The Beginner's Guide to Eyelash Extensions:

ve always wanted lash extensions. Don't get me wrong, I have naturally long, full, fluttery eyelashes, but I also have no self-control. Why not take something good and make it even better? Every time someone would compliment me on how big my lashes were, the devil on my shoulder would hiss, "Yeah, but they could be bigger."

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Something was stopping me, though. Maybe I was worried that they'd be too fragile, or that the upkeep would be too time-consuming (as if either of those things have ever stopped me from jumping on a beauty trend before.) But honestly, I think it was the fear that the idea of extensions would be better than the real thing. The concept was just so seductive to me: these huge, glamorous lashes that were always there. Plus, no more mascara, which meant no more getting drunk and sleeping in mascara and waking up with raccoon eyes.

Well, I'm pleased to report that I finally faced my fears with the help of my lash artist and new BFF Karynn at Papillion Beauty, just outside of Madison, Wisconsin. I knew she was good because I'd gotten a ton of strong referrals, and also because she's done all of the Green Bay Packer wives.

Have you been thinking about getting lash extensions? I know you have, because you're reading this article. Here is everything you need to know before you make the jump.

How should I get started?

There are a ton of things you need to keep in mind before getting extended. First, and most important is who you choose to apply them. Finding the right person to do your lash extensions is a lot like choosing a tattoo artist, or a hairstylist, or cosmetic surgeon: There are a lot of bad ones out there, so it's worth doing your research to find the good.

Hit up Yelp and Google to find out what people are saying about each business and stylist. Dig deep into these reviews to see how long they've been working and maintaining a satisfied client base. Ask around. See who your friends are going to, and what their experience was like. Are they loyal to the same person? If not, why?

In the end, you get what you pay for, which brings me to my second piece of advice: Be careful if you're looking for deals. Lash extensions are a lot easier to screw up than they are to get right. If you go to a chop shop or an inexperienced lash stylist, chances are, you're going to end up with uneven, clumpy looking lashes. Even worse, they can damage your natural lashes. Badly done extensions can easily tear out your real lashes, which oftentimes deadens the root and prevents regrowth.

I'm not telling you not to scroll through Groupon or whatever, but if you find a deal that catches your eye, research the facility and lash stylist before making the an appointment.

What will my new lashes look like?

It's up to you! Your lash stylist will talk to you about why you're getting lash extensions, what you want to get out of them, and the look you're going for. My lash stylist saw my natural lashes and FREAKED. I told her I wanted to focus more on fullness than length, since I was already pretty good on that.

"I could do so much with those. I'm seeing a full set. Total glam." She told me.

I, literally horny at the thought of my own lashes, feverishly replied, "Perfect."

Game on.

Back up: What ARE lash extensions?

Lash extensions are imitation singular eyelashes that are dipped in glue and adhered to your individual lashes one by one. The three most common types of extensions are silk, mink, and synthetic. Silk and mink might sound very luxurious, while "synthetic" is a dirty word in some beauty circles, but synthetic extensions are your best bet if you're a first timer. Depending on the sensitivity of your skin and eyes, you could have an allergic reaction to mink lashes. I know, I know, Beyoncé wears mink lashes, you don't have to tell me.

How is it going to feel?

I pride my skin, my heart, and liver on being bulletproof, but I will admit that I do have pretty sensitive eyes. I was a little apprehensive about crying throughout the entire session, and the thought of someone being all up in my tear ducts makes me tear up just thinking about it.

BUT I barely knew it was happening.

There I was, flat on my back, while my amazing lash stylist took a seat above my head. She placed a pad right below my eyes and wiggled it up against each my lower lash lines, told me to close my eyes, and went to work. I couldn't even feel her separating each lash with her tweezers and gluing a longer lash onto it.

The whole process of giving me a full set took about two and a half hours. Most people fall asleep during the procedure (hashtag lash nap) which shows just how noninvasive it is.

What can and can't I do with lash extensions?

I initially thought I wouldn't ever be able to take a hot shower again, or go to hot yoga. Those were my two main concerns. Not so. She explained to me that the glue needs a full 24 hours to cure, so in that time, I wasn't able to expose my lashes to any water or heat, but after, I could live my life normally. Some lash artists will tell you to wait a full 48 hours, but it depends on who you go to, the kind extensions, and what kind of glue they use.

When it comes to makeup and skincare, stay away from any oil-based products, like moisturizers or makeup removers, as they can break down the adhesive. No waterproof mascara, because it's harder to remove and can easily pull the extensions off. Truthfully, you're not going to need mascara at all, but then again, I didn't need eyelash extensions, so whatever. If you do use mascara, focus on the tips of the lashes, staying away from the lash line, near where your lashes are glued.

It's also recommended that you sleep on your back, to prevent premature lash loss that would come with laying on your side and rubbing your lashes on your pillow. This presents a problem for me because I sleep exclusively on my side, in a ball. I just make sure to keep my lashes off the edge of the pillow, which is easier than it sounds.

I wanted to ask my lash artist how they'd hold up during sex, but I figured that question might be inappropriate for our first session. After all, we had just met. Instead, I did the polite thing, and waited until brunch that Sunday and texted her about it after slamming a 20 ounce mimosa.

"No rough stuff ;-)" for the record.

Overall, you should be careful with your lashes, but you don't need to be too careful. You don't need to relearn to live your entire life, the way  you would if you'd  just gotten a set of stiletto nails. The biggest thing for me was to remember to gently dry my face with my towel when I'm fresh out of the shower, instead of diving face first into only the finest of Martha Stewart's Plush Bath Towel Collection.

How long do extensions last?

The lash glue adheres the extensions to your lashes permanently, so they shed with the natural growth cycle of your eyelashes, which is about 6-8 weeks. All of your lashes are on a different growth cycle, and everyone sheds differently depending on their lifestyle. It is usually recommended to get your lashes filled every 2-4 weeks.

My lashes have always been the best thing about me, and now they're even better. They're huge, and I think I'm addicted to extensions. People love them. Well, girls, mostly, it's not like guys notice that shit. I was a little apprehensive about getting them just because it seemed like such a long-term change, and part of the fun of beauty is that none of it is long-term. But I'll definitely be getting them filled regularly, and I'll be keeping them for a while. My only fear is that I'll lose all of my strength when I finally get them removed, like Samson. If that's the case, I'll do a follow-up article.