Waking Up Pretty: Tips and Tricks to Surviving Your First Set of Lash Extensions

I've always been a fan of lash extensions. The thought of waking up pretty is every girl's dream, right? And if I can minimize the amount of effort I put in every morning while still looking presentable, you bet your sweet ass I'm all in!

After so much research and Pinterest stalking, I decided to take the plunge with a dramatic set of lashes! It also is a big help if your mother is a lash artist herself (@lashesby_gia)!

I've been getting my lashes done since April (so around 7 months!) and needless to say, I regret nothing. 

But, it's true what they say...lash extensions are high maintenance. But when you're so used to manicures, monthly hair appointments, and the occasional wax, this seems like a walk in the park! 

So below you'll find a couple of my tips and tricks for newbies out there that want to give these a try! Also, if you're in the Southern California/Orange County area, check out Lashes by Gia for your first set of lashes!

Tips and Tricks To Surviving Your First Set of Lash Extensions

1. No matter how tempted you are, do not pull/twist/play with your lashes! This was such a hard one for me to follow, but doing this damages your natural lashes and causes them to fall out!
2. Clean them daily and avoid oil based products (makeup remover, makeup, etc). 
3. Carry a spoolie around with you at all times to brush them for those unexpected gusts of wind
4. For the love of god, do not use q-tips around your extensions! Getting a piece of cotton stuck and tangled in your extensions is the worst thing ever. 
5. Sleep on your back to avoid damaging your extensions
6. Purchase a lash conditioner to keep them dark and shiny!
7. Do not apply mascara on your lashes! If you feel like they aren't as long or voluminous as you would like, let your lash artist know and she/he could add more curl and volume to your set. 
8. Continue getting your lashes filled every 2-3 weeks
9. Do your research before you make an appointment! Research the actual lashes that you want first (classic, volume, russian?) and also research your lash artist and look through their work!

And there you go! These are my tips and tricks for any newbie looking to get their first set of lash extensions. 

Problematic Skin and How to Deal

We all have those weekends where we decide to drink an obscenely large amount of alcohol in one night. Or maybe we attend a family event where it's rude to refuse another plate of that calorific meal. Or maybe this somehow happens all in one weekend. 

And your skin ends up hating you for all the bad decisions you made within a weekend (or a day).

Dealing with a breakout after you've been working so hard to keep everything under control is a huge downer, but it happens to the best of us. The only thing you can really do is be patient with your skin  and give it time to heal and detox. 

Tips and Tricks on Dealing with a Weekend Breakout

1. Drink tons of water 
If you decided to go all out one night with the vodka Red Bulls, then you probably need to hydrate for the next week anyway. Drink tons of water to cleanse out any toxins that are lingering from a night out.

2. Clarifying Mask
This won't clear away any breakouts that have emerged overnight, but it could expedite the healing process! Don't over do it though!

recommendations: Glam Glow Super Mud Clearing Treatment, Drunk Elephant Sukari Babyfacial

3. Spot Treatment 
Targeting breakouts with a spot treatment is the most effective way to treat. Your skin is still probably dehydrated from the weekend, so you don't need to apply drying products all over your face, just on the areas that need it.

recommendations: Mario Badescu Drying Lotion 

4. Lastly, by patient!
Breakouts take time to clear and heal up. Give your skin some time and remember this process before you decide to go wild for a weekend!

First Impressions: Drunk Elephant's Umbra Tinte

To me, sunscreen is a very complicated product. You're supposed to love it and use it every single day, but for the longest time, I neglected it. I've tried numerous samples and loved some, but never saw it as a necessity in my routine. 

After my obsession with Drunk Elephant started (about 2 months ago!), I decided to try out their Umbra Tinte Physical Daily Defense, which is a tinted sunscreen with SPF 30.

Since purchasing, I have used it for about 3 weeks and fall more in love each time.

First impressions:

* Umbra Tinte has a very small amount of color/coverage to it. Not enough to cover spots, but enough to even your skin out

* Leaves skin looking very glowy, but not greasy

* It doesn't slip and slide on my oily skin

* Very light fragrance 

* Not a fan of the packaging (I tend to lose caps!)

* Hydrating enough to use as a moisturizer 

* Perfect to use on its own for a very light makeup day

How I use Umbra Tinte:

• Right after my face primer, I slather a nickel size amount all over my face and neck. Because it does have a small amount of tint, I only use foundation where I have dark spots (chin and cheeks). 

I really like this product because it minimizes the amount of foundation I need to use and provides enough tackiness for my face makeup to really stick. It does all this and it provides UV protection! It makes wearing sun protection very easy and it's something I really don't have to overthink!

Needless to say, I really recommend this to anyone looking to add SPF into their routine without having to worry about white casts or a greasy sunscreen feeling/smell. I don't really consider this a skincare product because I apply after I have started using makeup products. But, its great for easy makeup days since it has a slight tint to it!

I'm actually very curious about Drunk Elephant's non-tinted version of this product and will definitely be trying it out soon!

This Time Last Year

I'm not going to lie. This time last year I was in an extremely difficult place in my life. I felt so completely and utterly lost. Looking back, I'm so happy all of those horrible things happened, only because I am so much stronger because of it.

This time last year, I was cut off from the most important financial support I had. I lost a job that I felt extremely attached to and had plans to achieve in. I had a family obligation to succeed in this business and as a first born, a role model for my family, I took this very seriously. It honestly came as a huge shock to me, but now I understand why no one should ever work with family (ever).

This time last year, I found myself lost and confused on how to manage myself-- life, work, money-- everything. I found out that I had become too comfortable with the luxuries money could provide and in a way, I found myself forging relationships with toxic people in order to continue receiving these benefits. I relied heavily on my family for everything, literally everything. And that's not necessarily a bad thing... We were a very united family. 

This time last year, I found everything had just imploded. Once again, I had to be the support system for my mother, who I have always had a special bond with, but somehow ended up resenting for the terrible year ahead. It was in no way, shape or form her fault that bad things happened to us. It was definitely not her fault. But my angry attitude towards her was almost like a defense mechanism; a way for me to brush everything off and pretend like everything was fine, for her sake. 

Although this past year was the most emotionally and financially challenging one yet, I am so grateful that it all happened. 

At the time, I didn't understand why bad things happened to good people, or why bad people are drawn to dishearten (if that's the word) the good people. But somehow, this year, I am able to understand that bad things happen to rid your life of those exact things or people, in my case. You realize that people who you trusted, shouldn't be trusted at all. Some acts of manipulation and brain washing can't be forgiven (and they really shouldn't be forgiven tbh).  

These events occurred and in the end, toxic relationships were broken, I realized my own financial potential, and to some degree, became independent and realized I could "adult" all on my own (shocker!).

It was the most emotional and mentally exhausting year for me and my (now) little family, but I am so grateful for it. 

This time last year, I was a mess. But looking back at all the things that happened 12 months ago, I realized how much I have grown. I am so much happier and mentally healthier. In case you were wondering, I now only form non-toxic relationships and seek people who build me up. I appreciate the relationship I have with my supportive boyfriend so much more! I have a better relationship with my mother and I try to build her up and support her as much as I can. I am able to provide for myself financially and have a super amazing job that I really do love!

All in all, I am so much more confident in my abilities, goals, and decisions. I literally bought a car last month and didn't have to ask one damn person for permission (probably super pathetic, but a big deal for me!).

It was a hell of a year for me, but I wouldn't take it back for the world.

If you're having a bad day, a bad week, or even a bad year, just know that (as cliche as this sounds) it will get better. You will learn from your mistakes. You will rid your life of the bad and somehow, you will move on to better things in your life.