Eyelashes have been on my mind the last couple days, which is a little odd, but everywhere I look people seem to be talking about them. First came the news that last Friday the FDA approved the eyelash-thickening drug Latisse, made by Allergan Inc, the maker of Botox. According to Reuters, the active ingredient in Latisse is bimatroprost, the same ingredient that is in Allergan’s glaucoma treatment Lumigan. Patients taking Lumigan found a side effect of the drug to be eyelash growth, prompting Allergan to study it for the new use. Applied to the upper lash line, the prescription drug’s possible side effects include eye redness, itchiness, and darkening of the eyelid skin. The drug could even cause the colored part of the eye to become browner, potentially permanently, which it totally not okay with this hazel-brown eyed girl. I’m one step away from plain brown eyes as it is (no offense to brown-eyed readers, I’m the odd woman out in a family of light green eyes, it’s a sensitive subject for me, okay?). While the market for prescription eyelash enhancers is untested, the company estimates it’s global peak sales of Latisse could top $500 million a year, even with the somewhat scary side effects. Perhaps graphic designer Amitis Pahlevan knew this drug was about to be on the market, because she came up with a pretty clever use for all the false eyelashes that will perhaps be suffering in sales as soon as people can grow their own: a wispy, ethereal typeface made entirely of eyelashes:

This ultra-cool typeface unfortunately is not available for you to install on your computer but is a gorgeous work of art to admire, and perhaps try to replicate on a lazy crafty Sunday afternoon. Only if you have tons of patience, which unfortunately, I am lacking.

With eyelashes on my brain the last couple days I kept making a mental note to go pick up some falsies, and now that my New Years Eve festivities are only a few hours away I am a little bummed I never got around to it. Don’t make the same mistake as me if you have a special event coming up soon, false eyelashes, when applied properly, can really make a huge impact on your look. I like going all out with them, and keeping the rest of my makeup simple so the effect is more dramatic and less drag-queen (unless that’s what you are into, in which case, go for it girl). While Latisse may thicken your natural lashes, they can’t make them made of feathers, lace or multi- colors like falsies can. These Shu Uemura Luxe Black lashes are amazing:

Source: Reuters, TrendHunter