I Got Eyelash Extensions and It Gave Me FOMO

Here’s a cool fact about Elizabeth Taylor: she was born with a genetic mutation called distichiasis, which made her eyelashes grow in two layers, one right on top of the other. Yes, she was that beautiful because she was a mutant.

I found this out while getting eyelash extensions at Celebrity Skin Couture Air Tan in Chicago, where my technician, Jennifer Fivecoate, explained that I have the same eyelash mutation. This surprised me since I’ve always complained about my short lashes, but Jennifer pointed out that they’re ultrathick and very dense, an ideal foundation for extensions. (Eyelash extensions come in a lot of lengths, thicknesses, and curvatures, though, so they’re also easy to tailor to thinner lashes.)

The process was a learning experience in other ways, too. I had never gotten eyelash extensions before, and I didn’t really know what to expect. Below are some notes from my appointment to help acquaint other newbies with the world of eyelash enhancement.

The Extensions

Celebrity Skin offers full sets of eyelash extensions in two styles: the subtler Housewife Haute, which comes with about 40 extensions per eye, and the Kim K’s, which includes an extension for every lash. I got the Kim K’s, which typically costs $250.

Each extension is made from a silk-synthetic blend that’s shiny, black, and permanently curved. Melissa Jones, the salon’s other eyelash technician, also described them as “weightless.” You shouldn’t be able to feel them on your eyelid—though I can sometimes see mine, in my peripheral vision. These babies are long!

The Process

Before Jennifer started applying my extensions, she taped my bottom eyelashes down with a hydrating, antiwrinkle patch. After that, I had to close my eyes for the next two hours, which gave me intense FOMO (fear of missing out). I wanted to see everything that was happening.

Luckily, my friend Mahreen took pictures while Jenn applied my extensions strand by strand using a medical-grade adhesive. The whole time I basically looked like this:

Cute, in a way?

Afterward

Jenn used extensions in different lengths and curvatures, which made for a really natural look that I love. The whole first day, I couldn’t stop looking at myself in the mirror, in my phone camera, in puddles—I looked like such a glamazon.

The one downside: I miss rubbing my eyes. You’re supposed to avoid touching your extensions and protect them from oil-based products, like moisturizers and foundations. You also can’t wet them for 24 hours after they’re applied because the glue needs time to set. After that, you can shower and exercise as usual.

Melissa said my lashes should last two to three weeks. After that, I can either go back and get a fill—to replace some of the lashes that have fallen out naturally—or get the remaining ones removed (for free) with an adhesive-dissolving gel. I haven’t decided yet which one I’m going to do—but I sure do love skipping mascara in the morning!

Watch the entire process as Favin gets eyelash extensions:

Read more in our eyelash extensions FAQ.

Photos by Mahreen Younus, Groupon