I think lashes are one of the most important features on your face, they can really widen your eyes and make you appear much more awake.
There are lots of different options to make your lashes stand out, today I thought I'd go through the different options, and my favourites.
1. Eyelash Tinting
This is basically dyeing your eyelashes, a bit like your hair. Darkening the colour of your lashes can make them appear longer, and really defines them. It makes a big difference on lighter hair colours (blondes, redheads), and it's a great option if you're going on holiday and you'll be swimming, but you don't want to wear mascara.
I'd always go to a professional to get this done, rather than buy one of those at home kits, you have to be so careful around your eye area. Wherever you go to get it done, if you haven't been there before, they should require you to pop in at least 24 hours beforehand for a patch test, even if you've had it done elsewhere before - the place you're going to may use different tinting equipment than the last place you've been. I don't understand people who get angry if they have to come for a patch test first, why would you risk a reaction, or in extreme cases, blindness, just for your convenience?
2. Eyelash Perming
3. LVL (Length, Volume & Lift) Treatment
This treatment has only become popular very recently, and there aren't that many places that seem to offer it so far (near me, anyway.) It's basically a treatment where your lashes are straightened rather than permed, and tinted, this creates a longer eyelash look, that lasts for a while. It's become a favourite amongst celebrities such as Michelle Keegan. See the video below by celebrity make-up artist Lisa Eldridge for more info:
4. Strip Lashes
These are probably the most common types of lashes, as they are relatively cheap, and easily applied and removed as and when you need them. It does take a bit of practise applying them properly, otherwise you can end up with the edges of them hanging off and you looking like you have dead spiders hanging off your eyes! Sometimes you also need to trim the lashes to fit your eyes. It's best to hold the lash against your lashes first to see what the fit is like. I find it easiest to apply these with tweezers, looking down into a mirror. When you apply the glue onto the lashes, blow on it for a bit before you apply them so the glue is tacky, and doesn't move around when you try and secure them. Another tip: don't try and apply these in a rush, you'll end up with shaky hands, glue everywhere, and getting really angry...from my experience anyway. With these ones, it's important to choose the right type, as some of them can look really tacky and you can instantly tell if someone is wearing them.
Some of my favourites are:
5. Eyelash Extensions
There are a couple of different types of eyelash extensions, express, and semi permanent/individual ones. There are different lengths, thicknesses, and curls to suit everyone's lashes, so you won't end up looking silly! The technician will choose variations based on your natural lash length, curl and thickness.
Express ones typically take around 30 minutes to apply, and the lashes are applied on top of, and in between your natural lashes. They last up to two weeks, depending on your home care of them. Express ones are good for special occasions or holidays, but are not suitable to be worn constantly, as the way they are applied can affect the growth of your own lashes.
Semi permanent/individual ones normally take 45-60 minutes or more to apply, (depending on the experience of the lash technician) and the lashes are applied to each one of your natural lashes, which is why the process is longer. They typically last longer than express ones, again, depending on how well you care for them at home. These are good for all occasions, and can be worn all of the time, as the way they are applied allows your natural lash to grow as normal, and the synthetic lash falls out as your natural lashes shed.
Both of these types of extensions normally require a patch test, although some lash companies don't do a patch test, as the glue is not supposed to come into contact with your skin...it just depends where you go and what brand of lashes they use.
I have semi permanent ones applied, and have done for about 3 years now! I originally had them put on to go on holiday, and then just kept having them done ever since. I have them topped up every month or so, and it makes such a big difference to how I feel. I love waking up, and not having really small looking eyes, and I only have to apply mascara to my lower lashes. I will, on the odd occasion apply some to my upper lashes if I want more of a dramatic effect.
Thank you for reading!
Until next time. x
There are lots of different options to make your lashes stand out, today I thought I'd go through the different options, and my favourites.
1. Eyelash Tinting
This is basically dyeing your eyelashes, a bit like your hair. Darkening the colour of your lashes can make them appear longer, and really defines them. It makes a big difference on lighter hair colours (blondes, redheads), and it's a great option if you're going on holiday and you'll be swimming, but you don't want to wear mascara.
I'd always go to a professional to get this done, rather than buy one of those at home kits, you have to be so careful around your eye area. Wherever you go to get it done, if you haven't been there before, they should require you to pop in at least 24 hours beforehand for a patch test, even if you've had it done elsewhere before - the place you're going to may use different tinting equipment than the last place you've been. I don't understand people who get angry if they have to come for a patch test first, why would you risk a reaction, or in extreme cases, blindness, just for your convenience?
Below is a before and after picture of an eyelash tint:
2. Eyelash Perming
This is not so popular nowadays, I very rarely see anywhere offering it, but when I trained it was part of my course. It involves placing a very small curling rod above the upper lashes, sticking the lashes to it, and applying a couple of different setting lotions. This treatment is very good for those with very straight lashes, with no curl whatsoever. It makes your lashes look longer, and your eyes more open, it's particularly good to have an eyelash tint before this treatment for maximum results. Again, this requires a patch test beforehand.
This treatment has only become popular very recently, and there aren't that many places that seem to offer it so far (near me, anyway.) It's basically a treatment where your lashes are straightened rather than permed, and tinted, this creates a longer eyelash look, that lasts for a while. It's become a favourite amongst celebrities such as Michelle Keegan. See the video below by celebrity make-up artist Lisa Eldridge for more info:
4. Strip Lashes
These are probably the most common types of lashes, as they are relatively cheap, and easily applied and removed as and when you need them. It does take a bit of practise applying them properly, otherwise you can end up with the edges of them hanging off and you looking like you have dead spiders hanging off your eyes! Sometimes you also need to trim the lashes to fit your eyes. It's best to hold the lash against your lashes first to see what the fit is like. I find it easiest to apply these with tweezers, looking down into a mirror. When you apply the glue onto the lashes, blow on it for a bit before you apply them so the glue is tacky, and doesn't move around when you try and secure them. Another tip: don't try and apply these in a rush, you'll end up with shaky hands, glue everywhere, and getting really angry...from my experience anyway. With these ones, it's important to choose the right type, as some of them can look really tacky and you can instantly tell if someone is wearing them.
Some of my favourites are:
1. Ardell Demi Wispies, around £5.00 available here.
I love these ones because the band where the lashes stick to is clear on them (a lot of strip lashes have a thick, black band, which looks so obvious when worn). They are also a mix of lengths, rather than all one length, which helps them to blend into your own lashes. They are slightly longer at the outer corners, which gives a really feminine feline effect, and lifts your eyes.
2. Fleur De Force By Eylure - 'Fleur Loves' lashes, around £5.00, available at Boots
Fleur De Force is one of my favourite bloggers & vloggers, and she recently brought out her own line of lashes with Eylure! They are a 3/4 length lash, so there is no need to mess around trimming them. They give definition to the outer edges of your eyes, and have a variety of different lengths of lash within them, and a sort of cross-over effect to make them look more natural. There are 4 types of lashes within her range and these are my favourites. See the video below for a bit more info, fast forward to about 5 mins 30 seconds!
5. Eyelash Extensions
There are a couple of different types of eyelash extensions, express, and semi permanent/individual ones. There are different lengths, thicknesses, and curls to suit everyone's lashes, so you won't end up looking silly! The technician will choose variations based on your natural lash length, curl and thickness.
Express ones typically take around 30 minutes to apply, and the lashes are applied on top of, and in between your natural lashes. They last up to two weeks, depending on your home care of them. Express ones are good for special occasions or holidays, but are not suitable to be worn constantly, as the way they are applied can affect the growth of your own lashes.
Semi permanent/individual ones normally take 45-60 minutes or more to apply, (depending on the experience of the lash technician) and the lashes are applied to each one of your natural lashes, which is why the process is longer. They typically last longer than express ones, again, depending on how well you care for them at home. These are good for all occasions, and can be worn all of the time, as the way they are applied allows your natural lash to grow as normal, and the synthetic lash falls out as your natural lashes shed.
Both of these types of extensions normally require a patch test, although some lash companies don't do a patch test, as the glue is not supposed to come into contact with your skin...it just depends where you go and what brand of lashes they use.
I have semi permanent ones applied, and have done for about 3 years now! I originally had them put on to go on holiday, and then just kept having them done ever since. I have them topped up every month or so, and it makes such a big difference to how I feel. I love waking up, and not having really small looking eyes, and I only have to apply mascara to my lower lashes. I will, on the odd occasion apply some to my upper lashes if I want more of a dramatic effect.
The ones I have are by Lash Perfect, I get them done at a salon close (ish) to me called Luxe, click here to go to their website. (I have asked their permission to post their link up here!) The lady who does mine is amazing at them, as she has plenty of experience ...if you go there, ask for Ann-Marie!
Thank you for reading!
Until next time. x
