You may have heard that a Class Action Lawsuit was filed in California about a year and a half ago against Grande Cosmetics. The products in question are GrandeLASH MD, GrandeBROW and Grande HAIR.
The ingredient at the heart of the suit is ICP or Isopropyl Chloprostenate, defined in the cosmetics dictionary as a “hair conditioner”. ICP is a “prostaglandin analogue” or a synthetic version of prostaglandin that encourages hair growth by extending the length of the hair cycle. The core issue of the lawsuit is that Grande Cosmetics hair growth products are actually “drugs” rather than cosmetics. The key ingredient ICP is similar in class to the active ingredient in the prescription lash-enhancing drug, Latisse, that you may be aware of. It was proposed that ICP could produce similar adverse side effects in some users as Latisse. Drugs must be approved by the FDA before they can be sold to the public by prescriptions written by and overseen by physicians. Cosmetics, on the other hand, need no formal approval, though many companies do test their cosmetic products for safety of use.
The Plaintiff in the lawsuit (who purchased Grande Cosmetics products repeatedly over several years) is claiming that Grande Cosmetics is actually a new drug and that its advertising as a cosmetic hair enhancement serum omits key information about its ingredients (specifically, ICP), potential side effects and how to use the product. I have not read the 26 page lawsuit filed by the Plaintiff, and I personally don’t know if she experienced adverse side effects from longtime use of the Grande Cosmetics products, Grande Lash MD and Grande Brow. If you wish to read more about the lawsuit and the issues therein, here’s a link to the page in classaction.org that summarizes the suit and at the end of the article, posts the suit itself.
The Defendant, Grande Cosmetics, denies that their hair enhancement serums are drugs. They also claim that other OTC hair enhancement cosmetics contain ICP, and they are correct: RapidLash, a product I’ve been using with no ill effects for quite a while contains Isopropyl Chloprostenate. In addition, Grande Cosmetics mention that they have conducted third-party safety research on its products, and that their products are safe. I went to the Grande Cosmetics website, and they spend a good amount of space explaining ICP, their safety research, and cautions about using any cosmetic product especially if you experience any ill effects. Finally, there has been to date no scientific study that has proven that ICP or Grande Cosmetics’ products cause adverse effects such as iris discoloration, bulging around the orbital area, etc.
What I recently read was that a year ago the Plaintiff “voluntarily dismissed (the Class Action lawsuit) without prejudice. To me (a non-attorney!), that suggested that she withdrew the suit but could bring it back again if desired. (Does that make sense?)
The reason I am writing about the Class Action Lawsuit against Grande Cosmetics now is that I just became aware of it, and there’s been recent action on the case that suggests that it wasn’t completely dismissed by the Plaintiff. Another reason is that I have written about Grande Lash MD and the positive experiences of friends who used it in the past, I started using Grande Lash just a couple of weeks ago, and I have used RapidLash and RapidBrow (who are neither named nor alluded to in the brief) on and off for several years with good results.
From what I read, on March 13, 2024, a hearing “addressing the fairness, adequacy, and reasonableness of the settlement” will be held to determine whether the lawsuit should be settled and whether any Settlement should be approved. I’m confused because the Plaintiff voluntarily dismissed the suit, I heard due to the cost of litigation, but in the meantime, others who have purchased Grande Cosmetics were notified about the Class Action Lawsuit, so perhaps that’s why there must be an attempt at a settlement.
On January 8, 2024, however, a $6.25 million settlement was reached. If you have purchased and used Grande Cosmetics enhancing serums during the time period mentioned below, you may or may not wish to file a claim. Following is the info on next steps in the lawsuit and settlement quoted from class-action.com:
“The settlement, which received preliminary approval on December 14, 2023, covers anyone who purchased GrandeLASH-MD, GrandeBROW or GrandeHAIR products for personal, family, household or professional purposes anytime between January 1, 2018 and December 14, 2023.
The deal will provide a cash payment of up to $150 for each person who files a valid claim, though the final amount may be less depending on how many people file claims, among other factors.
Claimants who submit proof of purchase—such as receipts, canceled checks or credit card statements—for at least two covered products may be entitled to an additional cash payment of up to $150, depending on whether there is money left in the settlement fund after the initial payments have been allocated.
To file a claim online, head to this page. The deadline for filing a claim is February 27, 2024.
Payments will not be distributed until after the settlement receives final approval and any appeals are resolved. A final approval hearing is scheduled for March 13, 2024.
In addition to the cash payments, Grande has also agreed to provide “expanded cautionary instructions for use” of its enhancement serums and will change how the products are advertised.
For more information, head to the official settlement website, GC-Settlement.com.”
So rather than writing about my experiences and initial results after using the travel size tube of GrandeLASH MD that I bought at Ulta after Christmas (so far, so good), I wanted to make sure you knew about the lawsuit and settlement in case it will help you make up your mind whether to use or continue to use not only GrandeLASH MD, GrandeBROW and GrandeHAIR but also other hair enhancement serums and even prescription drugs like Latisse. Hair growth products have been somewhat controversial, so it makes sense to stay informed.
If you have any further thoughts, information or clarification on this Class Action Lawsuit or other related issues, please weigh in by commenting below.
OMG. I’m SO glad you wrote about this… I’ve been using RapidBrow brand for several years now. I think it truly helps with my thinning brows. BUT I’ve noticed that lately I have a lot more pigmentation, in the form of age spots/new freckles, in and around my brows. In fact, I was worried about one of them and went to the dermatologist earlier this week to get it checked! Turns out it’s “just” a big freckle forming, but I had it frozen off because it’s so prominent. And now I’m guessing that the RapidBrow promoted it!! Bummer!
Thank you for sending the link to the article about prostaglandins. Like the author said, so many people are happy with the results that the manufacturers continue along with the same ingredients. You probably noticed that I have very red eyelids that I always thought were due to aging, like everything else, but now I wonder if it has anything to do with using lash serums with ICP intermittently? I will ask my ophthalmologist when I finally get to see him.
And I neglected to mention…. RapidBrow also contains Isopropyl Chloprostenate.
Yes, usually it’s used in both lash and brow formulas. I just looked up RapidLash last night, but makes total sense.
I tried this but it made no difference at all, neither did their brow serum. They charge a lot of money for this OTC product even knowing they are being sued.
It’s so hard to say what the right thing to do about lash and brow serum. So many of the OTC formulas besides Grande has prostaglandins in them. My friend and her daughter both used GrandeLASH and their lashes were unbelievably long. My friend stopped using it because her lashes were hitting her glasses, they were so long. I just started using it about 2 weeks ago, and I came upon the articles about the lawsuit yesterday so I decided I should write about it and let people know, since I missed it myself. Seems like the case will be settled, but it’s best to be informed. I have very red eyelids and have for several years. I thought it was due to aging (isn’t everything?), but now I wonder if it’s a side effect of using lash serums?
I am so glad that you posted this, Allison! So many people use these types of products and need as much information as possible about the emergence of this class action lawsuit. I don’t use these types of products, but I really appreciate this information, and will direct everyone I know who uses this to your post.
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I was surprised, actually, to see news of the class action suit that’s been going on for at least a year and a half. What have I been? But I’m glad I saw it, especially since I had just bought a travel size of GrandeLASH. And one of the previous lash serums that I was using also contains prostaglandin. So now I am wondering if my red eyelids have anything to do with lash serums? Definitely important info to consider for those who use lash & brow enhancement serums.