Long, lovely lash extensions

How they look and feel
At first, I can feel the extensions. The glue doesn't touch my skin, but I feel as though I'm wearing a strip of falsies. I'm unused to the weight that comes with having thick lashes, I suppose. But I don't mind.

I leave Jeanet's with a list of maintenance tips, an extra spring in my step and yes, a song in my heart. I feel empowered! I'm imbued with a seductive force that I never thought could be mine. I notice furtive looks from a number of male (and female!) passengers on the TTC trip home and think, "Wow, I've finally got it going on!" Of course, the glances might be in response to my exaggeratedly slow blinks, as I am making an unnecessarily cautious effort not to dislodge a single precious lash.

A new day (and beauty routine)
I find I need very little makeup the next morning. At the office, a few colleagues comment that I look rather fetching for some reason, but none of them immediately notices the extensions themselves (I count this as a bonus -- I'm happy to look "naturally" fetching). I occasionally catch myself stroking the tips of my lashes against the back of my fingers, but stop abruptly before any damage is done.

My beauty routine does change slightly to accommodate my new best friends. I cleanse and rinse my face with extra care to avoid rubbing the lashes, and switch from cotton pads to cotton swabs to remove liner. I adjust the temperature of my shower to comfortably warm instead of steaming, and keep my face out of direct spray. Applying makeup takes almost no time because I don't need to curl my lashes or use mascara.

The first cluster falls off just about two weeks after application. Strangely, and unexpectedly, I don't mind, and in fact soon remove the rest myself with an oil-based cleanser. I'm not unhappy to greet my little lashes once more, and in the weeks since, I find I no longer feel quite so envious of those lucky babies. I know I can be that lush-lashed woman again any time I choose.

Oh yes, and apparently you can work out as usual if you have lash extensions. Huh.

Resources:
• Jeanet Spa & Salon, Eyelash applications, $65 and up.
• Lash It Semi-Permanent Eyelashes, Intercosmetics Spa & Esthetic Supplies, 1-800-263-4333