Eyelash Extensions: The Next Big Thing in Beauty

Paris, Lindsay and J. Lo Have Them, and You Can Too!

Ever wonder how stars like Jennifer Lopez, Oprah, Naomi Campbell, Nicole Kidman, and others have long lush lashes that seem to be flawless and "bling the blink"? Most wear eyelash extensions. The new lash extension craze started in Asia, has swept through Europe and has been taking the USA by storm since 2005. Now, eyelash extension is a staple service in many salons in America.

The American woman is dumping the mascara wand for this no clumps, no smudges, hypoallergenic, waterproof, 24/7 "glam" eye. And for the contact wearer/allergic person, extensions are a MUST.

You are in good hands:

At Merlin Skin Care & Spa, our eyelash extensionists are Xtreme Lashes TM technicians that were trained properly in eyelash extension techniques, safety & health issues. Besides, Xtreme Lashes TM are considered the best eyelash extension products on the market because they have the most revolutionary eyelash extension glues that are odorless, fast drying, and strong bonded - which is very crucial for the beauty and the longer life of eyelash extension sets.

Before and After Pictures

The Procedure:

After a thorough consultation where we explain the procedure and benefits of the eye lash extensions, we bring you into a treatment room. Here you will relax on a table, with a bolster under your knees for complete body support and relaxation. Once your eye make up is removed and your bottom lashes protected, you are ready to receive the extensions. Each individual lash is dipped in a bonding agent and applied to a natural individual lash. Great care is taken to avoid skin contact. On average, each eye will require between 30 and 40 new lashes, depending on the desired look. Thicker and more dramatic look can be achieved with more lashes (60 lashes) for additional fees. The entire procedure takes about 2 hours and is very relaxing. You emerge with a revitalized, uplift look to your eyes.

After Care:

To get the most out of your lashes, you need to follow some simple instructions. The first 24 hours are crucial to the bonding procedure, so:

• No water should contact eyelashes for 12 hours.
• No steaming, swimming or washing your face with hot water for 48 hours.
• Emollients, creams, and oils are the eye lash bonding agent's worst enemy. Use eye creams sparingly and avoid lid/lash.
• Do not use mascara or mascara remover. You don't need it and it shortens the life of the extension.
• Do not use an eye lash curler. It will break the eye lashes and/or crease them.
• Do not rub lashes when washing your face - pat dry after cleansing.
• Do not pull on eyelashes. The bond on the extensions is so strong that it will pull your own eyelash out along with the new ones.

Q&A:

1. What are Xtreme Lashes TM lashes made of? Xtreme Lashes are made of synthetic silk fibers, which are sanitized and hypoallergenic. Xtreme lashes TM are curved and sized to look as if they were your own. You can choose from a multitude of colors including black, dark brown, goden brown, auburn, blue, red, green, pink and purple.
2. Is Xtreme Lashes TM eyelash extension safe? Xtreme Lashes TM are applied using a surgical grade adhesive formulated with the same ingredient used in sutureless wound procedures (where adhesive is inserted into an open wound). The procedure is pain-free and will not harm your eyelids or natural lashes. Xtreme Lashes TM are never applied directly to you eyelids.
3. What can go wrong with eyelash extensions? Can anyone have all of their eyelashes fall out, go blind, etc. Under the hands of an untrained, inexperienced professional, many things can go wrong. An unsafe adhesive may be used, causing damage to the eye. Lashes may be glued together, potentially harming the client’s natural lashes. The technician may not be dexterous enough to use tweezers near the client’s eyes. Untrained technicians have been known to apply lashes with the client’s eyes open, which introduces the possibility of adhesive entering into the eye. This method is contradictory to the method Xtreme Lashes™ uses in which the client reclines comfortably with his/her eyes closed. In an effort to promote safety in the eyelash extensions industry, Xtreme Lashes™ REQUIRES training. Our professionals are trained to use safe methods which will not harm the client. Consumers are advised to visit only those technicians who are trained and certified with a reputable company.
4. How long will they last? With proper care, your lash extension will last as long as your own lashes. The life cycle of natural lashes is about 10 to 12 weeks. In order for us to successfully bond a lash to your own lash however; we must target a lash that is long enough to support the length of the extension. Typically these lashes are about 5 to 6 weeks old and are close to full maturity. This leaves you with about 5 to 6 weeks of wear before the last lash falls off. Since your own lashes fall off at different intervals, your extensions will slowly be shed off with the natural lash over the 5 to 6 week period. Because of this, touch ups are recommended about every 2 weeks to maintain the fullness of lush lashes. Note: there is no need to get a brand-new full set of eyelash extension, if you come in for fill-ins or touchups every two weeks.
5. How thick will they make my lashes? Typically a full set of lash extensions will thicken your own lashes about 30 to 50 %. If you are used to wearing the strip or flair extensions, you will find that this technology is not as thickening and as heavy as the old technology. It is designed to give you a more natural look.
6. How long will my lashes be extended to? On average, the extensions can make your lashes anywhere from 30% to 50% longer than your own lashes. We can extend them out as long as 80%, but find that they don't last more than a week.
7. What do I have to do to keep them up? Although some people get eyelash extensions for a special occasion or vacation, most love the look so much, that they want to maintain it. This requires touch ups on a two week basis to replace lost lashes.
8. How soon before and event should I have them done? We suggest 2 days to 5 days before that special event or vacation. This insures accurate curing time for the bonding agent (which can take up to 48 hours) and the freshest possible look for the lashes.
9. Can I use Mascara on my extensions? You will not need to use mascara with these extensions. Most mascaras are petroleum based, will break down the bonding agent of the extensions, and dramatically shorten their lives. Because your bottom lashes touch your top lashes when the eye is closed, we recommend not using your normal mascara on your bottom lashes as well. However, for those mascara dye-hard fans the answer is to use it sparingly or you can use Xtreme Lashes Mascara, which is especially formulated for eyelash extensions. We sell it for $40 at our salon.
10. What about eye liner? Avoid waxy/creamy pencils and stick to powder/brush combinations.
11. Can I use my cleanser to remove my make up? Because cleansers are usually very emollient, we don't recommend that you use it for the eye and forehead area. Instead we recommend that you use a non-oily makeup remover. We love Mary Kay oil-free Makeup Remover, which is $14 and available at our shop. It will do a great job of removing all your makeup but does not strip the skin of its natural oils. It is oil free and silicone free and works like a charm. It is a must for extensions. We recommend that you switch to the oil free makeup dissolver for removing makeup from the entire face for the duration of the extensions.
12. Will these extensions pull my own eyelashes off? If you pull on your extensions or rough on them too much, your eyelash will come off with the extension. Not to worry, however; your lashes will grow back without any problems. The best thing to do is to treat your lashes with respect and be gentle with them. The gentler you are, the longer they will last.
13. I sleep on my stomach. Will this affect my lashes? If you sleep on your stomach, sleep with a pillow or blanket over your head, cover your eyes with sleeping mask, the longevity of your lashes will be greatly diminished. Side sleepers will notice that the eye that is on the side they sleep on will loose lashes a bit more than the side that is up.
14. What is the demand for eyelash extensions today? Who is getting them and why? Are most of the clients women, men, teens, etc.? Demand for eyelash extensions is on the rise. Most clients will be women ages 25+. The reasons are varied. Some get them for the obvious reason of having existing short natural lashes and wanting to lengthen them. Others want their lashes to look fuller and lusher. Also, a number of women with blonde or light brown lashes get Xtreme Lashes™ to darken their existing lashes in addition to the above reasons. Still others love the different, fun looks they can get by having highlight colors interspersed throughout their eyelashes. Above all, the main advantage of Xtreme Lashes™ Eyelash Extensions compared to other methods that may exist to achieve some of the looks mentioned, is that they are semi-permanent. Once applied and properly maintained they last up to 2 months so recipients can have the look they desire day in and day out, at home or away, from the moment they wake up.

Individual Lash Extension: $200 and up for an initial full-set (30 to 40 lashes/eye depending on the number of lashes you currently have)
Touchup: $60 and up (if initial set is done here and you come in every two weeks for your touchups.)
A new set is not necessary if you come in every two weeks for touchups

Grouped Lash Extension: $50 and up for a brand-new full-set (10 to 14 groups of lashes/eye)
No Touchup - You need to get a new set every 1 1/2 weeks to two weeks

For more information or to schedule an appointment: call Dana at (949) 493-9676.