extended

Yesterday I got eyelash extensions. I know, I know, it's totally ridiculous and frivolous and who the hell do I think I am? But I've been addicted to mascara for ages and despite buying just about every one on the market (drug store and department store brands included) I've never found one that truly delivered on all of its promises. I've also considered Latisse, but I honestly have no clue how to ask a doctor for a prescription without feeling like a drug addict. Yes, I realize it's eyelash medicine and not some kind of pain killer but still, the potential to be an eyelash drug addict is there and I'm embarrassed. Don't judge me.

Back in October a Groupon popped up for eyelash extensions and the price was right so I jumped on it. My expectations were low and I figured I would either end up with no noticeable difference (I call it Mascara Let Down Syndrom) or they would be so obviously fake I would be one short step away from feather eyelash extensions. Well color me pleasantly surprised, I love them!

And now onto the uncomfortably close pictures of my eyes!

Before:




And extended!




I told the eyelash tech that I wanted them to look like I was wearing the world's best mascara and not be too obviously fake and I feel like that's exactly what I got. When I got home jparks knew something about my face was different but he couldn't put his finger on what it was.

The actual application was not painful but it was a tiny bit uncomfortable. Mine was an hour and forty-five minutes of having my eyes closed, with my lower lashes gently taped under an aloe pad so they don't get in the way. It's a slow process because they are individually gluing one eyelash at a time to your real lashes. When she was done my eyes were bright red but it went away after about 20 minutes. She also glued my eye shut in one spot, which sounds way worse than it really was. It was just that a lower lash had gotten loose and stuck to a top lash, no biggie. Since this was my first time having it done I'm going back in two weeks to get a fill, where they'll replace any loose lashes or fill in any clumps. If I weren't going to do fill visits they would last anywhere from 60 to 90 days, which is the normal lifespan of your natural eyelashes.

So yes, it's expensive and does require upkeep, but for me it's worth it, especially considering the Groupon made the whole thing more than half off. I don't have to wear mascara now but it is an option if I really want them to have oomph. They are also a tad darker than my natural lashes which darkens my lash line, kind of causing a lined effect replacing the need for an additional eyeliner. The tech told me the less I mess with them the longer they'll last which is perfect since lately I rarely have more than ten minutes to get ready.

Yay for eyelashes!