My stance on beauty is low maintenance. Anything you can do to look great in less time I am all for. So when I tell you that focusing on your lashes is one of the most important things you can do for your face listen up.
I was born with wimpy lashes. Even though I have naturally curly hair and thick brows when my genetic code was being downloaded they skipped the part that said, “Full, luscious lashes”. I have tried every mascara, every volumizer, and every new curler or gimmick to create the illusion of beautiful lashes.
I tried false eyelashes. I hated to apply them and I thought they looked fake. I opted to not use them and not apply them on others. I must admit that in the year 2010 we have such a better selection of false lashes that I have changed my mind about them now. However they are still temporary.
Last year I was introduced to Latisse. Latisse is a Dr. dispensed product that grows lashes. It is a medication that is used to treat Glaucoma patients. Patients reported that a side effect of it was that their lashes grew! Allergen is the pharmaceutical company that produced the product. They also happen to be the manufacturer of Botox-which was found to work on wrinkles as a side effect of stopping twitchy muscles in the face.
I began using Latisse in February of 09 and by April I had longer lashes. I was thrilled! I applied Latisse every night to my lashline. I had been warned about some of the side effects but I didn’t have sensitive eyes and my eyes were brown so I wasn’t worried about getting brown spots which they warn might happen if you have lightly colored eyes. I recommended Latisse to many of my clients.
On a sad note, if you stop using Latisse for a week-ONE week, as I did, your lashes will shrink back to normal. So if you are using the product- DON’T STOP. It took another 3 months to get them to grow to the length I had them at.
When they first grew I was amazed at how much mascara I needed and that I absolutely had to use an eyelash curler. It took twice as long to remove the mascara as it did when I had little lashes. I never had to use eye makeup remover when I had no lashes. It seemed to me that my lashes were becoming high maintenance. But I LOVED LOVED LOVED how I looked with long lashes.
Originally I wasn’t concerned about the side effects of Latisse but after nine months of using the magical stuff, I developed an allergy! I was devastated. I thought my lashes were doomed to return to tiny stubs forever because I couldn’t use Latisse, but around the same time, one of my make-up artists introduced me to Robyn Fujimoto. Robyn does Mink Eyelash Extensions. I was amazed. I. Will. Never. Ever. Be. The. Same. Ever. These lash extensions are incredible! They are so real looking that no one believes they aren’t mine. People look at me and say, "you're lashes are BEAUTIFUL!" Not only do they give me length, but they give me volume & thickness that I couldn’t get from Latisse. These lashes make a huge difference in my life! I now wear less make-up, never wear mascara, and I, more importantly, look well rested & bright eyed, even when I’m not, which is usually the case.
So while I’m not discounting Latisse at all, Mink lashes are absolutely amazing! The Mink eyelash extensions are placed on each of your individual lashes, one at a time. Your eyes are closed through out the entire painless process & the lashes are put on with a special medical-grade, odorless adhesive that binds the Mink lash to your own natural lash about one millimeter away from your skin.
The extensions will last anywhere from two to six weeks depending on the growth cycle of your lashes and how well you take care of them. They fall out when your lash is ready to fall out, which is the natural shedding process your lashes go through; typically that is between 60 to 100 days. It is recommended that maintain your new lash extensions with a fill every two to three weeks. Mink lashes are resistant to water, heat, pool chlorine, perspiration & water-based cleansers. Mascara is not necessary when you have Mink lashes!
For all of you who have lost your lashes or weren’t given any to begin with-TREAT YOURSELF!
Robyn is now taking clients at Authentic Beauty.
-Full Set of Mink Eyelash Extensions (1 1/2-2 hrs. initial application)
$135 (normally $200)
-Fill w/ Mink Lashes (45 mins-1 hr. touch-up)
$65 (normally $85)
-Swarovski Crystals Added to Service
$1 each
-Colored Minks Added to Service
No Additional Charge