Welcome to the La Bella Voce Della Puglia forums.
You are currently viewing our boards as a guest which gives you limited access to view most discussions and access our other features. By joining our free community you will have access to post topics, communicate privately with other members (PM), respond to polls, upload content and access many other special features. Registration is fast, simple and absolutely free so please, join our community today!
Once registered you will be able to submit articles and photos, and share your knowledge and experiences about Puglia!
If you have any problems with the registration process or your account login, please contact contact us.
|
Author
|
|
|
Categories
|
|
|
Member Menu
|
|
|
|
All of a flutter with eyelash extensions
|
|
Long, voluminous, velvety lashes are considered in most cultures, desirable, sensual and sexy, attracting curious stares by members of both sexes.
|
|
Full Article
|
Volunteering to test that theory, I needed to take into consideration a couple of issues; the consequences from a cosmetic and an optometrist’s point of view.
Eyelashes are nature’s armor, serving two purposes; protecting our eyes from debris and also a reflexive warning of nearby objects, not unlike the whiskers of our feline friends.
Considering the environment in which both giraffes and camels live in, it is understandable that their lashes should be extra thick and long.
Not withstanding that sexual attraction goes beyond the eye of the beholder, long lashes certainly send a powerful message.
Jennifer Lopez and Madonna, knowingly use their lashes to tremendous effect, alluring their transfixed audience into an imaginative world but also attracting huge criticism for their lack of conscience. Jennifer Lopez's faux eyelashes were said to be made of red fox fur, and Madonna reportedly paid $10,000 for a mink and diamond-encrusted set from Shu Vemura, the Japanese Make-up artist. Let’s hope Beyonce showed a little more taste in her choice of false eyelashes.
Even as children, we have already started our romance with longer eyelashes, the manufacturers endowing baby dolls with thick black and silky lashes.
Fake eyelashes purchased off the supermarket shelves of old and self applied must be distinguished from the synthetic eyelash extensions applied with a bonding agent, requiring a professionally trained beautician’s steady hand for individual lash application.
But you needn’t have a superstar’s income nor their lack of consideration for the animal kingdom, to afford and wear eyelash extensions. With lash studios in the States and Australia developing the technique and offering them to a wider public, they have become more affordable. I splashed out with my seventeen euros which is more than I actually pay for my hair styling, but it was worth the experience.
Lash extensions last from 2 to 6 weeks. My chosen beautician, Clara, in Ostuni centre, wisely told me to expect an expiry date not exceeding two weeks, any losses prior to that would be replaced at no extra cost.
Having made my appointment, I really had no idea what to expect, this being my first experience of eyelash extensions. The whole procedure took less than15 minutes despite the reading material on the subject that suggested about two hours. It was totally painless but the bonding agent had a strong odour and not at all pleasant giving me a mild headache.
 
I fluttered under the gaze of the staff, which was entirely expected of me but I really couldn’t help it, and I wanted to test their durability after all. Transformed, or so I felt, I prepared myself mentally to turn to the outside world and see the response of onlookers and test this theory of desirable, sensual and sexy.
My first encounter, over a shop counter, getting some pre- prepared lunch, Italian style, was disappointing. Zilch! Not even a flicker of “hey, she’s got eyelash extensions.” Arriving home, my husband said “let’s see then”. I took off my sunglasses and he laughed. So far, not good. Certainly not the desired affect. Was he in shock? Or did I really look like someone with eyelashes that looked atrocious and I’ve got at least another 2 weeks to live with them.
His assistant at least took the opportunity to make me feel better about myself, and said, “they look great”. Hmmm…..but not convinced.
After lunch, I went into the bank, three cubicles with male staff and male customers attending to their money matters. This would be a pretty fair test. They all turned around at the same time, my eyes quickly darted to the floor and I slid my sunglasses on. Coy or what!
After a week I’d grown accustomed to my new lash extensions. Rarely noticing them (yeh, right!) unless I was tired and my eyes drooped, when I could actually see a black haze. Or when I took my lenses out or put them in, learning a new technique for both. Or when I wore sunglasses or normal everyday glasses, they’d touch the lens and lash extensions became my armor of warning of a close object. Or, when I came to use a face cleanser; the cotton wool lodging in the long lashes, not wanting to be freed from their captive space like a spider’s web. Trying to get to sleep, I was often conscious that the lashes may break or fall helplessly to the floor never to be seen again, worrying I would wake up to gaps between lashes!.
Nor, did I hardly notice the casual gaze from both sexes or the “Ciao Bella!”
Standing in the queue for the ladies toilets in a bar/restaurant come night club I was approached by a broad shouldered chap in search of a chat. He said “Haven’t I seen you here before?”, such one liners I’ve heard before and rarely fallen for their lack of originality. I replied, “not with these here lashes you haven’t.” My humour lost on his masculinity, I quickly sidled into the toilets and stayed there long enough to warrant a search party. On my exit, he was still propping up the pillar, and casually requested my name but fortunately not my number. His name was Rocco!! I walked away as he was pulling out his portfolio.
Experimenting with a bit of eye shadow that I’d just bought, bright and crystallized blue, when our Italian friend, Massimo, turned up on a matter of urgency early one morning as he often did when my husband was not home. He stopped and stared, then the usual greeting of a kiss on both cheeks. Told me his problem, then said “Bella!” A man never lost for words, he could not find the words “gli occhi”.
I explained, he left, having kissed me good-bye, not once but twice. So where’s my husband I thought, when I need him!!
Lashes should come with a warning; Take husband, boyfriend, and escort or chaperone whilst wearing.
|
|
All times are GMT. The time now is 12:54 PM.
|
|
|
Sponsored Links
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
