Full, thick, and effortlessly beautiful. Undeniably alluring – yet thoroughly addictive. Eyelash extensions, once an occasional indulgence for special occasions, have won me over, becoming a bi-monthly investment that’s been difficult to break free of.
So, I’m spending this summer getting over this beauty addiction. I’ve dabbled in lash extensions on and off for the past six years, but for the past six months, couldn’t bear to part with them at all. Until now. I’m officially extension-free, and I plan on staying that way all summer long, if I can muster the willpower to.
I know, it sounds trivial. Superficial. Ridiculous, even. But since starting a new job and re-entering the work force full-time after seven years, my lash extensions have become, well, a part of me. At work, they suffice as all the makeup I need; at a workout class, they’re the difference between looking somewhat decent and like something the cat dragged in.
I’m not the only addict out there. A poll of 85 of my own friends and followers on Instagram reveals that 18% are in the same boat. And some of them can’t imagine quitting. “I’ve gotten so used to them, I don’t recognise myself without them,” admits my colleague, digital editor of Vogue Arabia Leen Al Saadi, who has been getting constant lash refills for three years. “I don’t have an addictive personality type, but I have to admit, giving up lash extensions feels impossible.”
Beyond the obvious aesthetic appeal, the convenience factor is a huge plus point. With lash extensions, I merely roll out of bed, brush my teeth, wash my face, slap some CC cream on and a touch of blush for good measure, and voila! Morning makeup routines have never been so simple. Not to mention, I don’t have to step foot outside my home, brave the horrendous Dubai traffic or endure wait times at salons – my eyelash lady does home visits. I can sneak in a nap while she works her magic on my lashes, in the comfort of my bed.
The convenience is…
