Eyelash tinting- will it give you amazing lashes?

I used to get my eyelashes tinted- the process of dyeing the eyelashes with a vegetable dye, to make them look darker (and, I believe, longer and thicker).

I loved the way it accentuated my eyes and that I didn't need to wear mascara. That’s the upside.

Now for the downside. Grab your parachute.

It’s not cheap.  I paid $28. 

It’s supposed to last 4-6 weeks.  I found it lasted more like 2-3 weeks.

The tinting process is torturous.   

It goes something like this: They apply the dye and say don’t open your eyes or the dye will get in. They then set an egg timer, walk away and the torture begins. 

As you sit there, with your eyes clamped shut, your first thought is, “What if she forgot to set the timer?”

Next, you think, my purse is on the floor, people could be rummaging through it right now, stealing my credit cards, driver’s license, identity.  Then you talk yourself down off that ledge.

 

I know exactly what she’s thinking.  Please God, tell me they're not stealing my postage stamps.  I hate buying new stamps.

Next, a little bit of the dye starts seeping into your eyes. It feels like someone is dousing them with bleach.

Your first urge is to throw your eyes open and run screaming from the room. Then you realize, if you do, you’ll only get more dye in your eyes and probably go blind.  So you sit there trying to remember loved ones faces, just in case you never see them again.

Your eyes start watering. You’re not sure if you’re crying over your lost vision, or if they’re just tearing from the irritation. Whichever, the watering helps flush out the dye and the pain subsides.

Fifteen minutes later they rinse the dye off. You look in the mirror and think, "Damn, my eyes look good."

I had my lashes tinted 5 times. Apparently, I would do anything (5 times) for thicker, darker lashes. 

Thankfully, I’ve since found FiberWig mascara, which I can wear on my lower lashes, without it running, so I no longer feel the urge to resort to tinting. 

Would I recommend it?  If you have pale lashes, are rich, have a high treshold for pain and are so psychologically stable that you wouldn’t snap, even if were being tortured, then go for it.

Otherwise, I say check out FiberWig mascara.

Anyone else out there ever try eyelash tinting?  Was your experience any less “Abu Ghraib”?

Comments

[Liz]

I used to get my lashes tinted semi-regularly, back when I had more disposable income. Since my lashes are blonde, it made a HUGE difference in how I looked without makeup. It was usually uncomfortable, but not so bad as to be a deterrent. I will go again when some cash frees up.

[Heather B.]

I haven't tried it, and certainly won't now. I only meet 1 out of the 4 criteria for surviving eyelash tinting. I'm glad you can still see well enough to blog.

[jenny]

Hey Liz,
Yeah, it does make a huge difference with blonde lashes. I have one Nordic facial feature, but unfortunately it's blonde lower eye lashes:) and it did do wonders.
thanks
jenny

[Alexandria]

http://www.sephora.com/browse/article.jhtml?id=720503

Look at that, blonde lower lashes are in vogue!

As always, your writing cracks me up.

[Kay Elle]

I usually use waterproof mascara, but I am anxious to try this.
I'm curious though, in addition to having really blonde lashes my lashes have zero natural curl. Does the fiberwig mascara allow your lashes to hold a curl?

[Kitty]

In England, they sell eyelash tinting kits made by Eyelure. Whenever I visit my family there, I buy a kit and use it and I've never had problems. I mix the cream dye and developer and apply it like mascara. I've got red hair and I use the black dye.. I've always liked the results, and since each kit lasts me about 8 uses, with every use lasting for 3-4 weeks for $21 I think it's decent value for money.

[jenny]

Hey Kitty,
That Eyelure sounds cool. Wish they sold it here. Next time someone I know is headed to England maybe I'll ask them to bring some back.
Thanks!
Jenny

[Komal]

Kind of related but kind of not, have you heard of Latisse? It's the eyelash growth drug (originally used to to treat glaucoma, so I can only assume it wouldn't cause blindness) thats used topically.
The website is pretty convincing (they have before and after pics up). I'm so curious to know if it works!

[jenny]

Hey Komal,
I heard Latisse has warnings like may change the color of your eyes' iris, which scares the hell out of me. I think I'll stick to mascara for now:)
Jenny

[K]

I have pale eyelashes, and have dyed them on several occasions. I have noticed that the quality of the experience is varied among salons. I have had a torturous experience like the once you describe, but I have also had it very pleasant and pain-free. It may take some trial and error to find a salon that does it right.

ALWAYS Bring your own saline solution to flush your eyes after dying. It will take the burning away. Good salons will flush your eyes for you, but some do not. It's better to bring you own just to be safe.

Also ask the salon about the dyes they use. The dyes should be formulated especially for use on the eye area. Some salons may try to use a less quality dye that could be dangerous.

Eyelash dying is not safe to do regularly. I do it before I head to a beach vacation because I'll be in the water a lot and salt water takes off waterproof mascara. So that is every few years.

I love how it looks, but is only worth it on occasion.

[Danielle]

I have dark lashes so don't dye them although I have had them chemically permed a number of times (it smells just like an old-school hair salon). Like you, I lie there paranoid I will open my eyes to find I have lost my sight - it doesn't help your eyelids are taped shut, either. But the end result? Worth the psychological (self) torture. I don't need to curl my lashes each morning and the effect lasts up to two months, sometimes longer if you keep your lashes conditioned.

[jenny]

Hey K,
Thanks so much for that info. I only tried it at one salon, so I'm guessing maybe they weren't the best. And bringing your own saline is brilliant. Wish I thought of that at the time. Thanks again. Those are great tips/info.
Jenny

[jenny]

Hey Danielle,
I've never even heard of eyelash perming.
You're so brave. I would love to have more curl in my lashes but if I couldn't handle the tinting I think I'd freak out at the perming (especially the taping of the eyes shut). But it's good to know it works just in case I ever become more brave.
Thanks!
jenny

[Claudia]

i would love to try the tinting, but here in El Paso , they only do it at one salon and it's 35 dlls, thats outrageous! and i've done the perming several times and its pretty cool and it has never been a torturing experience even though ive done it in many different salons. Honestly i'm more afraid of the tinting lol.

[marj]

Fleur de Peau sells an eyelash curling iron. Its not scary at all, it's easy, it works well and it's cheep!