Tan Before LASH!

Fake tan is one of the fastest growing areas in cosmetics. With so many celebrities sporting an all year round bronzed glow, it’s easy to see why. As more and more people dash to the salon to achieve the latest look, we thought we’d give you a quick briefing on eyelash extensions and fake tan.

Here at the LASHsalon, we cannot emphasise this enough: Get sprayed before you get lashed! Always have your tanning spray applied prior to a visit to eyelash technician. This is because fake tan is oil-based, and oil degrades lash glue.

If you are someone who prefers the sunbed to the spray-tan, you should always be sure to wear eye-patches to protect your gorgeous eyelashes.

Happy tanning, ladies.

Summer's Hottest Look!

What do Kylie Minogue, Hayden Panettiere, Dita von Teese, and Michelle Obama have in common? They are all wearing this summer’s trend for beautiful, long, full eyelashes.

This season, all attention is on the eyes, so now is the time to make a bold statement. The wonderful thing about lash extensions are that they make such a powerful addition to the face that no other makeup is needed, making them the perfect treatment to enjoy in the hot summer months. There has never been a better time to treat yourself to some luscious eyelash extensions, and achieve the sultry siren goddess look you have always wanted.

Remember, if it’s good enough for the First Lady, it’s good enough for you!

newsfLASH

LASHbyFrancesca are pleased to announce that they now offer the latest craze in eyelash enhancement:  semi-permanent mascara (SPM).

In the past you have had to settle with simple tinting, which will only add colour to your lashes. SPM will add colour, thickness, texture and length to the eyelashes, just like your favourite mascara, but lasts 2 weeks and is water-proof smudge-proof and flake-proof! We are fully qualified with MYscara and Cry Baby Mascara products.

Customer Review:  'I looked up to see someone in a surgical mask - after that, I looked in the mirror to see my lashes beautifully augmented with semi-permanent mascara. I’m so glad to be rid of that mascara wand. Wand-less, Seam-less, PRICE-LESS - I love it :)' Amanda

The Cheryl Effect



Poor Cheryl Cole has been under the media spotlight an awful lot of late, with her controversial departure from the stateside X-Factor spawning a flurry of attention. None of us are yet sure as to exactly what happened, was it the accent, the concerns over her performance, the ratings, or are the rumours that Rupert Murdoch was behind it true? Perhaps we’ll never know.

However, there is one thing that we can all be sure of, Cheryl Cole is looking fabulous, and still rocking the most beautiful eyelash extensions on the block. This is, after all, the woman who has sent the sale of false eyelashes soaring for the first time since the 60s, which has since become known as The Cheryl Effect.

If you would like to have eyelashes as beautiful as Cheryl Cole’s, the LASHsalon is here to help. Stop by for a consultation and we can recommend the perfect treatment for you.

All eyes on The Only Way is Essex and Made in Chelsea

Of late, we have all been enjoying a slice of Home County excess in the comfort of our own living rooms. I am of course speaking of the notorious television show, The Only Way is Essex. Sadly, TOWIE’s departure has left a rather large hole in our lives, which some of us have been filling with Made in Chelsea. The ladies from both shows differ somewhat in their idea of glamour, but have something in common with the amount of time they spend grooming.

TOWIE girl, Chloe Simms, has been wearing false eyelashes since she was sixteen. Fellow Essex girl Lydia Bright is another convert to extensions, regularly frequenting salons to keep her lashes in tip-top condition. Their posher Chelsea counterparts tend to sport a more subdued look, though they still keep their eyes beautiful. Here at the LASHsalon, we have treatments to suit all tastes, whether you favour the flamboyant TOWIE style or the subtler MIC look. Whether you’d prefer a natural set of extensions or the flamboyant Diva Set, you’ll find what you’re looking for HERE.

As you may already know, these kinds of extensions last indefinitely with in-fills, and can be healthily maintained by visiting the LASHsalon for re-touching.

Choosing Your Salon

So, you have finally decided to take the plunge and get yourself some beautiful eyelash extensions. But how should you go about selecting your salon, and what should you take into consideration before you book an appointment?

As we have already discussed here, correctly applied lash by lash extensions by a qualified professional should not cause any damage to your natural eyelashes.  Unfortunately, mishaps do happen in some less scrupulous parlours. Here are the things you can do to keep your eyelashes out of harm’s way:

Firstly, always make sure your technician has experience, and is insured. If the correct certification is not visible, do not be afraid to ask to see it! Lash by lash extensions involve the use of sharp tweezers near the eye area, as well as strong adhesives and other products. Your technician should have received training from a well-qualified and certified trainer, during which time they will have learned how to safely use and apply their products, how to position their hands, and how to safely apply each lash extension with precision and care.

Secondly, you should be aware of the variety of treatments there are on offer. here you can read about what is available. It is important to realise that the only treatment which won’t potentially harm your eyelashes is a lash by lash extension procedure, so make sure that this is what you opt for.

Thirdly, do not be seduced by false economy! When it comes to eyelash extensions, you cannot afford to be cheap. Avoid paying for cut-price lashes, applied by a technician who has to rush through the procedure to maximise profit. In these situations, it is quite common to see shortcuts taken, such as flares and “individual” lashes. Flares, individuals, and clusters are attached groups of three to eight blunt ended lashes, often found with a knot at the end. They are meant to be applied to the skin for short-term wear, but be warned, some dubious characters are applying them directly to lashes as a time-saver. This kind of bad practice can lead to permanent damage.

Lastly, keep a watchful eye out for shoddy adhesion, whereby three to four natural eyelashes have been clumped together. Again, this can be avoided by using a well-qualified technician. Your eyelash extensions should be applied one by one, to one single natural lash at a time. If your eyelashes have been incorrectly applied, you should start to feel a small amount of pain in a day or so, as your natural lashes grow and begin to pull. With correctly applied extensions, there should be no discomfort.

On a final note, you might also like to ask to see examples of a technician’s work, and if you can get a recommendation from a friend who has already had a good experience with a particular technician, even better.

Royal Wedding: Kate and Wills say "Eye do!"

With the Royal Wedding only a day away, love is most definitely in the air. An awful lot of people out there are eagerly awaiting their first glimpse of Wills and Kate. Here at LASH, we are struggling to remember the last time an outfit sparked so much curiosity and debate, and whilst of course we are looking forward to the “unveiling” of the dress, more predictably, we are thinking about eyelashes.

The LASH team cannot say for certain whether Kate Middleton has opted for some luxurious eyelash extensions, however we are indeed hopeful. Weddings are perfect for giving us an excuse to pamper our eyes, and a treatment by our team of technicians also has other benefits. Lash extensions will banish the danger of panda eyes from your portraits, gone will be the noticeable falsity of fake eyelashes. Across the ages, brides have desired to be at their most beautiful on their special day, and what better way to achieve an air of natural glamour than with delicately applied eyelash extensions?

In fact, why stop there? A set of beautiful, lasting, natural lashes are something that mothers of brides, maids of honour and bridesmaids are sure to appreciate too. Something for the whole wedding party, even? So on your wedding day, be sure to trade in your false eyelashes for something extra special. And the beauty of it is that you will be enjoying your eyelash extensions right through your honeymoon too!

Tomorrow, all eyes will be on Kate (‘s eyes).

How to Avoid the Horrors of LASHrehab!

Are you guilty of abusing your eyelashes in the name of beauty? Perhaps you are blissfully unaware of the damage you may be causing, but it is high time you became LASHaware! The importance of looking after your own, natural eyelashes cannot be stressed enough. Why? Because you cannot enhance what don’t have in the first place! And whilst it is true that maltreated lashes will grow back eventually, (sometimes taking up to three months), continual abuse can create permanent damage.

We don’t want to see you ending up in LASHrehab, so here’s some useful information on how to avoid it:

Firstly, at the LASH salon we are often asked the question: “Do eyelash extensions permanently damage the natural lash?” The answer is no, individual extensions do not damage the natural lash unless incorrect aftercare occurs. Problems can also arise if an eyelash extension has been applied which is too heavy for the natural lash.

For those seeking to enhance their natural eyelashes, it is important to understand the different procedures that are available, and the possible pitfalls to be found along the way. First, let’s have a look at the treatments that could see you winding up in LASHrehab.

Lash On Lash: Warning! High risk of landing in LASHrehab! This is an express lash extension service taking about thirty minutes. Extensions are placed on top of the eyelashes and are bonded to several natural lashes at once. Because of this, it is extremely important to remove them after two weeks; otherwise, your eyelashes can be pulled out as they grow. This treatment is for the short-term only.

Cluster Lash: Warning! High risk of landing in LASHrehab! During this procedure, lashes are knotted at the base and are placed in between the natural eyelashes. The clusters are applied to several natural lashes at once, and it is very important to remove them after two weeks, otherwise the natural lashes may be pulled out prematurely as they grow. This treatment should take about fifteen minutes, and is for short-term use only.

Strip Lash: Warning! Medium to Low risk of landing in LASHrehab! Also known as false eyelashes, they should be removed daily. With proper care, they can be worn over and over again, and take only five minutes to apply.

Finally, let us look at the option least likely to see you winding up in LASHrehab, and the one that produces the best results.

Lash by Lash: In this procedure, an extension is placed on an individual eyelash. This creates the best and most natural looking effect, and lasts for the whole cycle of the natural eyelash. This type of extension can be worn indefinitely as there is no risk of damage to the natural lashes or their growth.

In order to perform the treatment of individual eyelash extensions within the UK, technicians are required to be trained, certified, and insured. Working near the eyes with a lash by lash application takes great skill and professional training, as well as a range of special products. The treatment can take up to two hours.
So avoid a visit to LASHrehab, and treat yourself to some beautiful lash by lash extensions by one of our talented and trained professionals.

We look forward to seeing you.

Bedroom Eyes

In the delicate dance of flirtation, the most powerful weapon has always been the eyes. Since the beginning of civilisation, humanity has been using cosmetics to draw attention to the eyes, both to heighten sexual appeal and heighten the emotion they convey. Long ago, the Ancient Egyptians were painting their eyes with kohl, and Anthony was fast falling under the spell of Cleopatra's fluttering eyelashes. She must have been all too aware of the effect they were having upon him, because of all the charms the eyes posses, the lashes are the most bewitching.

To this day, our eyes continue to captivate our lovers and signal our interest, and we continue to use makeup to enhance their beauty. And this is no surprise, considering the amount we use our eyes to show our intent. When we converse with the object of our affection, we deliberately gaze into their eyes for longer than usual, and sometimes we simply cannot help ourselves. When our eyes fall upon someone we like, our pupils enlarge, like it or not, nature makes our feelings clear. In fact, when it comes to the art of flirtation, our eyes are determined to reveal our secrets, entice our mates, and steal the show.

And surely the show stopper has to be the eyelashes? Long, lustrous lashes make our eyes all the larger, and in turn we appear all the more youthful. Nature is not always kind, and as we age, features such as the nose and the ears continue to grow, but our eyes remain the same. The lady who wants to maintain her youthful appearance must work to make her eyes seem bigger, in order to balance her features. Eyelash extensions are the perfect way to achieve this.

Though don’t be fooled into thinking that these kinds of extensions are only for those ladies interested in maintaining their youth. We have already spoken of Cleopatra, but who can forget the dazzling Hollywood legend so often associated with her? Who can forget Elizabeth Taylor’s eyes? When she starred as Cleopatra, her luxurious lashes were false ones applied whilst she played the part, however, lash extensions can create exactly the same effect for longer.

Of course, once you have the lashes, it is important to use them. A fluttering of the eyelash is one of the oldest and most beautiful ways to display an interest in someone. Indeed, women have been shown to subconsciously blink more frequently when conversing with a person they find alluring. So the next time you find yourself in the company of a handsome stranger, make sure you have some enchanting eyelashes to flutter their way.