Mascara Monday - Physicians Formula Eye Booster Instant Lash Extension Kit

Physicians Formula Eye Booster Instant Lash Extension Kit - $19.99 -includes a potent Lash Boosting Mascara infused with Lash Boosting Technology plus dramatic Lash Extensions that instantly create length, density, fullness, definition and drama.

It's an easy application process - a layer of mascara followed by a layer of fibers and then another layer of mascara. The extensions themselves are all-natural, make primarily from cellulose with panthenol, botanical extracts and vitamin E - while the colourants are also natural from artichoke and basil.

Be warned, it's not a mess-free process - the extension fibers drop everywhere! Not a huge deal they wipe up easily, just be careful not to get them in your eyes, they aren't harmful but they are irritating!

On the left eye I used a clear mascara under the fibers (so you could see what the fibers look like when applied in the messy picture), on the right eye I used the mascara in the kit - which you can see offers a much more dramatic result!

It's a messy process with a great result that it's clumpy and very natural - I even got complimented on my natural looking false lashes!

Available now at drug and mass market retailers across Canada.

- Lisamarie -

Test Driving Caryl Baker Visage Xtreme Lashes Lash Extensions Service

If your lashes have been looking a little short or sparse, you will be happy to hear that Caryl Baker Visage introduces Xtreme Lashes Eyelash Extensions to their extensive list of beauty services.

This isn't a "one lash look suits all" kind of thing - a certified Lash Expert will actually create a custom lash-look just for you based on your personal style, desired look and natural lash density. Once you decide on the look you want, semi-permanent eyelash extensions are individually applied and expertly bonded with a medical grade adhesive to a natural lash so the whole thing becomes one unified eyelash. The technique creates a seamless look and feeling as if the eyelash extensions are your very own lashes.

The Xtreme Lashes Lash Extensions start at $150, a Re-Lash top up to keep them looking full and fabulous starts at $50 or add some colour or sparkle to your lashes with the Lash Flare service that adds Swarovski Lash Crystals - $5 per crystal - or custom coloured lashes - $20 per 10 lashes.

You may or may not recall that I had lash extensions done a few years ago already and I thought it would be fun to get a "lash virgin's" take on the whole thing so I sent my lovely friend Mila in to get her lashes glamourized - here's what Mila thought of the experience...

I’m addicted to eyeliner and mascara. There, I said it. Bring on the raccoon eyes and day old clumps, I just can never get enough lash length. I’ve gotten lash extensions once before, but it was a $30 treatment called “Winged-out” but they only added a few long single lashes to the outer corners of my eyes. What can I say, I’m a woman of excess, I needed more so I was happy to have a chance to experiment by getting a full set from Caryl Baker Visage.

After filling out the War & Peace of contracts/waivers I was set for a 2 hour lay down with the lash specialist. She was super personable and very professional, explaining why I shouldn’t go for the “drag” look my extremist self was inclined to want. Apparently there’s such a wide array of lash lengths out there that keeping your natural lashes protected means never going .2mm beyond your original length. The specialist took one quick break to pierce ears, which I barely noticed as I fell in and out of sleep – the whole thing feeling part medical procedure and part meditative spa treatment – and when it was all over I was totally impressed by the look achieved! The result was dramatic, but still totally natural looking.

I even took my lashes to the Bahamas the very next day, and despite warnings that extensions tend to fall out more quickly in extreme heat, they’re still relatively intact 2 weeks later! And when I need it, I’m totally going in for an affordable Re-Lash treatment to fill in any gaps to maintain the look.

While I was there I picked up the Jo Mousselli Xtreme Lashes Mascara and eyeliner. I quite like the products (the eyeliner is actually awesome and comparable to my usual YSL brand), but I didn't like that they were vague about exactly why ONLY this brand was compatible with the extensions. Give me some science around the formula or something, not just that “the ingredients” make it so. 

While I might not buy the products again, I would definitely go back for more lashes and then some - I think I’m hooked!

Score your own lash extensions - or even a free consultation if you aren't sure - at a Caryl Baker Visage Face Spa - check out www.carylbakervisage.com to find the one closest you. And if you are in downtown Toronto, be sure to check out the revamped Visage store at First Canadian Place!

- Mila & Lisamarie -

Test Driving lash extensions!

Curious about the big lash extension trend? I was too and luckily had Laura from BeFabulous Spa Studio as my guide to this wonderful new world!

Lash extensions have more variety than I knew - they come in all kinds of lengths, shapes and colours - so Laura had a good look at my lashes and asked me things like what colour mascara I use and whether I curl them or not so that she could give me extensions that would be the same as my results from mascara!

Here we are in progress, those are collagen pads under my eyes - she has applied just a few lashes but most of these are mine which gives you a good idea of the length difference between my lashes and the extensions - as you can see, they aren't a lot longer but certainly enough for a dramatic result! The extensions she used are synthetic mink, made of polyester. Laura let me know that most spas advertise synthetic mink as "Mink", but very few places use authentic mink, which is just as well, I don't want to smell like a wet animal after showering!

And here it is complete - gorgeous no?! It took about 90 minutes and wasn't the least bit painful or even uncomfortable. As a matter of fact, I even fell asleep a few times! As for cost - a full set by Laura, which is 50-60 lashes per eye, starts at $139. Eyelash extensions can last indefinitely with regular maintenance, which averages a visit every 3-4 weeks starting from $49 and up.

As you can see on this before, my lashes are super pale as to almost not be seen! With extensions, pow!

And here are the extensions open and closed - I'm not wearing anything except eyeshadow! I thought they might feel weird but I don't know that I'm wearing them unless I touch them - they aren't as soft as real lashes are - also when they get wet they all clump together.

Strangely, the aftercare for lash extensions have much the same rules as Gremlins:

Don't get them wet (for the first 24 hours); don't touch, pull or sleep on them in bright sunlight (or anywhere); and don't feed them oil based makeup or removers after midnight (or anytime)

 

You can find Laura and your beautiful new lashes at BeFabulous Spa Studio in Toronto - 107-2 College Street - 416-455-5300 - www.befabulous.ca

- Lisamarie -

Umberto's Juliana Landis shares her secrets to great looking lashes!

Before stepping out on the red carpet last month, Vampire Diaries cast member Kayla Ewell visited makeup artist and lash expert Juliana Landis at her Beverly Hills Salon, Umberto.  Kayla indulged in Hollywood’s hottest beauty secret, eye lash extensions!  Eyelash extensions are so popular with celebrities because they accentuate the eyes dramatically in a very natural way. Celebrities are constantly followed by the cameras so they want to look their absolute best and something so simple as lash extensions help them look camera ready at all times. People can swim, workout or even skydive and they will still have their luscious Lavish Lashes intact.

Eyelash extensions are such a hit on the red carpet as they are customized to suit the individual to achieve the look they want. They stay put without the feeling that the lashes may end up hanging off or running down their faces by the end of the night which sometimes happens with strip lashes. Many celebrities like the natural look for extensions that is easy achieved by applying a single layer of lashes and some like the look of a strip lash that can be achieved by layering the lash extensions for a more dramatic look. 

Once applied, eyelash extensions need minimal care, however to keep them looking great and to extend the life of your lash extensions avoid the use of oil based products near or around the eye area and do not use waterproof mascara as these will loosen the adhesive bond of your lash extensions. Remove makeup with an oil free makeup remover and use lint free cotton pads.

As not all of us are lucky enough to have access to an eyelash extension expert and nowadays there are so many great products on the market to achieve Kayla Ewell's look at home and Kayla was kind enough to share her tips with us:

One of the most important things with or without eyelash extensions is the health of the natural lash. It’s important to follow a nutritious diet as the first thing you notice when eating poorly is the health of your hair and your eyelashes are no exception!  Try to keep the use of waterproof mascara to a minimum as it’s more difficult to remove and the continuous rubbing to remove it can cause harm to the lashes. If you must use waterproof mascara, I suggest using, Lancome's Hypose Custom Volume.  It’s a great mascara that gives you super length and volume just like eyelash extensions and to remove use an oil based eye makeup remover such as Lancomes Bi-Facil as this will make removal much easier and put less stress on your lashes.  I personally like to use Loreal's Voluminous mascara as this really adds volume and length and doesn't flake or run.

To get luscious long lashes first use an eyelash curler on clean lashes, I like to use one from Shu Uemura. Then apply one coat of mascara and curl lashes again and finally one more coat of mascara, this will give you the look of sexy, full eyelashes. 

If you want a more dramatic look you may want to try false lashes. These come in strips, individual flares and individual strands. Ardell has a huge range of lashes that are great value and are available at most drugstores. If you want to spend a little more you can go for the Shu Uemura lashes that are amazing and only available at select retailers. To apply false lashes use a tweezer and start from the corners of the eyes, it could be either corner depending on what is more comfortable for you. The best glue I find is Duo, this seems to have the best staying power.

There are pro's and cons to eyelash extensions and false lashes:

False Lashes

Cons

last normally up to a week with special care 

are easy to find

add high glamour for a great price

Cons

need lots of practice to apply

uncomfortable to remove

sometimes only last for one evening 

Eyelash Extensions

Pros

Last up to 3 months with regular touch ups

very natural and comfortable to wearer

no need for mascara

great for contact lens wearers

Cons

Can be costly to maintain

Time consuming as regular touch ups take 30 mins or more

Long term commitment  

- Lisamarie -