Eyelash Extensions

As much as we wish we could click our heels and grow longer lashes, some of us simply have shorties—no matter how much mascara we apply. If you're a fan of false lashes, a longer-term solution exists: eyelash extensions. These semi-permanent, professionally applied extensions give you movie-star length for weeks at a time, and are totally customizable.

We tapped Clementina Richardson, celebrity lash expert and founder of Envious Lashes in N.Y.C., and Sara Edward Wayne, makeup and lash artist and owner of Outlaw Cosmetics, to spill all the details about about lash extensions, from how long it takes to get them, to the different types, to what you can expect to pay.

        What Exactly Are Eyelash Extensions?

“Lash extensions are semi-permanent synthetic, faux mink or silk fibers which are applied strand by strand to your natural lashes,” explains Richardson. As you might expect, the application is fairly tedious. “The extensions are carefully applied one at a time using a specially-formulated, semi-permanent glue that will not irritate or damage the natural lash,” she adds. Unlike false eyelashes, where the strip or individual lashes are applied to the skin, lash extensions are attached directly to the lash itself. The results are more lush, dense lashes that may even let you skip mascara

Are There Different Types of Eyelash Extensions?

According to Wayne, there are different lash styles, to achieve different lengths, curls, and overall lash looks. "The most common lash sets are Classic, Hybrid, Volume, and Mega Volume," she says. "Lashes extensions come in various different lengths, curl types, diameters, and textures." They also come in different materials. "Most lashes are made of a synthetic plastic material to mimic the look and feel of mink, cashmere or silk," says the pro.

How Long Does the Process Take?

The bad news? Expect the treatment to take one to two hours, depending on your desired look. The good news? You can use it as an excuse to lie down, relax, and take a forced break from your phone.

A good lash technician will take their time, reminds Richardson. “Safety should be your number-one concern. Finding someone who is certified to apply the lashes is a must. Depending on the state, the stylist also needs to be licensed,” she advises.

How Do You Care for Lash Extensions?

Avoid water for the first day or so until the glue has a chance to fully dry. Treat your new lashes with TLC—don't curl them, slap on mascara, or rub your eyes. Basically, avoid anything that requires you to touch your lashes, and stay away from oil-based products and cleansers as well. Mascara can be applied to just the tips of lashes if you'd like, but it's best to skip it all together. After all, your new lashes should be dramatic enough on their own.

How Long Do Eyelash Extensions Last?

Because extensions are attached to the lash itself, they last as long as the natural growth cycle, or about six weeks. To extend the life of the extensions, Richardson recommends using a lash conditioner (yes, it exists!) and to gently comb through your lashes with a dry spoolie brush. She also recommends getting “refills” every two to three weeks to fill in any sparse areas.

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How Often Should I Get a Manicure?

 Getting a manicure is one of the best ways to spoil yourself. It can make you feel instantly better, not to mention those glamorous new nails that you will get to wear for the next couple of weeks. 

So, how often should you get a manicure? You can look to have a professional manicure once every 1-2 weeks, although the frequency will depend on what you want done, your personal preferences and your budget. If you want pristine nails with no chips and want to keep them slightly longer, a professional manicure done once per week is advised. Alternatively, if you want shorter nails where you are able to touch them up yourself, a professional manicure every two weeks makes sense. Either way the quicker your nails grow and the more you use your hands, the more they will require a manicure.And while you certainly can do your own manicure at home, out of time, convenience and effort alone, going to the salon usually makes more sense. Besides, they have all of the best tools and the expertise to give you the style and look you truly want.

What exactly is a manicure?

A manicure is a beauty treatment of the hands. Your nails will be cut, filed, and shaped. You will then have your cuticles pushed back and tidied, and then enjoy a hand massage. The final step will be the painting of the nails with a color of your choice. It can be tempting to skip the salon and try a DIY mani, but we’d say leave it to the pros. A perfect polish is a skill that takes years, and hundreds of painted nails to perfect – it’s all about attention to detail in getting the polish as close to the cuticle as possible. Plus, a smooth, evenly distributed, glossy finish is much harder to achieve than it looks. 

Learn more from this article here...

3 Stroke Method for Nail Lacquer

 Learn how to get a smooth and even application of any OPI Nail Lacquer using the Three Stroke Method. This method can also be used for the base coat when prepping nails to be lacquered. 

How to Determine Your Ideal Eyebrow Shape

 

HOW DO I FIND MY IDEAL EYEBROW SHAPE?

Before you shape your eyebrows, it’s important to figure out what, exactly, you want them to look like. That’s where we come in. Keep reading to discover which eyebrow shape will best suit your facial structure. Article source

Eyebrow Shapes For Round Faces

Round faces are roughly as long as they are wide and generally have softer features. For this face type, angular, arched eyebrows are ideal: The definition provided by a high arch can help balance the natural softness of a rounder face.

Eyebrow Shapes For Square Faces

Square faces, like round faces, are typically as wide as they are long. However, they differ from round faces in that they’re angular—particularly along the jawline and forehead. To help flatter sharp features, we suggest opting for fluffier brows.

Eyebrow Shapes For Rectangular Faces

Full, fluffy eyebrows are also among the best eyebrow shapes for long faces—particularly if your bone structure is more defined, as is the case with rectangular faces. Aim to keep your brows relatively unstructured to help balance your more angular features.

Eyebrow Shapes For Oval Faces

Oval faces are similar to rectangular faces but slightly rounded along the forehead and jawline. Complement your face’s symmetry with softly angled brows that are on the fuller side.

Eyebrow Shapes For Heart-Shaped Faces

People with heart-shaped faces typically have high, prominent cheekbones, a somewhat rounded forehead, and a narrow, pointed chin. To help add balance, we suggest opting for arched, rounded brows, avoiding anything too defined or angular.

Eyebrow Waxing

 

Eyebrow waxing is...

...when warm wax is thinly applied with a wooden spatula to the hairs that will be removed, a paper strip is then applied directly over the area with the wax, gentle pressure is applied to ensure the hairs in the wax stick to the paper, the paper is then swiftly pulled away, pulling the hairs out directly from the root.

"Hair has three cycles of growth" "If you see a hair at the surface, two others are behind it. One will crop up in about two weeks, while the other you won't see for 6-8 weeks." Article source

To ensure you brows are always in shape, go by the following:

Shaping: Every 3-4 weeks

Tweezing: Pluck regrowth every 2 or 3 days to keep things tidy/maintain shape.

Threading/Waxing: Every 3-4 weeks

What is Brow Lamination?

 

They say that the eyebrows frame the face, and luckily for us, we no longer have to rely on our blunt tweezers and terrible eyesight to turn our hairs into face-framing works of art. There are now many innovative treatments offering to trim, tidy, and transform our eyebrows. One newer — and increasingly popular — treatment is called brow lamination.

What is brow lamination?

Brow lamination is essentially a "brow hair texturizing treatment," says Los Angeles-based brow and lash expert Sarah Maxwell. It refers to a process in which a brow specialist "softens the hair follicle" using a chemical solution "and then re-shapes, or sets, it into a more refined, lifted, smoother shape," she adds. The result? Perfect brushed up brows that give a fuller, more uniform and defined look.

What are the benefits of brow lamination?

The main benefit of laminated brows is, of course, the look of them. "When done correctly the brow will lay in a more aesthetically pleasing shape, with the brows looking fuller and more lifted," says Maxwell. In addition to smoothing the hairs out, you can also re-shape the brows a little during lamination; for example raising the arch or lowering the tail to get your desired shape.

Don't wait! Book an appointment with us today to get your eyebrows laminated. 

Get more details on brow lamination and the process from this article source.

How To: Hailey Bieber Chrome Nails

This look has been so popular the last couple years. From everyday styles, to wedding day and runways this color combination is a classic and must try! Recreate this simple but iconic look on your clients with this step-by-step tutorial from @nailsbyzola on IG (who did the original manicure on Hailey Bieber for the Met Gala in 2022) 

How Often Should You Get a Pedicure?

 

For basic maintenance, as a general rule, you should get a pedicure once a month. Doing so aids in the removal of dead skin cells when new cells regenerate, which usually happens every four weeks.

What Is a Pedicure?

Similar to a manicure, which treats your hands and fingernails, a pedicure treats your feet cosmetically. A basic pedicure involves removing dead skin, softening hard skin, like calluses, and shaping your toenails.

A few basic steps for a pedicure are as follows;

1. Soaking: Your pedicurist will usually have you soak your feet in warm water using a foot tub to clean and soften them for treatment. 
2. Removing nail polish (if necessary): If you have old nail polish on your toes, your pedicurist or nail technician will remove it before working on your nails and applying a fresh coat. 
3. Nail clipping: Your technician will cut your nails to prepare them for shaping. Your technician knows the length to which your nails should be cut so that they aren’t too short, which may help prevent ingrown nails.  
4. Nail shaping and filing: Your pedicurist gives your feet some nail care by shaping and filing your nails with more precise tools to give them a better shape than you could get with just clippers. 
5. Cuticle care: Your technician will cut and clean your cuticles to keep your nails looking neat. 
6.     Exfoliation: Exfoliation, with a pumice stone, scrub, or other techniques, helps remove dead skin and dry skin, and softens hard skin, like corns and calluses. 
7. Callus care: If you have calluses, corns, or areas of hard skin, your technician will focus on reducing and removing them. 
8.   Foot massage: Once your feet are treated, your pedicurist will massage your feet to reduce pain, improve blood circulation, and help you relax. Some nail salons will even have you sit in a massage chair, too. 
9.   Moisturizer: A final step in the skin treatment, your pedicurist will apply moisturizer to your feet to help hydrate your skin and seal in moisture. 
10. Polish (not required): If you want your toenails painted, your nail technician will paint them with the color of your choice. 

In addition to making your feet look beautiful, getting a pedicure has other benefits: 

• Foot health: Having your feet exfoliated regularly helps you avoid dead skin buildup, like calluses, and maintain better foot health and hygiene. 
• Increased blood circulation: The foot massage your pedicurist gives you can help with increased blood flow, making your feet softer and healthier. 
• Stress reduction: Foot massages and other relaxing activities can help relieve stress, as well as pain or tension. 

Read more from this article regarding pedicures here...

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How to Remove Nail Polish at Home

Learn how to remove nail polish at home with OPI! If you’re used to using cotton pads and nail polish remover, then def check this out. Our ProSpa Nail & Cuticle Oil and Expert Touch products will take things to the next level to protect your nails.

This video features OPI Nature Strong, our vegan system that’s long-lasting and has a high-shine finish. It lasts for 7 days and, as you’ll see in this video, is easy to remove! 

Rainbow Nails for Summer

Show your pride with these phenomenal rainbow nails for summer. With French smile lines and swooshes, this colorful mani slays all day, so you'll be werkin' 9 to fine.