grande Cosmetics is the one product in my entire routine I have never once swapped out. I’ve changed cleansers, serums, and moisturizers more times than I can count. This one has stayed put for eight years.
It is not a quick fix. It took about three months before I noticed a real difference, and it only works if you use it every single day. I apply it like a liquid eyeliner along my upper lash line at night. Miss a week and you lose ground, so consistency is the whole game.
One honest thing you should know before you buy it: GrandeLASH contains isopropyl cloprostenate, a prostaglandin analog. It’s the ingredient that makes these serums work, and it’s also the one some people have concerns about, because it can cause fat pad loss around the eyes in some users. I did experience a little of this in my upper eyelids. In my case, I have hooded eyes, so the slight change made my eye area look more defined, not worse. I also read that the effect can reverse if you stop using it, which factored into my decision.
I’m not going to tell you it’s risk-free, because it isn’t. Read about the ingredient, decide for yourself, and go in with your eyes open. I go deeper on this in my full GrandeLASH-MD review (coming soon), including the fat pad question and who should probably skip it.
GrandeLASH-MD Lash Enhancing Serum
Best for: anyone who wants longer, fuller natural lashes and can commit to applying it nightly for at least three months. This is the foundation of my whole routine.
Step two: a lash lift and tint every month (my favorite)
If GrandeLASH is the slow, steady foundation, the lash lift and tint is the instant payoff. Of every beauty service I get, this is my favorite, because the impact is immediate. I walk out with lashes that look curled and dark like I’m wearing mascara, except I’m not.
A lift curls your natural lashes upward from the base, and the tint darkens them. I get mine done at a local med spa every four to five weeks. It costs a fraction of what I used to pay for extension fills, and the upkeep is almost nothing.
The aftercare is simple. I avoid getting my eyes wet for 48 hours and skip any really sweaty workouts for 24 hours (such a hardship, I know). That’s basically it. Compared to babying a set of extensions, keeping lifted natural lashes clean is so much easier.
You can buy at-home lash lift and tint kits, and plenty of people use them successfully. I go to the salon because I genuinely cannot imagine doing this to myself with my eyes closed the whole time. If you’re braver than me, the kits exist.
At-Home Lash Lift and Tint Kit
Best for: people comfortable doing delicate work close to their own eyes who want salon-style results without the salon price. I personally go to a pro, but if you want to try it yourself, this is the category to look at.
I’ll have a full guide on what to expect from a lash lift and tint, including how to find a good salon and how the at-home kits compare, in my lash lift and tint guide (coming soon).
Step three: Nutrafol Vegan (the one I added by accident)
This one wasn’t even about my lashes at first. I started taking Nutrafol Vegan for thinning hair on my scalp. After about two months, I noticed my eyelashes had gotten even better on top of what GrandeLASH was already doing.
That tracks, since Nutrafol works on hair growth from the inside through your whole body, not just your scalp. I can’t separate out exactly how much of my lash improvement came from the supplement versus the serum, because I was using both. But the timing lined up, and I noticed a difference I wasn’t expecting.
If you’re already dealing with thinning hair anywhere and want a lash bonus, this is worth a look. If lashes are your only goal, I’d start with the serum first.
Nutrafol Vegan Hair Growth Supplement
Best for: people with scalp hair thinning who’d happily take a lash improvement as a side benefit. I use the vegan formula and noticed lash changes around the two-month mark.
I’ll write up the full Nutrafol-for-lashes story separately, since hardly anyone talks about the lash side effect honestly. Watch for my Nutrafol for eyelashes review (coming soon).
How I’d start if I were doing this over
If you’re standing where I was, fresh off extensions with lashes you’re not thrilled about, here’s the order I’d recommend.
Start with the serum, because it’s the foundation and it takes the longest to show results. Get it going now so you’re not waiting later. Once your lashes have some length to work with, add a lash lift and tint for the immediate curl and darkness. Save the supplement for last, or only if you have a hair reason to take it anyway.
None of this is instant. GrandeLASH took me three months, Nutrafol took two, and only the lift and tint pays off the same day. But eight years in, this is the routine I still use, and I haven’t worn extensions or falsies since.
Common questions about growing natural lashes back
How long does GrandeLASH take to work?
About three months for me, with daily use. It’s slow, and it only works if you apply it every night without skipping. If you’re a few weeks in and not seeing much, that’s normal. Give it the full three months before you judge it.
Do lash lifts and tints show results right away?
Yes, the same day. A lift curls your natural lashes and the tint darkens them, so you walk out of the appointment looking like you’re wearing mascara when you’re not. It’s the one part of my routine with an instant payoff.
How long before Nutrafol affects your lashes?
Around two months for me. I started taking it for scalp hair thinning, not my lashes, and noticed the lash improvement as a bonus at about the eight-week mark. If lashes are your only goal, start with the serum first.
Can you use a lash serum and get lash lifts at the same time?
I do both, and they’ve worked together for me for years. The serum builds length and fullness over time while the lift and tint handles the immediate curl and color. If you’re brand new to a serum, it’s worth telling your lash tech what you’re using so they can factor it in.
Are you transitioning off extensions right now, or trying to grow out your natural lashes? Tell me where you are in the process in the comments, and I’ll help if I can.
