Flirty at Forty

Ok, I'm going to admit it. I'm having a hard time with this turning 40 thing. I don't really know why, but I'm fighting it. And while I may not be winning, I'm not going down without a fight. 

If you have followed me for awhile you know that I'm lash obsessed.. I got extensions for the first time 10 years ago already. I've used Latisse and every plumping/lengthening/voluminous mascara out there. Over the past year I've taken a break from eyelash extensions... and have missed them SO.VERY.MUCH. So with this impending dread of 40 looming, and my desperate attempts at making myself feel better.. I went back to the one drug that I new would make me bright and happy: Lash extensions. 

Love waking up to fab lashes! Thank you @blinklash! #blinklashes

"Love waking up to fab lashes! Thank you @blinklash! #blinklashes"

Lush lashes make you look awake. Bright and naturally pretty. First thing in the morning with lashes, you know you can wake up and look good. They are lazy girl make-up, but you can also do them up right. This time I went to the eyelash boutique Blink. With two locations in San Diego, they are easy to get into and to book an appointment. Inside is all girly and pink and as you lay there for your application you may or may not fall asleep... then you wake up and VOILA! Stunning. 

I did the Blush package (60 lashes each eye) and they were natural looking and soft. Blink offers a few different options for your lashes, and even has 'corrective services' (from when that deal of the day lash place didn't do quite what you wanted them to) and apprentice bookings if you are looking to save a little. 

3 weeks later and my lashes are still fab.... Just like 40 is going to be, right? 

Thank you Blink for making me beautiful!

Make-Up Monday: I'm Lovin' LASHES

Anastasia Steele snagged Christian Grey's heart by constantly looking at him through hers... Iconic movie stars always had long, thick fringes... yes - I'm talking eyelashes. 

Longer, thicker, non-clumping eyelashes can be all your need to finish off your look - or all you need at all to look your best. Think about this. Currently, women in the US spend 7 billion dollars on make-up each year; Breaking it down, the average woman will spend over $13,000 on make-up in her lifetime - with over $3,000 dedicated to MASCARA alone.

We have a thing for lashes. As we should. Our eyes are the portals to our souls - don't we want our souls to be dressed properly? 

So, how does a girl get fabulous lashes?

Masacra and Lashes by hipmamab featuring shu uemura

Mascara:

Every beauty expert agrees that if you put ONE thing on in the morning, it should always be mascara. It's the easiest, cheapest way to get amazing lashes. While make-up artists around the globe swear by Maybelline's Great Lash mascara, my personal favorite is Volumin' Express Falsies. I also love the Votre Vu Eiffel Power and of course, Dior Show. With so many great products at different price levels you really have no excuse not to use mascara daily. 

Grow 'Em:

Latisse is an amazing product. When I used it a few years back my lashes were so long I actually need to trim them. But other products have popped up claiming the same results without the Rx. French beauty company, Talika claims longer lashes in 28 days with it's Lipocils Expert. This lash enhancer was actually discovered in 1948 and is all natural with no side effects. I used this product for about 3 weeks and saw noticeably differences in my lashes*. Maybe not as extreme as Latisse, but my eyes didn't get red when I used it and I liked the fact that its more natural. Plus the applicator is fabulous and easy to use. 

 Fake It, Baby

So why did I stop using the Lipocils? Because I ended up going the fake-route. I've been DYING to try eyelash extensions for years. I did them years back when they first came out, but they were the clumps of lashes, not individual ones. A few weeks ago The Dailey Method had a promotion going on promoting a new eyelash salon in the area. While I wasn't going to do it, seeing the lovely ladies I work out with regularly sporting these fab lashes with their lulu's - I HAD to go for it. 

Ali from Ciao Bella Eyelash Studio in Encinitas worked her magic and they are fabulous. My favorite thing is that I can wake-up, put on a little tinted moisturizer and lip gloss and be done with my make-up. I didn't go all out Kim Kardashian, but more natural. They are perfect. 

*Just a quick digression to the Talika product mentioned above. I know that it was working, because when Ali was doing my lashes, she had to use the longer ones on me, citing that my natural lashes were longer than the shorter extensions she normally uses on clients!

*disclosure: As a blogger I get to review tons of products {Squee!} While services and products may have been provided to me, all opinions are my own.