Brooke Shields promotes Latisse eyelash drug. We are scared.

I'm a beauty product freak. As I type this, two different brands of glitter and plumping lip gloss border my keyboard beside very important business numbers, documents and Diet Coke caps. If you looked in my purse, you'd see various pencils, powders and otherwise torturous eyelash clamps. I love looking pretty.

But I do draw the line. Botox, for example. The thought of injecting botulism toxins into my skull gives me the willies. Also, I don't want any foreign objects implanted in me. It just seems... slippery.

Meet the latest member of the "OHGODWHY" club, promoted by timeless beauty Brooke Shields here, who DOES NOT NEED ANY HELP GETTING HOTTER. Latisse, (a.k.a. bimatoprost ophthalmic solution -- heh?) is "the first and only prescription treatment approved by the FDA for inadequate or not having enough eyelashes, growing them longer, fuller and darker," says them. (That's a really poor sentence, Latisse copy editors.)

Sounds great, right? Well, while it may work for people with valid eyelash problems, it's probably a little over the top for most of us. Consumer Report shines light on some creepiness about the product. Side effects can include red and itchy eyes, "eyelid skin darkening" and the potential to CHANGE YOUR EYE COLOR. Egads! 

For $120 a month, I'll pass. Think of all the shoes I could buy, AND still have blue eyes.

If you want to see more, check out Brooke Shields progress on the drug. It's nothing some falsies or mascara couldn't do. For cheaper "skin darkening" that will wash off after you drunkenly apply it to your cheek at the club, check out Deal Divas intense reporting on budget mascara here, here or here.

~ Deal Diva Stephanie

Photo: Brooke Shields, who has clearly been dabbling in Steph's makeup bag, Times files.

Comments

[Mrs. Mike]

Some people just can't be happy with the way their ancesters made them.

Marissa, this was not originally developed for use to make the eyelashes grow longer. The original use was for glaucoma and this is just one of the side effects. You might want to consider doing a little research before you get on your tiny little box-wouldn't want you to fall off and hurt yourself.

[Anne]

Sorry, I meant intraocular...

[Anne]

Marissa- there was no research that went into this drug as a cosmetic drug. It was first introduced as a drug for glaucoma sufferers, I know because my ex-husband was given a prescription for it to reduce interocular eye pressure. He refused to use it; since he has glaucoma in only one eye, it would have changed the color of the iris and thickened his lashes. He took an alternative drug instead.

[Amanda]

The downside to this drug besides the side effects is that you have to continue using it to get the effects. You can't use it for 16 weeks and have permanently longer, fuller lashes. As soon as you stop, they go back to the way they were. That is not worth the money.

[Karen]

Marissa - I heard this was originally a drug for something else. The "side effect" was making eyelashes grow. Now that is what they are promoting. The "other" side effects though really make it not worth it.

[illiterategirl]

The side effect list for this stuff is insane! Once I read about how it could change my eye color, I felt a lot better about not being able to afford the stuff anyway.

[latisse gainesville]

A very interesting product, I'm sure lots of people will really want to try it.

[Marissa]

I saw a commercial for this product a week ago. My son, who was in the room also, commented that it would be great for his cousin who copes with alopecia.

My concern is the amount of research that went into this product. Seriously! Couldn't it have better spent on, oh I don't know, CANCER research or another life threatening cause? Eesh! I could rant on about money being thrown away on other growth inducing products. However...

::climbs off soapbox::

[Deal Diva Colleen]

Change your eye color?! That's disturbing.

[Mary]

Anyone that still sports the 'goth' look would love the "eyelid skin darkening" LOL

[USFBullsBabe]

Thank you so much for posting this! Thank God I'm not the only one who thinks this is just WEIRD. I saw the commercial this weekend, and at first, I must admit I was intrigued. BUT, then I hear "may cause eyelid darkening." UHHHH GROSSSSS!!! Are you serious?! My life's mission is to try to get rid of dark eyes circles, not enhance them. I say no and NO!