I’ve only had eyelash extensions twice in my life – the first time just a few months ago, and the second (which ended in disaster) just three weeks ago, so I’m not exactly an expert. Both times I went to Browhaus for the Lash in Bloom treatment, but the first time I had individual lashes applied which just peeled off easily after two weeks. The second time I took the “Express” option which uses little clumps of lashes and is obviously a more serious procedure as even three weeks later I had barely lost any and was surprised by how well it was lasting! Eventually I did start to noticeably have a couple of gaps, so decided to remove the lashes myself… BIG mistake. The first one I attempted to take off took a huge clump of my own eyelashes with it… And left even some little dots of blood. I took a deep breath knowing I was in a bit of trouble, and decided to try to attempt a more thorough self-removal by steaming the lashes and then using an oil-based eye makeup remover to take off the rest.
As the lashes came off with big difficulty, I surveyed the carnage… On my left eye about 10 lashes remain and on the right eye the situation is only slightly better. I had to go out to lunch very shamefacedly with my naked eyeball look and the knowledge that it was really all my own fault! I have also spent a pretty ridiculous amount of money on a very expensive lash-growing product which I’ll at least (look on the bright side) now get to review for Sassy… In the meantime though, I’m a baldy!
Thankfully while I’m waiting for my lashes to grow back in, there’s a great option for a quick fix for special occasions. Yesterday I headed to Shu Uemura Tokyo Lash Bar in Pacific Place and had them put on some of their natural look lashes for me. It costs HK125 for the lashes and a tube of glue, and they will put them on for you then and there. They will even put on lashes for you that you’ve bought previously for free so you can use the same ones again and again. Unfortunately these are only a temporary solution as they only stay on for one day, but it was a relief to take them off last night knowing they would peel off easily and my few natural lashes would remain intact.
So, in summary, a word of warning. NEVER try to remove lash extensions yourself unless you are absolutely sure they are ready to come out. If you start removing them and find that your lashes are coming out, stop. Even if you look a bit silly with gaps in your eyelashes, wait until you can make an appointment!
Stay tuned for my review of Lilash when my eyelash saga continues…