Eye-opening results
The latest lash treatments promise an enviable curl sans mascara
T HANKS to the prevalence of eyelash extensions, a simple swipe of mascara is no longer enough to keep up with the lash-curling competition. Unfortunately, maintenance of such coveted, superlong flutterers is both costly and time-consuming — running up to $300 a session and requiring touch-ups every three to four weeks. Popular growth-stimulating serums like Latisse or Revitalash can help add length, but without the flirtatious curl that gives eyes a more open, youthful appearance.
The good news is that there are now other methods for upgrading your gaze. The latest, a “keratin lash lift,” boasts upturn that can last up to two months. Lashes are shaped over a silicone roller mold and coated with mild chemical solutions to curl, tint and condition.
“You can control the direction [in which the lashes point],’’ says Karina Freedman, who now offers the hourlong service at her spa, Karina NYC ( KarinaNYC.com, $150). “For those who want a doll-like eye, we brush the lashes up in the center, and for those who prefer a cat-eye style, we brush toward the outer corner, which gives a wider appearance.’’
There are also some slightly more economical alternatives, including the Japanese-style lash perm at Shizuka New York ( ShizukaNY.com, $70 if you go before 4 p.m. during the week), which takes just over an hour and lasts up to two months.
“A perm helps make the eyes look bigger and prettier,’’ says Shizuka owner Shizuka Bernstein, who uses a similar roller-style method as is used in the keratin lash lift.
Meanwhile, the lash tint at Blink-Brow-Bar ( BlinkBrowBar.com, $40) darkens lashes so that they appear lustrous and defined without mascara.
But before you drop bank on your new Bambi lashes, make sure you consider the potential side effects.
“It is extremely important to guard against irritation when putting any chemicals near your eyes,’’ says Dr. Barry Drucker, an ophthalmologist and attending surgeon at North Shore University Hospital. “Make sure you go to an experienced professional and have eyewash nearby in case solution does accidentally get in.’’