Famous for her Bambi ‘double lash’ look, The Only Way Is Essex star Sam Faiers is rarely seen without her heavy duty eyelashes.
But her love of fake eyelashes isn’t driven purely by vanity – it’s because she secretly pulls out her natural lashes and without them, she has no eyelashes at all.
Talking to The Sun, the 21-year-old admitted that she suffers from an impulsive control disorder called Trichotillomania, which gives sufferers an uncontrollable urge to yank out their own hair – and in Sam’s case, her eyelashes.
“But for me false eyelashes are especially important because I suffer from trichotillomania, which means I pull my eyelashes out. That sounds weird, I know.
“Although not many people know it, I don’t actually have any lashes at all.â€
Sometimes the urge becomes so strong, Sam unwittingly pulls them out in her sleep - something she has been doing since she was 8 years old after being told to make a wish as she blew away a stray eyelash.
“It is hard to explain. I do it without thinking. I do it when I am nervous or bored or even when I am asleep. I don’t even realise I am doing it.
“My mum saw what I was doing but didn’t understand why and wasn’t sure how to stop me. She’d get pretty frustrated with me but I carried on doing it, so in the end she took me to the doctor.
“I can’t remember what they said, but it didn’t work. And another time I went to a hypnotherapist. That worked for a bit and my eyelashes started to grow back, but then I started doing it again.â€
As a result, Sam is an avid devotee to the double lash look – which involves wearing two pairs of heavy duty eyelashes at the same time.
“I normally wear two pairs to get a really thick, dramatic look.â€
Trichotillomania affects around 3.4% of women worldwide and 1.5% of men, according to Trichotillomania Support.
It is generally a long-term, impulse control condition in which people feel an urge to pull their hair out (either from the head, eyebrows or eyelashes) during times of anxiety, stress and upset. After the hair has been pulled, sufferers feel a sense of relief.
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Famous for her Bambi ‘double lash’ look, The Only Way Is Essex star Sam Faiers is rarely seen without her heavy duty eyelashes.
But her love of fake eyelashes isn’t driven purely by vanity â...
Famous for her Bambi ‘double lash’ look, The Only Way Is Essex star Sam Faiers is rarely seen without her heavy duty eyelashes.
But her love of fake eyelashes isn’t driven purely by vanity â...
In the U.S. about 15 million Americans are affected by trichotillomania. That's 3% of the population, compared to anorexia's 1%. We need more people like Sam Faier to speak up and support initiatives like this planned documentary to help raise awareness and help people affected with trichotillomania; http://www.seedandspark.com/studio/trichster
schroek: In the U.S. about 15 million Americans are affected by
I have had Trichotillomania since I was about 7 years old (just hair, not eyelashes thankfully!) and I find quite a few of the comments on here unsettling. Yes, I also loathe Z-Listers, TOWIE and all associated bullshit shows etc etc. but that doesn't mean it's okay belittle an issue that affects more than just this one 'celebrity.'
Plus, have you ever actually looked at the AOL Homepage? It's literally brimming with pointless headlines about people we shouldn't ever give a hoot about.
erraticrach: I have had Trichotillomania since I was about 7 years
I would like to know how all these bald male stars have any relevance to the story about this woman (whoever she is) who suffers from Trichotillomania. Also how many people really care about any of it.
jpvt: I would like to know how all these bald male
I don't generally comment on z listers but........ I do have to ask why Huff Post deemed this a story worthy of being in the headlines?
I have no desire to be nasty about the girl as I am sure her condition is important to people in her world but I am sure that someone,somewhere is suffering from something more worthy of highlighting.
MsBubblyBlonde: I don't generally comment on z listers but........ I do
If this woman is representative of the women interviewed about David Cameron yesterday on Sky News yesterday then she is of very limited intelligence. As an 'Essex Girl' born and bred I am embarrassed by these 'wannabes' who appear to live what can be described as a very limited life!
annadinahthomas: If this woman is representative of the women interviewed about
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The Huffington Post UK | By Kyrsty Hazell Posted: 08/05/2012 14:27 Updated: 08/05/2012 14:42