Everything you need to know about lash extensions

Hello darlings. Okay so, let’s discuss one of my most favorite things ever invented. Like of all time.

Eyelash extensions.

They are my absolute favorite luxury. Before I took the plunge and got lash extensions, I would try to apply drugstore lashes myself but always felt like a walking clown. They felt heavy, over-glued and seriously off center. I hated wearing them but I love the effect of extra bold lashes.

The first time I tried them I was terrified. I heard so many stories about glue burning your eyes and lashes all falling out, never growing back the same. There were so many horror stories. Fortunately, none of those things has ever happened to me. Having lash extensions has been an amazing experience. I often get complimented on my lashes and asked a lot of questions, so I felt a blog post would be a perfect way to share all the secrets. Here are my tips for getting a beautiful set of luscious lashes.

Find the right person. You’ve got to do your research and find a really good place. A place you like and feels comfortable to you. You will be sitting in their chair anywhere from 1-3 hours, so you’ll want to vibe with the person. I have had one bad experience when I went to someone new, in a different city. I’ll never do that again. It was awful.

My girls are incredible. If you are in Austin, go see Amanda @lashsistersaustin . If you are in Houston, go see Maria @ria_lash . Tell them Ashlina sent you and they will hook you up.

When you’re looking for someone, you’ll want to make sure they have the proper license and credentials. Find their reviews and read them ALL, every single one. Really see if you can get a feel for their work. I personally like to know that they have a strong Instagram and show that they are focused on growing their business. I love a hustler and a perfectionist. So if their images look good and their media looks chic, I’m a fan. Presentation is everything in business.

Be very clear about what you want. I’ve seen people ask for full lashes and come out looking like Janice, the blonde muppet. Like, you want to be very clear and specific about what you want. They make all kinds of lashes, mink, faux, hybrid, etc. They have shape, curl size, length, all sorts of variables. Do your research before hand so you can be very clear with your girl. Keep in mind, a good lash girl will have an in depth consultation with you and guide you to what’s best for your needs.

I personally use the single lash, with a D curl. I like mine between 11-13 mm and a little long on the arch of the eye, in the cat eye shape.

FAQ:

Does it hurt? No, never. I have never felt anything when getting them done.

Do they rip out your lashes? Do your lashes grow back? My lashes have always maintained even when they fall out. I highly recommend letting them fall out, NEVER try to remove them yourself. I have heard of lashes falling out but that was because of poor glue job so just make sure you go to a strict professional.

How long do they last? My lashes always last about 3 weeks but I take really good care of them and brush them every morning and every night.

Here’s what mine look like a few days after the appointment:

WHAT TO DO BEFORE YOUR LASH APPOINTMENT:

-Begin taking Biotin or HSN vitamins to help your lashes get stronger.

-Day of appointment, do not wear any eye makeup, or makeup that may fall into the eye area. Avoid wearing contact lenses, too.

-Let people know you will be unavailable by phone for 1-3 hours. Set aside time you won’t be able to answer the phone or respond to texts.

-Wear a sweater. Most eyelash rooms are very cold because they need to keep the temp chilly for the lashes and glue.

HOW TO CARE FOR YOUR LASHES:

-Under NO circumstances can you get your lashes wet for 24 hours. If you don’t wear makeup, you can skip washing your face after the application.

-No heat or steam for 24 hours. No working out, swimming, grilling, sauna, steam room, facials, etc.

-Use oil free products in your skin care regime, so it doesn’t loosen the glue and lashes last longer.

-Don’t wear mascara. If you do decide to wear it, apply it only on the ends of the lash, that was it is easier to clean.

-Don’t rub or pull on your lashes.

-Wet a clean mascara wand and brush your lashes every morning and night. This is how I clean and care for my lashes.

-Sleep on a silk beauty pillow. They really help with skin, oils and all the bacteria.

-Schedule a refill about 2-3 weeks after application. If you care for them well, they should last a good 3 weeks.

Hope these tips help you & if you want more posts like this, let me know in the comments below. I am always happy to share. Love, Ashlina

Blissful Beauty: 4 tips for glowing skin

Fun little fact for you: I was a licensed esthetician in the state of California for 4 years. Ever since I was a young girl, I have been obsessed with skin and beauty. All the women in my family were very, very specific about their beauty routines. So, I have followed suit and always been obsessed with mine. When I was living in Los Angeles, I became enchanted by Aveda products which are all based on an Ayurvedic philosophy. I became passionate about the body and holistic skin care practices so I decided to attend the Esthetics program and become very well educated in skin care.

I was always torn between interior design and skincare. Interiors just spoke to my soul.

That didn’t mean I quit my passion for skin. I just became very obsessed in my own life. I am committed to my beauty rituals, they make me feel so blissful. I also do it right. I am not a wash-my-face-last-minute kind of girl. I do it up. I put on a long luxurious feeling robe. I put my hair up in a bun and cover my hairline with a turban situation so as to not get product on my face. I intentionally make skin care fun and fabulous so that the whole experience feels like a spa.

Every time I get asked about skin tips, I feel compelled to add in the entire beauty routine because here is the deal, It isn’t just about the moisturizer you wear. It’s about what you eat, what you do, your mindset, your stress levels, hydration, supplements, EVERYTHING. I do so much more than just creams and serums to have great skin. It would be unfair of me to rob you from knowing that a good skin care regime is a full on commitment to your skins glow.

Okay, so here are my 4 tips for glowing skin:

1. Hydrate. Hydrate. Hydrate. This isn’t some big surprise here. We all know how important it is to hydrate yourself for a healthy body. But I really want to stress the importance of consistent hydration. One of my more specific hydration hacks is having a large hydroflask next to my bed at night so that I hydrate well before bed. A lot of our cells in the body are rejuvenating at night and it is so important that we are well hydrated for all the work our body is doing during our sleep. I also take really hot baths, which are incredible for tricking your body to release toxins rapidly. Before I get in the bath, I have my water bottle next to me. I drink it throughout for like a double detox flush. It’s soooo good for cleansing out your system.

2. Commit to routines and rituals. I stick to a morning and evening beauty routine and I am committed. Every so often, I’ll miss a night or two but I always regret it. I can totally tell if I am not up on my skin routine because a new wrinkle will pop up or maybe a blemish. Do your best to make 5 out of 7 days of week of a full on skin commitment. It’s so so worth it. My nightly beauty routine is really where I get into it. I always like to start with a hot washcloth to steam my face and get it nice and steamy Then I’ll use my MyChelle Fruit Enzyme cleanser to was my face. 2-3 nights a week, I will swap this cleanser for a deeper scrub, Ole Henrickson Facial Sauna Scrub. Omg, this scrub is so divine, it smells like a pure magical eucalyptus steam room and feels so refreshing. Then I prep myself by using a brightening toner. I do 8 sprays, I really like a wet face. Anything with Vitamin C is going to be brightening for the face, hydrating and really help you get a glow. After that I wait about 10-15 minutes. (this is typically when I take my vitamins which are very helpful for skin. I always have a biotin vitamin in the mix. always.) After the toner has sunk down into the skin, I grab this incredible budget buy, a CE Ferulic Acid Serum that has completely changed my skin. I use about half the dropper full amount. I rub it it my hands and pat, pat, pat it into my face and neck. Then I grab my Rose Quartz roller and roll it all in. I really work my jaw and the perimeter of my face because I hold a lot of tension in my jaw and shoulders. At night, I finish off with ROC restoring night cream. I have combination skin and tend to get oily so I have to be very specific with my creams. This one feels nice and thick but doesn’t clog up my pores or make me feel to greasy. I also do face masks like once a week. My #1 staple is the AZTEC mud mask, I’ve never been exfoliated so well. In the morning, I gently wash my face with in the morning. I never do too much of a harsh cleanse or scrub because all the products from your sleep are most likely still at work in the morning. (If you are feeling lazy, I love these Incredi-peel pads) If you are keeping with your night routine, your face should look dewy and glowy in the AM and you will look and feel fabulous. I do use a SPF 50 moisturizer that is freaking amazing. It has a little bit of a tint that makes me glow. I don’t like BB creams or even foundation because I hate the way it changes my skin color, but this SPF is incredible and blends into the skin like it is your own specific color. Trust me, you will love it!

3. Dermaplane your face. I will never forget the first time my esthetician shaved my face. It was before a laser treatment, she asked me how I felt about shaving all of the baby hair off of my face like it was going to be an invasive surgery. At first I was super hesitant and scared but once she explained all of the benefits, (like helps skin care products work more efficiently and penetrate the skin better) I couldn’t resist trying it. It sounds so weird and feels awkward when they are doing it but after your face is all peach-fuzz-less, it feels incredible. When products goes on your face, it glides on smooth and easily. It just feels so great. So, I started shaving my face at home in between facials with a cute little pink hair remover. When you can keep your skin as smooth as a baby’s bottom, you glow better. I’m obsessed.

4. Supplements. I love supplements. It always makes me feel like I’m super charging my wellness when I get to take my vitamins. Anything with Biotin in it is great, I have always taken gummy hair, skin and nail vitamins. I will link the exact ones below. I also make sure to add a lot of spinach to my diet, greens always help you to glow.

Okay babe, there you have it. These are some of my most trusted skin tips. P.S. The biggest thing I have learned about skin, is stay out of the sun. In my youth, I was a sun kissed goddess but that isn’t cute anymore. So, I wear hats a LOT and very big sunglasses. And I am always looking for products with Vitamin C.

Benefits of Vitamin C:

*Promotes Collagen

*Brightening

*Photoprotection

*Wrinkle reduction

*Firming

*Reduces dark spots

Keep that skin dewy girl.

MY GLOWY SKIN ESSENTIALS:

Life Hack: How to organize your handbag

Okay so, if you have been paying attention to things around here, this Fall will probably be one of THE most organized Fall seasons of my life. Maybe it’s because I am a mom now and I have this compelling desire to make checklists and declutter. Or perhaps it’s because when my love purchased a million legos for our baby boy, which just makes me want to get clasp containers and a label maker. I just can’t. stop. organizing. EVERYTHING.

When I was pregnant, I really got into watching organizing videos on YouTube. I have been obsessed ever since. By the way, you must watch Brittany Vasseur, she will change your life. Anyway, in order to be a functional mom, I think organization is key! Mom brain is a thing ( I once accidentally put a fork in the fridge ) and you will experience more ease and flow is you are as organized as possible in every other area. It helps you to think clearly when you don’t have to worry about finding things.

After moving from my adorable Summer handbag, I wanted to get back to my Louis Vuitton Speedy 35. There is just more room for diapers and snacks and little things I need for baby and me. However, if you have a big bag like the Speedy, things can get lost easily. I have sat at my front door, had to put Roman down and search for my keys. Things falling, Roman walking away. It’s a lot for a mom and you need to be able to find things easily. To organize, I have been using 3 or 4 smaller bags to keep things separate and clean but it still feels a little overwhelming. Having to open and close zippered bags can be such a pain. I needed some help.

ENTER THIS AMAZING handbag organizer.

Thank god for one sweet little search on Amazon and I found my handbag holy grail. Oh my god, I cannot tell you how much I love this thing. Hands down one of my best purchases of the year.

Here’s why:

1. First of all, its pink. I love the fabric, It’s like a soft felt pink and its flexible so it is easy to put in and take out of the purse. It’s also machine washable which, again, as a mom, you totally need. It comes in 12 colors and different sizes, so you can make sure it fits inside of your specific purse.

2. So instead of me having to have 5 different bags for inside of my purse, I have one all you can use organizer. It keeps things streamlined and minimal.

3. There are so many pockets. Which is so nice because you can fit one thing in each pocket. I hate reaching into pockets and still having to dig out different items. Like there are over 5 pockets on the sides. So, I have my card holder, my ear pods, my business cards, etc. all in their own individual pockets. Brilliant. It just keeps everything easy to find including my wallet, lip glosses and even my bullet journal.

4. It has a long key chain strap. This one is a real life saver. I can never find my keys, so this thing is probably the SINGLE reason I love this thing. The strap is so long that you can pull out the keys and open the front door of your home, with the keys still attached. Yes! It’s so helpful and such a lifesaver, especially with a little person in your arms or arms full of shopping bags.

5. If you are using this for your Louis Vuitton or other luxury bag, this will help you keep the integrity. It will keep the interior clean and brand spanking new.

And on that note, I am also looking to keep the purse straps clean and stain free, so I am on the hunt for a gorgeous camera style strap for my handbag. If you have any recommendations, please leave them in the comments or send them to me. I need your help.

Love, Ashlina