make the most of what you've got

If you follow me on instagram / instagram stories, then you probably already know that I no longer have my lash extensions! I loved having lash extensions, and had them pretty consistently for about 3 years! I got them removed about 3 weeks ago and couldn’t believe how many questions I got about WHY. Were they damaging? Did I not like them? Etc. So, today I wanted to explain my thinking behind why I decided to say goodbye to the extensions!

First of all, let me repeat. I loved having lash extensions! When I had them, I rarely wore makeup, but still looked like I had makeup on when I went to the gym, or hopped on insta stories, or met a friend for lunch. It was so convenient. I also loved how they looked in photos (and obviously I take alot of pictures haha).

Towards the end of last year, I began to sense the Lord speaking to me about what it means to embrace natural beauty – not in a narcissistic way, or a judgmental way towards other women who have hair extensions or things like that. But, He began revealing to me how much security I put in having long hair (or hair extensions), my lash extensions, etc. [See this post on why I decided to get my hair extensions out!]. Saying goodbye to the lash extensions was very similar to why I decided to go all natural with my hair. I just felt a stirring in my heart and a need to embrace my natural beauty, and truly just be me! I think this stirring came from my realization that I was putting too much of my security and confidence in what I looked like. I was beginning to believe that I was only pretty with lash extensions or hair extensions…as silly as that sounds to say out loud.

So, one of my goals for 2018 was to learn to embrace natural beauty. Part of that journey (for me), meant saying goodbye to lash and hair extensions. BUT, I don’t want you guys to get the wrong impression about what “all natural” means for me lol. I still LOVE makeup and hair products and skincare and all of those things! I’m not about to stop shaving my armpits and washing my hair haha don’t worry. For me, the other part of this journey to embracing natural beauty means just making the most with what I’ve got. I’ll explain.

I don’t have hair extensions or lash extensions anymore. But, I have my own hair and my own lashes, and my own skin, etc., and I want to take care of those things to the best of my ability! I take hair supplements to make it healthy and strong, and started using a lash serum to get my lashes thick and long again [currently using Rodan and Fields Lash Boost. no, I don’t sell it and I’m not interested in purchasing more at the moment lol just throwing that out there]. Just like I love to work out and take care of my body, I think it’s so important that we take care of our hair and skin and lashes and all those things! So, instead of having fake hair or fake lashes, I’m now focusing on just making the most of what I’ve got, and embracing the features that Jesus created me with!

I got a ton of questions about whether the lashes were damaging. This is hard to answer because not all lash extensions are created equal, and everyone’s eyelashes are different. Naturally, I have pretty thick and long lashes, and the two lash artists I went to were always SO conscious about not damaging my natural lash. So, I had very little damage after having lash extensions for nearly 3 years. They are slightly shorter than they were before I ever had extensions, but I think with time and a good lash serum they’ll be back in no time. But again, I don’t think this is the case for every lash extensions scenario.

I also want to clarify: I don’t think there is anything wrong with getting lash or hair extensions! Like I said, I loved having mine. I’ll probably still get them for special occasions or a beach trip! But, I’m just not going to keep up with them for regular everyday life anymore! Because this is just a journey the Lord has me on right now – a journey to finding my true identity and security in Him, and in His love for me, exactly how I am.

Outfit details: Baseball tee (wearing size S) | High rise skinny jean (wearing size 25) | Adidas sneakers | Leather tote

Okay, this was a lot harder to put into words than I had anticipated haha. Let me know y’alls thoughts or if you have any questions in the comments below!

xo Lauren