Eyelash Extensions

Wow, who'd have thought eyelashes could be life changing! If you've ever wondered what's involved in having eyelash extensions, what's required on an on-going basis and whether you should take the plunge or not, then you need to read this.  If you want a real reason to justify saying "I woke up like this",  and you're looking to amp up your "hello gorgeous" factor all whilst wearing no makeup, then this is the beauty regimen for you.

The completed full set of volume lashes.

Being  fair of skin and hair and in my late fifties, my eyelashes and eyebrows have become thinner and lighter to the degree that neither are very visible with no makeup.  In an effort to get fluttering with the best of them, I decided to try out lash extensions. 

Before lash extensions - no makeup, no mascara!

Hush Lash Studio recently opened a location in Scottsdale AZ. This company is well established in the eyelash extension business with 97 studios across North America.  I was comfortable knowing that here is a company who specialize in one beauty treatment alone, as opposed to a salon or spa that does a bit of everything. Better to be the best in one thing, than mediocre in many.  

Wendy Whitman, the Scottsdale studio owner has been in the beauty business for many years. She's put her own flair on the studio with some extra finishing touches, or lack of touches, like the elegant powder room, a completely touch free zone from the light switch to the toilet flush and everything else that moves or is dispensed, it all happens at the wave of your hand!

The unique studio has an open plan layout of eight stations in total.  This makes it the perfect place to come with girlfriends and enjoy a lash party. Who wouldn't want an invite to a lash bash? Everyone can chat to each other whilst having their eyelashes done and even request the music that's played.  It's also a great idea for a wedding party,  or a birthday "blash"!

The studio decor is fun and girly with crystal chandeliers and a pink and black color scheme.

​They take their business very seriously.  The stylists who work here come with eyelash extension certification but must still fulfill Hush Lash Studio training before they can work on clients.

A new stylist completes her in house training.

The Full Set Application Procedure:

• Your stylist explains the process from start to finish and together you determine the look you want to achieve, for example a classic look or big and voluminous.
• It's recommended to remove contact lenses during the process as you have to keep your eyes closed. I chose not to do this because a) my contact lenses don't bother me whilst my eyes are closed for long periods, and b) I was nervous about putting them back in after the procedure as I didn't want to touch the new lashes right away and you're not to get them wet for 48 hours. Putting my contact lenses in often results in my lashes getting wet from the soaking solution. 
• There is a padded gel patch placed under each eye covering your lower lashes. This is the work surface for your stylist to attach the lashes to your upper eyelashes.

With your eyes open, the gel pad is placed over your lower lashes!

• ​Then you just relax, chat to your friends, your stylist or take a lash nap! You don't feel anything other than your stylist's hands on your forehead as she gently and meticulously attaches the lashes one by one.
• The first visit and initial application can take anywhere from one and a half to two hours.  This depends on the style you choose and how many lashes are applied.  I had "volume" lashes so there are multiple lashes attached to one of my lashes. My application took a little over two hours. 

It's meticulous work. This is why it takes two hours!

• When complete, the stylist blow drys your lashes with their proprietary Hush Lash Studio blow dryer and gently removes the pad from beneath your eyes. 
• Then you can sit up, take a mirror and enjoy your gorgeous no makeup look.

Regaining my equilibrium after two hours down. The end result - what big eyes I have!

Good to Know:

• The glue is applied to your eyelash not your skin. A good stylist is not touching your skin with glue product, therefore allergies should not be an issue for most.
• Beware of "cluster" lashes - a quick way to apply volume, however when one of these falls out you're left with a noticeable gap. Hush Lash Studio only uses individual lashes.
• Wear no makeup when you go for your appointment so your lashes are as clean as can be.
• Do not get your lashes wet for 48 hours after application - take a sponge bath! In Arizona, avoid sitting or walking under the outdoor misters during the summer!
• Avoid using oil based products. Hush Lash Studio has their own makeup remover which is oil free and works like a dream. Use this with lint free makeup pads (CVS Pharmacy sells them - Premium Cotton Pillows).
• Try not to sleep with your face squished in the pillow.  The first night I felt like I'd brought home a new baby! I slept tentatively because I was conscious to stay on my back and not disrupt the lashes. It wasn't my best beauty sleep ever! The next night I managed to find a way to sleep on my side but with my head at the edge of the pillow so the lashes didn't get squished! After a few days, life goes back to normal!

The next day - I really did wake up like this!

• ​Do not apply mascara to your lash extensions ever - you will ruin them.
• Brush your lashes to keep them untangled and apply the Hush Lash Studio serum twice a day to help the lashes last and stay looking their best.
• Do not rub your lashes with a towel. Pat face dry and allow lashes to air dry.
• When the lashes are wet, they clump together. Do not worry, they un-clump as soon as they're dry.
• As our own eyelashes fall out naturally the extensions attached to them will fall out as well. Therefore over time they become sparser. Depending on the rate at which your lashes shed and how well you care for your extensions, will determine how often you can go before getting an in-fill.
• The lashes are weightless. Initially you are aware of them, but they're not heavy. After a few hours, they become unnoticeable.

Also good to know... Hush Lash Studio products are made in the USA in Utah. No need to worry about any dodgy ingredients coming from foreign countries.
​

So now I had to try these babies out. I went home and fluttered my best ever come hither lashes at the hubby, and he did the dishes. Later I received a foot rub without even asking! The next day I went to the supermarket and the man behind the deli counter kept giving me free samples, ha ha!  

It was two days before I saw an eyelash fall out. I showed it to the hubby and he asked me if he was supposed to put a dollar under my pillow! I thought this was a brilliant idea, especially since I secretly knew there were about 200 to 300 lashes attached to each eye! New eyelash ledger book purchased!

Eleven days after application!

Sixteen days after application!

Whilst the initial application can be costly depending upon the style you choose, consider it an investment.  If time is money, think of the saving on a daily basis due to never having to apply mascara again, plus never having to buy mascara.  Because the lash extensions make your eyes look bigger in and of themselves, there really is no need to wear any eye makeup, except perhaps some eyeliner on the bottom lash line. 

It is however an ongoing procedure being anywhere from two to six weeks before requiring an in-fill or re-lash. Whilst a fraction of the cost of the initial full set, it still adds to ones beauty maintenance expenses.  
​

The Re-Lash Process:
I took really good care of my lashes. Even in the shower I minimized how much time they spent wet. I avoided showering directly over my face, and I didn't do any deep sea diving ha ha!  As a result my lashes continued to look amazing for 3 weeks  and I could have definitely gone another week if not even longer before getting the in-fill.  

I believe one of the keys to them lasting and looking so amazing for longer is the "volume" lashes as opposed to the "classic".  With volume, there can be anywhere from two to ten lashes applied to one of your own lashes. With so many more lashes applied, even when you've lost a significant amount, there is still enough remaining to keep that wide eyed look going strong.

21 days after application!

The re-lash procedure is much the same except it takes less time, up to forty five minutes depending on how many lashes need to be applied.

On with the launch pads!

Taking a lash nap!

BOOM - hashtag lashenvy, hashtag lashlust!

Fluttering with the best of them!

The fluttering of eyelashes has long since been a woman's magic wand.  Historically,  long eyelashes have been associated with youthfulness, good health and attractiveness, probably because they make the eyes look bigger. We invest vast sums of money on eye makeup alone, most likely to achieve some or all of these esteemed qualities, and certainly many of us cannot leave the house without something on our eyes, be it eyeliner, mascara or an eyebrow touch up.

For me, I'm glad I took the plunge. It saves an enormous amount of time. I go more days without any makeup now because these eyelashes do all the work. They stand up to my rigorously active lifestyle, tennis, running, hiking etc. I think they may also double as sun visors for my eyes, and I certainly don't mind the free samples at the deli counter! 

Joanna, my very steady handed and talented stylist, and Wendy, owner of Hush Lash Studio Scottsdale.

If you decide to take the plunge and get yourself longer, thicker, fuller lashes and live in Scottsdale or the surrounding area, then you're in luck! Wendy is currently offering a full set introductory offer of only $79, a huge saving on the normal price of $199.99.  In addition, she offers an optional monthly membership of $9.99 which provides an affordable maintenance re-lash price of $39.99 and 15% discount on Hush Lash Studio cosmetics and after care products. You can book on-line by clicking the link Scottsdale Hush Lash Studio or call directly at 480-508-5380 to book an appointment.   You can also book on-line for any of the other 96 locations in Canada and the US by clicking the link Hush Lash Studio, or go directly to their Facebook page, or Instagram account.

Have a wonderful week friends
​Karen xox
​

Thank you to Hush Lash Studio for sponsoring this post.