Eyelashes: Go Big or Go Home

The ultimate red carpet accessories aren’t diamonds or daring décolletage; they're long, luscious lashes. J-Lo started the lash trend a while back -- remember those mink lashes from the 2002 Oscars? When done right, as in the case of Kim Kardashian and Eva Longoria, the effect is stunningly glamorous. But when stars get a little lash-happy (hello, Tyra Banks), the result is more scary than sultry, more drag queen than diva. Guess we should give her credit for trashing her weave; we'll let her keep her lashes. Truth is, though, that the easiest, cheapest way to emulate this bombshell look is simple: use a good, black mascara.

L’Oreal Volume Shocking Mascara will add length, and my personal favorite has always been L’Oreal Feather Lash. It has a more liquid texture than a lot of the others, so you can add several layers without clumping.

If you have a little more time, go for some falsies. Laura Mercier has a set of thick, black lashes that stay put and look pretty authentic. Try the look with minimal monetary investment with e.l.f.’s Dramatic Lash Kit, which is only $1.

Lash extensions are catching on big time lately. The process is a delicate one, so be careful about where you choose to get this done. Depending on the look you’re going for, the lashes are available in a variety of colors, curvatures, and lengths. Go punk with blue or red accents, or glam with a heavy set of solid black. The procedure’s not cheap—around $200 for the initial application, and touch-up applications (recommended every 2-4 weeks) will run you about $75 a pop. The lashes are pretty solid, as they’ll hold up to sweat, tears, exercise, and any other strenuous activities you partake in.

Hard-core lashionistas desperate for a permanent lash fix now have the option of an actual lash transplant. This $3,000-per-eye treatment involves having hair follicles removed from the head which are then sewn into the lash line. Sounds rather terrifying. The good news is it only need be done once (like a head hair transplant). When the eyelashes are transplanted, they keep on growing naturally. Or you could check out Latisse, the new treatment Brook Shields is hawking, and just beware the possible side effects. 

Getting my lash extensions made me feel like I didn’t need to wear any other make-up—my doe-eyes were dramatic enough. So even though the initial investment seemed like a lot, it was really nice to feel like I could just shower and go.