The Quick Take
Babe Original positioned itself as the "accessible prostaglandin serum" - bringing the growth power of prostaglandin analogues to a lower price point than GrandeLASH-MD or RevitaLash. The strategy makes sense on paper, but our testing revealed a product that delivers middling results while still carrying the full risk profile of its prostaglandin ingredient.
At $49, it's cheaper than many prostaglandin competitors. But is it good enough to justify the prostaglandin trade-off?
"Babe Original is everywhere on Amazon and the reviews are mostly positive. For $22, expectations should be calibrated accordingly. I noticed a subtle improvement in how my lashes looked - mostly conditioning rather than dramatic growth. It's a fine entry-level product, just don't expect miracles."
✓ What We Liked
- Affordable entry point into prostaglandin serums
- Multiple size options including trial sizes
- Decent lash growth results
- Nice packaging and brand aesthetic
- Available at Target, Amazon, and direct
✗ What Could Be Better
- Contains cloprostenol isopropyl ester (prostaglandin analogue)
- Results are less dramatic than GrandeLASH or RevitaLash
- Inconsistent user review quality
- Some users report significant irritation
- Formula feels thin and can be hard to control
Key Ingredients
⚠️ Ingredient Alert
- Cloprostenol Isopropyl Ester - a prostaglandin analogue
→ Read our complete Ingredient Guide to understand every ingredient
Our Full Review
A Prostaglandin Serum for the Masses
Babe Original's Essential Lash Serum contains cloprostenol isopropyl ester - the same prostaglandin analogue found in RevitaLash. Like other prostaglandin-based serums, Babe Original markets itself around its supporting ingredients (biotin, castor oil, amino acids) while the prostaglandin component gets less prominent billing.
The brand has a strong social media presence and youthful marketing, targeting a younger demographic that might be priced out of GrandeLASH or RevitaLash. The packaging is cute and modern, with a pink-and-white aesthetic that reads very Instagram.
Our Testing Experience
The serum comes in a slim tube with a fine-tip brush applicator. The formula is quite thin - thinner than most competitors - which makes it tricky to apply without excess product migrating into the eye. Two of our testers had the serum run into their eyes at least once during the testing period, causing temporary stinging.
Results were visible around week 5-6 for two testers, with the third not seeing clear improvement until week 8. The growth was moderate - noticeable improvement in length, but less dramatic than GrandeLASH-MD or RevitaLash. This was somewhat surprising given the shared prostaglandin active ingredient; it's possible the supporting formula plays a larger role than expected.
One tester experienced persistent redness along the lash line that required a 5-day break from application. She resumed with less frequency (every other day) and the irritation resolved, but at the cost of slower results.
The Value Discussion
At $49 for the 4mL bottle (~3 months), Babe Original costs approximately $16/month. That's cheaper than RevitaLash but in the same range as GrandeLASH-MD, which outperformed it in our testing.
Week-by-Week Results
We tracked our testers' progress closely over 12 weeks. Here is what we observed at each milestone.
Weeks 1-2: No visible change in lash length, density, or thickness. This is expected - the prostaglandin analogue needs time to shift hair follicles into an active growth phase. Testers noted that lashes felt slightly more conditioned, likely from the castor oil and biotin in the formula, but there was nothing you could see in photographs. One tester experienced mild itchiness along the lash line during the first few days of application, which subsided by day five.
Week 4: Two of three testers noticed early signs of change - not dramatic growth, but a subtle reduction in lash breakage and a slightly fuller appearance at the lash line. The third tester saw no visible difference yet. At this point, we also noticed that one tester's lower lash line had some fine vellus hairs appearing where product had migrated during application, which is a telltale sign that the prostaglandin component is active.
Week 8: This is where the moderate improvement became measurable. Length increased by an estimated 15-20% for our two responsive testers, with a modest improvement in overall density. The third tester finally started seeing some lengthening, though still behind the other two. The growth was real but noticeably less impressive than what we documented with GrandeLASH-MD or RevitaLash over the same period. One tester developed faint darkening along the upper eyelid margin - a known prostaglandin side effect - which she chose to monitor rather than discontinue use.
Week 12: Final results were best described as "solid but not striking." Lashes were visibly longer and had better curl retention. Density improved modestly. The tester who had experienced irritation early on and switched to every-other-day use had the least dramatic results but also the fewest side effects. The eyelid darkening on the other tester had become more noticeable and was visible without close inspection. Overall, the 12-week outcome was a clear step behind what the higher-performing prostaglandin serums achieved in the same timeframe.
Application Experience
Babe Original uses a fine-tip brush applicator housed in a slim, pen-like tube. The brush is thin enough to apply along the lash line, but the formula itself is where issues arise. It is noticeably thinner and more watery than most competitors we tested, almost like the consistency of micellar water rather than a serum. This makes precise application difficult - the liquid has a tendency to pool at the brush tip and then release too much product at once when it touches the skin.
Two of our three testers had the serum run into their eyes at least once during the testing period. When that happens, you get immediate stinging that lasts about 30 seconds to a minute. It is not severe, but it is unpleasant and avoidable with a thicker formula. We found that blotting the brush tip on a tissue before each application helped control the amount of product dispensed.
Dry time is fast - roughly 60-90 seconds before the lash line feels dry to the touch. The serum dries clear and does not leave a visible residue. We tested it exclusively at night, applied to clean skin before any other products, as directed. In the mornings, there was no interference with eye makeup application. Concealer, eyeshadow, and mascara all layered over the treated area without pilling or separation. The formula does not contain any heavy oils that would create a barrier under makeup.
One minor note: the tube itself is attractive - the pink-and-white design is sleek and would look at home on a bathroom shelf. But the cap does not click shut with much confidence, so be mindful of tossing it loosely into a travel bag.
Value Analysis
At $49 for the 4mL bottle, Babe Original lasts roughly three months with nightly use, putting it at about $0.54 per day. However, here is where the value argument gets complicated: GrandeLASH-MD's 2mL tube lasts roughly three months at $68, which works out to about $0.76 per day - slightly more expensive but with noticeably better results in our testing. And prostaglandin-free options like SOWN come in at roughly $0.60 per day without the side effect concerns. Babe Original is cheap, but cheap is not the same as good value. Value requires that the results justify the spend, and in this case, the moderate growth does not make a compelling case against either cheaper-and-safer or slightly-pricier-and-better alternatives.
Who Babe Original Is Best For
Honestly, this is a tough recommendation. If you want prostaglandin-level results, GrandeLASH-MD outperforms Babe Original at a similar price. If you want safety and value, prostaglandin-free options are substantially better. Babe Original sits in an awkward middle: it has the risks of a prostaglandin serum without the top-tier results.
What Real Users Are Saying
Good for the price! My lashes feel stronger and look a little longer. Not life-changing but I'll keep using it.
Decent budget option but didn't see the dramatic results I was hoping for after 10 weeks. Might try something stronger next.
Beyond individual reviews, several patterns emerge across user feedback on Amazon, Reddit, and beauty forums. A common theme in reviews is that Babe Original works "a little" - users consistently describe subtle improvements rather than dramatic transformations. Multiple reviewers on Reddit noted that the serum seemed to reduce lash fallout more than it stimulated new growth, suggesting the conditioning ingredients may be doing more heavy lifting than the prostaglandin component at whatever concentration is used.
Irritation reports are more frequent than with some competitors. A recurring complaint involves the thin formula getting into eyes during application, causing stinging that several users described as lasting longer than expected. A handful of longer-term users mentioned noticing slight darkening of the eyelid skin after two or more months of consistent use - a side effect that tracks with what we observed in our own testing panel. (See our full lash serum side effects guide for details on prostaglandin risks.)
On the positive side, users who temper their expectations tend to be satisfied. Those who come in looking for a modest improvement in lash condition and a bit of extra length generally rate the product favorably. Dissatisfaction tends to come from users who expected GrandeLASH-level results at a budget price point and felt the gap between expectation and reality was too wide.
Our Verdict
Babe Original offers a prostaglandin serum at an accessible price, but the moderate results don't fully justify carrying the risk profile of prostaglandin analogues. If you're going to accept prostaglandin risks, GrandeLASH-MD delivers more for a similar cost. If you're not, several prostaglandin-free serums outperform Babe Original on every safety metric.