Brooke Shields was in town last week promoting the only lash-growth product approved by the FDA, Latisse. As you may remember, I recently blogged about my experience with a similar product, Neulash so I was interested to talk to Brooke about her results with Latisse – which is actually a glaucoma medicine with a fantastic side effect – it lengthens and thickens lashes. As you can imagine, once this was discovered, the manufacturer, Allergan, scrambled to get the word out. Thus, a new beauty product was born. Raya and I sat down with Ms. Shields to discuss her experience with the product. But before we get into that I’ll answer the question that is on everyon’s mind – how did she look?
Well, at 44-years-old she looked great – and I’m not just saying that so her PR person doesn’t get mad at me. Sure, she’s got some lines around her eyes but who doesn’t at her age? I actually commend her for not trying to hide the fact that she’s human. The woman has always been gorgeous and I’m sure she will continue to look gorgeous even as she ages gracefully (which I hope she does – we don’t want to see her looking like Joan Rivers someday). At 6′ Brooke towered over Raya and I. We were appreciative that she removed her shoes for the photo with us so we wouldn’t look like Lilliputians next ot her (which I think I still do). The funny thing is that Raya and I both had on 3″ heels and Brooke is still taller.
Ok, I’m going to pass the torch to Raya now. This is a tag-team blog and I don’t want to leave her with nothing to write about. And because she is our resident beauty expert, she can fill you in on the details about Latisse. Take it away, Raya…
Thanks Kristin. Raya here.
I second everything that Kristin said about Brooke. She’s lovely. (And she really has wicked eyelashes!)
Onto Latisse, here’s the scoop. Latisse is a prescription drug that you can only get from your doctor. And it’s the only FDA-approved product out there for lash growth. (Although, in my opinion, FDA shmef-D-A. They screw up sometimes.) Latisse is applied to the upper lash line only with a small applicator brush that comes with the med every night before bed. In as little as eight weeks, the active ingredient bimatoprost will stimulate and prolong the growth of new hairs during your follicle’s growth phase, leading to longer, thicker lashes. Brooke says the most growth took place between the twelve and sixteen-week mark. The treatment is prescribed for those with “inadequate or not enough eyelashes,” or hypotrichosis. But as you can probably imagine, the diagnosis leaves a lot of room for opinion. And Brooke told us nearly anyone can snag the prescription. She also told us her favorite mascara is Blinc’s Kiss Me Mascara, with the tubule technology. Grab your own at Sephora.
After talking to Brooke, Kristin and I sat down with Dr. Lori Stetler, a Dallas derm and Latisse prescriber, who calmed our fears about the warning of “increased brown iris pigmentation.” Dr. Stetler told us that actually no one saw any eye color changes in the Latisse study. However, the original glaucoma prescription, from which Latisse was started, was seen to cause iris pigmentation changes, but only in one percent of the patients. Based on the numbers, your changes of dying from Advil are higher. No worries there.
So, what are your worries? The four percent of people that experienced itchy eyes from the stuff. Eh, not bad. And the price tag. Latisse runs from $90 to $125 in Dallas for a month’s supply. But for longer lashes, it might be worth it.
Now, who has hypotrichosis? (Chorus of “I do!” “I do!”)
Set up an appointment with Dr. Stetler at Dallas Center for Dermatology and Aesthetics by calling 214-631-7546.
BROOKE’S BEFORE & AFTER PICS:
