Eyelash Extensions

Eyelash extensions are something I read about before I came to Korea. I have always been intrigued by them but also they are a bit scary. I assumed that the second they were glued to me i'd look like a crazy drag queen which wouldn't be a bad thing if I wasn't a teacher to teenager boys.
So since I had a big event to go to and didn't want to look a state  I decided to take the plunge.
All I knew about eyelash extensions was they were invented in Korea so I started researching to find out a little more. Here are some of the questions I wanted to find the answers to and maybe they can help you guys too:

. How long do they last?
I always assumed they would last about a week. After some research I discovered they can last up to 90 days but the average you can hope for before they start to look un-even is about a month.

.How do they apply them?
This process was particularly important to me since I knew that it would be a non-English speaking person applying them. I was asked to lie on the bed and the lady put tape under my eyes and on top of my eyelids. She also put tape on my eyebrows to stop glue getting on them.
It is odd to be forced to keep your eyes closed but as long as you relax it is fine. It is not even slightly painful and it didn't seem like a long time, even if it was 45 minutes. The oddest part of the process was when she put a ball of cotton up one of my nostrils. This, i'm guessing , is to stop you smelling the glue but it felt odd since I had my eyes closed and couldn't ask her in English why she'd done it.

.How long does it take?
As mentioned above , it took about 45 minutes but can be up to an hour. Next time I get it done, as long as I go before they all fall out, it should only be about 35 minutes.

.What do you ask for?
So this is the complicated bit. There are a few different types of lashes you can have.
The main difference is material and length.
Acrylic - which is the most common. It is the ones I have and they feel plastic but look great.

Mink - The softest and most expensive type.Weirdly you still have to add mascara and curl them.

A lot of stores will only specialise in one or two materials so if you do have specific ones you want ask first.

The two important decisions are the curl:
J-curl or C-curl.

J-curl is a straight lash that you curl yourself. It looks more natural as it grows out but takes a little bit of work and is very subtle. It is the most common for Asian people.

C-curl is a pre-curled lash and the one I went with. It  requires no work but I have heard that the curl can be quite extreme as your own lashes start to grow. I think next time I would go for the C-curl but a bit shorter so it seems a little more natural.

Length:
I went for 11mm but the lady was desperate to give me 12mm. A mm difference doesn't sound like a lot but it makes a huge difference when it comes to something as small as your lashes. Next time I will definitely be going for a shorter length but i'm still glad I went for the 11mm C-curl. I read on 'Eat Your Kimchi' another fantastic blog about Korea that its better to go big so you have something to compare and I definitely agree.

Tips:
I was told once to always wear extra eye make up if you wear glasses. This is very true and also apply's for your lashes. Like I mentioned before, the 11mm C-curls are quite big but behind my glasses they are much less noticeable.If you don't wear glasses then maybe a j-curl would be a better fit.

Don't get them wet for a few hours after application. They will come un-stuck if you do.

Don't get oil on them. If you use make up wipes just be careful around them. You won't need eyeliner or mascara with them so it shouldn't be such a problem.

Since having them I have actually stopped wearing make-up all together. They eyes make up for everything else i'm not wearing. I put lipstick on if I go out but its a relief to not have to worry so much. I should make more of an effort but with the lashes i'm becoming really lazy.

How much do they cost?
I paid 40,000 won which is about 20 pound and it is really great value.

I am a complete convert and I think while i'm in Korea I will treat myself to it anytime I have an event coming up.
I just walked into a place that had eyelash before and after pictures on the outside and she layed me down straight away without questioning. Because it is a long process if might be good to book but I wasn't in a rush so I just chanced it.

It's a easy process with great results. Now I just have to see how they grow out.

A Vintage Resolution

Well it’s 2014 already. I realize it’s been 2014 for most of you for quite a few weeks now but I took my Christmas vacation on the 1^st of January and have only arrived back to my house in Korea so I am starting my resolutions and changes a little later than usual.

2013 was a year of change and adventure. I was whizzing around the world and turning my life upside down. Unfortunately when you are packing for a year, vintage clothing is quite heavy and I was scared to take a lot of it half way across the world. This didn’t completely stop me and I did take a lot with me. The other thing I discovered when I arrived in Korea was that the extreme heat/cold means vintage clothing isn’t that practical. (Trying to wear a corset and waist train in 100% humidity and 40 degree heat wasn’t that enjoyable either)

So 2014 will be my vintage year. I have brought a lot of my favourite pieces over with me, lots of hair accessories, pin curl clips, rollers and holding spray. I know the weather now so I think I can master it a little better the second time around.

So my vintage mission for 2014:

. Stockings – Stocking have fallen off my radar. I brought a few with me but they were all torn before the first month was through. Now I have a full supply. 

.Corset – the waist training is back on. I loved it when I was doing it before so I am excited to get back into it. I’ve also read that it goes hand in hand with my next number.

.Yoga – I realize this isn’t vintage inspired but it’s my new addiction and I can’t get enough of it. I love how it makes me feel (and hopefully how it will make me look.) I’m hoping to take some progression shots to see if I can actually improve over the next few months. 

Very very early progression shot.

. Hair – Come what may THIS year I will master pin curls and a victory roll. I normally end up as a frizz ball so I really would love to master the skills of the 40’s 

This magazine will send me in the right direction

. Heels – I never wear them anymore and I use to love the feeling of getting dressed up so I’m hoping to capture that again this year.

.Teeth – some pearly white this year will make me feel classy in every era.

Lets do this 2014!

 

I need to get nice teeth so I don't have to pout like a fool in my friends pictures

Ruby Woo

Ruby Woo

I realize I should be as excited about this as I am but I have finally made an adult purchase and bought my first Ruby Woo lipstick.

I realize that this isn’t an event everyone would get excited about but I have been dreaming of owning a Ruby Woo every since I was about 15 and I started delving into the vintage world of glamour.

I have mentioned on here before my past fears of bright colors on my nails so the idea of ever wearing red lipstick terrified me. I ventured into the lipstick world a year ago with the purchase of a Rockalily red and I loved it. Not just loved it, I was in love with it.

Wearing it made me feel like a million pounds. It was my secret magic stick that made me feel like a different version of myself.

I have to admit that to begin with I’d put it on and run to the bathroom to wash it off the second I had it on but over time I came to feel comfortable in my own skin.

If people stared who cared since it made me happy. That was my biggest hurdle with wearing red. It was the fact I know that over 50% of men hate it. I felt weird annoying people but then I realize I shouldn’t care. If I’m happy then that’s what should matter.

I wasn’t wearing it for men. I was wearing it for me.

The first time I read about Ruby Woo was an interview with Dita Von Teese. I had to go on the internet (these were the days before Google!) to find out what this magical stick was.

I didn’t get it as my first purchase because it is stupidly expensive in the uk. I wasn’t expecting to fall in love with my Rockalily as much as I did but it is only occasionally released so I decided to bite the bullet and join the Mac ranks.

Its tough getting use to a new Matte lipstick but I love it.

So here it is. My lovely Ruby Woo.

Let’s make- up.

This is the first time in my life that I have disposable income. The terror of not having money still hangs in the air. I go to a shop and the second I buy anything, even bin bags I feel guilty.

This month was my first pay check so I forced myself to splurge.

I marched myself into the make up shop I’d read all about online while I was in the UK and filled my basket.

Korean Make up is like magic. I have no idea how but every item does more than it says on the tin (not that I can read the tin of course).

The best item by far was the nail varnish. I have learnt to wear nail varnish over the last few years and I’m addicted to it now. My nails don’t feel right unless and Elmo red adorns them. My problem though is that I have never been able to wear colors that last even a day. I held out little hope that this varnish would be different and by Jove I was right!

I can finally wear nail varnish for a day or two without a chip. It’s a miracle, especially since it’s actually cheaper than all of the UK make up brands.

The face creams I have bought have already started to make a difference. My poor tired eyes have more lines than a student’s detention book. I know the lines are from smiling so I don’t regret them but it can be annoying to look about 50 in all photos.

The firm eye cream I have has made a difference in only a week. It was cheap and makes me feel more awake when I put it on.

Since my first purchase was such a success and since I brought so little with me I think my fear of spending money will quickly fade. Since buying the makeup I have already bought a wonder woman jumper and some crazy Konglish t-shirts. Next on the list: Heels!