When Denise Reed turned 50, she was ready to make some changes. So on her birthday, the Ijamsville, Maryland, resident went to Studio She salon in Frederick for extensions -- for her hair and her eyelashes.
Eyelash extensions enhance the length and fullness of eyelashes. The look was dramatic, Reed said, noting that her husband and son both noticed something different about her eyes. "They make my eyes look younger, more awake," Reed said. "They're thicker and fuller."
Eyelash extensions are not new, but they are extremely popular, said Christina Johnson, owner of Studio She on North Market Street. "People notice right away," said Johnson, who is certified to apply Xtreme Lashes. Lash extensionists must be either a licensed cosmetologist or nail technician, she said.
There are two types of extensions: individual and interlocking. The lashes are made of synthetic material with a natural feel and look.
Individual lashes can last up to two months and, as the name indicates, are carefully applied one lash at a time. The procedure can take up to two hours. Interlocking lashes are applied in clusters of three lashes at a time. They can last up to three weeks and initial application takes about 30 minutes. They can be done in less time, and therefore are less expensive.
Johnson said eyelash extensions are perfect for women who are "lash and lips people," those whose makeup regimen focuses on mascara and lipstick. "One of the major benefits is that your eyes are 'on' every morning," Johnson said. The medical-grade adhesive used to apply the extensions is black so it looks like mascara; however, you can apply mascara if you want. Johnson, who wears interlocking lash extensions, said they give lashes more fullness than individual extensions. "But you can crisscross individual lashes for a fuller look." Extenstions are generally applied just to the upper lashes, but can be applied to lower lashes for a more dramatic and glamorous look. In New York, Johnson said "it's a huge thing. It costs $500 and the lines are out the door." At her studio, interlocking lash extensions run around $50; individual lash extensions start at $150 and up. Extensions come in three lengths to accommodate the three stages of eyelash growth: baby, teenager and adult, she explained. "It's continual growth. The adults drop about every 60 to 90 days." With it goes the extension, so fill-ins need to be done every two to four weeks. "Lash extensions allow you to shower, swim and live life as you normally would," Johnson says on her website. "They should last as long as your natural eyelashes with proper care. "It's the little things that make a big difference in your everyday look. This is one of those things."
