Tuesday, January 27, 2015

The Eyelash Perm Experiment

I know that the grass is always greener in many instances of life and my straight hair is definitely one of those instances. It took me years to find the right tools and steps to curl my unyieldingly straight Asian hair and my eyelashes have been no exception.

When I want a luscious curled look, I always lean on a good pair of falsies to do the trick. Eye lash extensions are also a fun alternative for a 30-45 day look, but between the upkeep, the annoyance and the cost, it's not something I wanted to do forever.

That's where The Perm comes in. Now, I know what you're thinking: 1. That's insane. 2. How safe is it to perm the hairs that are mere millimeters from your eyeballs?

Look! Lashes!

Well, I took the plunge to find out.

I read up on the procedure so I wouldn't freak out and then headed to Yelp to find the best spot for an affordable perm. Li's Salon in Chinatown, NY won out. Cindy, the perm expert took a same day appointment (always call same day to ensure that she is in). In typical Chinatown fashion, the salon was a little cramped and all of the stylists are always eating when they're not working. The eyelash station was in back, where Cindy also performs facials and the like.

  • I laid down and was instructed to close my eyes.
  • Then Cindy gently washed my eye area to get rid of any residue or make up from my eye lashes.
  • She stuck two thin foam cushions to my lash line and proceeded to wipe an adhesive and perm solution to my eyelashes. This part was a little bit uncomfortable, because she applied pressure to the top of the cushions downward into the eye. It was only about 15-20 seconds per eye so it was over before I could protest. The smell was not the rosiest. It was a mix of grandma's perm solution and eggs, but I suppose you just get used to it after a few minutes. 
  • A thin wet pad was also applied to the bottom of the eye. I have no idea what this was for, but it was comfortable... like an eye mask.


This is not me, but a good depiction of what was happening

  • All of this was then covered with some form of plastic wrap and I was left to marinate for about 30 minutes.
  • Cindy then removed the plastic and applied a cleaning solution to my eye area and the lashes to release them from the foam cushions.
  • She gave me a final cleansing wipe and sat me up to be on my way. Lashes curled!


I was in shock. The whole procedure took less than an hour, I had curled lashes and Cindy said I could immediately put mascara on. The skin on the top of my eye was a little sensitive for about half an hour after. I would assume it was the foam adhesive, but it was no more uncomfortable than the feeling of your skin after a make up remover wipe. I never felt any of the perm solution on my skin. Cindy was quite gentle and worked with precision.

Fresh off the presses!

The appointment was $25 and well worth it. These aren't the best pictures, but keep in mind, my eye lashes can't be seen at all when they aren't permed. Eye lash curlers don't give a curl that holds so I have stopped trying years ago.
Mascara face!
I am so happy with the results and don't see a reason why I couldn't keep this up. Let me know if you have any questions!

xoxo, 
Y.

Friday, January 23, 2015

30 day Lipstick Challenge: Week 3

Hello, Lovelies! Hope this cold hasn't left you hibernating with your Netflix account this January. Come out and give YonAndKat a kiss with some color!

This week is chock full of shades that are so glam and so affordable. Check out our week's worth of drugstore goodies that we unearthed from the Lippy Vault:

Day 15: Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in Sweetheart Valentine (025) This stuff is magic and stays put for hours. Also smells minty and keeps the pout moisturized.
Day 16: Revlon Colorstay Moisture Stain in Stockholm Chic- Great color, but if your lips aren't super moisturized, the color can really cling to the dry bits. I suggest exfoliating and moisturizing before experimenting with this product.
Day 17: Burt's Bees Lip Shimmer in Merlot (Discontinued) In general, love the BB products b/c they layer well for just a moisturizing tint or full on color blast.
Day 18: CoverGirl Outlast Lip Stain in #425 The colors may have changed in name
Day 19: Maybelline in Mesmerizing Magenta (matte 680) Great product, great texture. Buying a back up immediately.
Day 20: Revlon ColorBurst Lip Butter in Creme Brulee. Amazing texture! This lippy will leave your lips feeling soft.
Day 21: Maybelline New York Color Sensational in Deepest Cherry. Love this color. Certainly a dupe for MAC's darkside (see week 1).

Hope your resolutions stick around for as long as our lip stains ;)

xoxo,

Y. & K. 

Tuesday, January 6, 2015

30 Day Lipstick Challenge: Week 2. New Year, New Lips

Hellllo, smackers. Week two was revved up with some serious color and fun hues! Which were your favs?


Day 8: Nars Satin Lip Pencil in Luxembourg Favorite stay put pencil that doesn't dry your pout!
Day 9: YSL Rouge Pur Couture Mat Lipstick Grenat Satisfaction (#206)
Day 10: Chanel Palette Levres Multifacettes De Chanel: This was a limited edition product that is no longer available. Sorry!
Day 11: Clinique Chubby Stick in Mighty Maraschino and YSL Lip stain in Color 9, Rouge Laque. I loved pairing these two together for a glossy, bright look.
Day 12: Shiseido Advanced Performance Lipstick in Burning Embers (#139) May also be discontinued :/
Day 13: MAC in Dark Side. Instant edge.
Day 14: CoverGirl in Red to Remember. This has since been discontinued. Mistake in my opinion. :(

Lessons learned this week: Buy back ups. Sigh.

Happy New Year, you sexy babies,
Y. and K.