The Eyelash Extension Buzz | Health

As a woman with relatively wimpy eyelashes, I had to get in on a new trend sweeping Spokane... eye lash extensions. Women I know who wear them, swear by them. They make your lashes longer, thicker and eliminate the need for mascara. No mascara? Thicker, longer lashes? I had to try it.

You wouldn't notice Eileen Frances' Beautiful Lashes storefront from the street. I didn't. I drove right by it. But it's not a problem, because most people who find Eileen, are referred to her by her adoring clients.

Her shop is in the basement of a strip mall at 29th and Regal on the South Hill. It's not a spa, it's not a salon, Eileen's business consists strictly of eyelash extensions. The 25 year massage therapist has been doing the lash thing for three years. Already, she says she has 400 client contacts in her cell phone. Clearly, the lash business is booming for Eileen Frances.

Here's how it works: you chose synthetic hair, human hair or mink. Things to take into consideration: the length, the curl, the texture. For me, Eileen chose mink. The process: she bonds (glues) a hair to every one of your lashes. It takes about an hour and a half. If you want them thicker, Eileen can glue to extensions to one lash.

The process costs $80. They come out as your eye lash sheds, which Eileen tells me is about every 6 weeks, the average life of a lash. Ah, the things you learn. They can also fall out if you're more tough on your eyes. You not supposed to rub along the lash line when you wash your face, sleeping on your face, they say, isn't the best idea either. Eileen says women go back every 3 to 6 weeks for a fill, which costs about $40.

My thoughts: I like the look. I like Eileen. She's a nice woman who I didn't mind chatting with for a good hour and a half. And, she's good at what she does.

However, I don't think eyelash extensions are for me. I don't like how they feel. I feel like I'm constantly wearing fake lashes, which I suppose is the case. However, I was under the impression I wouldn't notice them. I also don't like having to clean around them. I feel like I have to give my eyes a good rub every night to feel really clean, but the extensions prohibit me from doing that.

While I'm pretty sure I'm not going to maintain these bad boys, I can say I think it's worth it for special occasions, a wedding perhaps. I do think they look beautiful on other women. I like how they look on me. I just don't like how they feel, they're expensive (for me) to maintain, and the process of putting them on is time I really don't think I have.

Still, I'd tell anyone who's interested to try it for herself. It's worth trying at least once.