Backlash

I thought I would give you an update of a previous post, from when I had eyelash extensions done. I had won a gift certificate to get them done, at a charity auction. The lashes were supposed to be "touched up" every three weeks, but because of the high cost, I knew this would be a one-time deal, so I tried to take very good care of them.

Single lashes fell out now and then, just as regular lashes would. I kept the lashes on just short of two months, so they lasted a really long time! Last Sunday, I noticed that they didn't look as nice because the lash extensions I DID still have were not uniform around my eye, so I decided to apply an oil based make-up remover in the shower to help get them off.

At first I thought that I was just used to seeing such long eyelashes in the mirror, but now that it's been a couple of days, I realize......this RUINED my natural lashes. My lashes look completely abbreviated! Not only do they seem shorter, but they are a LOT sparser! I'm am unsure if the lash extensions caused breakage of my natural lashes, or if they made my natural lashes fall out sooner. I KNOW my natural lashes were pretty long and thick to start out with. Now I will have to wait a few months to let them grow back in. I hope they go back to normal!!!

Here are pictures of my lashes before extensions and after:

Front view, with make-up

I feel I have to over-compensate by wearing several coats of mascara, and a lot more eyeshadow and eyeliner than I usually wear.

Side view, with make-up

I know it's really hard to tell in these pictures, but just take my word for it, in person, it's dramatic how little, thin, and short my eyelashes are!  If you are considering getting eyelash extensions, DON'T DO IT!!!

Lashing out

In September, Mr. Wright's company paid for his team and their spouses to go to the Bikes for Kids charity dinner and silent auction. One of the things I bid on was a gift certificate for a full set of eyelash extensions. I won the bid for $50.00.

Last night I made an appointment with Glam Your Lashes. The Esthetician does the extensions at her home. I was to come without any eye make-up on, with clean, dry lashes. She led me to her basement, where she had a large plush Lazyboy. She asked me to sit down, and recline. I then had to scoot all the way to the top.

First, she placed two patches under my eyes to cover my bottom lashes and keep them from sticking. Next she had me close my eyes, and she turned on two high powered lamps so she could see what she was doing. I was to keep my eyes closed the entire time. She applied some kind of glue/bonding material to my lashes.

Next she explained that she held a pair of tweezers in each hand. One set of tweezers would separate the lashes, while the other set of tweezers would apply the lash extension. She explained that the average eye has 150 lashes!

The appointment took about an hour and a half. I did notice that I dozed a couple of times, but I found that sitting still in the same position for an hour and a half was agonizing!

The lash extensions are made of a synthetic plastic. There is no need to wear mascara as the lashes themselves are already long, dark, and thick. In fact, wearing mascara is discouraged. You should also not get your lashes wet for 24-48 hours afterward to allow the glue to bond.

The lashes fall off naturally when your own eyelash falls out, but because you are constantly growing new and shedding old eyelashes, a touch up, (or fill) is needed every 3 weeks. The better you take care of your lashes, by not getting them wet, not rubbing your eyes, not sleeping on your face, and not wearing mascara, the longer they will last.

I asked how much she usually charges for a full set.....$200! I guess I got a steal at $50.00! There is no WAY I'd be able to keep it up, even though a fill is only $65.00.

Here are the before's and after's.

Side view closed:

Natural lashes, with make-up

With eyelash extentions

Front view:



No make-up



Natural lashes, with make-up



After lash extentions

And the finished product:

It was fun to try once, and I'm sure I'll love not having to apply false eyelashes for my band gigs, but I won't be becoming a regular customer. You can see more of her work, see before's and afters, and read additional information about eyelash extensions here.

Being beautiful does not make me a bad mother!

A girl from highschool who is a "Facebook friend" recently posted this on her wall:

For all the unselfish moms out there who traded eyeliner for dark circles, Salon haircuts for ponytails, Long showers for quick showers, Late nights for early mornings, Designer bags for diaper bags, and wouldn't change a thing."Lets see how many moms re-post this. Moms who don't care ...about whatever they gave up, and instead LOVE what they get in return. Re-post this if you LOVE your kids...

It made me SO pissed off!!!

I resent the implication that I can't possibly be a good mother unless I'm ugly.

Putting makeup on does not make me a selfish mother! Getting my hair done and taking pride in my appearance makes me feel better about myself, and therefore I am a better mother. I don't believe mothers should sacrifice their own well-being and happiness for their children. If that means that they occasionally have a late night out, or splurge on a designer bag, then good for them! I don't think you have to trade fashion for frumpiness just because you are a mom! I don't believe you should have to sacrifice your own goals and dreams just because you have kids, or really give up anything.

Rosie the Riveter...........the original Super Woman



Now does that mean I don't have dark circles along with my eyeliner? Does that mean I don't throw my salon haircut into a ponytail? NO!

I still can wear fashionable, well-fitting, and in-style clothing, even if it occasionally gets baby barf on it. I also occasionally do without putting makeup on, or taking a shower in favor of sleep, or cuddling with my baby. But having kids is no excuse for letting yourself go!

Mirror, mirror, on the wall..........who's the the sexiest Mommy of all?

Needless to say, I did NOT re-post it, but that DOESN'T mean I don't love my kids!

Knowing what you want

Sometimes it's hard to know what you really want. After I went from a redhead, back to a blonde, I decided that I really wanted to be blonde with red highlights like I was in 2009. What I wanted was to look something like this:

Or this:

I tried to convey this to my stylist, even bringing these pictures as a guide. She gave me something that looked like this:

For some reason, I thought it didn't look quite the same, though seeing the pictures comparitively, it looks pretty similar. But this time when I went back to get my hair done, I told her that I still wanted to be blonde, but I wanted a little more red in it. She did exactly as I asked, but it wasn't what I thought I wanted.

I haven't posted a picture of it here, because I'm still getting used to it. I don't hate it, but I'm not too sure I like it either. To me, it looks a little like someone painted stripes in my hair. However, I have been getting compliment after compliment on it, so I guess other people really LOVE it.

Mr. Wright even said, "Wow, that looks cool. That's the best you've had it in a while." (Hmm, that sort of sounds like a back-handed compliment, but he didn't mean it that way.)