Since eyes are the "windows of the soul" I think it is time to do a little lash 101 and see why we're so obsessed with those pretty little hairs that makes our peepers Picture Perfect!

The need to accent our lashes originates from the basest of human needs: sexual selection and protection; longer, luscious lashes capture viewers attention and allows us to catch and hold Mr. Perfects gaze. This picture taken by Stephen Curry for National Geographic in 1884 has become iconic:

Longer lashes make our eyes appear larger in relation to the rest of our face which occurs naturally with babies. This triggers an inherent need by the observer to protect and nurture, and whether you knew it or not, adding on another layer of mascara is saying: "Take care of me" whether you consciously realize it or not.

So now that we got the psychology out of the way lets take a look at a lil' history:
Enhancing your lashes seems to have been around for eons, but generally the Egyptians have been credited for trailblazing the trend by mixing various ashes, honey, water and a bit of crocodile dung for good measure and applying it to their lashes to ward off evil eye.

But what about Stink-eye??? I think that Crocodile dung would automatically give you a case of it??

Also on the history front: lashes have been enhanced with a staggering amount of stuff; mostly things like ash from burned rose-petals, ground up walnut shells mixed with oils, Petroleum Jelly and the like, but the history books report some more disturbing attempts at acquiring beauty in the beholders own eye, like attaching fly-legs to lashes. As far as I am concerned, this is as a thought disturbing enough and could be chalked up to: "Well, they probably didn't know any better" but then I stumbled on to this "Artistic" recreation by British artist Jessica Harrison and it nearly made me give up my breakfast.


I am thinking the Fly lashes will not be making the Bridal Trends top ten in 2012.


So on to some of our best tips and tricks for attaining the perfect (lash) batting average!

1) Mascara

Needless to say this little tube of wonders is every girls best friend and by now you should all know how to use it. I wont get into a brand comparison here since picking your favorite has to do with the desired end result, your own lashes and their quirks however I will share that L'oreal Lash Stiletto in regular or waterproof version ends up on pretty much all of the brides or other folk I am working on and delivers a lovely, clump free; extended lash every time!


2) Gadgets

As I was researching this article I was pretty stunned to find the sheer number of gadgets and additives available for that perfect bank of lashes: suffice it to say that just like the "Brilliant" things you can "As see on TV" most of these are a waste of money as far as I'm concerned; I mean, when was the last time you got a "Shear Genious" haircut from a Flowbee???

This here is a prime example of what I'm talking about: it is called a Lash-card and it is touted as the perfect solution for smudge-free clump free mascara application. You're supposed to push the pre-shaped card against the edge of your lashes and sweep away. Apart from the fact that you can do the same thing by using a business card or even your finger, the problem is that you are pretty much just covering the bottoms of your lashes and whats the point in that?



3) Fake it till you make it!
Of course natural is always better, so I cant say enough good things about Latissse, which will grow your own lashes from ho-hum to Humongous in 3 easy months; of course you have to remember to apply it daily but that is a minor inconvenience for amazingness!

While you are waiting for your Latisse to go to work you can always sport some falsies; there are a gazillion different versions out there and it basically comes down to picking the appropriate level of Glam! My fave for brides is to use individual lashes; longer towards the outer corners and graduating to shorter ones towards the middle; I rarely attach them all the way through for the optimum eye shape! If you prefer strip lashes I would recommend cutting them in half and attaching the part that formerly was intended for the inner corner of the eye on the outer one, again for that extra glamorous doe-eyed look.

Here's how to easily attach them on yourself:

- Sit by a table and place a mirror below you; keeping your eyes open but looking down relaxes the eyelid and your lashes wont pinch.
- Apply glue (I love DUO eyelash adhesive!)on the band (if strip lashes) or the tip of a individual one
- Wait for about 30 sec's for the glue to become slightly tacky
- While looking down to your mirror just press the lash in place and VOILA!

MAGIC!

Hope you enjoy your lashventures this holiday season; Please remember I am always available for all your glamorous needs so call and book an appointment for your Picture Perfect Application!