Eyelash perming - it does work if you get it done properly! (Eyelash Perming)

Member Name: sakura8

Product:	Eyelash Perming
Date:	20/03/09 (3428 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Curled lashes for between 4-6 weeks

Disadvantages: Quite expensive, doesn't have a dramatic effect for people with short lashes

Before I discovered the wonders of Shiseido Eyelash Curlers (I have also reviewed these) I tried having my eyelashes permed. I have typical oriental eyelashes: very short, fine and dead straight. So I wanted to have them permed before I went on a holiday, so I didn't have to mess about with eyelash curlers and mascara.

I had them permed at a proper salon in Woking, called Body & Beauty Studio. I'd never been there before, but it seemed like a reputable salon and I had a 20% discount so I paid £24 instead of £30. They also specialise in Jinnylash extensions, so I was confident they were well qualified to look after my eyes!

Before I could have my eyelashes permed, I had to have a sensitivity patch test at least 24 hours before. This meant a slightly inconvenient extra visit to the salon, but like doing the sensitivity test before dying my hair, I knew it was better to be safe than sorry. Plus, this instilled confidence in me that the salon knew what they were doing and that they would do the job properly.

The sensitivity test didn't take long, about 5-10 minutes for the beautician to dab some solution onto my skin to see if I would have a bad reaction. I went home and luckily I didn't have an adverse reaction and I returned the following day for the perming.

I had to lie down on a bed and the beautician pressed my eyelashes individually around some small rollers and then applied some water soluble glue to my eyelashes. Unfortunately, because my eyelashes are so short she found this more difficult than usual, but not impossible and after a while she managed to get the little critters under control. I expected to feel some pain as she tried to manoeuvre my stubborn little lashes around the rollers, but I felt no discomfort at all. The perming lotion is then applied and this had to be left on for about 15 minutes, so I was left to lie and relax whilst listening to the radio. I'm pleased to say that I didn't notice an overpowering smell of perming lotion, as it's quite a mild solution.

Once the perming lotion had worked its magic, the beautician then applied a neutraliser to be left on for approximately 10-15 minutes. Finally my eyelashes were gently wiped to remove the rollers and I was allowed to inspect the results. Not being blessed with the most lovely of eyelashes, I wasn't expecting to suddenly look like I was from a Maybelline mascara advert, but I was pleased with the results. My eyelashes were definitely curly, but in a natural looking way and they were beautifully separated, so the beautician had done a great job.

Unfortunately my fiancé didn't really notice the difference, but then again he doesn't really notice when I've normally curled my lashes and put mascara on. That's not down to him being inattentive, but because my lashes are just so short and generally hard to see. I still had to put mascara on my permed lashes to make them look darker and thicker, so perming doesn't negate your whole beauty routine.

They say you can expect your lashes to stay curled for up to 6 weeks and I would say mine looked curled for about 4 weeks, as only the tips appeared curly due to regrowth of the lashes.

For me personally, it wasn't really worth the time and expense, but someone with longer lashes would get a much more dramatic result than me. I haven't had my eyelashes permed again, a) because it's too expensive and b) because I discovered fantastic eyelash curlers!

If you're thinking of having this done then please go to a reputable salon where they will insist on a sensitivity test, as you've only got one pair of eyes so it's not worth the risk of taking shortcuts! You should expect the treatment to take around 45 minutes.

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Note:
They now also offer a new type of eyelash perm called LVL, which stands for Length, Volume and Lift, and it is by Nouveau Contour. Apparently this makes the lashes look longer and slightly straighter than an eyelash perm, but the lift and separation of the lashes is much better. This technique has appeared on 10 Years Younger and does look really good. This treatment costs £65 and it includes an eyelash tint, so this treatment would probably have been better suited to me.

Summary: If I was one of those 'ladies who lunch' with money to burn I'd get it done again!