Last month I decided to toss my mascara and go in for my first set of lash extensions. I have a bunch of friends that have had them for a long time and I see so many other bloggers wearing them too. I’ve asked my friends an annoying amount of questions about their lashes over the past year and never thought they would be for me. I loved the look, but they seemed a little too high maintenance for my schedule to upkeep. After all, my natural lashes are super long (although blonde) and I can’t leave the house without mascara!
Prior to last month, I was wearing mascara every day. I would put on like three coats every morning and then use my trusty makeup eraser to take it off every night. I would inevitably be left with residual mascara under my bottom lashes that never seemed to go away. I would also wind up with mascara all over my face after spin class! I was beginning to realize that not only was my current routine a total time suck, but I was doing a lot of rubbing around my eyes every day taking the mascara off. This year I’ve made it my mission to really take care of my skin and I realized that my current routine was probably damaging my under eye area.
I started to seriously consider my options at this point, I knew I wasn’t going to be able to forego mascara without having anything else on my lashes. I’ve tried tinting before and it wasn’t enough for me. SO I did some research, asked my friends for referrals, and finally found the place I was going to get my lash extensions! I went in and shower the lash artist, Danielle, some examples of what I was looking for (and that I didn’t want mine to look like strip lashes) and she suggested the classic set. The initial application took about two hours and I went in and out of chatting and sleeping during it. I’ve heard some people’s horror stories about have red or itchy eyes, eyes swelling up, all their lashes falling out, etc. I had minor redness in one of my eyes for about an hour after my first appointment. Otherwise, nothing but good things to report! I’ve obsessed from day one! I don’t think I’ll go back to mascara anytime soon. I save 10-15 minutes every day not having to apply and remove mascara and I love how natural my lash extensions look! Before and after below.
Below are some tips and answers to questions
I have gotten!
What I Got: Classic Set Lash Extensions and on my first fill we added volume lashes so now I have a hybrid
Q: Can you wear eye makeup still?
A: I personally don’t wear any eye makeup during my day-to-day since getting lash extensions. You can, however, wear eyeshadow and eyeliner with them you just have to be super careful. When you’re removing the liner you run the risk of pulling out your lash extensions and if you are going to use eyeshadow you’ll want to run a wet spoolie through your lashes at night to make sure you don’t have any build up.
Q: What is the upkeep on them?
A: You’ll go in for a two-hour initial appointment to get the extensions put in. Then it’s recommended that you go in every 2-3 weeks for a “fill”, I went 3 weeks before my first fill and they still looked normal, I’d say I had about 50% left.
Q: How did you find a lash artist?
A: I asked a bunch of my friends where they got theirs and how their experience was. I do know people who have had horrible experiences getting lash extensions at other places which is why I did a lot of research! One of my tricks is to go to the tagged pictures on the Instagram account of the place you’re looking at and DM one of their clients. (I did this for a bunch of our wedding vendors too.) I DM-ed people and asked if they’d recommend them. I highly recommend only going to a well-respected salon in your city to an experienced lash artist.
TIPS
1. Get a spoolie to comb your lashes every morning, evening, and post-shower.
2. I would recommend not using any mascara or eyeliner while you have them to make them last the longest. Personal opinion!
3. If you do wear eyeshadow with them use a makeup eraser to take it off, being careful not to tug on your lashes, and then wet a spoolie and run it through your lashes in case you had any powder fall into your lashes.
4. If you’re in Tampa I recommend Amanda at Diaco Plastic Surgery
UPDATE 2/19/19: I got my extensions taken off after my wedding, regrew out my natural lashes and after about 5 months had them put on by Amanda at Diaco Plastic Surgery. I got a full set of volume lashes for a long and full volume look.
