Lash Love with Esqido

Hello lovely readers - how are you?  It's been a whirlwind of changes for me over the last 5 months, and I do apologize for the absence, but... We recently welcomed a little adventurer to our family, so my time has been occupied by this wonderful new addition! However, when I was given an opportunity that I could not pass up, I thought "this would be a great time to get back into blogging"! 

Esqido reached out to me, and offered me the chance to try out a pair of their lashes, as well as their lash glue*. I own a pair of Esqido Mink Lashes lashes that I purchased while at IMATS in NY, but at the time I was into the whole "go big or go home" makeup life, so the lashes I chose were pretty ridiculous extravagant (they didn't earn the name Lashmopolitan for being "natural"!).

The flamboyant Lashmopolitan lash, $29

 As much as I thought I'd wear them when I went out, I only rocked them once or twice because they are just so voluptuous, and frankly, over-the-top for regular use! So, when Esqido told me I could pick any pair I liked, I decided to play it a little more low-key, and chose the Starlet lash   - a little less dramatic than the Lashmopolitan, but with a bit of a pop to emphasize my eyes. The Starlet is a medium volume mink lash with a length of 4-10 mm (they start off smaller on the inside, and increase in length on the outer edges). 

The sexy yet demure Starlet lash, $29

Per the website:

"Get that glamorous starlet makeup look with this pair of clustered and wispy mink lashes. Short yet voluminous, this lash is designed to provide enough volume at a shorter length to accentuate your eyes without looking too long. Suitable even for smaller eyes. The ends are also winged out to give a beautiful lifted effect to your eyes.

The ultimate in luxury, our mink lashes meticulously handcrafted with premium mink hairs, and a soft cotton band. Discover our collection of beautiful styles you can wear again and again, suitable for any occasion."

In addition to the lashes, I was sent a tube of the Companion Eyelash Glue:

Companion Eyelash Glue, $10 for .18 oz

"Our best selling Companion Eyelash Glue is the only eye lash glue that offers an extremely strong & sticky hold, with a safe, long lasting formulation. You’ll never have to worry about your false lashes falling out. It also gets incredibly tacky in seconds, for quick lash application. Specially formulated for sensitive eyes and all types of false eyelashes, our lash adhesive is latex-free, hypoallergenic, and formaldehyde free, paraben free, and 5-free. It’s also waterproof. Great for those who experience watery eyes or are irritated/allergic to other glues. Goes on white, dries clear.With a precision brush tip, it’s super easy to simply brush on the perfect amount to your fake lashes. Compared to drugstore eyelash glue, the Companion glue is non-latex, and packs a good amount of product in a beautiful bottle. When you’re ready, it’s easy to remove with oil free makeup remover." 

When I received the package in the mail, I was so stinking excited to try them out! The packaging is so nice - the lashes came in their own little reusable bag! Unfortunately, for me, #momlife does not often give me the opportunity to wear falsies, so I had to wait for the chance. But, as luck would have it, my SIL was getting married and I was a bridesmaid getting all dolled up for the wedding - what better time to try out my new lashes?!?

With the Lashmopolitans, I had to trim off some of the outer edge so they would fit my eye, and I was hoping I wouldn't have to do so with the Starlet lashes, but I did. The lashes, though shorter and "suitable for smaller eyes", were still fairly long band-wise. I typically don't have this problem with falsies - I am pretty much able to wear them straight out of the package, so I found the need to trim them slightly annoying. However, I do understand that people have different shaped eyes, so while they may have been to long for me, they are probably the perfect length for someone else, and might even be too short for others. I did have to take a few extra minutes to fit them to my eye, but it was an easy fix - I used some tiny scissors to take off a few segments off the outside edge - and they then fit my eye perfectly. 

These lashes are definitely high-quality, the band is cottony vs the plastic band that comes on less expensive brands, but that makes them slightly harder to work with, in my very humble opinion. Practice makes perfect though, so the more you wear lashes, the easier they are to apply. The lashes themselves, being made of mink, are very soft, and blend in seamlessly with your natural lashes. 

The Companion Eyelash Glue is downright luxurious when it comes to lash glue. The packaging is so pretty - a clear frosted tube with gold accents, and the formula is just as fabulous! I am a big fan of brush-on glue - I just find it so much easier to apply the perfect amount to the lash band. The glue goes on white, with almost a pearly finish, but it dries completely clear. It did take a little longer than I expected to get tacky, but that allowed me a little flexibility to make sure the lashes were perfectly positioned on my eye. As described, the hold is VERY strong; once applied, these lashes did not budge, and I needed a jackhammer firm hand to remove them. Additionally, there was no irritation from the glue as there can be with other glues, my eyes did not water when they came in contact with the formula, and there was no lingering redness once the lashes and glue were removed.

 The website is user-friendly and easy to navigate, and offers a large selection of lash styles to choose from, both real mink and Unisyn -  their premium synthetic lashes.  If you're new to lashes, or are not quite sure which direction to take as far as style, they offer an interactive lash guide to help you find your perfect pair. There is a blog that offers loads of useful information (though I do think their post for stay-at-home-moms is a little far-fetched...I wish I had the luxury of applying lashes before running out to the grocery store!), as well as a reward program with some pretty fabulous rewards. 

Overall, I am really happy with the Esqido Mink Lashes and the Companion Eyelash Glue. I think for the quality of the product and the longevity of the lashes when properly handled, the price is fair. Sure, you can get lashes for much less - some for even $1-2 a pop - but you will immediately see the difference in craftsmanship and performance. Whether you are a beginner, or a true lash aficionado, you will undoubtedly feel elegant, sexy, and more than a little pampered while wearing Esqido lashes.

Do you have any experience with falsies?  What are your favorite lashes? Any tips for easier application? Please, share in the comments below!

Thanks so much for spending some time with me today! Hope to see you again soon!

Live a beautiful life,

~Jessica

*This product was gifted to me in exchange for my unbiased review. I have no affiliation with Esquido, nor do I receive compensation for any purchases made from my review / links in my blog. 

Fab Five: My Top 5 Must-Have Beauty Products, December 2014

Hi Lovelies -

I want to share with you my top five beauty products for the merry month of December. These are my go-to winter favorites:

Source: Rimmel BB Cream Matte

BB or CC Cream  - this is great to apply for a quick base, or to use as a primer under foundation; my current go-to formula is Rimmel BB Cream Matte. Worn alone, it is super easy to apply and provides moderate coverage. As a primer, it provides a smooth, even base that foundation will glide right over. It moisturizes my skin to prevent the dreaded winter dryness, while at the same time keeping oil at bay. It creates a nice, soft look - neither too matte nor too dewy. I currently use a mix of light and medium, but as my summer glow continues to fade I will be using only light soon enough. I seriously love this stuff!

Source: Maybelline Color Sensational Creamy Matte Lipstick

Red Lipstick - This is a must-have for me during the holidays! A red lip is fabulous any time of year, but it screams "Christmas" to me - it's just so merry - so I try to rock it a little more often during the holiday season. Because there are many, many formulas and shades available, there is a red lipstick suitable for everybody out there. Some of my current faves are Maybelline Color Sensational Creamy Matte in Siren in Scarlet and New York Color in Retro Red.  I will be doing a post on  red lips soon, so keep your eyes peeled!

Source: Elizabeth Mott You're So Fine Liquid Liner

Sparkly eyeliner - There's nothing more festive than glitter, am I right?!? Glittery eye shadow can be tons of fun, but can be a bit messy if not applied properly. If I'm feeling clumsy I don't have the time to mess with glitter shadow, I reach for the next best thing - sparkly eyeliner! I recently received the Elizabeth Mott You're so Fine Liquid Liner in Glitterati in one of my beauty boxes, and it is the perfect mix of inky black liner and subtle silver glitter - ideal for this time of year! The formula applies like a dream (seriously, one of the most effortless wings I have ever done), and once it dries it does not budge.

Source: Velour Lashes Whispie Sweet Nothings

Eyelashes - What goes hand in hand with red lips and sparkly eyes? LASHES! The more I try false lashes, the more I love them (and the better I get at applying them!)! Lashes can be super subtle or in-your-face dramatic; for a natural look with a bit of flare, try applying individual lashes or accent lashes. To really grab their attention, you can try full, flirty lashes or even lashes dripping with rhinestones. Whichever look you prefer, lashes are sure to give you that little extra "something" at your next holiday party!

Source: Bath & Body Works Twisted Peppermint Body Cream

Last, but definitely not least, is a good Body Cream. My skin starts to get really dry and itchy in December, so I always upgrade my usual lotion to a nice, thick cream. Right now I am loving Bath & Body Works Twisted Peppermint Shea Body Cream because it smells simply delicious, and whenever I apply it, it automatically puts me in the holiday spirit. While this might not be the scent for you, there are endless options in fragrance and texture (even unscented if that's what you prefer), so treat your skin well this winter and re-hydrate it with a rich body cream - you won't regret it.

Well there you have it - my Fab Five for December; hopefully I've inspired you to try something new! What are your December must-haves? I'm always looking for new products to try, so I would love to hear what you're loving this season :)

Thanks so much for reading - live a beautiful life!

~Jessica