The lowdown on Lashes
By Leslie Peck | Photos by Getty Images
If you are one of those very fortunate people with thick, long, naturally curled lashes, you can stop reading here. Just kidding. Keep reading and forward on to a friend. Lashes are definitely a big deal and thankfully, we have many options in lash couture these days. Some options are low maintenance and some are not. It is important to research the time and cost of different lash services and also ask a dermatologist or esthetician for recommendations.
LASH CURLERS
We have all tried to master the art of lash curlers at some point. If you have tried different ones, you soon realize one size does not fit all. The following tips will give the best results:
Never curl your lashes with mascara. They can stick to the curler and pull lashes out as you open it.
Clean your lash curler often with makeup remover to get any mascara residue off.
When the cushion of the curler feels flat or no longer spongy, replace the cushion or get a new curler.
When curling your lashes, pump the curler gently, but not enough to break lashes.
Some brands that work well for specific needs:
Round, big, almond eyes — Kevin Aucoin; Shiseido
Small, deep-set eyes — Shu Uemura; Tarte
Best for lefties — Tweezerman
LASH SERUMS
There are many lash serums on the market. Before you try any of them, consult your dermatologist or eye doctor with any concerns. One of the most popular and effective lash serums is Latisse. It is prescription only through most dermatologists and some med spas and costs about $40 to $50 per month. There are many over-the-counter lash serums that vary in price and effectiveness. They nourish the hair follicles and promote longer, stronger lashes. Some that get great results are GrandeLASH-MD, Nulastin, Rapid Lash and Rodan + Fields Lash Boost, to name a few.
LASH LIFTS
This is a great service to make a big difference in the appearance of your lashes and it is also fairly low maintenance and cost effective. During a lash lift, a silicone rod is glued to the eyelid near the lash line with a water-soluble glue, and the lashes are then shaped and glued over the rod from root to tip. This allows your lashes to curl from the base and fan out in a perfect shape. Perm solution, setting lotion and tint are all applied separately to create beautifully curled and tinted lashes. The only downtime is not getting the lashes wet for 24 hours. After that, you can apply mascara, lash serums or anything else you typically put on your lashes. This service is booked every 6-8 weeks and can cost $100 or more.
LASH EXTENSIONS
The bee’s knees of lashes are definitely lash extensions. Although they are high maintenance and somewhat pricey, they will definitely turn some heads when you bat an eye. Lash extensions are synthetic lashes that are applied with lash adhesive to each natural eyelash. They can be classic (lash on a lash), hybrid (lash on a lash with some fans of lashes) or volume (multiple fans throughout).
When you get a full set of lashes, it can take two or more hours and cost $200 or more. Every two to three weeks, a lash fill is necessary to replace lashes that shed and fill new lashes that have grown in. Lash fills keep them looking full and beautiful. Each lash fill is typically about $75. You have to be careful what products you use near your lashes and brush them with a spoolie daily, but past that, you get to wake up lashed and ready to go.
