I started using castor oil on my lashes quite some time ago with great results & no golf-ball effects. It's a lot safer around the eye area than Vaseline! I then started making my own lash serum that's castor oil based with several other ingredients but it's the consistency of a gel, not an oil, due to the other things in my formula. I buy mascara tubes from a local wholesale supplier, fill them and use that to brush it on from root to tip. I also brush this serum through my eyebrows. Works great, so no reason for me to waste $50+ on other products on the market. Castor oil is spectacular for the hair on your head as well. It's a great overnight scalp & hair deep conditioning treatment.