Layering Lashes

The last one was about layering mascara, this one’s about layering lashes. Caught this blurb on InStyle Magazine‘s twitter feed about Dianna Agron‘s (of Glee fame) lashes. Now only if they’d spill the beans on Naya Rivera’s luscious lashes! Ok, So Naya can’t live without fake eyelashes and uses those individual ones (more of her beauty secrets here) – those are such a pain in the @ss to put on!

Layering Mascara

Just had to share something that I did this morning that was a bit of a beauty breakthrough! I sometimes layer mascara to get both the best of volume and length (though I don’t think there’s one mascara out there that does that, yet) but I’ve been doing it the wrong way! I’ve always 1) lash conditioner 2) lengthening mascara 3) volumizing mascara. But walking past the mascara stand at Sephora, I caught a blurb about volumizing first, then lengthening. Is that why though my lashes look better layered, it still wasn’t WOW? Well my dear friends, I have to admit that they’re WOW today. Sephora was right. 1) Volumizing then 2) lengthening. Why? Because the volumizing mascara catches and magnifies every lash, then just build on lengthening the ends. And voila! WOW!

Recommended brushes and mascaras: Use the big barrel mascara heads for max volume, then a comb one for lengthening. Remember to work fast and don’t let dry between coats!

My faves, high and low are:

Fave high: Volumizing – Christian Dior DiorShow ($24usd)

Fave low: Volumizing – Cover Girl Lashblast

Fave (somewhat high b/c it’s not readily available): Lengthening – Majolica Majorca Lash Beautifying Mascara Frame Plus (available on ebay or adambeauty)

Fave low: Lengthening – Maybelline Lash Stylist discontinued and replaced with Maybelline Lash Stiletto Ultimate Length Mascara

Haven’t tried, but Cover Girl’s LashBlast Fusion and Maybelline’s Lash Stiletto Voluptuous Ultimate Length and Volume Mascara combines volume and length! Anyone try that? What are your fave mascaras and how do you layer?

Getting Lashed – where to get your lash fix in Vancouver

THE places for lashes:

1. Wink Beauty Lounge is the original Vancouver lash lounge. Focuses on lashes but has other services as add ons. Your go-to place if you want to have everything done at the same time for a night out on the town: lashes, facial, wax, spray tan, mani/pedi. I am slightly dismayed by the ‘U.S.-type’ pricing for the lashes, as in ‘per lash’ though. *shudders* Edit: After some thought, they are just being honest and giving you an idea about the number of lashes applied as a half or a full set or more. But it gets us thinking: are you really counting the number of lashes being applied? (Gastown)
2. Noir Lash Lounge – This is a successful local company that has given new life and new hype to lashes. It’s quite obvious that the proprietor is an addict herself, as her marketing, services and pricing reflect years of experience of being a lash extensions customer. Borrowing the business model and marketing tactic from Blo, Noir offers a menu of lash styles, so it’s a no-brainer.  Pick what you want, and get what you expect. Prices are $35 for a half set, $65 for a variety of full sets. Quality at a reasonable price, but I am somewhat sensitive to the lash glue and the removal solution that they use.  (Yaletown, South Granville)
3. Tiffany’s Spa - I’m all about the deal, as well as the quick and dirty. This was my go-to place when I had my lash extensions for a year. You might want to communicate to the owner of how you want your lashes (the curl, length, volume, flare) if you’re picky, or just let her go at it for a natural look, but at $35 for a full set, it’s a steal. Like Noir, She to Shic and a couple of other places, a ‘set’ means as many lashes as it takes to get the look. Get a massage and your nails done while you’re at it as well. (Vancouver)

Places to try: (I welcome your reviews!)

1. She to Shic Beauty Lounge  - Might try this place because it’s a 10 minute walk away and it’s all eco-friendly. Full set synthetic $55. Silk set (ooh!) $70, mink $80. I’ve never seen Mink lashes so affordable before! And get my nails done as well. (Kerrisdale). Sign up for the Kitty Card and you get 50% off your 2nd service.
2. Elan Beauty is more of an ‘cosmeceutical spa’ offering permanent makeup (aka permanent eyebrow/eyeliner tattooing), laser hair removal, lasers and peels and teeth whitening. Uses US-made NovaLash’s premium products, notably the Platinum Bond Lash Adhesive, the only eyelash extension bond that is U.S. Pharmaceutical Grade tested (U.S.P. Class VI / ISO 10993 Certified), formaldehyde-free, and physician formulated for safety. No more red eye for me! Pretty pricey at $99.95 for a full set (as in doubles your lashes), but offers student discounts.
3. Sweet Nail Salon Also sorta does the per-lash thing, but also has a menu of lash styles so prices vary. (Richmond)

Notes:

1. I also highly recommend using some sort of lash conditioner when you have your extensions in. My product of choice is Rapidlash. Though I haven’t noticed a growth spurt of lashes, they look healthier and don’t fall out as much. It’s important to maintain your lashes when they’re under so much stress with the extensions on! Found at Shoppers Drug Mart.
2. If you want to remove your lashes, first rule of thumb is DO NOT REMOVE THEM YOURSELF. With the obvious said, because different places use different glue, the removal solution is different. So go back to the same place. Most places offer free removal, but call and check. If you get a new set at the same time, full removal should be free. But don’t take my word for it. Hey – I still don’t understand why some places charge for a blowdry when you go in for a colour or cut – so I should walk out with wet hair if I don’t want to pay the extra $30-45? But that’s another rant/entry in the making.

My disclaimer: I’m not here to promote or discredit any institution. I’ve been a patron of all and would like to remain that way. Thanks. =)