Lashing out

I don’t know anyone who would not look better with long and thick lashes. Okay, maybe not Robin Padilla or Rez Cortez, but you know what I mean. Flirty, long lashes are instant ganda points without looking like you tried too hard — unlike overly pink cheeks, thick foundation or goopy lip gloss.

Now, if you were naturally born with long and thick lashes then stop reading right now and flutter them to the cutie next door. But if you’re like most Asian girls, you either have them long and thin, or sparse and short. You have fantasies of peeping from under a curtain of thick and long lashes and mesmerizing whomever you’re talking to with a mere flutter. From the most sedate to the most extreme, I have the solution to your problem!

Lush is just a brushstroke away

A safe, non-committal way to quickly enhance your lashes would be to swipe on some mascara. There is something for everyone out there: lengthening, thickening, curling, waterproofing, colored, smudge-proof, hypoallergenic, etc. But the most innovative breakthrough I’ve seen with mascaras, other than with their formulation, is how the brushes have improved. Some don’t even have bristles anymore! And surprisingly, the leaner brushes seem to prevent clumps more than its older, bristly versions. I highly recommend Maybelline mascaras, the cult favorite brand, for their affordable yet effective selection. I’m currently loving Maybelline’s Unstoppable Shiny Black (P349), which gives me naturally glossy lashes, versus matte and clumpy. L’Oreal also has a great new version, Double Extension (P845), that has a primer you put on before the mascara to help thicken and lengthen sparse lashes. Paul and Joe has their Mascara Duo (P1,550) which comes with a comb on one end and a brush on the other to help you de-clump and separate lashes.

Stick figures

For truly thicker lashes, you can always depend on falsies. Shu Uemura has a great selection of regular and fantasy lashes. They have lashes that crisscross, ones that have rhinestones at the tips, etc. There are also false lashes that can be had for just P10 in Quiapo or P20 from a local beauty supply chain. Just be sure to use a good glue and that you practice applying it because this takes practice and skill. You wouldn’t want your lashes dropping into your date’s soup over dinner. There may also be some issues with allergic reactions to the glue’s formulation so be sure you’re okay with having this solution very near your eyes.

Curl next door

Eyelash perming is one thing I have been hesitant to try out because I associate it with the smelly solution for curling hair. But this is unfounded; it can be very safe if done right. Perming requires eyelashes to begin with, so you need to have naturally long lashes that just need to be curled for a more eye-opening effect. So if you have a decent amount of lashes that are long and thick enough, then this is an easy solution.

Deadline extension

Now hugely popular in our country, eyelash extensions are offered in almost every salon out there. I tried this before it became popular and I got addicted to it for three months! I got mine done at Mikaela Salon at The Fort (856-1924 to 25) because their glue is US FDA-approved and the lashes are applied one by one, strand by strand (prices start at P995). After closing my eyes for almost an hour, I woke up to a prettier me. I never thought lashes could make such a strong impact! And they looked so natural too, unlike others that I’ve tried before. What I loved the most about this was that I woke up with thick and long lashes, swam with thick and long lashes, and yes, slept with thick and long lashes. I have decently long lashes of my own, but having extensions just took it a step further. I loved how I didn’t have to worry about smudging mascara or getting it off before going to sleep. The only downside is that you have to take care not to rumple them by rubbing your eyes or sleeping face down. You should also avoid picking on your lashes as this will make your extensions fall off — along with your own lashes! “It’s a misconception that extensions ‘make’ lashes fall off. Our lashes naturally shed. If you’ve been careful about not pulling and rubbing your eyes, you shouldn’t worry about additional lashes falling out,” shares Mikaela Bilbao of Mikaela Salon. So if you don’t want to go back for touchups and just want everything removed, it’s best to go back to the salon and have them remove it so you won’t lose any of your own. She also warns that we should be careful about where we have our extensions done: “Our eyes are open membranes and so instruments should be sterilized and the glue should be hypoallergenic. You can get several infections and even blindness from contaminated tools or harsh ingredients.”

Weave got it

The latest technological route to getting longer lashes is eyelash weaving, a service that is exclusively available at Mikaela and Philosophy Salons (P3,500). Weaving is different from extensions because extensions are glued on; these are weaved on. “Individual lashes are woven into your own hair. The results are very durable lashes that can last up to three months without any need for retouching. This is ideal for people who plan to travel or people who are just too busy to be bothered by touch-ups,” shares Mikaela. I have yet to try this but judging from the almost hypnotic effects on some of my friends, I might give this one a try soon.

Rub it in, why don’t you?

For a more long-term solution, you can try eyelash growing creams. There is the popular Revitalash solution that can be bought over the Internet and some beauty establishments, and Mikaela Eyelash Growth Conditioner (P1,450) which is available at the salon. These are great options for people who have lost lashes either from illness or addiction to extensions/weaves (you should take a break from these two once in a while to let your eyes rest). You just follow the instructions and wait for your lashes to grow back in three to 10 weeks. A friend of mine swears bythese creams and being a recovering lash extensions addict, this has really helped lessen her withdrawal symptoms.

The long, curly road

I can’t leave the house without brushing on some mineral powder, blush and mascara. Having extensions helped lessen my prep time and even replaced the need for eyeshadow on some occasions. But I also like the ritual of swiping on mascara as a sort of beauty ritual before stepping out the door. Whichever way you choose to lengthen, thicken and curl your own, just remember to be safe and practical.

* * *

For comments and suggestions, please e-mail me at donna.cunapita@gmail.com.