When I first learned about Plume Lash & Brow Enhancing Serum I had two thoughts: (1) sounds cool, but my lashes are dark and long enough, I guess, so maybe I'll check it out later. And (2) a serum for brow enhancement (read: growth)? Oh no, no, no. I've spent years waxing and plucking my brows, no way do I want to promote hair growth there.

Fast forward two months or so, I'm on my 29th client asking about lash tinting, expressing interest in lash extensions, and it occurs to me that oh my gosh, I may have overlooked a solution! Plume. I had saved some posts on Instagram a while back, you know, to read at a later date when there was a need (insert eye roll). Long story short, I received samples from the brand, a few of us here at The Fifth Om used them and well, they worked. For all of us. And it honestly didn't even take very long before we saw results. The product wasn't irritating to the most sensitive of us, and I was able to use it in the morning alongside my contacts. I was sold...and only feeling a bit silly for taking so long to give it a shot.

Now we carry Plume and continue to be incredibly happy with the results, which, by the way, are fully backed by the brand. Plume offers a 100% happiness guarantee, meaning that if you're not happy with the results, you can return the product within 60 days of purchase for a full refund. Yep: a 100% refund.

So, how does it work and why should you use it instead of the risky, chemical-laden alternatives? Here's the scoop...

Natural Lash Enhancement with Plume

Plume Lash & Brow Enhancing Serum enriches your brows & lashes using natural & organic ingredients. The product is clinically proven to lengthen, thicken, and promote fullness of your lashes & brows. Get this: 97% of test subjects reported an increase in length and/or density after an average of just 2.5 weeks.

HOW IT WORKS

Formulated by a master cosmetic chemist, Plume's proprietary formula has a three part effect on the appearance of your lashes & brows:

Longer - The ingredients keep hair follicles in a prolonged growth phase, allowing lashes & brows to achieve greater length.
Thicker - The ingredients lock in keratin, moisture, & key nutrients to increase hair volume, thickening lashes & brows at the root.
Fuller - The ingredients protect delicate hairs from environmental harm & breakage to keep more lash & brow hairs in place.

The Process: The product is applied along the lash line, and by keeping that area hydrated, the hair follicles are nourished and the root is strengthened. In turn, the hair follicles remain in a prolonged growth phase, which promotes lash longevity. Finally, the Plume Serum utilizes antioxidants to protect from environmental factors, which may cause damage to the hair.

RESULTS

While Plume Lash & Brow Enhancing Serum users should allow six to twelve weeks for maximum results, real Plume Women have experienced dramatic results after two to three.

HOW TO

Before bed and/or in the morning, use the Plume Lash & Brow Enhancing Serum’s applicator to brush the product onto the lash line. Apply the serum much like you would apply liquid eyeliner. Also, if desired, apply liberally to your brows. Once the Serum is absorbed, mascara and other makeup products can be applied overtop. If the serum enters your eye(s) during application, gently rinse your eye(s) with water. If you continue to experience any eye irritation, discontinue use until all irritation subsides.

WHAT'S THE COST & RECOMMENDED USAGE?

A 5.0 ml / .17 fl oz tube goes for $95 which, depending on how you use it, could last a while. When you begin using Plume, you'll use it once or twice daily. When you've finished your first tube, or your initial course of treatment, if you will, you'll shift into maintenance mode, meaning you will use the serum less frequently to maintain your results.

Here's the deal ~ if you use the product twice daily on lashes (upper + lower) and brows, one tube should last 3-4 months; the equivalent of an entire lash cycle. If you choose to just focus on your lashes (or just your brows), the tube will last quite a bit longer. I popped the info into a bar graph below to give you a visual:

How Long Will A Tube Last Me?

This chart indicates our best estimation on how many months a single tube should last you for [A] your initial treatment, and [B] maintenance (additional tubes), according to where you use it.

What happens when you stop using the serum? Your results will remain for a month or two after you discontinue use, then your lashes & brows will return to their natural state. No harm no foul.

Now that we've discussed how it works, how quickly you should expect results, and the associated monetary investment, onto some exciting stuff: the ingredients.

WHAT IS & IS NOT IN IT

The ingredient standards are simple: nothing toxic; no artificial fragrances or dyes; the formula is free of parabens, sulfates, phthalates, gluten, hormones and prostaglandins; the ingredients are never tested on animal; and the formula includes responsibly sourced botanical actives. Yes.

Ingredients: Organic Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Organic Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil, Tussilago Farfara (Coltsfoot) Flower Extract, Achillea Millefolium (Yarrow) Extract, Cinchona Succirubra Bark Extract, Water, Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E), Glycerin, Honey Extract, Prunus Amygdalus (Sweet Almond) Oil, Sucrose Laurate, Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate, Nasturtium Officinale (Watercress) Extract, Tropaeolium Majus (Indian Cress) Extract, Xanthan Gum, Coleus Forskohlii Root Oil, Carya Ovata (Hickory) Bark Extract.

What about product preservation? Is a synthetic preservative system used? Nope. And there are no special storage instructions (e.g. refrigeration) either. Here's how the brand explains it:

“Plume comprises a symphony of 9 all-natural active ingredients in a self-preserving formulation, making it a double first. The self-preserving bacterial hurdle technology is patent pending and enables Plume to effectively preserve the highly active formula without the addition of conventional preservatives.”

— Plume Hair & Lash Science

Admittedly, when I reviewed the list of what the product is free from, I wasn't familiar with prostaglandin, nor did I have a handle on the associated risks. So, I asked the brand to offer their take. Here is it their explanation on the risks of spiked eyelash serums:

“Prostaglandin analogues can cause side effects such as eye irritation, itching, eye pain, change of eye color and darker pigmentation around the eye.

There are signals that prostaglandins can change the fatty tissue in the eye socket, so that the eye can sink in.

Adverse events associated with prostaglandin analogs for ophthalmic use include ocular irritation, hyperemia, iris color change, macular edema, ocular inflammation, and interference with glaucoma therapy – all things best avoided for our clients.

In addition, prostaglandin analogs for ophthalmic use are currently classified as Pregnancy Class C. (This classification means that there have been no human studies of the drug, but that animal studies have revealed some potential abnormalities.) ”

— Plume Hair & Lash Science

Certainly sounds like something I would prefer avoiding. For more on prostaglandins, what they are and how to spot them, check out a post by Truth in Aging here.

Next, the "good" stuff in their formula. Herbal ingredients can be so versatile, often serving a different purpose depending on the type of preparation (i.e., lotion, salve, serum). Here's a brief Glossary of featured Ingredients that offer some insight into a selection of their ingredients.

Glossary of Ingredients

“Organic Aloe Vera ~ Rich in vitamins and minerals, aloe vera has long been recognized for its moisturizing, healing, anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties.

Organic Castor Oil ~ Nourishes hair follicles with omega fatty acids, vitamin E and proteins. Castor oil is known to have anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties thus protecting the area around your eyes from harmful micro-organisms and potential infection.

Vitamin E ~ A potent anti-oxidant and effective moisturizer.

Honey Extract ~ A powerful humectant, hair follicles treated with honey extract retain more moisture. Also known for its anti-irritant and anti-microbial characteristics.

Watercress (Nasturtium officinale) & Indian Cress (Tropaeolum majus) ~ These extracts have been rigorously studied and shown to help hair produce keratin, a key factor in the strength, and ultimately increased hair length.

Sucrose Laurate ~ Emulsifier, naturally obtained from hydrogenation and esterification of sugar cane and vegetable oil.

Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate ~ A natural, food grade, emulsifier derived from stearic acid (plant-derived) and the sodium salt of lactic acid.”

I can honestly say I'm impressed with this product--and I'm a full believer in the power of natural products. My one word of advice: don't begin using this product unless you intend to use it for a long time. It's addictive (emotionally, not physiologically). wink wink