Why I decided to get Double Eyelid Surgery (DES)
Believe it or not, I’ve wrestled with the idea of undergoing DES for over a decade!
In highschool, I experimented with eye makeup, playing with a combination of eye shadows and eyeliners. In university, this progressed to daily use of heavier eyeliner and also the application of false eyelashes to create an intense, smoldering eye look. Once I found my ideal smoldering eye look, I continued applying the same eye makeup for a decade(!).
My natural monolids
My monolids with makeup
Although I am quick at applying my daily makeup (~20 minute tops), I’ve become unhappy with the amount of eye product I apply. Especially as I think about the future, I do not want to be slathering on thick eyeliner and false eyelashes when/if I embark into parenthood or into my mature years. I will certainly have other things on my plate and I want the appearance of my eyes/makeup to be at the rock bottom on the priority chain.
Over the past few years, I have also become very picky about ingredients in my makeup and personal hygiene products. The [North American] makeup industry is horrendous at protecting consumers from potentially harmful chemical junk. I know there are safer natural makeup alternatives available, and trust me, I’ve been searching high and low for the perfect cosmetic cocktail for my eyes. That said, I’m getting tired of worrying about parables, pthalates, nano particles in my eyeshadow, and formaldehyde in my eyelash glue. Instead, I’ve grown to love the idea of waking up, applying a nutritional skincare regime, then applying a minimal amount of eye makeup before seizing the day. I believe double eyelid surgery will take me one baby step closer to that streamlined “dream”.
Goals
I decided on a desired shape after consultation with the surgeons, experimentation with crease heights, and careful personal reflection about on what I ultimately wish to achieve from DES.
I actually like the shape of my natural eyes. They are classically “oriental” and tilt slightly upwards on the outer corners, creating a cat-like, almond shape.
Originally, I thought I would want a shape that would mimic my daily eye makeup look as much as possible. However, this conflicted with the fact that I liked my natural eye shape.
I finally decided I would like to preserve my natural eye shape as much as possible. I wanted to maintain that ‘upturned almond shape’, with an enhanced/enlarged appearance. I thought this would stay truer to my original eye shape, while meeting halfway to my usual daily eye makeup appearance.
Double Eyelid Surgery in Korea 