Lash effect! (Updated as of 2 December 2012)

I was asked recently by an ol’ friend Kerry what mascara I use. I’d have felt like a cheat if I hadn’t of been completely honest and said “Actually, I’ve been wearing a lot of false eyelashes recently!”

(picture above: my real eyelashes with mascara; no false lashes)

I also told her about the brands of mascara I’m currently into: Rimmel’s Extra Superlash curved brush in black, and Benefit’s “They’re Not Real’ in black (recommended by my friend Zoe, and my gosh – it is good!). I hadn’t got it before in Dubai because the price is silly, but whilst on vacation in New York I popped into Bloomingdales on Lexington Avenue and grabbed one for about half the price!

Au natural I have quite long eyelashes, although light; when mascara is applied, they’re good enough to sport on a night out; but it’s the pure effort that goes on to create the whole look; that takes up time! And boy oh boy; is it good to save time! Especially in the mornings; whether you’re on your way out of the door, off to a meeting as a working mother, taking care of your babies at home – wanting a glamourous look. And, if they stay in place; on a 15-hour flight – falsies are the way to go! No mascara re-application/de-clogging needed.

Once you get into the groove of applying false eyelashes, it’s actually simpler and quicker than applying mascara everyday; that’s how I’m feeling at the moment. Two main tricks to quick and hassle-free application’ take them out of the packaging and measure them against your eye first; if too large/width-wise, trim them to match the size of your eye; some people have longer/wider eyes than others. I use a nail clipper; I usually, depending on the brand of lashes; take around 5 lashes from the outer corner side, and then that fits my eye. You don’t want to end up with eyelashes that are partly hanging off; especially on the inside corner; not a good look. And often; painful! The other trick is once you trimmed them and applied the glue (this often comes in the pack – apply a good amount, you don’t want them hanging off half way through your meeting/night out), wait until the glue is tacky and not completely wet otherwise it’ll just slip around when you’re trying to apply; apply and press tight against the lash line (I apply black liquid eyeliner first to fill in any gas that the lashes may make after) starting at the outside corner of your eye first. Then, I use the other end of a makeup brush, or tweezers, to press and hold the lashes against my eyelid, making sure they’re still as close to your natural lash line as possible.

(Me pictured wearing Girls Aloud: Cheryl Cole lashes by Eylure)

For longer wearability, I tend to apply the lashes over the naked eyelash; i.e.: no mascara first. Then once on (eye shadow optional), I go over any gaps etc. with black liquid eyeliner again and create a sweeping cat-eye. I then use a small amount of mascara; no gloops, to the lashes to blend my own with the falsies. This, I feel – almost attaches them to each other a little longer. And it also looks more natural. Especially in the inner and outer corners. Just before applying this mascara I may press to lashes upward a little, or use an eyelash curler gently to make sure they’re not dragging over my open eye and so I can see properly!

Now the tips and tricks are over, let’s get down to business!

The best lashes I’ve ever used are definitely Cheryl Cole; Girls Aloud lashes, by Eylure. Usually marketed for around 3.00 English Pounds Sterling; in Dubai they retail at around AED 40.00, which is the equivalent of 6 or 7.00 English Pounds Sterling (see what I mean about silly prices here!) ;).

The Cheryl Cole lashes by Eylure are actually remodeled. The first editions that came out didn’t really look like her lashes, they weren’t very natural, and they were the thickest and largest of the group/set (see above picture of them in the set).

(Pictured: the new improved Cheryl lashes)

Now Sarah Harding’s are the thickest/darkest and Nicola’s are the longest, Cheryl’s are lighter, more natural and wearable for day and night.

‘I love the dark glossy look of my lashes. They are a must for a night out – cool and ultra glamorous’ – Cheryl Cole, Girls Aloud

Here are some key details about the item:
Designed by Girls Aloud and created by Eylure.
• Ultra lightweight feel
• Easy to apply and reusable
• Contact lens friendly
Eylure lashes are designed to enhance the natural beauty of your eyes. Fabulous, flirty and flexible they are suitable for all eye shapes and all occasions.

A point to note: the lashes are on ‘invisible bands’, in fact these are not invisible and may need to be ‘coloured in’ black liner after they’ve been glued on as I noted above.

Me with the Cheryl Cole false lashes:

Me without any false lashes, but with mascara:

The other false eyelashes I like are also by Eylure, and they’re called ‘Naturalites’. I usually opt for lashes that wing out in length toward the outer eye, it opens the eye up more and creates a larger doe-eyed look as in the 116 lashes below. The 010 lashes in the second picture below are also nice for a day look, and accompanied by a little mascara on the top, can still create a nice larger-eyed look.

Me wearing Naturalites by Eylure:

Also very natural, but not as nice as the slightly more expensive Girls Aloud range.
Eylure also now have a Sex and the City range, and a range for men – you can check them out at:

http://www.feelunique.com/brands/eylure

Next lash-related post; getting my hands on some of those ol’ Dolly Wink lashes; cutest with a capital c…Here it is…’C’.

 

Next to try out…Katy Perry’s lashes. I ordered ‘Oh, Honey!’ as the shape is one that suits my eye shape, minimal eyelid, and I am always a fan of the natural shape, shorter-to-longer lashes from the inside corner out.

About these ads