The Deets on Eyelash Extensions
By Min Jung. Filed in General |
So,
In a fit of vanity and self indulgence, I treated myself to a treatment that is fairly rare and not well documented on the internet as far as I’ve seen.
Eyelash Extensions.
Yup. Eyelash extensions.
It’s apparnelty a fairlly new fad to hit the states though it’s been conducted in Asia for quite some time. Reassuring to know that those Korean pop idols had some help because I’ve always felt pretty self conscious re: my eyes.
The lips: not an issue. Loves them.. The eyes… well.. something to be desired.
I’ve never watned sankapurl…the surgery done to create an epicanthic or double fold on the eyelids. However this procedure, purely cosmetic, intrigued me to see what could be done with my puny lashes.
This is the before pix. Can you even see my eyelashes? Yeah.
Pretty miniscule. I’ve got average sized asian eyes. I wear contacts. And my lashes, like my hair, is pretty stick straight and doesn’t do well with taking a curl. I’ve considered eyelash perming but my lashes were fricking way too short for that. My lashyes point straight downwards. When I try to curl my eyelashes and/or wear mascary it winds up in a big smudgy smear under my eyes. Pitiful.
I went to Studio C, after reading some splendiferous reviews on Yelp and prepped for my experience.
Man was it cool.
Studio C is located off of Union Sreet in San Francisco and a funky little find. Cheryl, the propriatress is utterly cute, competant, and has created a v. comfortable boutiquette. When you’re getting your treatment you get to choose if you want to lie on top of or beneath the covers of a down filled blanked and uber comfortable treatment bed.
I decided to get tucked under. I should probably admit now that I was up all night the previous evening playing World of Warcraft. Total addict now.
The beginning of the treatment involves a quick scrubdown of the skin around your eyes. A quick swipe over the lids and surrounding area. 8-14 hours before your appointment you should not have any moisturizer or anything on or around your eye lids.
After the wipedown, paper tape is used to tape down your lower lashes so they don’t get in the way, your eyes are closed and yet the upper eyelids are pulled back ever so slightly so that your lashes are standing straight up.
It looks scary but it’s totally harmless. It doesn’t even pull up or pull out any hairs from the brow or eyelashes.
Then my eyes were closed.
And I took a nap. For 2 hours. While Cheryl carefully and meticulously attached individual eyelash extensions to each hair in a tiered fashion to look as natural and luscious as possible. The type of lashes I received are “Singles” . “Singles” as opposed to “doubles’ or “Triples” are 1:1 extension additions. The advantage of this is a more natural look, less glue gunkiness, and an elegant subtlty that I prefer.
I mean, afterall, who wants to look like a dragqueen. Right?
So tada. I woke up from my nap and shazam.
Post lash extension treatment means letting the glue dry which means not letting them get wet, around any sort of oily moisturizer thingie which will cause the glue to loosen up. Even while in the shower to try avoid excess steam that might cause the glue to unset in any way.
Lashes fall out on a regular basis naturally so losing a few of them during the course of a couple months is totally normal. Touchups are recommended first 10 days after having the extensions done and every few weeks afterwards. With care, the extensions can last up to two months. I wear my contacts and experience no glue sting or irritation. All good stuff.
Getting them done is not on the cheap side. My treatment starts at $150 and then $5 per additional lash. You can find places with +- price range however you may suffer on quality of experience or how they look on you at the end of the day.
I don’t expect to do this every other month for myself. (I’m not that much of a princess) But at least I’m not afraid to pursue this shoudl I have any other huge special engagements, I won’t be afraid to pursuue this.
I’ve just been batting my eyes a lot in the meantime.
*blink blink blink*
Monday, May 29th 2006 at 12:19 pm
excellent-o! i blogged about possibly doing this last winter, and of course, i’ve been chicken and have STILL not tried it. but now i may venture a try! perhaps during Fall, when i’ve got more social engagements.
Tuesday, May 30th 2006 at 5:52 pm
“Total addict now.”
Welcome to We Know Warcrack,
- Marcozer
Monday, June 5th 2006 at 4:37 pm
Eyelash extensions are addicting. Expensive but worth it! LOVE them. I goto to Michele in Federal Way Washington. Love the quite time just laying there. Love the long lashes. Love no mascara. Just willing to spend the time and $$ to have them. Go see her. She’s at MeMe and Company. You’ll rave about them like me.
Wednesday, June 21st 2006 at 12:49 am
Nice review! I finally had my lashes done and all I can Say is “Oh My God” so cool and amazing how my eyes just pop out! And all with no mascara which is the best part. I had them done by Olivia Contreras – Esthetica Skin Care at her very quaint facial studio on Union Street. She pays very close to details and took extra time to get the look I wanted just perfect. And I agree…I am hooked!!!
Friday, June 30th 2006 at 11:58 pm
wow. they are amazing!
Wednesday, July 5th 2006 at 9:47 pm
Hey there. I am Michele. I saw my name in this blog and thought I would drop a quick note. My website is http://www.thelashboutique.com. I did the girls lashes that left feedback on this site (June 5th 2006 – Shelia)). I love doing lashes! It’s so fun to give clients those long pretty lashes. The adhesive I use doesn’t have an odor or burn. Stop by and see me. Thanks!
Michele – Washington state
Sunday, July 9th 2006 at 8:58 am
Hello,
For anyone in Toronto, Canada interested in Eyelash Extensions, please visit my website http://www.prettylashes.ca. From what my clients tell me, there isn’t very many places that offer the synthetic lash application which is the type that’s huge in the US. Synthetic lashes are superior to all other types of lash applications due to their durablity and how natural they look. For anyone who’d like more information, feel free to contact me at info@prettylashes.ca. Cheers.
Wednesday, July 19th 2006 at 9:08 pm
Super post–really informative and revealing, thank you. Has anyone heard of Relaxe skincare on Union? I have an appt to get mine done there.
Thursday, July 20th 2006 at 10:41 pm
I too am addicted to eyelash extensions. I get mine done by a lady in Lakewood, Ca, her name is Yvette. Her work is OUTSTANDING 1/2 the price of most salons. They look realllly natural. I get compliments on how beautiful my “long” lashes are. No one can tell! If anyone is in that area and is interested call her (562) 858-3944. Tell her Chris referred you.
Friday, January 19th 2007 at 11:40 am
I have actually had my eyelashes done at a place called Ra Sun Spa in Toronto. Their pretty good, but the lashes only last for about two weeks and maybe three with good care.
I am actually a regualr that is now addicted.
lizabeth7777777@yahoo.com
Friday, May 4th 2007 at 2:38 pm
I go to Dina at Euphorico Salon in Seattle and I am totally addicted to this! I sleep through my appointment and its the best nap I can get. I love, love, love them and cannot imagine being without now. I found Dina on google at http://www.dvinelash.com and have been using her for 4 months now and she has done the best job I have had done ever. I have been wearing extensions for a year and a half so have had my share of horror stories. Be sure to check out who is the technician before you decide on where to go. Good luck
Monday, June 11th 2007 at 7:56 am
For anyone who is considering eyelash extensions in Toronto, DO NOT ever go to Celine Hair & Nails Professional in Korea town to get them done! Doris, charged $75 and she did a horrible job! I am now left w/ a clumpy mascara look because she piled on the glue! Plus, she kept screwing up the application and had to pluck the fakes out. I felt like my eyelashes were being ripped out! My friend’s lashes all fell out the next day. She is rude and mean and won’t give her a refund.
Also, she lied to us! We asked if they were plastic because we heard that plastic isn’t the thing to use on Asians cuz they are heavier and that we wanted to make sure they were a synthetic silk protein. Before the application, I asked to see the lashes and she outright said, “No!” What?? Can’t a customer see the product first? Now we know why!
She sucks!
Monday, June 11th 2007 at 8:41 am
Ugh! I should have read up on this site before I went to this Korean Salon in Toronto (Celine’s Hair and Nail located in Korea Town Toronto). It was a total mess!
My friend came back from Australia with these gorgeous eyelash extensions. They were so beautiful and natural looking. Unfortunately, they did eventually fall off. So, we wanted to try a place in Toronto. I’m Korean myself so I’m all for supporting other Korean businesses. WRONG! Not this one!!!
All of my eyelash extensions fell on within 24 hours! First off, I told her I wanted a natural look but when I took a look at my finished eyelashes, I can count how many she’s actually glued on (approx. 10-15 on each eye). Hmm…so natural means less? They were clumpy and itched a lot. They continuously poked me in the eye but I figured, hey, I’ve never done this before! Maybe it’s part of the beautification process. To my horror, they kept falling off through the rest of the day and when I awoke the next morning…I had but ONE single extension left on my left eye.
Why oh why did I pay them??? I feel like a reject. Sorry everyone for fuming and venting. I should’ve known better…sigh~ The place reeked of dogs. (not that I don’t love dogs. I do love them but is it a good practice of hygiene to keep them in salons??) They had two running around the place. Then, there are the complaining customers. OH my…it should have registered! Then, there’s the cosmetic bed that they wouldn’t fully cover with the disposable paper. Only ripped off a small piece to barely cover the cushion for your head. Sigh~
Lesson learned. If anyone in T.O. wants their eyelash extensions done, please check out other places with a real reputation. Do Not…I mean DO NOT go to CELINE’S on Bloor & Bathurst in Toronto’s Korea Town. Trust me! You’ll cry your heart out and you’ll be $75 poorer.
I called the salon to tell them but the lady who had worked on my lashes said she’ll do them again for me. You expect me to go through the tugging and pulling again so that I can have eyelash extensions for another day? NO thank you very much! I asked if it was possible to get some sort of refund even though I didn’t expect a full refund…all of a sudden she’s really busy and that I souldn’t bother her over the phone. The all time kicker? She said she had no time for me and hung up on me! I was shocked!
Sue.
Friday, June 29th 2007 at 6:21 pm
If you are looking for an Esthethician to go see for this procedure I highly recommend Lianna at Seattle Medical Aesthetics. I see her for skincare and professional eyelash extensions I did my research for this service. I didnt want to go just anywhere because my eyes tend to be sensitive.. It was a simple, painless, relaxing procedure she was fun to work with and I left with gorgeous eyelashes! Anyways my eyelashes look amazing and no more mascara!!! go see lianna http://www.seattlemedicalaesthethics.com/eyelashes
Monday, August 6th 2007 at 7:12 pm
For anyone who wants eyelash extensions done in Toronto, go to http://www.naturalimpressions.biz. The technician applies as many lashes as possible…very worth the fee she charges!!
Thursday, April 24th 2008 at 8:36 am
I love my lashes! I read the comment from Chris about the lady Yvette in Lakewood, CA and decided to give her a call. Yvette was very nice and professional. She thoroughly explained the procedure. Yvette applies an invisible band with three synthetic or human hair lashes attached underneath the lid. I was at first apprehensive, because I wanted singles, but after the first application, I was hooked! The best part is that people think they are my own lashes.
Yvette’s price is extremely reasonable and the application only takes about 45 minutes. Call her for an appointment (562) 858-3944.
Sunday, June 15th 2008 at 3:05 pm
I live is Seattle and tried eyelash extensions last year but was not impressed until 6 months ago at Barney’s i saw a girl with AWESOME lashes so I got up my nerve to ask her and she gave me the name of the best tech in Washington. I love my lashes and send a ton of people to Dina, so much so that she had to open her own salon! HA! We love Dina, so if you’re in Seattle check her out. Her website is http://www.dinasgood.com
You’ll be an addict too…
Tuesday, June 24th 2008 at 3:07 pm
Hi too all, my name is Donna and i have been doing lash extensions for a few years now…And i must say the ones i do are so natural looking…I also do Permanent Make-up as well.8 yrs exp..If anyone is interested please feel free to call or email me @ 905-202-0539. Dforte1@msn.com. Thanks Donna
Thursday, July 24th 2008 at 2:09 pm
Can anyone recommend a good lash extension place around Philadelphia?
Wednesday, August 27th 2008 at 10:48 am
Hi all,
I do lashes in the San Francisco east bay (Albay/Berkeley area) and I love doing them…and have them done. It’s nice to hear so many positive comments.
Check out my website: http://www.MSLashExtensions.com or if you have questions, my email is ‘info@mwlashextensions.com’.
Best regards,
Marcia Walden
Wednesday, October 1st 2008 at 1:42 pm
Hi, wanted to share my horrible experienced that left me feeling cheated and bitter at THE WAXING BOUTIQUE in Seattle, WA. I was told I wouldn’t need to wear mascara and it would be like having a set of false eyelashes that were semi-permanent. After an hour and a half, I literally had 15 fake lashes per eye. When I complained, the technician, Kate, said that I had sparse eyelashes. While that may be so, I absolutely have more than 15 eyelashes per eye. She claimed she spent more time than is usual-that speaks loudly of her lack of expertise if she struggled for an hour and a half to come up with such a paltry number of lashes. Kate said she would talk to the owner, Melissa Avila, and in the end, they refused to do anything for me. No refund, no offer to fix or fill them. I feel I took a $115 and threw it away. This is the worst product, service, experience I’ve ever had and clearly the crappiest and most money-grubbing customer service I’ve been cursed to have. Please, don’t waste your hard-earned money and NEVER go to the WAXING BOUTIQUE unless you want to be ripped off-in money, not hair!
Friday, October 2nd 2009 at 9:13 am
Dina is UNLICENSED in the state of washington , and is without insurance. stay away!SHE left EUPHORICO SALON a while back BECAUSE she was told that trying to employ her niece (BRANDY) who IS NOT licensed was against the law and would not be tolerated at Euphorico, where all have current licenses-
Thursday, October 22nd 2009 at 10:43 am
It’s great to hear all the positive reviews about Lash Extensions. My name is Jennifer and I am the owner of a spa in the Seattle/Bellevue area where we specialize in eyelash extensions. When we first began to do lash extensions 5 years ago, there were not many other estheticians doing them. Now, there are many! It’s great that everyone is happy with their results because, when done properly, lash extensions can really enhance someone’s natural beauty. We do quality work and we’d love to have you visit our spa! http://www.AdvancedSkinandBodySolutions.com (425) 643-5772.
Thursday, November 26th 2009 at 10:44 am
received eyelash extensions done at CityChic and the first day I lost two semi’s from one eye and the third and forth followed two days later and then more as the rest of the days past, all from the same eye. The other eye was going in every other direction, it looked horrible. I called, left a message and then called again 3 or 4 days later again and left a message only to never get a call back. I went for a consultation elsewhere and found out that they weren’t applied properly, at this point I’m fuming angry not only from the lack of ability but lack of professionalism. I then left another message demanding my money back but of course (should of known) didn’t get a call back. I just threw away $100 and then had to pay to get the ones still there removed and re-applied from someone who actually knew what they are doing. DON’T MAKE THE SAME MISTAKE I DID!! Especially if you’re lilke me and money is tight due to pay cut. This was something nice I wanted to do for myself because it has been a long time since I was able to and this is how it turned out. NOT WORTH THE RISK TO TRY THIS PLACE. There are so many other talented individuals out there to go to.
You will find this posting in multiple places!
Unequivocally ANGRY!
Monday, January 25th 2010 at 7:20 pm
Reading everyone’s experiences was really interesting. I had my first extentions done here in Hilo, Hawaii at a place advertising “Eyelashes $35″ Well, they do offer those, short term semi-permanent clusters at that price, but the “permanent” lashes cost $100. I went for the long term lashes, and it was irritating and painful as she put them on. Similar to another reviewer, she had to keep picking them off when they were nearly dried, and I am sure my natural lashes went with the clusters, because it hurt. Well, I loved the result. After the swelling went down (yes, it swelled, there was no plaster put under my eye, just wet tissue… very annoying and itchy) it looked like those star point fake eyelashes. I loved the look, but it hurt when I touched them (I could feel the clumps of glue) and I could not sleep at night, because it felt like toothbrush bristles scraping my eyelids. I am vain. I went to have them checked, and she said, Yep, a few have fallen out (next day) and added more as I sat with my eyes open… It burned like heck and the tears spilled out so she said then, Oh, better lie down and close your eyes! Ok, so I continued to gaze at them in the mirror… Lovely Tammy Faye’s. Ten days later, my sister saw them and said, Hey, how come you have your eye make up on? I told her about eyelash extentions and the next day, I booked her and her friend for extentions in Honolulu. They went, loved the experience, NO PAIN, and had really natural looking thicker eyelashes! I was in Honolulu with them, so I also got more “fills” put in (third treatment in one week) and although the tech was very professional and did not bad mouth the existing lashes, she explained that she would try to match them in thickness of lash as best she could. She also said she does not apply the lashes that way. My sister and her friend had no bristly experiences, no swelling, no discomfort. I continued to experience much discomfort when sleeping, serious eye poking when trying to wash around my face, and continued clumping and dropping of lashes. Today, I went back (Kick me in the ass) to ask about taking them off because of the discomfort. It hurt like heck as she plucked them off, felt like lashes and skin were peeling away. Then she said, Why don’t you go up to Natural Beauty? You have very fine lashes, difficult to work with. Nicky will be able to help you out. So I went up there, booked an appointment for later in the day, and returned with my now sparse, fine, sadly unadorned eyelashes for a new application. This technician was so experienced!! (Korean…. and the whole procedure started in Korea…. and the supplies are from Korea) I dozed off. No pain, no discomfort, I could feel her checking the lashes, smoothing and fluffing them, but they were not attached to me skin at all! 70 minutes later, I sat up, and OMG, this is what it should have been all along! Like I was born in longer, thicker eyelashes…. not like fake eyelashes at all!!!! I feel no sensation, no stiffness or discomfort… I can’t see the shadow of clumps in my vision…. I had no idea! I owe it to the first tech, who took the responsibility of telling me she did not know how to do them, after all…. and the new tech, Tiffany, (Nicky’s cousin) at Natural Beauty in Hilo, Hawaii. These ladies are professionals, top of their game!!!