Eyebrow Extensions - Game Changer!

On my first date w/ my boyfriend he commented that I had amazing brows.  I was happy as EVERY makeup artist is pretty much obsessed w/ brows and it's basically like giving one of the biggest compliments ever lol BUT I also felt a tinge of deceit b/c they weren't really my brows.  I mean they were of course but I filled them in quite a bit to get the shape and arch I liked...w/out makeup they were definitely not the well sculpted pieces of work above my eyes lol!

Years of over tweezing and waxing in the 90s (when thin brows were in...the last time, hopefully forever thin brows will be in lol) had left my sad little brows w/ holes and starting to far apart.  Now my brows weren't awful and since becoming a makeup artist I've definitely learned how to fix them and make them acceptable on a daily basis but of course that required makeup so it kind of excluded me from things like "no makeup" pics...w/out thinking I looked awful of course lol...I even filled them in if I was going swimming or on vacation backpacking.  Literally, even if I wasn't going to wear makeup I would still fill in my brows lol!

So when I heard about eyebrow extensions two weeks ago for the first time on Instagram I pretty much jumped for joy!  Immediately I started looking up where in Toronto I could get this magic service!  That's when I found Winks Eyelash Boutique in Yorkville (very close to me - bonus!)  I reached out to Winks and asked if it was possible to maybe try out brow extensions in exchange for a blog review (hey it has its benefits being a blogger ;) ) and they immediately responded saying Yes and on top of that they would give me lash extensions too! Bonus!!  Apparently they've been big in Europe for awhile but are just gaining popularity in North America now...I don't know what took us so long lol!

So on Weds I went to Winks for my appt.  Mei applied my eyelash and eyebrow extensions and she was friendly and answered all of my questions and helped me decide which lashes would be best for me.  I had had lash extensions before but this was actually a much more relaxing experience for me. She gave me a neck pillow and the chair reclined slightly so it was all very relaxing.  Plus, I don't know if she was just more gentle than the last person but my eyes weren't sore like last time during and after which was definitely a good thing!

Mei did my lashes first and she was very quick and gave me a very nice (not too insanely dramatic) lash w/ a sort of cat eye effect which is what I like when I wear false lashes too!  I do like lash extensions but for myself personally they aren't something I'd keep up all the time.  I naturally have pretty long lashes and I'm very good at putting on false lashes so I just don't personally see the point for the cost but I would consider them before a vacation or if I was getting married or something.  I definitely do understand why some ppl get them all the time though...especially ppl w/ short/sparse lashes like a lot of Asian girls.

But the BROW EXTENSIONS!!! That's something I might just keep up with!  Basically I have my dream right now!  Brows that don't need to be filled in and are naturally arched!  I really couldn't be happier about the whole thing!  As someone who has struggled with her brows for years this literally was a revelation for me.

As I mentioned before I don't have the worst brows and I do actually have brow hair it's just they start too far apart and they need filling a bit on the end and underneath to create the arch.  This actually makes the brow extensions easier for me b/c they can be attached to the hair I actually do have as well as to the skin in spots where there is no hair.

Brow extensions are not the same hair as lash extensions btw.  They are shorter and finer and of course come in a variety of colours to match your own brows.  Mine are dark brown.  They are very similar to lash extensions in how you care for them though.  You shouldn't get them wet for the first 24 hrs and you can't use oil makeup removers on them b/c they will deteriorate the glue. They will unfortunately need more maintenance then lash extensions (fills every 2 wks most probably) b/c often they are attached to the skin and not just the hair that is already there making them a little more delicate and not as "stuck" as lash extensions.

I'm not going to lie I do feel like I have/want to be pretty delicate with them.  If you are someone who rubs their eyes or brow area a lot lash and brow extensions wouldn't be good for you.  I'd also be very careful when washing your face.  I use to scrub my face in the shower but while I have these I'll only wash my face at my sink where I can look in the mirror and be precise were I'm washing and scrubbing so I can avoid the brow area b/c I do think they could fall out pretty easily :(

Because they require a bi-monthly maintenance they definitely aren't the cheapest beauty habit to keep up but if you're someone like me who is very obsessed with their brows and don't mind indulging in a little beauty luxury then you might find the cost worth it.  The results really are insane no one would know they aren't your brows trust me!

Cost varies at different places of course and I imagine it probably varies depending on the amount of reconstruction work has to go into the brows - whether it's just filling in holes or basically constructing a whole new brow for a client.  But it's definitely a beauty trend I'm happy to have discovered and keep up with!

Thanks again Winks Eyelash Boutique I couldn't be happier w/ the results!  Can't wait to share this info w/ my clients!

My "Before" Brows & Lashes...see not the worst brows my any means but not great!  Excuse my giant pores...as you guys know I DO NOT have great skin lol!

Not gonna lie...kinda glad my eyes are taped shut otherwise this might freak me out lol!

Lashes done and looking gorgeous!...next up I need to do something about those pores ugh lol!  But I do like to convince myself that my oily skin is keeping me young looking at least lol!

Completed brows!  Wow So NATURAL looking!

Before & After Shot of Brows & Lashes

Completed Day Look the next day w/ better lighting and makeup ;) lol

Eyelash Extensions Review - Eyelash Canada

So last Thurs. I got to experience a very special pampering treat for the VERY FIRST TIME - Eyelash Extensions!  I have been curious about eyelash extensions for sometime now...I mean how can you not be when everywhere you turn you see those Group On coupons for eyelash extensions...but something always made me a bit weary about getting such a good deal on something that involves my eyes...sort of like why I would never get laser eye surgery on special lol.  Plus as a makeup artist I've seen A LOT of eyelash extension work...some of it very good...and some downright awful!

So when Yvette from Eyelash Canada contacted me about trying out eyelash extensions for a review on my blog I was very curious to find out more.  Plus and I know this sounds stupid I thought it might be useful for my trip to India if I didn't have to worry about mascara...lol yes, only a makeup artist would think about mascara when she's backpacking in India lol! Also, I never realized but I actually spend quite a bit of time everyday putting on mascara b/c I'm so anal about it...I curl my lashes, first coat of mascara, let dry, curl again (I have really stubborn straight lashes), second and third coat of mascara, comb through clumps (b/c I HATE clumps)...these extensions are going to save me so much time lol!

So here's a little back story about Yvette.  She's been doing eyelash extensions for A LONG time...like 8 years (I didn't even know eyelash extensions were around 8 yrs ago).  In fact she was the first to bring this skill to Canada.  She first witnessed eyelash extensions at a trade show in California and she was fascinated by the technique and results.  As an already practicing esthetician she already had a firm understanding about skincare, nails and other spa and beauty treatments so eyelash extensions seemed like a natural fit. Like any pioneer in any trade it was a lot of long, hard work before things started to catch on here in Canada.  She became one of the first technicians in Canada to awarded approval for the use of medical grade adhesives and she even developed a technique for applying lash extensions to the lower lashes - a service exclusive to her company in Canada.  Plus she teaches and trains other technicians all across Canada in the art of eyelash extensions...and she's still obsessed w/ learning about new techniques, products and visiting trade shows to this day.

Knowing all this I definitely felt like I was in safe and skilled hands.  Plus, I can tell you first hand she treats eyelash extensions as an art form...she is so meticulous and quite the perfectionist and after all these years she still gets excited when she sees the surprise and joy on her client's faces when they see the results for the first time!

She has two locations for eyelash extension services.  Her main location is up on Orfus rd. near Yorkdale Mall (this location is apparently much larger and this is also where she teaches) but I opted for the much more convenient Yonge location which is literally just a block away from my apt.!  She had just moved into the space a few days before my appt. so she apologized for the appearance...not it wasn't a luxurious spa location but it was clean and I'm practical I don't need a fancy atmosphere...just give me good, clean work and I'm happy!

Upon meeting we discussed the look that would best suit me and my needs.  I wanted something natural but w/ a little more...but I didn't want to look like a drag queen (God I sound exactly like my brides lol).  Right away Yvette made me right at home.  She's very friendly and talkative and throughout the whole experience I learned so much about the history of eyelash extensions, different curl grades of lashes, her business, the saturation of the market plus I learned a lot about the difference between good eyelash extensions vs. bad and how a lot of those "deals" actually scrimp on the lashes or do quick and shoddy work.  

Overall the whole experience isn't uncomfortable or painful.  It is a little weird at first...esp. for someone like me who is not the best at having anyone near my eyes...yes I was a pain to try and work w/ in makeup school...lots of blinking and twitching lol!  It does feel a little weird at first to have your eyes taped in various ways...no idea what it looked like as my eyes were obviously closed during the procedure.  I don't know if I could have fallen asleep during it like I've heard a lot of my clients tell me they do...but who knows maybe if I got more use to it I would have.  In total the whole process of the application takes about 1.5 hrs...she's quick (a lot of ppl take a couple of hrs for the first application)...after all she is a Master Technician!  

She did one eye and let me look, already I was amazed!  Then she did the second eye and I couldn't believe how natural yet gorgeous my lashes looked!  Such clean work - no clumping of lashes, nicely spaced...really amazing!  Yes, my eyes were bloodshot afterward and a little sore but that went away after a couple of hrs...plus I think my eyes just weren't use to it.  

Of course Yvette is a little more pricey than some of those are ppl out there offering lots of deals and sales...but you can't argue w/ experience or skill (also like I said before I don't know if I want a "deal" w/ anything that involves my eyes).  Just like w/ makeup artists...of course sometimes ppl just want to hire the cheapest but does that really get them what they want in the end.  If you want quality you have to pay for quality!  I'll be curious to see if these last 4+ weeks like Yvette said they should...I know a lot of other companies say they last that long but most of my clients have told me they usually need to get them filled every 2-3 wks...so if Yvette's do last 4+ weeks like she said they are actually a good deal b/c you don't have to get them filled as often.  She does also have other technicians that work for her at a reduced price that might be worth checking out too.  

I'm not going to go into everything here but on her website she has a very full detail section w/ FAQs for all your eyelash extension questions, history, eyelash options, training etc.  You can even book an appt. online

So if you're thinking about eyelash extensions and don't mind a bit of an indulgence but are really looking for the best I definitely suggest Yvette...I think I might be hooked!

Here's the Before & After Photos!

Before...As you can see my natural lashes are pretty long

But compare...this is just ONE eye!

How good is that looking!

Even though they are gorgeous and long look how natural they look! Excuse the bloodshot eye lol!

Final result AFTER shot!

I've already had several friends and clients comment on how natural they look and how it just looks like I have the most amazing lashes ever!  No one can tell that they are "fake"!

 I'm definitely interested to see how they hold up...esp. through my backpacking tour of India...I'll give you an update in a few wks!  Btw can't believe I leave for India next SUNDAY!!!

LUXE.LA.SHE - Eyelash Extensions

A couple of weeks ago I had a private appt. w/ a new client - Georgia.  I was doing her Makeup & Hair for a Baptism where she was standing up as the Godmother.  Right away I noticed she had the most amazing long lashes and after a few mins of talking I found out she's an eyelash extension specialist and she's just opened up a new shop down on Queen W. right near Much Music!

I think eyelash extensions are awesome esp. if you have puny lashes to start w/ or you want to look fresh, awake and even a bit glamorous all the time but don't want to mess w/ mascara clumping or flaking or the hassle of trying to put false lashes on yourself.  Also great if you're going on vacation somewhere warm where you'll be on the beach all the time and great for your wedding day too!

It's also important to when getting eyelash extensions that you get them from a reputable and trained specialist...I mean this is your eyes we're talking about here...I don't know about you but I don't want to take any chances!

So anyway, Georgia does some great work...you can see some of her Before & After Photos here.  She really takes her time w/ each application and never tries to rush the process just so that she can get more clients in the day.  To me this is important.  I mean if I'm going to spend money on something I want it to be professional and high quality.

So if you're looking for eyelash extensions in the Toronto area I suggest checking out Georgia at LUXE.LA.SHE Lash Boutique!