The cosmetic game has really changed since I was a kid. My daughter talks about makeup using words like highlight, bronzer and contour. She watches YouTube tutorials like it is her J-O-B. I can’t seem to take myself seriously enough to think that three more steps of smoke and mirrors would be a visual game changer. Do any of those things erase the last twenty years of sun, gravity and aging? Didn’t think so.
Since 14 my glam routine has included foundation, eyeliner, mascara, blush, eyeshadow and powder. All of the tried and true products that can make me look less mom tired. I thought I had a pretty good thing going. My daughter may think it’s odd that I don’t use primer or setting spray but last time I checked neither of us are doing a catwalk in the near future.
I am the mother of four. If I am going to try a new product it is going to be because it makes my life easier. The most time consuming part of my cosmetic routine has always been mascara. I don’t have luxurious lashes by any stretch, so historically I need 4 coats of a mega-volumizing mascara to make my eyes pop. And heaven forbid if the clumps take over and I have to wash my face and start over.
Then I heard about lash extensions. There is a technique where someone can attach a faux lash to YOUR sad, underachieving lash, giving it a very natural looking boost. Which seemed exceptionally better than where I read that the Parisians used to sew hair into the eyelids without anesthetics. The only thing that gave me pause is the price tag for a new set of lash extensions.
But then I counted up my Christmas cash and made an appointment. Shut up and take my money.
I showed up not really knowing what to expect. In all of my excitement I forgot to research what the process would entail. Hannah seemed super nice and knowledgeable. She was going to change my mundane mom life for the better.
She had a spa bed in the middle of her charming, little room and she asked me to climb aboard. Easy enough. Next, she cleaned my eye area because hygiene was imperative. Then Hannah explained that she was going to tape down my bottom lashes so they didn’t get in the way. This was sort of a weird feeling but nothing that I couldn’t handle.
Hannah explained that the process for a new set of extensions would take about an hour and some change and during this time I would need to keep my eyes both closed and still. In theory it sounded like she was requiring me to take a mid day nap. Most people would jump at the opportunity. Why can’t I be like most people?
Hannah was all ready to begin and asked me to close my eyes. Which for about the first five minutes wasn’t weird at all. The problem is I am not a person who relaxes well. It is just not my thing. Call it nervous energy. I need to be doing something. I am the person who has to play Candy Crush AND scroll social media as I watch TV.
At about the six minute mark things got weird. It was nothing that Hannah did. I blame my brain. I started hyper-focusing on the fact that I could NOT open my eyes, even if I wanted to. And suddenly, I wanted nothing more. But I am a rule follower and Hannah had been very clear in her expectations.
Also the room was too quiet. There was background music playing on low but Hannah worked in utter silence. She had told me before that many clients choose to nap, so she works quietly. I made a couple attempts at small talk. Which, it’s super weird talking to someone whom you barely know, while your eyes are closed. But her responses were short and to the point. Not conducive to chit chat.
The next thing I knew I was trying to talk myself down from a full on panic attack. I actually pictured myself leaping off the bed and bolting down the stairs, making my escape. Why was it so hard to chill? Should I tell her that I needed a break? I didn’t want to drag the process out any longer than necessary. Maybe I could stage a “fall” from the bed? That didn’t seem completely irrational.
I am mentally tough. I had to talk myself down from the ledge. I began a silent conversation with myself. Beauty comes with a price. I had WILLINGLY signed up for this. I was not going to embarrass myself/pass out/die on this spa table. Hopefully.
Slowly, that panicky feeling began to subside. I kept thinking about how I had a brand new appreciation for the sense of sight. As the procedure went on I managed to force myself into relaxation. Which sounds like a crazy way to explain it but that is exactly what happened.
Once the irrational fear passed I was left alone with my calm thoughts. The problem is when you are lying on a bed, in a strange room with your eyes closed and you aren’t in the throws of a panic attack, the line between wake and sleep becomes blurry. I found myself questioning which state I was actually experiencing. I am a side sleeper. Surely I was not asleep on my back.
Until I woke myself up snoring. I had been asleep. Now Hannah was judging me and my snoring. But I couldn’t look at her to observe her judgement because I still couldn’t open my eyes. Should I joke about how I had just snored? Or pretend like Hannah was the crazy one? The minutes seemed to tick by slower and slower. Was Hannah even still in the room? Was that even her real name?
Then she said: Okay! I am all done! Slowly open your eyes.
Before and after! Notice you can actually SEE the smile in my eyes in the bottom pic? Because the ordeal was over!
Apparently an hour-twenty had passed and my lashes looked AHHHHmazing. And no one died. But I had to get out of there pronto. So I threw money at Hannah and exited stage right.
The looming problem is with lash extensions you have to get what is called fills. Which, luckily take half as long. But before that task rolls around again I have to get a solid plan. Or maybe a shot of whisky.
Because Tonja left alone with sightless-silence is a horrifying state of mind.
Happy day!
Prescription medicament use on the rise in the United States. Part 2
I AM SO GLAD I FOUND THIS THREAD! I got lashes done for the first time yesterday and this was me the last 30 minutes. I was in complete panic mode out of no one and the poor girl was clueless. I asked her for a break because I had a headache and got water and took 2 Tylenol. The truth was that I wanted to bolt outta there. I felt like I was being suffocated as she got closer to the tear ducts of my eyes. I also experience this “panic” when I get a massage or I go to the dentist and they have all that stuff on my face. I almost always have to get nitrous even for a cleaning because I start to panic. Does anyone know what this is called? I assumed it was some variation of claustrophobia but its not an inclosed space I think its the fear of being pinned down.
I am so sorry you go through this as well! Take comfort in the fact that you are not alone..
I have gotten my lashes done a few times but for the first time last week i had 3 panic attacks in one session. i had to ask her to stop 3 times and i was so embarrassed. i tried to calm myself down each time but i couldnt. she was very understanding and let me take breaks. she scheduled me as her last client of the day now to give me my breaks without interrupting her schedule. but im terrified to go in for my fill and get that feeling of not being able to breathe again. idk how to fix it.
Im totally having the ame issue. I was able to get my lashes done just fine until the last couple times, I have had to stop just as we get started because I feel like I’m about to be smothered. I need to try to get myself
Together because I really want lashes again, but I almost fee like I’m going to die, idk what to do. Such a dilemma.
I feel better at least knowing I am not alone in the struggle. I actually let mine go. ?
I’m so glad to find this thread! I had a lash perm/tint a few months ago and started having anxiety while it was being done. I talked myself down (some) and told the girl I was having anxiety. She said it was normal and some of her clients take Xanax before an appointment. I must not have talked myself down well enough because the next day I had a full blown (think ER visit) attack. But I really like the perm and want to do it again. But I will also jump off the ledge if I ever have that kind of anxiety again! What’s a vain girl to do??
Melissa we can all feel the anxiety with you!! Just reading that!
I can totally relate to all these comments. I used to get my lashes done a few years ago and quite frequently. Till one day, I felt trapped inside my head with disquieting thoughts and wanted to pass out. I told the lady that I felt dizzy half way through and all she could reply was “well, its a good job you’re lying down”. Every since then I vowed never to put myself through the trauma of it. Although, I really do miss having beautiful lashes but not at the expense of going out of my comfort zone.
Yes!! Trapped in your own head. That’s exactly what it is like! ??
So I just randomly found this article. I had a lash lift and tint one time. I was looking forward to it.
Then I had a horrible panic attack in the middle of it. My concern? Fire exits. I wouldn’t be able to find my way out if a fire started.
That actually seems like a very rational thought!
I know this thread is a couple years old by now, but I definitely came to the right place. I am going for my fill tomorrow and dreading it, but I have an event coming up this weekend and either I go with missing lashes that fell/grew off or suck it up and get em done one last time before i decide to call it quits lol. I had my first panic attack 3 wks ago. I used to get lashes allllllll the time in college but it was a different process. Now it seems as though the huge ring light which was like 6 inches from my face was the leading factor. I’ll have a talk with her tomorrow to go over ground rules. She also used my shoulder as a resting place and I felt like she was holding me down and I wasn’t in control. Good luck ladies. ?
I know what you mean with the light! It’s just a strange experience. What helped me was I told her that I almost had a panic attack the time before and she was very mindful and understanding. You’ve got this!
Yes the ring light is a major trigger for me!
Omg Im not the only one!!! Today was my first time in years and exactly what u said-I wanted nothing more than to open my eyes bc I couldnt- I wanted to die.. I couldnt even fall asleep bc it felt like my eyes were opening…and this took 3 hrs!!! My heart raced and I felt like I was suffocating then calm a rollercoaster for 3 hrs!
Yeeessss!!!! ???
I am glad I found this page and I am pleased I’m not the only one!. I have a lash curl and tint in December for Xmas but my beautician knows I suffer from claustrophobia. She’s ever so good and has talked me through the whole process, (it lasts 15 mins) and let me have a pair of those plastic things that get pasted on your eyes so I can practice having them on for 15 mins. I’m still dreading it though and I’m thinking of cancelling, but is my vanity greater than my fear… not sure yet!
This is SO ME!
Glad I’m not the only one “talking myself off a ledge” for bomb lashes!
??????
Haha….sounds like me during an MRI. I’m claustraphobic so I have to go in with my eyes closed or I have a meltdown….but keeping my eyes shut makes me smother….so I battle between the sheer terror of being enclosed or smothering because i can’t see. I dont relax well either…unless lying in the fetal position or passed out face down in my bed or in the floor.
But now I’m curious….how do they attach these extensions and how long before you have to have a fill in?
That does sound awful! I have no idea how they work their magic but I am going back this Friday! ?
I take CBD oil before an appointment or try to have a glass of wine. I have the same problem with relaxing and especially thinking about how my eyes can’t open and on top of it they flutter for the first 5-10 minutes of the appointment. Talking actually makes the fluttering worse!
The struggle!!