Meet Our Founder, Dr. Michael Brinkenhoff

The Story Behind the World’s Best Lash & Brow Products

Today, RevitaLash® Cosmetics is the world’s leading lash and brow cosmetics brand. And it all began with a simple love story. Almost 20 years ago, the cosmetics lash serum category didn’t yet exist. Our Founder, Michael Brinkenhoff, M.D. was at that time a practicing physician in California specializing in eye health. His wife, Gayle, was battling breast cancer. Her battle had taken a toll on her natural lashes – and her confidence. Dr. Brinkenhoff created the original lash conditioner for Gayle to help her feel more beautiful during her long and courageous fight. The formula worked so well, the Brinkenhoffs knew they had to share it with the world – and RevitaLash® Cosmetics was born.

Dr. Brinkenhoff still leads the company today. Gayle’s legacy continues to inspire our brand’s mission of helping women feel confident and making an impact on the lives of those touched by breast cancer.

A Q&A with Dr. B

To help you get to know Dr. Brinkenhoff better, we asked him to tell us the story of RevitaLash® Cosmetics in his own words. He also shared with us his philosophy for creating new products, why he loves receiving customer feedback, and what’s next for the brand.

The Journey to Building RevitaLash® Cosmetics

How did Gayle inspire you to develop the original RevitaLash formula?

Dr. Brinkenhoff: 

Gayle had a resilient spirit, but it also bothered her when cancer treatments damaged her lashes and brows and caused her hair to become weak and brittle. As an ophthalmologist, I wondered if there was something I could do to help. After much thought and effort, I created a formula that helped restore the natural beauty of her lashes.

With this formula, Gayle definitely noticed that her lashes were looking and feeling healthier; her friends, family, and fellow cancer survivors noticed too. At that point, there was an explosion of interest in the formula, and I realized we had the potential for a business that would not only help Gayle, but would also benefit many other people. The demand for our new RevitaLash product was so explosive, we knew we had a winner!

The truth is I had no plans to pioneer an entirely new category of beauty product in the cosmetics industry. I simply wanted to give Gayle the gift of confidence and restore the spring in her step. She taught me that for women, the way you look and how you feel are deeply connected. That may go for men, too! I carry Gayle’s message forward with me each and every step, and for each and every product that we introduce.

What values drive you as leader of the RevitaLash® Cosmetics brand?

Dr. Brinkenhoff: 

Our dedication to the safety of our consumers and our philanthropic mission are two of my biggest priorities as the leader of our company.

Today, we still create our products with the same level of love, care and focus on safety as when I created the original formula for Gayle. Our lash serums – and other products as well – undergo safety lab tests conducted by experienced laboratories. They’re also reviewed by independent experts, including dermatologists and ophthalmologists.

Every product helps us give back to the cause that drives us: the fight against breast cancer. I am so proud of what RevitaLash® Cosmetics has accomplished in these past 19+ years. We are making a positive difference in the lives of people with cancer – and making strides towards improved treatment protocols, too. This is all thanks to our customers and partners worldwide. We couldn’t do it without them!

The Future of RevitaLash® Cosmetics

What’s next for RLC, and what innovations can consumers look forward to in the future?

Dr. Brinkenhoff:

We have some exciting new products in the pipeline that we look forward to sharing with our community once we’ve tested, re-tested, and fine-tuned their formulas.

I’m also excited for our next big goal in our efforts to fund cancer research, awareness, and patient initiatives: the Road to $10 Million. In 2025, we hope to reach this incredible milestone with the continued help of our customers and international partners. Our collective efforts have already totalled $9 million in donations, investments, and in-kind contributions to breast cancer care initiatives worldwide since 2008 – so while this goal is lofty, the whole of our teams is committed to achieving it.

It is with great thanks to our community that we’ve been able to do so much to help others. We’ve donated products to help bolster the confidence of those dealing with a difficult advanced cancer diagnosis. We’ve funded needed therapies, such as scalp-cooling caps for patients going through cancer treatment. We’ve provided financial support for talented researchers who are dedicated to discovering the next important drug and/or treatment for cancer, or better yet, a cure.

It’s what drives us as a company. Together we are making a real difference – and our shared impact continues to grow day by day. We couldn’t be more grateful.