So You Think You Can Have Eyelash Extensions

Hi everyone,

As an Asian girl with sparse and straight eyelashes, I am constantly trying to improve my lash line. From hot lash curlers to volumizing mascaras to fiber extensions, I have done it all. But not until before Lunar New Year that I did manage to try the creme de la creme of eyelash beautification: eyelash extensions!

Now, I have heard people raving and ranting about this in both directions. One of the bloggers out there (Xiaxue) confessed to have done this many times over. From her experience, it is a time-saver, especially during the holiday seasons. And I have to admit that was the catch: LNY can be hell with endless trips all over the city. On top of that, I had to wake up really early and look decent for photos, too. The less time I had to spend on myself means more time I got to sleep. So off to the salon to get eyelash extensions I did.

Eyelash extensions in Vietnam range from $10-25 USD, depending on the type of false lashes and glue. The good glues tend to hold up better while the good lashes can be really thin and don't weigh your real lashes down. The place I did my eyelash extensions is in the neighborhood. I spent $17 for the initial application and $8 for the touch-up and that was without tips.

The process was painstakingly long and you can't see a thing. The lash extension lady put tape around my lower lash line to prevent glue from sticking to my skin. Then, she combed my lashes before applying false lashes to my real ones. Each strand is made either of silk or synthetic materials and they are very black. Since my lashes are short and thin, the lady applied 2-3 false lashes to each real one and the lengths are a tad longer than the real deal. I did not time the process but it was long and sometimes uncomfortable. Once she finished applying the lashes, I slowly opened my eyes.

And it burned!

The fume from the glue really hurt my eyes. I started to tear up a bit, which was a big no-no since she tried to leave the area as water-free as possible. She did some touch-ups to areas that looked sparse and off I went.

I believe those pictures were taken a few days after I did my eyelash extensions. The lady did a good job covering the scar on the lash line of my left eye (which is the right picture.) I was happy for a day or two.

But then, things began to fall apart. Lashes began to drop down like they're hot. Although the lady told me I could keep my extensions for up to 3 weeks, I saw about 50% lash loss after only 1 week!

I had to do a touch-up and I got ripped off for it!

Instead of the lady who did the first application, I was sent to a guy. This guy kept on complaining of how difficult it is to work around the scar on my lash line. Then, he wanted to take everything apart, which would make me spend fresh money on a new application again instead of a touch-up. Then, he even managed to complain of how oily my skin was (bitch, please!)

The touch-up usually costs $5. He charged me $8 because "Oh, your lashes were so difficult to work with!" I had to bite down and spend my hard-earned money, which was not that big of a problem had it not been gone hand in hand with his attitude.

The second time around, it was downright painful. I kept it for maybe another week and removed it all with baby oil. And concluded that I was ripped off because another place only charged $10 for the first application and the hair salon that I went charged the same price but they used better lashes that would not leave me feel a thing! On top of that, they guarantee the extensions to last to a month because their glues are better.

I felt like being duped. And on top of that, eyelash extensions can be a nuisance because:

• You can't wash your eyes with water because it will unglue the lashes
• You can't use mascaras, especially waterproof because it will unglue the lashes
• You have to keep eye makeup to the minimum because makeup removers will unglue the lashes
• You can't rub your eyes because it will unglue the lashes

In short, I was glad to remove those false lashes with baby oil and be done with it. Although I didn't experience real eyelash loss, it was an annoying feeling to have something unnatural on top of your lashes. 

Would I do it again? 

No. I'd rather stick to mascaras and false eyelashes.At least I don't have to listen to a guy who complains about everything and anything.

How about you? Have you done eyelash extensions?

With love,

Dao xoxo

Oh hai!

Hi everyone,

Apparently, I have been hiding under a rock somewhere. During those weeks that I haven't been able to blog here, I did not even have a nascent thought of putting this blog down for good. I was simply too busy.

Even since before Lunar New Year, I was busting myself up with work. I thought, "Hey, after LNY, I would have some time to blog again." But noooo! Since the new semester started, my research has been running in full gears. I have 2 students to mentor on their senior theses, which involve actual wet-lab research. Most days I am on my feet instructing and directing them. It's hard work but the rewards have been tremendous. To see them finally understand a concept, to see those sparks in their eyes brings some satisfactions in me.

I have so many nice things to write about and I really want to tell you all about them. For instance, there is this brush sent that I had pinned for almost 2 years. And these amazing skincare products. And these awesome gifts my dear friends from the States and Canada sent me. And this, and this, and that. So many things!

I hope April puts things in order so I can continue with my research, writing and blogging as well. There are a few things I have wanted to do. Let's just hope that I can do maybe 1 or 2 of them this year :)

And oh, by the way, you guys never cease to amaze me. I received a bunch of comments and emails that I will slowly reply. Please bear with me!

With love,
Dao xoxo



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The Benefit of Being a Minimalist

Hi everyone,

Steve Jobs, the king of minimalism
I bow down to his awesomeness as I'm not there yet!

After years of being a beauty blogger, I have to admit I'm becoming a minimalist. Now, these two concepts usually don't mesh. After all, being a beauty blogger means having drawers and drawers and a room full of makeup that rivals the beauty department at Barney's. Well, once upon a time in a different land, I did have a makeup closet. But that feels so far away already.

Now, living in Vietnam has one thing when it comes to makeup: the lack of drugstore makeup. Even Maybelline and L'Oreal are expensive here. But who am I to complain? When I look at the pricing of makeup in the UK and the rest of Europe, a $12 bottle of foundation sounds like a steal.

This leaves me to a certain state or sparseness in my makeup drawer. Although I feel sad at the lack of having new toys, I do have to admit my makeup routine has been faster. I know what to use, where to get, and how to get them fast. There's no longer moments when I have to debate which brown I need to use, the MAC one, NYX one or (insert brand name here) one. Now, the choices are less, which leaves me more time to apply makeup than before.

On top of that, I just got a new brush set and I'm happy about it. There's something about having all your brushes laid out in a brush roll and saving time. Before, I used to fumble around just to find one brush. Now, I know where it is and I know how to use it. I am going to blog about this brush set soon and believe me, you'll definitely need it in your life.

In order to be a minimalist makeup lover, here are what you need:

1. A storage system: although I almost busted my back last year to work on this system, it was worth it. Now, I can't go back to storing everything in a bin anymore. That makes finding stuff hell. This system, or any non-bin, non-bag system, works great in saving me time.
2. Core products: the essential items you use everytime you apply makeup are your core products. They are primers, foundations (liquid, solid, gel, powder, etc), finishing powder, brow pencils, eyeliners, mascaras, brushes. You should store them separately and within arm's reach so you can get them as fast as you can.
3. Star products: these are your colored products like eye shadows, blushes and lipsticks. Sooner or later, you'll realize you use one more than the others. With these star products, you should put them in prime spots within their own categories/groups.
4. The will to weed out products you don't use: Expired products? Throw them away. Bad formula? Either throw or give away. Unsuitable products to your skin/hair type? Give away. You'll be surprised of how much more space you are going to have once these products are out of the way.

That's all for today, folks. I hope you'll have more time to work on your makeup this year.

With love,

Dao xoxo

P.S: Please show your support by following my blog and subscribing to my feed. Thanks a lot!