Extensions, Falsies, and the Magic of Latisse

Who doesn’t love lashes that are long and luscious? Woman around the world pay a small fortune to have fluttering and feathery lashes. Depending on the look you are trying to achieve, maintenance and budget, there are plenty of ways to get great lashes.

History of Lash Lovin’

Long lashes have always been in fashion, enough so that women have gone to great lengths to get them. In 1899, an article was published about hair being transplanted from the head to the eyelid. Now if this doesn’t sound crazy enough, get this part! To numb the area while the hair was sewn in, a nifty solution made from cocaine was rubbed on to the eyelid. Then the hair from the head was sewn in and out of the edge of the eyelid, creating fake lashes. What we women do for beauty! Ouch!

In the 1930’s, actresses were wore false lashes all over the silver screen. At this time faux lashes became a look that didn’t necessarily have to appear “natural”. Metallic and beaded lashes were out there along with lashes that were extraordinarily long. In the 1960’s, famous model, Twiggy, wore false lashes on the top and bottom, changing up the lash look completely. As a more earthy and natural style came into popularity in the 1970’s, false lashes slowly fell out of fashion. Length boosting mascaras became popular in the 1990’s as women still craved a lush looking lash without having to wear falsies. As time has gone on, women are still getting their longer lashes but in new ways.

Extensions

Whether you are doing real mink, silk or synthetic, full set or just the outer corners, the options for lash extensions are huge. Getting a full set of lashes takes a couple of hours – think of it as some quality “me time” and enjoy. Lie down, close your eyes and let them work their magic (you may even be able to take a little snooze too!). After cleansing the eye area and lashes, individual lashes will be glued to your existing lashes, not to your skin. It is important to not get them wet during the first 12-24 hours after they have been done and to not rub your eyes.

The extensions will stay on for the life of that individual lash, only falling out when the real lash completes its life cycle. Depending on how quickly your lashes grow, you will need to get a touch up every 2-4 weeks to maintain your lash extension. Waiting too long in between touch ups will result in having to completely redo your lashes with a new full set (and the price tag that goes along with that). Do a bit of research to find the best location near you since this does involve your precious eyes and someone using glue and pointy objects around them.

Latisse

Latisse is like a miracle to lashes! It works by extending the growth phase of your lash in addition to increasing the number of eyelashes that you actually grow. A dermatologist can prescribe Latisse for you and most offices carry it there for purchase. A 5mL bottle can run you about $179 and this can last 3-4 months. Using it is simple – just apply daily to the upper lash line only. Patience is key since it takes about 16 weeks to see full results (although after about 10 weeks you will begin to notice your lashes looking darker and a bit fuller).

You may experience a slight darkening of the skin on your upper lash line. This will go away after you stop using the product. The end result is so worth waiting for as your lashes will be beautifully long, dark and thick. All good things come to an end so after you stop using the product, your lashes will slowly go back to how they previously looked but who says you have to stop?

Falsies

The traditional fake eyelashes are still out there and come in so many lengths, colors and embellishments. Glued to the upper eyelid, these are the easiest and least expensive option if you are looking for immediate results. If you want a subtle look, doing a few individual lashes just at the corners of your eyes is the perfect solution. It can be a bit tricky applying the lashes as a beginner. Just remember to curl the lashes before putting them on, make sure they are the correct length for your eyelid (you can trim them) and to let the glue sit for about 5 seconds before putting the lashes on your eyelid.