Monday, June 9, 2014

Perfect Pin-Up Lashes: Esqido 'Unforgettable' Mink False Eyelashes

Confession no. 1: I haven't worn false lashes in nearly three years. Confession no. 2: I also haven't worn (or featured) a pin-up inspired make-up look in roughly the same time span. Confession no. 3: I really don't know WHY, because when done right, not only do pin-up and falsies go together like peanut butter and jelly, but they're just as marvelous. Too marvelous for words. Like glorious, glamorous and... *breaks into a song*
Yes, pin-up and falsies make me sing Frank Sinatra, AND pull duck faces. You're welcome.


Myself & Kar Yi had the pleasure of visiting Esqido booth at IMATS and chatting with the super friendly Brenda and the rest of the crew (some selfie action ensued as well, which you can check out on my Instagram). I stroked their ridiculously fluttery offerings and eyed Kar Yi's purchase of their 'Little Black Lash' pair with envy, so when Brenda later offered to provide a pair for review, I was super excited!
If you haven't heard about Esqido False Eyelashes The Mink Collection, they're handcrafted, cruelty-free lashes made of mink hair. The benefit of mink is that the hairs are much wispier and also taper at the ends, much like our own lashes, which gives a more natural look. Esqido's mink lashes are also reusable up to 25 times, which somewhat justifies the higher price tag.
I decided on the 'Unforgettable' style* ($42.99 for a pair, currently on sale for $36 with free shipping in the US), which is my favorite kind of falsies: not overly dramatic and gradually increasing in length and thickness towards the outer corners for a slightly winged out effect. As you can see in the close-up, Esqido lashes have a fine cotton band that sits comfortably on the eyes, and the hairs have a beautiful curl to them. I did trim a very small section for a better fit, and applied the lashes using Duo lash adhesive and my Tweezerman slanted tweezers.
Let me tell you that after three years of not wearing any falsies, my application skills were, ekhm, a bit rusty. I can't fault the lashes though - the band wasn't stiff in the slightest, and I thought that with some black eyeliner, the Unforgettable lashes blended very well with my own, mascara-ed lashes for a subtly volumized look (mind you, Esqido recommends not applying any mascara or other products to the lashes themselves). I may however be allergic to something in my lash glue *sheds some allergy-provoked tears*, unfortunately.
Removing the lashes was pretty easy: I placed a cotton square soaked in some Avene micellar water on my eyes, waited a couple seconds, and the lashes slid right off. The brand actually recommends not washing or soaking the lashes at all - you're supposed to remove by running a cotton bud with some make-up remover along the band - but I forgot, and my pair was just fine. I did experience some shedding, which is natural, and I didn't notice it affecting the lashes in any way - they still look brand new. Esqido also suggests cleaning the remnants of lash glue from the band after every use (well, of course) and storing them in their pretty white leather and rose gold case.
All in all, it was a lot of fun to play with a pin-up inspired look and some falsies again after such a long break - I definitely need to do this more often! For my eye make-up, I used Inglot eyeshadows and a mix of black pencil and liquid pen eyeliners. My base is Face Atelier Ultra Foundation in Porcelain set with Make Up For Ever HD powder, and I used Stila Convertible Cream blush in Lillium on the cheeks. I'm also wearing a YSL Rouge Pur lipstick in Pink Grenadine on my lips (discontinued, sorry!).

Do you ever experiment with pin-up inspired make-up looks? How often do you wear false eyelashes?

Disclaimer: The product marked with an asterix (*) is a press sample I received from Esqido for review consideration. All links are non-affiliate. All opinions are 100% honest and unbiased, no matter if the products featured were purchased with my own monies or provided as free press samples. Thank you for reading!

19 comments:

  1. They look so fluttery and lovely!

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  2. this is perfection <3 the whole look, including those lush lashes, and your photography skills. I like those 'pin-up' looks a lot, more towned down or vamped up, both is fine for me and winged eyeliner in combo with red lipstck is my go to look anyway. I am not an expert when it comes to false lashes but I like wearing them. (sorry, I am mesmerized by your eyes and can't stop staring at those pictures, lol) / Claire xxx

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    1. Thank you Claire! I think winged liner and bright lips are such a classic combo, and sometimes this look just can't be beat. Hahah, I think my eyes were especially watery that day, probably because of the lash glue :)

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  3. They look ssoooo natural and yet to full, plush and just beautiful!

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    1. Thank you Sharlynn! They're a fantastic pair, and I like how they look on my eyes much more than I liked my lash extensions!

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  4. Such lovely lashes you have here! I've heard so many great things about those lashes! They are so expensive though...so not sure if I will pick them up anytime soon since I'm kinda broke!
    <3 Pauline, ­­Addicted to Makeup

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    1. Thank you Pauline! Esqido lashes are definitely more of an investment, but they also last longer - which I think is quite important when you wear falsies regularly.

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  5. Hahaha, it took me FOREVER to put these on, and I didn't like the Ardell glue that I used this time, either. Falsies look so beautiful, but dang I hate putting them on! You look gorgeous as usual, Monika!

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    1. I initially wanted to get the Revlon lash glue to use with these, but well, Duo was cheaper :) I hate fiddling with falsies too - I always nearly manage to put one eye out with my pair of tweezers. Thank you girl! You rocked yours as well! xoxo

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  6. For someone whose skills are "rusty", you certainly did a great job of applying the lashes and integrating them into your own. I hope you went out somewhere nice to show off that glamorous pin-up look of yours :-)

    I was a teenager in the early sixties and always wore false lashes on dates or when going out with my BFF's. It was kind of silly, really, because I had long black lashes to begin with, but the falsies gave me that sultry look à la Liz Taylor, Sophia Loren, etc. I felt so sexy and mature! LOL

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    1. Thank you Eileen! I went for a movie date with my husband, so it was nice to get a bit dolled up :) It must have been so much fun to wear lashes regularly in the sixties and go or the extra glamorous sultry make-up! I think I'm too lazy to wear falsies regularly, but I like to play with them for special occasions :)

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  7. You look gorgeous Monika! They really suit you well! And that lipstick is gorgeous on you!!

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  8. These look lovely on you, Monika! I have a feature coming up on them as well, and... :/ (I think they're too big for my face.)

    After trying mine on, though, I have to wonder if you weren't just having an allergy to the lash glue. I've never had a problem before when it comes to false lashes, but these ones made my eyes burn and water like crazy!!

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    1. I think the size was one of my criteria for choosing a pair to review - a lot of lashes are too long and thick for my eyes. These give enough oomph but still suit my eye shape.

      I'll test the same glue with different lashes in the future and try to work out what the deal is. I don't often have contact allergies but recently my skin & eyes are more reactive :/ I hope you got your eye situation under control quickly!

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  9. I totally ruined the little black lashes by not paying attention to the instruction and getting oily waterproof makeup remover all over them. Just FYI.

    And I have a couple of more of these lashes to review and they look much bigger than the last pair, so I'll have to take your tip and maybe do a bit of trimming as well. You look beautiful and I love that lip colour on you!

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    1. I think I had enough presence of mind to keep anything oily from them, so they survived the micellar water experiment - but next time I'll definitely use a cotton bud like they suggest! I went for a more modest pair because I know my eye shape can't really take very dramatic lashes.

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  10. Great post Monika! Thank you for the wonderful review! Glad you love our Unforgettable lashes :)

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  11. Monika, that pin-up look is so becoming on you! And LOVE the lashes, it is v. believable yet dramatic at the same time. I rarely wear falsies, maybe the last was.. 4 years ago at my brother's wedding? :-\ I like individuals but this one is really lovely. Thanks for sharing the look.

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