Why did I get ridiculously unnatural eyelash extensions?…read more
Well, it's because without make-up I look like the landlord lady from the movie Kingpin. It's not pretty. I know it's not pretty. And I normally don't even care, but I got sucked into this crazy idea that I wanted to look like a girl even when I didn't have cake-load of make-up on + they had a really stellar September special price for a full set, so I went for it.
Regrets? At first, yes, I wasn't exactly sold on X-tina's after having come from a previous few experiences as a posh lash salon in the city ($$$$$$), but now that I've become a regular and gotten settled into the routine and vibe, I'm more at ease with it.
It's located in a kind of run-down strip mall that I'd passed no less than a million times before in Palatine and never noticed. They also have a location in the south suburbs (either Palos or Orland or Frankfort, I can't remember). You need to make an appointment, no walk-ins, and you can do so by calling their number and leaving a voicemail, or messaging them on facebook. From there Xtina will match you with an eyelash technician and you can get a time/date squared away from there. They do book quite a bit out, so expect at least a week or two, or even more in between your call and first appointment.
I see Monika, who is young, but an absolute peach. I'll be real, the first time I came I was kind of weary of the suite, only because, like I said, the place I'd previously gone to in the city was extremely high-end, to the point where I could only go a few times and then I basically broke. Everything in the place was immaculate and white and quiet and it was just much more sterile and you definitely paid a premium for it... like, $150 every 3 weeks. Yikes.
So obviously, that didn't last long and I could only go a few times after purchasing a Groupon-type thing. I then went close to 2 years, and decided I wanted to try lashes again, but see if I could find a more affordable spot.
Xtina's Lash Extensions... BINGO!
They had a September special for a full set for $89, and prices range for fills based on how long in between appointments you go. For myself, my lash extensions don't last long. I only wear make-up maybe once or twice a week, so I don't think it's from taking my make-up off, but I do sleep on my face and I think because of that that I can't go more than a week and a half without getting down to the point where there's basically only 1 eyelash left.
I now schedule regular appointments every week, which runs me $20, and Monika puts on a full new set for me each time -- a steal! I just recently upgraded to the thinner mink lashes for $10 more a fill. They weigh a little less and look more natural than the more synthetic ones.
Getting your lashes done here isn't the most relaxing thing ever, but I have to say, I really enjoy hearing the lash technicians tell stories and gossip about their personal lives. I work from home, alone, and I really miss hearing those kinds of human interactions and while it makes me sound crazy, listening to their personal business is one of my favorite parts of coming in. Honestly.
It takes about an hour and the lashes aren't as precise as the place I went in the past (that would take about 3 hours), the lashes are put on in more of a grouping-type fashion, but it only takes and hour and while it doesn't look quite as natural as the other place i visited, I have to weigh it out with what's a better value overall, and the prices here just can't be beat, plus the girls here are much more down to Earth that the judgy girls at the city place... even if sometimes it's very obvious that they've just eaten a meatball sub and now have their hands all over your face (not my favorite thing, but that price).
This place is low key, a little run-down, but mega affordable.
WARNING: You get to pick from different lengths and curves of lashes, but when it comes time for the ends to be trimmed (at the end of the appointment) it WILL feel like you're a breath away from having your eyeball cut out, but so far, that's never happened so I have to believe that it's just a feeling you get, and not something that will actually happen. I think it's that when it comes to your eyes, it feels like the snips are a lot closer than they actually are.
Overall, I like this place and I'll continue to come in for my weekly appointments for as long as I have $20-$30 to spare. Basically, I'd rather skip a meal and get lashes here than not and be stuck with my beady-eyed Kingpin land-lady look. Worth it.
