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I am giving myself a Valentine's Day present this year.

It is decadent and flirty.

I am hoping for a little bit of a transformation. I am going to have eyelash extensions applied.

The most romantic of holidays seems to be the ideal excuse to find out if longer, thicker eyelashes can change my life in some small way.

This superficial desire began with a lizard. One night several weeks ago, I was reading the book "The Icky Sticky Chameleon" to my 21/2 year-old son, Will. It tells the story of a little chameleon who lived in the jungle and was searching for another chameleon who looked just like him. At the end of the book, he finally finds her.

How do you know the object of his search is a she? The answer is simple: She has huge eyes framed in long, fluttering, thick, black eyelashes. Those little hairs are the only difference in the chameleon's appearance. The little title character is captivated by the female chameleon with the exceptionally pretty peepers, and so was I.

I thought about how this small quality seemed to make such a big difference. Eyelashes suggest femininity, framing the eyes and make them "pop." I have often thought about how nice it is to be a woman because you can decorate yourself.

Having had two children in the past five years and having little time for the whole "getting ready process," I remind myself to make time for those little grooming bits that separate us from the boys. After all, long eyelashes can be an asset to the softer sex.

I knew what I wanted to do, and I knew where to get the job done. Several years ago, I conducted an interview for a magazine article with Shanel Wilson-Poe and Melissa Poe, the women who opened The Brow Lounge. During our interview, they mentioned they were going to offer eyelash extensions as one of their services. At the time, I thought the idea of lashes seemed a bit much for me, but it sounded fun, and I was intrigued.

Now, I'm more than ready to give them a test drive, and I'm not alone. Enhanced eyelashes seem to be everywhere. People are putting sequins on their eyelashes, and Jennifer Lopez even uses mink eyelashes to accentuate her red carpet look.

E-Day finally came one week ago, and I had a few anxious questions. Would I like them? Would they look silly? Would the process hurt or burn?

During the appointment, Melissa applied about 65 individual lashes to each of my eyes in one relaxing and painless hour. It's not often that I have an hour of lying down during the day, so this was just a bonus. The process consisted of Melissa using two long, needle-nose tweezers to separate the lashes and layer a false lash onto one of my own lashes. She said her clients range from girls going to prom to women in their 50s looking for a way to simplify and improve their beauty regimen.

The end result is simply bigger and better. I left with natural, plumped-up dark lashes and a spring in my step. I know I might be the only one who knows, but they make me feel like I have a lush secret. I did not tell my husband, and I have it all planned out.

On Valentine's Day, at dinner, I am planning to look up at him through my newly enhanced eyes and do some old-fashioned batting. I hope I can rock my new pin-up image and keep from laughing.

I feel quite happy, much like the little chameleon.

Erin McClanahan Rainwater is a freelance writer who lives in Greensboro.