In the quest for long, full lashes, I have tried many things.  When my husband and I renewed our wedding vows in 2007, I had my hair and makeup done professionally.  I had false lashes applied for the first time in my life and I LOVED them!  They were so fun and made such a difference in our photos!

After that, from time to time I would try new mascaras, that promised longer, thicker, fuller lashes, usually with only subtle changes, if any. Then I went on to try glue on lash strips with no success at all.  I think I have an odd eye shape (almond) that doesn’t work well with strips.  So then I tried the magnetized eyeliner and magnetized lash strips.  These were a little better, but still the fit was poor and the strips didn’t stay in place.  Next, I tried individual mini clusters of lashes and even cutting down the strips and believe me, there is no frustration like what I have experienced trying to apply these things. 

Makeup artists make it look so easy!  I have watched tutorials, You Tube videos, etc. and nothing works for me.  I simply cannot apply them and get them to stay in place. It is beyond frustrating.

In the fall of 2019, I decided to try eyelash extensions.  A stylist at the salon where I was going at the time had recently started doing eyelashes.  I adored her, so I knew I wanted to work with her.  Kaley Lindsey did my lashes for a long time and I was very happy with her service. (You can reach her at 770-712-8553 for an appointment.  Please tell her that I sent you!)  I wore them for a long time and loved them, my decision to stop came down to COVID and a personal preference.

I had an instance later that winter that made me rethink extensions.  One day, a fiber from a sweater that I had been wearing somehow got embedded in between my lashes.  The fiber was poking my eyeball with every blink. I couldn’t see it, I couldn’t find the fiber with my fingers, but I had to get it out! When I tell you it was killing me, it felt like it was scraping my eyeball out.  My eyes were watering, my anxiety was getting so bad, no matter what I tried, I could not get this fiber out of my lashes.  I found a spoolie and tried brushing through my lashes, no luck.  This went on for what seemed like forever, but I did eventually get the fiber out.  I plucked out a few lashes in the process, but some loss is to be expected every month, so it was fine.

Then COVID hit in March 2020.  I worked at my church at the time, and our staff quarantined for 5 or 6 weeks by working at home.  Services went online and even when Easter rolled around, we held services on the front sidewalk of our building and people sat in their cars.  I couldn’t justify spending the money on eyelash extensions when I wasn’t seeing anyone other than my husband and son. 

Slowly but surely, most of the lashes fell out and I pulled the last few remaining ones off myself.  My eyelashes were shot after that, they were minuscule, tiny little stubby lashes that you could barely see. Effectively, my eyes were bald!  Mascara didn’t even help.  I knew I wanted them to grow back quickly, so I went online to find out where and how to get a prescription for Latisse.

I found an app called Ro and went through the process of getting an Rx online.  This was really easy and I received the prescription two days later.  I used the solution for two months, my lashes grew out nicely, so I stopped the prescription.  BIG MISTAKE!  Over time, my lashes decreased in length and volume and went back to normal - I wasn’t at all happy with them.  I went back on Lastisse and I have stayed on it consistently since then, and I think my lashes are longer and fuller than they have ever been.  I’m very happy with them.

I will say that during the time I stopped using Latisse, I tried a couple of over the counter lash serums with no success.  I tried Grande Cosmetics Grande Lash MD and Loreal Paris Lash Serum, both to no avail. I have seen other influencers rave about Grande Lash Serum, but it did not compare to Latisse for me.

Now, if I were going to a fun event of some kind, were a bridesmaid in a wedding, etc. I would absolutely love the drama of having some faux lashes applied. Otherwise, I am happy with my lashes, and I could always apply a few additional coats of mascara to make mine a little fuller for a special look.

Cost:

At the time I was getting lash extensions, the cost was $150 for a full set, and $75 for a fill in.  I’m sure the price has increased as this was over three years ago. I was going every three weeks for a fill in, so this was a significant cost, but for me at the time it was worth it.  Now, I pay approximately $99 for a one month supply of Latisse that I apply once every evening before bed.  There is an option to pay a little more for a larger bottle that I probably need to switch to.

Favorite Mascaras:

I also now have an arsenal of mascaras that I wear for different looks.  I have one that I prefer for a light application that lengthens my lashes, I wear this mascara when I am having a light makeup day (most days for me). 

Gwen Stefani has an incredible make-up line. I have several of the products and love them all, but this mascara is so pretty and natural looking. I think it is all about the brush - it keeps my lashes looking wispy, not clumpy at all, and it really lengthens as well.

Right now, GXVE is having a 50% off sale sitewide. It’s the perfect time to try the Can’t Stop Staring lengthening and lifting mascara. The sale makes the price only $10!

Or, if you are placing an order after the sale has ended, I am an advocate with GXVE Beauty and you can copy this code for 25% off your order! https://share.gxvebeauty.com/jeannine.kennedy

Unfortunately, my discount code cannot be applied with the 50% off discount.

I have another mascara that I wear for a fuller and longer look that I apply when I am wearing heavier makeup for date night, church on Sundays, etc. It is a tubing mascara called Tartelette Tubing Mascara and I like to use this when I am doing a full face of makeup. It lengthens and thickens without clumping.

My go-to mascara that I have used for easily about 15 years is Loreal Telescopic in Waterproof Carbon Black. It is hands down my favorite formula and the brush is perfect as well.

I have also recently purchased and tried a lash primer that made a HUGE difference in the thickness of my lashes. It is Loreal lash boosting conditioning primer. It gave me a very dramatic look when paired with my favorite mascara.

I wrote a post last September about my Top 5 favorite mascaras: https://www.kinshipandvine.com/blog/my-rating-of-5-popular-mascaras?rq=mascara

I hope you found this post helpful! What are you doing lately for your lashes, or are you blessed with beautiful, natural lashes?  Tell me what works for you below in the comments or email me at: hello@kinshipandvine.com

Disclaimer: As an Amazon affiliate, I make a small commission on qualifying purchases, at no additional cost to you.

As a GXVE advocate, I receive discounts when you make a purchase using my code shared above.