Eyelashes

As of about two months ago, I have a newfound obsession with false eyelashes.

I had thought my short lashes were hopelessly unimprovable (screw the ads; mascara won't lengthen or volumize if there isn't anything there to begin with) and that God gave them to me for a reason, so that my face would be balanced in the way he wanted it to be (valid).

One day at the dollar store I saw false eyelashes, though, and decided to give them a try (not a sin). My face was transformed.

I had eyes.

I really started with the eyelashes when my teacher and I had a talk about my extreme makeup. I actually used face paint to do my makeup for school until she and a few other people in my life at the same time questioned my motives (pure) and suggested I pursue a more professional image. So now I use lashes as a way to maintain a bold look. 

And yes, I did find colorful eyelashes online. I can't just not push boundaries.

Of course, it took about ten minutes to fanegle the first pair on.

Therefore, I thought it would be a good idea to get eyelash extensions, which are advertised to stay on for about a month (this would eliminate morning application difficulties). Suffice it to say that I did not get the longevity benefits promised and caused skin and eye irritation when  bought my own remover and didn't read the instructions.

I went so far as to find extension glue and tell myself I could give myself extensions to fill it in. That flopped. 

My quest to have permanent long lashes is over. I now apply them daily and have reduced my speed and improved my accuracy.

Now I just wonder when I'll stop.

With the gel nails and extensions I've gotten in the past, the additions became the center of my attention, and a part of my identity. I became Danielle-with-gel-nails, for example. When I took them off, I was happy and free and realized that my appearance doesn't rely on something fake added to me.

But they were fun anyway.

I suppose now I'm at a point where I face the world as Danielle-with-lashes.

Strangely enough, I never felt that way with the face paint. It felt like a part of me and with or without it I still felt like myself.

So, whenever I stop with the lashes, be it in a couple of weeks, or when I have kids and can't deal with that kind of crap anymore, I imagine I will feel free and happy, and appreciate that God gave me minimal eyelashes so that the proportions of my face would be just right.