My daughter and I were invited to a Halloween party this year and yes we sported costumes and cute ones I might add. I had gone to costume parties in the past and found that they're a lot more fun when you're dressed like a French maid as opposed to a witch or perhaps a ketchup stained surgeon. Pinning your hair up in the operating hat, lips and teeth behind a sterile mask along with the baggy scrubs don't exactly scream…look at me, I'm a cute, sexy chick.

So she dressed as a shagadelic 60's girl and I pranced around as a cavewoman in a strapless $400 leopard number I had purchased years ago for a Tom Petty concert. We were both thrilled with our outfits and ran out of the house just hours before the shindig started to get our toes painted. While waiting for our pedicures she spied fake eyelashes on the counter for sale. I knew what was coming next, we, or more accurately she, had to have them.

When I saw how striking they made her whole face look my wheels started turning and I had to learn more about these newfangled eyelash plumpers I'd been hearing about lately in this biz I so love. When Jan Marini first came out with her "Lash Intervention" I was skeptical to say the least and if that didn't prevent me from buying it, the cost did. Therefore I never took the time to actually learn the science or chemistry as to how these things could actually work. I just assumed it was just another over-priced mascara. Besides how could anything help a hair actually grow?

That's when I had to stop and ponder how I felt about products such as Rogaine and Nioxin for their potential in boosting hair growth on the scalp. After all, not long ago many balding people thought any such claim was nothing more than a quack selling snake oil. But they had to eventually admit they were wrong as studies confirmed that science prevailed and could actually make hair indeed grow. I had to do the research; more for my own vanity than anything else…I wanted to look striking, just as Ashley did in those long fake lashes! Nothing looks more glamorous than a beautiful set of eyes and I would give anything to make my beady little pair stand out a little more. Well anything except fake eyelashes. As much as I love beauty, I know for certain, less is more! I wanted long, bat-worthy lashes, but I know anything too false looks cheesy and harsh so I had to try something else. That something would have to be to nourish the lashes I already have to make them thrive. I had to let go of the instant gratification I'd come to know, love and rely on, because to have natural gorgeous lashes would take time. It turns out it only takes a month! Here's the concept in a nutshell. We condition for a thicker, more beautiful head of hair…isn't that reasonable to suggest? Then why can't we apply that same technology to our eyelashes? Fortunately, a few well-respected companies have developed that model in their labs, safely and effectively. Some have formulations that prevent breakage, while others have products to stimulate growth. These eyelash treatments promote the health of the eyelashes as opposed to typical lash coating mascara that only gives the temporary illusion of them actually being longer. By simply conditioning the lashes, a few good companies have enabled our own set of lashes to be revitalized and flourish. There are a few really good products I would recommend as I've either tried them for myself or have witnessed the use and success in others. As mentioned earlier, Jan Marini's Age Intervention Eyelash Conditioner is fabulous but a bit steep in price. You'll need to plan on spending well over a hundred bucks. But if you're comfortable with spending that kind of cash, you won't be let down. Same goes for the raved about MD Lash Factor. Both are extremely result-oriented. Two others you may want to check out are physician formulated and highly recommended RevitalashMD and the affordable Talika Lipocils Eyelash Conditioning Gel. Both have a huge, faithful following, many of whom say they're addicted and will never quit using it. As for my ghoulish experiment (haven't forgotten that Halloween helped me discover these little "must-haves") with the new conditioning lash enhancers…I too am hooked! I will never go back to sparse, little lashville!