It seems like everyone is over-plucking and going for an ultra-thin brow these days, but there's something I find extremely chic about a bold brow, à la Lily Collins or Dua Lipa. Maybe it’s a personal bias I hold after a disastrous wax I got a few years back botched my brows and turned every hair of mine into a treasured asset, and I’ve been doing everything in my power to regain that fluffy, arched look ever since.
Filling in my brows with a tinted gel or a pencil did the job, but I was never able to regain the thickness I was looking for—until I tried the Obagi Nu-Cil Eyebrow Boosting Serum. After using the formula for less than three months, I have more eyebrow hairs than ever before (even pre-scarring wax). I'm seeing new growth in areas around my eyebrows that I never thought could grow hair, and they're longer, thicker, softer, and noticeably more defined.
Prior to using the Obagi Eyebrow Serum, you can see my arches were average at best. Patchy and sparse in some areas and just lacking overall thickness. In the past, I tried a few formulas that helped strengthen my hairs or encourage some length, but I’ve never seen a product deliver as much new growth as Obagi. I’ve been getting so many compliments on my brows, and it's all thanks to this serum (hence why I’m here singing its praises). So, if you're thinking of starting your eyebrow growth journey, you're in the right place.
How often should you apply the Obagi Eyebrow Growth Serum?
Swipe Obagi Eyebrow Serum through your brows every night before bed, the same way you would apply an eyebrow gel. I followed this routine consistently for a couple of months. I noticed significant growth after about two months, and I’ve been using it every other night since for maintenance. Since then, I’ve plucked my brows twice (something I used to do maybe once a year), and the continuous new baby hairs are absolutely astounding.
How does Obagi Eyebrow Growth Serum work?
The formula is packed with ingredients that work together to create an ideal environment for hair growth. Most notably, there's dehydrolatanoprost, a prostaglandin analog that mimics naturally occurring prostaglandins in the body that works to extend the hair’s growth phase, encouraging thicker, fuller-looking hair over time. But there's also biotin, which helps support keratin production, strengthening strands and minimizing breakage so hair can grow longer and healthier. Sodium hyaluronate (similar to hyaluronic acid, FYI) and panthenol deeply hydrate the hair and surrounding skin too, while phenethyl caffeate stimulates the hair follicle. It's a team effort, basically.
What are the side effects of the Obagi Eyebrow Serum?
The most common side effects are mild irritation, redness, or occasional itching, especially for those with sensitive skin. In my personal experience, I noticed some redness around my brows when I woke up in the morning, which could also be attributed to increased circulation being stimulated in the area, but it faded after a few hours or could easily be covered up with a dab of concealer.
In rare cases, users may experience dryness, eye watering, or temporary darkening of the skin near the application site. Because this formula contains a prostaglandin analog, it’s important to discontinue use if irritation worsens or persists, and to consult a physician for any unexpected reactions.
The final verdict
As a seasoned beauty editor who tests products for a living, I rarely see results this dramatic. The Obagi Brow Serum noticeably transformed the thickness and growth of my brows in just a few months. While the $145 price tag is definitely on the higher side, if you’re searching for an eyebrow thickening serum that actually works, this is absolutely the formula worth splurging on for visible results.
Why Trust Cosmopolitan?
Jasmine Hyman is the assistant beauty editor at Cosmo, where she tests beauty products for a living. For this story, she used the Obagi Eyebrow Boosting Serum consistently for three months, reviewing it for efficacy, ease of application, and results.
Jasmine Hyman is the Assistant Beauty Editor at Cosmopolitan, where she writes about the latest beauty trends and must-have products. Her most prized beauty possessions are a meticulous skincare routine and salon blowouts. You’ll also likely find her in bed reading a good book or endlessly scrolling TikTok (spoiler: it’s usually the latter) while listening to Harry Styles’ entire discography on repeat. Follow her on Insta to be inundated with pictures of her meals.
