I’m obsessed with eyelashes. We always want what we don’t have, don’t we? I was not blessed with long, lush lashes, so I have had to resort to faux-lashes. Even mascara doesn’t help me–that’s how skimpy my poor lashes are.

So. Extensions. I fell in LOVE with eyelash extensions from 2008 to early 2010. They were bloody GORGEOUS.

I do miss my extensions, I ain’t gonna lie.  They were wonderful.  Waking up and having lush, glam lashes first thing in the morning was a dream.  Then after about a year, I began struggling with them.  I think it was because I wear (or wore) contacts, combined with my eyes being extremely sensitive.  It broke my heart.

We did test after test, but in the end I do feel it was all MY problem.  Dina (whose salon is THE crème de la crème shop in Seattle), and her Staff were amazing…concerned, even to the point of calling me at home to check on me.  Now, THAT’S service.

When choosing an eyelash salon, do your research.  I’ve heard too many horror stories of inexperienced technicians causing horrendous pain and infections because they haven’t been trained properly or aren’t ultra-sanitary, so please be careful.  (These are prices that you can expect from most reputable salons.)

• Dina S. Good Salon*

• Real Mink lashes are a cruelty free product. The lashes are gathered by brushing the mink, then sterilizing the lashes, sorting the lengths and then they are affixed to a tray for sale.

• We are proud to be the first salon in the Northwest to feature REAL Mink lashes instead of the Synthetic lashes.

Eye Lash Extensions Full Set – $185 – $200

Partial set ( 30 lashes per eye )- $99Fills $58 – $68

Extended Fill $90Real Mink Eye Lash Extensions – $350
limited time offer – regularly $450

Partial set Mink ( 30 lashes per eye )- $199Mink Fills $120

* The Beauty Stop is in no way compensated for mentioning The Dina S. Good Salon

Sigh.  No more extensions for me…BUT, I stopped by the MAC counter at Macy’s in San Francisco and a lovely young woman walked me right through the process of applying their fake lashes properly.  They looked great, and it wasn’t nearly as terrifying as I once thought to apply the lashes on my own.  I made the following purchase:

MAC False Eyelashes – Available at Macy’s – $15

• 2 sets of MAC false lashes, which run around $14 a set at major department stores.  I do not sleep in the lashes; they should always be removed before going to bed.  If you are careful, you can certainly use them a few times.

DUO Eyelash Adhesive – Target – $5.49

• Duo Eyelash Adhesive – $5.99 -$8 per tube.  (You can find this product at better drugstores or discount retailers such as Target or Walgreen’s, for less than at department stores.)  This eyelash adhesive is world’s best selling waterproof strip lash adhesive.  I love it.

Once you’ve had a hands-on lesson and made your purchase, I suggest you watch online tutorials for more details instructions.  This YouTube video is amazing and so very helpful.  Take a look!

WSITN: False Eyelash Tutorial

I KNOW, right?? This boy is tremendous.  And that English accent? Darling. (He’s prettier than some girls I’ve seen!)  Be sure to add him to your “favorites” for future reference.

Now. My secret. I don’t spend $14 on eyelashes. The way I go through them, I need to save a buck…or TEN. I found a great buy on Ardell False Eyelash Strips — for $3.69 per set.

Now get goin’ and try this yourself!  It’s not that hard!

Disclosure: The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of (product).  Product was purchased by The Beauty Stop; no compensation was received in exchange for this review.