by Kim Hachey
With the end of 2013 approaching, many of us are looking back at the past year with nostalgia. Here at MadlyJuicy, we thought we would look back at some of the biggest trends of 2013 and see what made them so popular. One undeniably popular trend this year was eyelash extensions.
More than ever, women are trying these extensions to give their natural lashes length, volume, and a hint of drama. Love Your Lashes, a small salon conveniently located next to the Guy-Concordia Metro in Montreal, accepted to receive us so we could go through the process. The salon has been opened for four years, and continues to attract new clientele on a regular basis.
Katy Ma, a certified technician working at Love Your Lashes, explains that eyelash extensions are becoming more affordable: “a couple of years ago it cost about 400 dollars for a set, now it’s less than half of that”. With these new prices, almost anyone can get the glamorous celebrity look.
The big question on everyone’s mind is, are eyelash extensions really safe? Having a few doubts is normal, but Katy’s answers are reassuring: only certified technicians can apply eyelash extensions, and their certificate is recognized by Health Canada. If a client is feeling uncomfortable, “they should ask to see the technician’s certificate, or ask them questions about the procedure”.
After discussing with the technician to see what the lash length and thickness will be, the application process begins.
Katy puts a collagen pad under the eyes, and starts gluing each individual lash onto the natural ones; she warns about the fumes of the very strong glue, but it usually isn’t much of a problem.
The overall procedure is surprisingly relaxing and takes around an hour.
After Katy is done, she brings over a mirror to reveal the outcome. The result: glamorous lashes that make the eyes pop and give the face an added touch of femininity. Some of the lashes can last up to two months with good maintenance.
For those who are interested in trying eyelash extensions, there are a few steps to consider. Choosing a quality salon that has certified technicians in a good start: when in doubt, it is better to ask to see their certificate. Before an appointment, it is necessary to remove all traces of eye makeup and mascara. Also, Katy explains that she doesn’t like when people arrive with a picture of the eyelashes they want; everyone has a different eye shape, and what looks good on someone may not look good on someone else. The extensions are not “one size fits all”, and instead are chosen depending on the particular effect someone wants to achieve.
There are three types of lashes, depending on the look, price, and durability a person is looking for. The most natural-looking and lightweight are the mink lashes, but they are also the most expensive. Synthetic lashes provide the most glamorous look, are firm and hold a curl well, but may not last as long as the two other types. The silk lashes are fine, soft, and flexible, and generally last for six weeks, so they are a good option for most people. If the price seems a bit too high, someone can check a discount website such as Groupon or Teambuy for deals on eyelash extensions; many new salons offer them at a huge discount when they first open.
