Eyelash extentions
The Pilot and I usually just tell each other what we’d like for our birthday gifts. Yeah, we’ve gotten to that stage in our relationship where we don’t really surprise each other with gifts (even though we do like to surprise each other with parties!). For my birthday, I really wanted a pair of Michael Kors animal print ballet flats, until I saw some similar ones at Target for much less.
So instead, I thought it might be fun to get eyelash extensions.
My eyelashes used to be extremely long, but over time, while they’re still very dark, they’re like little stumps. For special occasions or photos, I’ll put in a few single lash falsies -which look awesome- but always end up getting a little glue in my eye and my contact lenses drive me crazy. I’ve heard rave reviews about eyelash extensions, so I decided to give it a whirl.
Before:
After:
After shopping around -turns out they’re wicked pricey- my mom told me about a friend of hers (an eyelash extension specialist) who does it out of her house. For $85 (a steal), I knew it would be a perfect first-time experience, because if I didn’t like them I wouldn’t be dropping a lot of $$ on a set.
The verdict?
I LOVE the results, but didn’t really love the procedure. It involved putting collagen pads on my lower eyelashes to protect them from the glue, and they were super uncomfortable. Even though I’ve worn contacts for 20 years, my eyes are sensitive. I don’t like anyone messing with them -a huge reason why I haven’t gotten Lasik- and it just wasn’t an enjoyable experience despite the fact that the tech was lovely and did a great job. I thought I’d get a naptime during the hour-long procedure, but instead I was counting down until would be over.
My new lashes:
I couldn’t wear my contacts during or immediately following treatment. For the first time in forever, my eyelashes tickle the insides of my glasses. What a problem to have, eh?
Even though I love the look, I probably won’t get them again. Many people don’t have a problem with the treatment (just make sure to find a licensed specialist and zero formaldehyde in the adhesive!) but it just wasn’t my favorite. I feel like getting waxed or lasered is far more relaxing, which says a lot haha.
How to care for them:
-I can’t use any makeup cleansers or rub my eyelashes
-No curling or mascara
-Avoid steam hitting the eyes
-They usually last 2-4 weeks. Since the lashes adhere to your usual eyelashes, they fall out in a normal lash cycle. I’ve lost a few already, and it’s NBD.
Would you get (or have you ever had) hair or eyelash extensions? What’s your beauty treatment splurge?
xoxo
Gina
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I’ve had them, I had them done once and filled once, they are much fuller the second time. But similar to you I hated having them done, I couldn’t stop fidgeting and I hated having my lower lashes taped down. 🙁 As much as they are pretty, the time and procedure aren’t worth it to me.
i totally agree
Oh I love long luscious lashes 🙂 My biggest beauty splurge is lipstick- I want allll of the colors!
They look great! I’ve gotten them done once, and then kept them up for a few months. I loved them, but yes, pricey. I found l wore less makeup when I had them. The procedure wasn’t terrible, but not fun.
My big splurge is always a wax, usually every other month. I found a wax place I LOVE, but they’re pricey ($75 for a Brazilian), so it’s a splurge for sure. 6 per year isn’t too bad, though, and I don’t get manicures or expensive haircuts, so I don’t feel too guilty! 🙂 Love the lashes!
I don’t think i would get them I hate things in my eyes
Those look great! I’ve never done them semi-permanent but I LOVE wearing fake eyelashes for special occasions. I would have expected it to be way more expensive.
I’m currently considering splurging and getting a nose job. It’s something I’m very self conscious about but it is a lot of money. I’m also worried about the anti-feminist stigma of getting plastic surgery. What’s your view on plastic surgery? It’s hard to balance fun beauty stuff and being a good role model. Just gotta work on my confidence!
Hey Erin, for what it’s worth, I say plastic surgery isn’t the bane of the feminist movement, as long as you reflect on your motivation. If youre self conscious and know you would feel better, than go for it. If it is just because you think you would like it more, then why not? That’s why I try new hair styles 🙂
It’s only a problem if it is a symptom of something else, like needing a self esteem check, than maybe reconsider!
i think if you’re doing it for you, then go for it. never do it for someone else or what others would think of you.
i personally would love rhinoplasty and would get it in a second if my husband would let me haha. he thinks it would change my entire face, but i just want the bump on my nose to disappear
I know it’s difficult to change how you feel about your nose but I think your nose is lovely! I have a similar little bump and remember pushing down on it when I would go to sleep at night, hoping it would disappear! Now I can make peace with it – except for on tough days when I’m not feeling confident.
I agree with Jaclyn. You’re gorgeous, and having lots of gorgeous Aquiline ladies out there in the world makes it easier for us bump-noses in general, in my opinion. It’s certainly not enough to make a person ‘ugly’.
If it helps, a few years ago I decided to own my less mainstream looks by labeling them ‘exotic’, which has helped immensely. I’m not less-than, I’m different.
This post and this comment makes me sad. You need to work on your security. Good looks aren’t forever.
My post about eyelashes made you sad?
Yes, how sad! You know what else I think is sad? People exercising to look and feel good. How vain and insecure! Those adults with lifelong cystic acne who seek out medical attention? Why?! You should embrace your acne! A tummy tuck after a significant weight loss? How dare you! That excess skin that makes it impossible to zip up a pair of pants? It’s a part of you! 😉 You are not sad. People are just silly.
The eyelashes didn’t make me sad. Your insecurity does. How vain and insecure do you have to be to not like yourself so much that you find fault in eyelashes? I’m curious if you have interests outside of working out and cooking healthy food? Do you do anything that isn’t focused on your body?
I could write an essay in response to this, but instead I’m going to say there’s nothing wrong with wanting to look or feel pretty. To judge and make assumptions about that is catty and vapid. Speaking of hobbies, I hope you can find a better use of your time than to overanalyze a blog post. Hope things turn around for you, and when you manifest your own confidence and self worth, you’ll refrain from making petty judgements about others.
my face powder from Lancôme, I always make sure to buy it during gift time! also my natural beauty products from mychelle my skin has never looked better, I buy during the black Friday sale when its buy one get one free or 50% off I will buy enough for the year.
Wow….your eyelashes look really good….no pain no gain…..so they say!
http://vodkaandarose.blogspot.co.uk
Jess. x
That’s so cool! I would probably just use false eyelashes as I find someone applying eyeliner to my eyes to be really uncomfortable. My biggest splurge is getting my hair highlighted once a year in Feb for my bday. It brings back the sunkissed look I lose over the winter. Since I only do it once a year I don’t mind going to a high-end salon to do it and I make a day out of it with champagne and everything! 🙂
No mascara? You can still use all your other make-up and eyeliner, though, right? I just can’t imagine not being able to highlight them somehow!
I used to have a coworker who had permanent eye liner and I always thought that would be cool to try. Just a nice, subtle, dark line above and below her lashes. It looked really nice, and she said that she liked it because she could not technically be wearing any makeup, but still look put together. The thought of having someone tattoo my eye lid has always stopped me, though…
I get my eyelashes tinted a few times a year, and (if the practitioner does it right) it gives the same subtle eyeliner look in addition to darker lashes. I love waking up and feeling like I already have mascara and eyeliner on.
Plus it’s a little less scary than having your eye lid tattooed!
They look awesome!! Too bad they aren’t a permanent thing – I could probably handle the procedure once but not on a regular basis!!
I had hair extensions once – sort-of fun for something different!!!
They look AMAZING!! Unfortunately after a previous bad experience with eyelash perming (yes, they really do that!) I don’t really let anyone near my lashes. Wait until you move to SD, you will see a surprising amount of people with them. My eyelashes touch my glasses too (it’s probably the best “problem” I have 🙂 and I found that glasses with a nose piece work best, like aviators.
I’ve had a few different kinds of them. The only ones I thought were worth the money were called extreme lashes. Even though they said not to use mascara, I still did, with every kind. The worst part about any of the brands, is when they fall off, your natural lashes break and become extremely short.
Eyelash extensions are not appealing to me because of not being able to put mascara on them…I would say my biggest beauty splurge is a pedicure once every few months.
I’ve never had eyelash extensions and based on what you said about it, I wouldn’t make it through the procedure!! I’ve thought about Latisse but the fact that it can dye your eyes a different color freaks me out too much – I have been using the Ardell Lash Excel for about a week and I really do think it’s working though. I would say my biggest beauty splurge is regular cut & colors every 6-8 weeks or the Urban Decay Naked palettes… I already have the first two and can’t wait to add Naked 3 to my collection!!!
Hmm, I can’t say that I’d spend my money on eyelash extensions — like you said, they look great, but the procedure doesn’t really sound worth it.
If I had to pick one thing to splurge on, it would be massages! I know it’s not really a “beauty” treatment, but I’d have one every day if I could 🙂
Yours look great! I don’t think I would get eyelash extensions because I have really long eyelashes naturally. But it isn’t all flowers and butterflies with long lashes. Haha! Lots of times when I blink, the upper lashes and lower lashes lock together and I can’t see. Which is dangerous when driving! And if I put on mascara, I have to wait a while for it to dry before putting on glasses. But sometimes for Halloween or dress-up days, I do get some stick-on lashes for fun 🙂
I think they look amazing!! I would love to have long eye lashes!
Looks gorgeous, though 😉
I get lash extensions, and I love them!
i’m addicted. I have super small Asian eyes, so they make a big difference in helping my eyes look bigger. I even feel like I no longer need to wear eye makeup! 🙂
You look great!
I got eyelash extensions once and love how they looked. At first. When they started getting crinkled because I slept on my side/stomach and creased them, I got annoyed. And then when they started falling off and looked kind of sparse, I just looked silly!
I actually got LASIK just last week. And if you’re uncomfortable with the eyelash application, I definitely would stay away from the vision correction! It was a little creepy (I’m not going to lie) but I’m thrilled with the fact that I can see for the first time in 20+ years without contacts or glasses! 🙂
My splurge is Wen hair conditioner… love it!
Oooh, that’s my splurge too! I must say my hair has never looked better. Love the cleansing conditioner. Pricey but worth it.
I’ve read a lot about Wen, i’m just worried that my hair would get greasy…do you have drier hair or does it work on normal to oily?
They do look great! I could never stand the procedure either though. I’m quite sure I would have a panic attack in the middle and end up with one eye done and the other not! 🙂 Plus, the cost would be a huge deal for me. My biggest splurge is really a necessity in my opinion. Getting my hair highlighted every 6-8 weeks. I just really look awful with my natural brown hair and I’ve had highlights for so long I don’t think I could ever go back to my natural color. Not to mention the highlights blend in with the greys that seem to be multiplying by the day!
I’ve had lash extensions for a year and a half now and I love them. The first time I got them done though the girl did not know how to put the tape on my lower lashes right, it was awful! But then I went to another gal and she was amazing. Fills in 45 minutes, comfortable, and my lashes are super full! It’s my splurge 🙂
I used to get them all the time and found that the fill actually looked better and more natural than the initial set. I didn’t like them too long – I just wanted them to be fuller – so my esthetician shortened them for me.
One thing they’re amazing for?? Summertime. You can swim and look all gorg getting out of the pool. You don’t need any mascara or liner – just the lashes.
You look beautiful with or without them though. 🙂
Try L’Oreal”s lash serum – it is inexpensive and really does work. I also had plastic surgery on my eyelids to take care of the drooping skin, and I just love my eyes now! When you get older, you will see what I mean, but you don’t have to worry about that now!
Gina-I highly recommend LASIK! I also was super freaked out by the thought of the procedure, but if you could go through the eyelash extensions for an hour then LASIK would be cake for you. While it is uncomfortable, it is so unbelievably quick that it is over before there is time for a full blown panic attack…seriously like 5 minutes and you’re done. It is the best thing that I ever did! It has been more than 5 years and it has changed my life! Your eyelashes sound like they were way worse to go through! They look lovely though:)
Amanda Z
I had extensions done for my wedding and they were gorgeous. I didn’t mind the procedure at all…..but I totally spaced out on the fact that I’m a side sleeper and wake up with tons of eye ‘sleepies’. I think my allergies ultimately did them in though. They got kinda crooked and sparse a little quicker than I hoped. Won’t be doing it again.
I actually got extensions for a period of time, and really loved them… BUT, just b/c you don’t have a recation to the glue the first time, you can develop an allergy or sensitivity over time.
I have always gone to the same place, which is very reputable and used the best products. But one day, I had a super bad reaction to the glue. Almost couldn’t open my eyes they were so swollen shut! Getting them taken off what rediculously painful, plus I had to get a steroid shot and pills to clear up the reaction. On top of all of that, the day I had the reactioin was the day my boyfriend was planning on proposing! Talk about a memorable proposal.
So – I recomend people to stay away from them!
My big splurge was laser hair removal from my upper lip it was painful but so worth it!!
I got eyelash extensions for my wedding and absolutely LOVED them. I got SO many compliments and my wedding make-up artist even booked her own appointment as soon as she saw them. I paid A LOT more than $85 but maybe the extra money went towards the experience because when I got mine (the first time and then filled a couple weeks later) it was so relaxing that I fell asleep both times. I also have chronic dry eye so my eyes are very sensitive – but I felt like the technicians weren’t even near my eyes, they were so gentle.
They completely customize the look for you – the length, the fullness, the shape. You can’t wear mascara with them – but you definitely don’t need to. Having the extensions is like wearing that dream mascara – darker, fuller, longer, defined!
The extensions fall out with your natural lashes, but I found myself helping the process along by rubbing my eyes so something to keep in mind.
The only reason I haven’t kept them up and get them filled every month is because of the cost. I have a few other splurges (waxing, barre classes) that I’m not ready to give up yet, so the eyelashes had to go. But I’m definitely going to get them again for my sister’s wedding in June.
One word of warning, it is very sad when they’re removed and you’re left with your natural lashes – that by comparison look like sparse tiny stumps. I need to find some good lash growth serum!
my eyelashes are blonde, but really long– so a few swipes of mascara does the trick for me! For beauty splurges– waxing {although is is a splurge if it’s a necessity? haha}, and an occasional mani//pedi!
I got eyelashes while I was in LA for my birthday. I over paid for the mink ones and they looked gorgeous but I had them removed 4 days later because I thought they were too long and might damage my natural lashes. I felt horrible for wasting all that money 🙁
They look very pretty on you! I would never get them though, but then I don’t mind my lash length. I can’t imagine sitting there for an hour working on my lashes! I splurge on more expensive brand makeup and also waxing.
I got eyelash extensions for my high school graduation years ago. I have a relative that is an aesthetician and that was her graduation gift to me. I couldn’t wear regular mascara, but she gave me water soluable mascara (opposite of waterproof i suppose) and I used it with no problems. They lasted about 4 weeks for me, and I totally fell asleep while she put them on me. As someone mentioned above, I think I will splurge for my wedding someday.
I don’t think I’d get lash extensions since they seem pricey for how long they last, but since I have naturally light eyelashes I would definitely consider getting them tinted!