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.