Since attempting to achieve impossible beauty standards seems to be the norm now, putting painful chemicals in close proximity to my extremely sensitive eyes in the vain pursuit of beauty seems like a wonderful thing to try! I have wanted to get my eyebrows and eyelashes tinted since I found out it existed in middle school.

I have always had light eyebrows and lashes, so going in I was very excited to try it. I envy the lucky girls (and guys) whose lashes are long and fluttery with no mascara! My eyebrows must be drawn on to properly exist. I had read some online reviews about eyelash/eyebrow tinting, but I was hesitant to spend my money on it. However, in the name of beauty trends, spring break, and journalism, I pressed on.

(I was far too eager to remember to take a "before photo", so I did my best by searching my Snapchat memories for some no-makeup selfies. Unfortunately for me, I could only find goofy ones (which I cropped) that were meant for friends, but they will work for comparison.)

I went to Laila's Beauty Studio in College Station. I have gone there twice before for threading. The place is really cute! The walls are pink or black and white striped, and the women working there are very friendly. It costs $11 for eyebrow threading and $15 for eyelash or eyebrow tinting. I got all three done so it was $41 total before tip. I signed in on the iPad and Laila herself immediately took me past the curtains to the back room.

I laid down on the chair like you would when going for a normal waxing, and Laila carefully stuck a piece of tape under each eye, in between my skin and bottom lashes. She told me to close my eyes and warned me that it may burn. I felt nervous because I didn't consider that, but I am a strong resilient woman.

I can endure all pain.

My entire being is strength.

She then applied a thick, black paste to my eyelids, told me she would try around five to seven minutes, and then check to see if I was burning by then. After a few moments, I felt a slight burn that subsided and came back every minute or so. After six minutes, she said she would wait for a few more if I wasn't burning. The longer the paste stays on, the darker the lashes get, and the longer the treatment lasts. I told her I was fine for another couple minutes. I was wrong.

A minute or so later, Laila began the cleaning process, which she had warned me would burn the most. I didn't think it would be that bad, but boy was I wrong. After this experience, someone could flush my eyes with lemon juice and it would be fine. After she wiped it off, she told me to go rinse it in the restroom, but I couldn't open my eyes, so she held my hand and guided me to the restroom.

After flushing my eyes with water for way too long and being questioned about my well being, I could see the results. It looked AWESOME! Like had thin coat of mascara on! I loved it! It was definitely worth the pain. Then she applied the same paste to my eyebrows. This didn't hurt at all. She removed it and wanted them darker, so she added more paste for the second round of tinting. After she cleaned my brows off, she let me look at the results and took me back to the main room to thread my brows.

(During the process. Note the water splashes on my shirt from when I vigorously rinsed my eyes.)

I instantly noticed my eyebrows looked THICCC. They also look darker, which is nice. The individual hairs look longer. Usually, I have fine, thin sparse brows. I joke with my friends and say that without makeup, I resemble a bald baby bird. My eyebrows now look so thick (in comparison) and shapely, they could be Instagram models (@cakefacedlexi). I can't wait to fill them in tomorrow.

(The car selfie I sent to my mom immediately after. There is still some dye and redness.)

If you've never had your brows threaded, I recommend trying it. Waxing is quicker, but threading doesn't require clean up with tweezers after. Waxing also "hurts less", depending on what kind of wax is used. Usually, threading doesn't hurt me as much, but after having them tinted, they were much more sensitive.

Overall, I'd say the eyebrows are definitely worth it! Especially if you're in school and don't have time to do makeup every morning, but you also don't want to step out daily in your bald baby bird from. The eyelash tinting may not be worth it for some people. I am impressed with the color and how the darkness of the lashes frame my eyes.

My lashes really do stand out and look longer. They didn't make a huge, impactful difference, and from my understanding, the tinting will only last three weeks to two months deepening on my "hair quality". If you can swipe on a thin coat of mascara and avoid the pain (and losing $15), I suggest that. I have yet to try eyelash extensions, but those definitely have a better pay off from what I've heard.

I am glad I got it done. I may go again in the future before another beach trip, but it's not necessary when I usually wear makeup daily. I do love the way my lashes look. The light ends of them are visible, and they look so much thicker, but the only change that will be truly noticeable to anyone other than me is the eyebrows.

They look so much thicker, darker, and more defined. Even the shape seemed to become more perfect because of the extra "invisible" hairs that were darkened. Plus, it was pain-free!

(At night with no makeup on after washing my face.)

(Filling them in with makeup in the morning. I have no mascara on yet.)