An eye-catching beauty trend that has starred on runways and was previously only available in such larger centres as Vancouver and Toronto is now turning heads in Vernon.
Eyelash extensions have become the latest and greatest rage among all likes of North Okanagan women, as a number of beauty salons and estheticians are now trained to offer them.
“It has been around for a few years,” explains Lori Anderson, clinical esthetician and owner of North Okanagan Skin and Laser. “It’s just starting to hit the small towns.”
Lash extensions in fact date back to 1916, when human hair was used to enhance an actress’ eyes for film. The glue-on technique of false lashes is also nothing new, but lash extensions are a much-improved technique that everyone is sporting, from stars to your average housewife and businesswoman.
“We have a whole ward of nurses who come in, all because one nurse came in,” said Anderson.
Locally, more and more women are picking up the trend, as evident in bookings at Anderson’s clinic.
“Initially I just went for the training,” said Anderson, who started doing one or two sets of the silk lashes a week and is now booked with upwards of five per day. “Now all three of the girls are trained.”
Like a hair extension, the lashes (which are bonded to the existing lash, one by one) add all the volume and colour of mascara, without ever having to apply the cosmetic.
Women can go for a splash or watch that tear-jerking movie without having to worry about mascara streaks running down their face.
On top of cutting down on her morning routine, the idea of never having to wear mascara is something one client instantly fell in love with.
“I have really sensitive eyes, watery eyes, so it runs,” said one client (who asked not to be named so she could keep her secret to stunning eyes).
“I don’t find that they feel any different,” she said, while getting her lashes re-filled, which is recommended every three weeks. “They don’t feel heavy or anything.”
Along with making eyes look bigger and brighter (which in turn prompts a number of compliments), the soft silk lashes also give great butterfly kisses.
“My daughter loves that,” said the client.
According to Anderson, extensions are also a trend many older women are enjoying, as age starts to wear down their once-luscious lashes.
“As you age your lashes get very thin and short,” said Anderson.
And whether its lash extensions, laser hair removal or any other cosmetic procedure, Anderson says its not necessarily about external beauty, but feeling beautiful from the inside out.
“They come to us because they want to look better, which helps them feel better.”
