Recently I've received several requests for services that involve eyelashes. Lashes are getting plenty of attention these days thanks to new TV ads promoting a lash growth product. These little protective hairs are rarely overlooked. As eyebrows frame the face, lashes frame the windows to our souls. Enhancing lashes makes the eye more noticeable. Some mornings, mascara helps me look more awake but also completes my look - however simple or involved it might be that day.
Aside from mascara, there are several services you can have done to enhance eyelashes.
Lash Tinting: Tinting is dyeing eyelashes a color - always black - unless someone absolutely does not want black. There are other colors. Basically, you lay back, close your eyes and when you open them, your lashes will be beautifully black. This is great for lighter colored lashes and to fill them out at the tips. Top and lower lashes are included in the procedure. Lasts around 5 weeks; procedure takes about 30 min. 
Lash Perms: Perming lashes is exactly how it sounds. Your lashes will stay curled for 1 1/2 to 2 months. A sticky round "rod" (more like a skinny, long, round piece of cotton with adhesive on the outside) is place above the top lash line on your eyelid. The lashes are rolled up onto the rod to stay in place and curl them. Perm lotion is applied - we wait. Once the perm lotion is removed, setting lotion is applied - and again, we wait. Setting lotion is removed, nourishing lotion is applied. The rod is removed and your lashes are beautifully curled. There are different sizes of rods for shorter or longer lashes. Procedure takes about 1 hour. (sorry no pictures yet)
Lash Extensions: I use NovaLash Extensions. They are individual, synthetic lashes that are glued onto your individual lashes (allowing your lashes to shed as they wish). The result is natural looking, longer lashes. With many different lengths and curly lashes (slightly more curled than the regular lashes), you can get a glam look or a "I have lashes!" look. NovaLash products are American made to higher standards in order to ensure that we are using the safest, best product. They last 4-8 weeks. Will look great on anyone, especially brides, athletes, water sport/lake/pool lovers, those with short lashes, those wanting to forget about mascara. Learn more about them at www.novalash.com. NovaLash has also come out with some exciting new products like Lash Liner, a skinny little liner pencil designed to deposit color in between your lashes to make them look thicker, and Lash Doctor, a lash growth product.
Lash Growth Products: For the last couple of years (that I know of), lash growth products have been gaining momentum. There are a couple of staples in the industry and more than a few copies. All of these products are designed to make your lashes appear (using the word appear because of FDA regulations) longer. You do have to keep using them to get the results. Some of them have slightly undesirable side effects. I've heard of a few brands recently (NovaLash being one) that are more natural, claiming not so many undesirable side effects.
Mascara: Mascara use goes all the way back to the Ancient Egyptians. It was worn to ward off evil spirits and bad energy. The first packaged cosmetic mascara was created in 1917 by Eugene Rimmel, founder of Maybelline Cosmetics. Mascara comes in many different formulas, colors, with skinny or round fluffy brushes to create a variety of looks for whatever kind of lashes you have or don't have. There are also primers. I use Jane Iredale's PureLash Extender and Conditioner. It has algae extract that conditions and protects lashes. And then I use JI Longest Lash Thickening and Lengthing Mascara in Black Ice. I love that it comes in a squeezable tube so I can get all the mascara out of it.
Application Tips! When using a primer, apply the primer starting at the base of your lashes and rocking the wand slightly side to side to coat your lashes. While the primer is still wet (you don't want it to dry!), apply mascara starting at the base and moving the wand up to the tips. Fewer, slower, complete strokes will get you better results than fast, short strokes.
Tools: Mechanical Curlers vs. Heated Curlers - I prefer the heated. It's easier to use, easier on your lashes and portable as well. If you need help finding one, just let me know. You can use the heated curler after you apply mascara, too, which should not be done with a mechanical curler. Sorry, mechanical curler - only for emergencies. :(
Of course, if you have your lashes permed, you don't need a curler. :)
A little note on other fake lashes: Strip lashes (can be found anywhere) are good for a day, easy to apply - especially when cut into 2 or 3 sections. There are many fantastically fun lashes out there to experiment with. Cluster lashes are a little group of lashes knotted together at the bottom. Good for a day or two. Continual use of these lashes is not recommended. They are usually stuck to more than one of your natural lashes at a time which can cause problems when your lashes are trying to fall out. Plus the quality of the glue that is sold to apply these lashes with is (in my personal opinion!) of a questionable nature. Smells like acetone. I can help you apply any kind of fake lashes you want. Strip and cluster lashes are great for temporary use - so for special occasions or a fun look.
Did I forget anything? Amazing all the different things we can do to our lashes, isn't it?
I hope this has "opened your eyes" to all the services/products available for your lashes. I get excited to see the results of the services on each person. It's always different and always fabulous. And I hope they spend copious amounts of time looking in the mirror and batting their eyelashes at themselves.
If you have any questions about any service mentioned, please let me know.
Thanks for reading and Happy Weekend!
Abby O.
Still to come: Demystifying the myths of tanning and sunscreen.
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