Jeepers Creeper, Where’d you Get Those Peepers?

As promised, y’all get to participate in my eyelash extension session from Thursday.

Background — I am fair complected, blonde hair, and my eyelashes are almost blonde as well. Not blonde enough that they stand out a little, but just enough that they fade right into my eyeline, so nothing frames my eyes.  Compound that with having lashes to curl down below the line of the eye.  For me to even appear to have eyes with a nice little eyelash fringy frame, it requires about three coats of mascara, much curling, some conditioner, and even then… did I mention my eyelashes are really fine?  Yes, mascara does not like to stick, so it starts peeling off midway through the day.  Disheartening.  I actually have pretty great eyes other than that –  it’s one of my favorite features.  The lack of eyelashes without slathering on a lot of chemical goo suuuuucks. 

 For some idea of what my lashes look like, go here and look at the before and after pictures eight down from the top.  Not me, but that’s pretty close to my befores and afters.  I would take snaps, but I’ve had acute bronchitis all week, and even with pretty lashes, I am not looking very spiffy yet.  BTW, my doc did concoct me a killer phenergan/codeine cough syrup that is knocking me out a little at night so I’m getting just a tidge of sleep– blessedly.  I thought I was going to have to cancel my appointment this morning or give it to my sister (she was gleeful) because of my nonstop coughing, but my Lung-shushing Elixir worked its magic, and I made it through the two hours without hacking my lungs up.

I had heard about eyelash extensions from my hair stylist since they do it at her salon, thought it sounded pretty nifty, but just never seriously considered doing it until recently.  Two reasons finally made me fork over the $250 to get them done — 1) with my fair complexion, mascaras just wind up looking harsh on my mildly aging face, and 2) I really pretty much hate wearing mascara, always have and wind up going without most of the time and looking like I have no eyes. 

Lisa went over the process, what to expect, how long it would take, we decided to do a mix of black and brown lashes because I was afraid all black may be too harsh, but I wanted enough color that they would pop up.  She got me all settled down on her table, put some cooling doohickeys under my eyes, some tape to pull my eyelids up a little, and my eyes stayed closed the entire time.  She went back and forth from eye to eye putting on one lash at a time.  It’s a tedious process, and it will take a couple of hours for a full set (you can’t do your bottom lashes, nothing to grab on to.  How full/long/thick you can go depends on your natural lashes.  They have to have enough structure to support the extension.  So if you have really thin, fine lashes, don’t expect to get glam lashes. 

Just having someone working on your eye like that can be irritating. My eyes are a little sensitive to begin with, and they are still sick, so while they aren’t all red and irritated now, they do feel a bit mishish – getting better as the day goes on.

They are perfect, not too much, not over the top like false eyelashes can be, you can’t tell they are extensions; my eyes get a nice frame that they deserve, no mascara necessary. The upkeep?  Well, you have to go get a refill once every three weeks, which runs 50-65 normally, depending on how many lashes you want added back in.

It is a spendy procedure, and for people with dark lashes or no aversion to mascara, I wouldn’t recommend it just on the cost factor. If you have fine lashes, hard to see, and you hate mascara or it doesn’t stick to your lashes long and your budget can handle it, I think it’s a great way  to look great right out of bed in the morning.

Next time… I’m thinking maybe a little color, like a dark eggplant or navy blue, which is softer on the eyes.

  • witchygirl says:

    I just got some eyelash extensions, and I just made an appointment to have them removed. They feel alot more natural than they look. Maybe I should’ve gotten the brown ones instead of the black ones, but they are too long and too black. I look like one of those overdone sixties girls from like Laugh In or something. I think they actually make me look older because I look overdone. I also think that result has alot to do with the talent of the technician applying them. Mine said that she has been doing them for 2 years, but some of these lashes are going in directions that just don’t look natural. They are kind of amazing really, but I’ve gotten negative feedback from both my husband and my best friend. My husband says I look older and like I’m wearing toupes on my eyes. My best friend said, “are you having a midlife crisis?” Not good. Ah well, it was a lovely dream, as I hate mascara with a passion.

  • Jayne says:

    Here’s the update on Sharbat Gula’s story. Take a look at her now – they say she’s probably 30.

    http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2002/04/afghan-girl/index-text/1

    I quote from the National Geographic stoy:
    ‘Here is the bare outline of her day. She rises before sunrise and prays. She fetches water from the stream. She cooks, cleans, does laundry. She cares for her children; they are the center of her life. Robina is 13. Zahida is three. Alia, the baby, is one. A fourth daughter died in infancy. Sharbat has never known a happy day, her brother says, except perhaps the day of her marriage.’

    I love you dearly Patty, but…. eyelashes, with this picture?

  • tmp00 says:

    I’m with Bryan- I’d almost go for them, but I think I’d have to just have the ones I have dyed from their present maddeningly blond to dark first.

    • Patty says:

      do they still do dying? If they do, you should do that! but mine are so light, they’re almost blond, and they darkened up beautifully.

  • Bryan says:

    Patty,
    I understand about the mishish feeling. I have been sick for like a month now and I sleep all the time, when not working of course. I want those suckers, but I’m not sure how it would look on a guy. Nothing against drag queens at all, I just don’t want to look like one. I have dark eyes and lashes, but they kind of “jut” down. They dissolve into my face, but a curler is such a pain in the, well you know.
    I can’t wait to see a picture. I already think you’re gorgeous, so this is like gilding the lily a bit. Girl Power!!

    • Patty says:

      You know, I think it would look good. You’d probably want something that matches your natural lash more and maybe not quite as long as chicks get, but I think it could look awesome, if it’s the look you’re going for.

      Sorry you’ve been so sick for so long. This winter has just been the worst. Usually I just get these 2-3 day ickies and then I”m okay for weeks, get another one, etc., and don’t just dork out like this!

    • Dusan says:

      Have I been icky sicky *all* winter? Sure seems like it. Let’s hope we’re done with mucus, fever and joint pain for this year 🙂
      Anyhow — gorgeous, you know I want those pics you promised like, now! And that goes for both you and Bry 😉
      would love even better to meet y’all in person… why oh why do you live so far? *sigh*

  • rosarita says:

    Have to say, I’m with your sis – sedation helps just about anything potentially 😮 go a little smoother. Your results sound just about perfect; looking forward to pics! Glad you’re feeling even marginally better. Wishing you more |-)

  • Elle says:

    Sounds fantastic! I’m wondering if my lashes are too thin or fine to do it. Am definitely going to investigate. My main issue isn’t the money (not that steep, considering perfume costs) – it’s finding that extra two hours in a day to do it. I know, I have real problems w/ extra time (mascara is essential for me, but only takes approximately 25 seconds or less for me to apply).

    • Patty says:

      No, you should be fine. I have really, really fine, thin lashes. As long as you have some lash, you can do it. They do it a lot on chemotherapy patients who have very little eyelash left.

      The good news is, the first full lash takes the two hours. refills are 30-45 minutes or about the same time as a good mani-pedi. What would be sweet is if you could get someone to do a mani-pedi while you’re getting the relash. Multi-beauty-tasking!

  • Musette says:

    As one who has to be mildly sedated just to get a glaucoma test I am impressed by your ability to sit (lie down?) through this procedure. I’m sure they look beautiful – then again, I’m sure you’re already beautiful, in person as well as spirit…this is just a little ‘oomph’!

    I’m getting those little old-age ‘moles’ near my eyes and I’ve been talking with my dermo about removal….first thing that came up was the mild sedative (he ain’t stupid!:-) when the time comes, may I channel some of your poise and serenity for the procedure?

    Here’s a ~o) to help speed the bronch on its way!

    • Louise says:

      My sweet sister always insists on Valium for all procedures…including tooth cleaning :d

      I say…go for whatever gets ya through…;)

    • Patty says:

      Definitely lying down. You know, I thought it would bother me more, but my tolerance for pain has gone up a lot in the last few years. I can even do the juvaderm without the block thing. I don’t like it, and I hate needles, but I figure I can get through anything as long as it doesn’t take too long. With what mother nature has been doing to me the last ten years, it’s increasing my tolerance for all sorts of things going wrong. 🙂

      With this, I found myself falling asleep/nodding off.

      YOu definitely should have that done, especially if it’s something that bothers you. Probably nobody else notices or cares, but I think for women, we magnify the things that bother us. And taking care of them doesn’t make us happy in the least, but I think it gives us an overall boost at the times in our lives when age is just creeping in like an inevitable iceberg. 🙂

      • Musette says:

        I probably will, in the fullness of time (read: in autumn). Right now I am under such odd stressors that I don’t think I could take it, even with Valium.

        Soon, though. Soooon!

  • You’re as good as your word Patty! It was very interesting to read this process and it’s good to know you’re satisfied with the results. The page with the “before and after”s is impressive to say the least!
    I don’t think I really need this to fork out the money, but it’s good to know it exists (well, one might reference friends, right?)

    best wishes for a swift recovery from your bronchitis (sounds nasty…:( )

    • Patty says:

      Thanks, Helg! It was interesting to do. Having options for things that just are working as well as they used ot is always a good thing!

  • March says:

    I am so happy to hear your good results! I’m always reading in my fash/trash mags about how great the results are. And the maintenance etc. I think is just one of those things (like coloring your hair, or having your nails done) where you prioritize. I am looking forward to seeing your peepers in person. 8-|

  • Lee says:

    Like Louise, love that striking and somehow so sad image.

    We need to see you, beautiful one.

    Hope the mucal rattle is leaving your chest. Warmest hugs.>:d<

    • Patty says:

      Promise! After my next IPL, I’ll try and get some snaps up so y’all can see both procedures. My fear is that y’ll will look at it and go…”She paid money for that?!?!” /:)

      Harry seems to have run off with my third expensive camera. I’m going to buy ONE more, a Canon Rebel XTi, hide it so he can never find it. That child is just a camera hog, he can’t leave the digital equipment alone.

      @-)

  • Louise says:

    I bet you feel marvelous with this little boost (and the meds!). I am afraid to do anything near my eyes, but the rest of my face is fair game for milder procedures-love a good microdermabrasion, would consider a little botox or filler.

    The photo above is compelling…Steve McCurry is a talented photogragher (Divalino, if you’re on board today, you could provide much more informed commentary 🙂

    There is a follow-up photo of this Afghani girl, taken perhaps 15 or 20 years later…her struggles are apparent in her face:

    http://www.rossevertson.com/blog/images/afghan_mccurry.jpg

    • Louise says:

      McCurry’s homepage is at: a look.

    • Patty says:

      Thanks for posting the link to the photographer of that. That picture always haunts me, so when I was looking for an eyes are the window to the soul photo, that was the only one that would work. 🙂

      Marvelous is really, really overstating it. 🙂 Once I can get back to Pilates class and hit the treadmill without gasping for breath after two minutes, then I’ll be in the marvelous area, but my lungs are still constricted to minimal capacity. 🙂

  • Anne says:

    Why would I feel weird forking over $250 for eyelashes yet if I love a perfume, well, I’d feel weird, but only for a second. 😕

    Does the glue pull, or does it feel like nothing is different at all? You know if I added up all the $$ I have spent searching for that PERFECT mascara… hmmmmm, maybe this does have possibilities!!!! :)>-8-|

    Glad you are on the mend.

    • Patty says:

      You know, it is strange, huh? I had to think long and hard about this one, where a beautiful perfume, you’re right, has me dragging out Mr. Visa pretty quickly.

      I think it may be that enhancement thing. While we’re okay with certain parts of enhancing our natural beauty — through foundation, eyeshadow, lip gloss – we feel a little less confident with some of the new procedures, that they are socially okay maybe? F’rinstance, I would never wear false eyelashes. Don’t know why, think they look great on other people when done well, but it just seemed too showgirl for me.

  • elyse says:

    I looked at photos of permanent makeup the other day and I was impressed. Some looked absolutely absurd, but some things were kind of miraculous. One woman had a serious lazy eye and they created an optical illusion with the liner so that her eyes looked the same!! I thought the eyelash enhancer version looked pretty. I say go for that one, it’s not a line, it’s a series of tiny dots between the lashes and on the lash line. It’s probably cheaper in the long run than sticking with these extensions- although they sound pretty.

    • Patty says:

      Maybe I can do… both! 🙂 My friend did the perm eyeliner, gray, and it was a series of dots. It just looked like this smokey gray eyeliner. If I hadn’t known she had it done, I would have just assumed she’d done a little swab of a pretty gray shadow on her lashline in the morning.

      I’ve seen the freaky ones too, the overtattooed eyebrows, and seeing those scare the bejesus out of me. So I’d be very careful on who I had do it, if I ever have it done.

  • Maria says:

    Patty, I’m glad you’ve gotten over the flu! Yay!

    So they glue these extensions on? Maybe I don’t really want to know. 😮

    • Patty says:

      I think saying “gotten over the flu” is a stretch. It’s a marked improvement from where I was a day ago, but my lungs are still at about 1/8 capacity. A week ago I was running on the treadmill singing — this week I’m winded going up the stairs. It suuuucks. 🙂

      Yup, they use the same glue on these that they do for cosmetic surgery when they don’t wnat to do stitches, so it’s pretty powerful and nonirritating for the most part. You can’t tell, I swear. My sis got right up in my face in bright sunlight trying to see anything that would give it away… nada.

  • zeram1 says:

    Those overhead closed eyes picts at the bottom of the page you referenced are creep(ing) me out – in a bad way. I was told that Rachel Ray had performed a “Human Lab” experiment on products that are suppose to extend lashes. OK I found it:

    http://www.rachaelrayshow.com/show/segments/view/human-lab-hair-growth/

    • Patty says:

      This isn’t the revitalash stuff. My mom told me that something her eye doc gives her for the pressure in her eyes is keeping her eyelashes all long and thick.

      • zeram1 says:

        Your mom must be using a bimatoprost or an ophthalmic prostaglandin. There are now a few cosmetic companies out there that have products based on analogs of these pharmaceuticals. However, if memory serves me correct (from what was on the “nightly news”), one of those companies recently got in trouble with the FDA.

  • Gail S says:

    So here’s my question 🙂 If your natural eyelashes are pretty straight, are they going to stick out from the extensions? In other words, do you still have to curl the whole shebang?

    • Patty says:

      Well, the way they put them up, they naturally curve up. Not a lot so that they appear force, but just a gentle curve. You can still curl the ends of them, but you shouldn’t curl at the base since you can damage the adhesive