Review of lash extensions at The Best Beauty, Century Square

** Updated 17 Feb
Bought the deal for 2 Pax Barbie Doll Eyelash Extension & Perm from JuzToday and intended to redeem it together with my BFF. When calling to book appointments, the staff insisted that they do not run lash extension deals for 2 Pax. And secondly, though the deal stated no surcharge for redemption during CNY period, the staff told me over the phone that there is a $10 surcharge. I went ahead to make an appointment for redemption on 14Feb for myself (1pax).

At the same time, I contacted JuzToday regarding a mis-representation in the deal

Email -
"I bought the 2 pax option for this deal "Only $18 for KOREAN POPSTAR Barbie Doll Eyelash Extension + 3D Eyelash Perm @ 7 Locations Islandwide" !!

Under the T&Cs it was stated that this deal was "Valid on eve of PH & PH!" but when I called up to fix an appointment for me and my girlfriend, the merchant tells me $10 surcharge is applicable per pax. Can you explain to me why does your website leave out this crucial piece of information?"

JuzToday replied -
"We checked and confirmed that the merchant did not inform about the surcharge to us previously. It might be due to the coming CNY festive season.

Nevertheless, we are sorry for any inconvenience caused.
Would you be able to consume the coupons? Thanks."

Come 14Feb, I went down punctually to redeem the deal. Upon reaching the shop I flashed the voucher to the shop assistant showing proof that the T&C clearly states 2pax and I paid $32 for the 2pax voucher. Honestly, how else can you interpret "2 Pax Barbie Doll Eyelash Extension & Perm"?

To my horror, the lady replied me out loud, attempting to humiliate me in the shop by saying that for this price, there is no way you could have purchased a deal for 2pax. She interpreted the deal as 1Pax to enjoy the lash extensions and the 2nd pax to enjoy the lash perming. Not lash + perm for 2 customers. I honestly found this reasoning to be bullshit. Nonetheless, I do not wish to argue further, just wanted to finish the extensions and get the hell out of this shady shop.

Before starting the lash extensions, the shop assistant kept harping on eyelash perming. Well, according to her flawed interpretation, I could redeem both lash + perm on myself. I thought since it was already included in my deal why not just do it. To my horror yet again, the lady tried to up-sell me $120 top-up for perming, claiming that their shop uses premium perm solution that will produce very long-lasting perm effects. Do you really think I am a 3 year old?

Grudgingly, we finally begun the lash extensions. While working on my lashes, once again the hard-selling tactics surface. She claims that since I am not doing lash perming, she offered to do a thicker layer of extensions and requested that I top up $30 for another layer of lash-by-lash extensions on top of the cluster extensions that my deal covered. This according to her, will ensure that the extensions last longer. I clarified with her to ensure that there will be no discomfort because I fear that a thick layer of extensions will be too heavy for my tiny eyes. She confirmed that I will not feel a thing (the extensions).

Well, with my eyes at her mercy, I agreed. I suppose she loaded my eyelids with tonnes of glue because my eyeballs felt like they were burning. When the therapist was done with the extensions and asked for me to open my eyes, my eyes were red and tearing furiously. Speaks alot about her skills. Or rather, the lack-thereof.

When she finally completed the extensions, I was stupefied to see that the effects. It was exactly the same as the uncomfortable and torturous extensions done at City Plaza which only costs me $30! But I had actually paid $32 (voucher) + $30=$62 for this?! As if she has not extorted enough from me, she went on to offer me $388 packages and also kindly informed that removal of lashes would cost another $30! I was already boiling mad and wanted to get the hell out of the salon before I exploded from anger.

The extensions were glued onto the eyelids so my eyes just felt burdened and heavy, most uncomfortable so to speak. In the shower when I shut my eyes to prevent water from getting it, my eyelids felt painful because of the extension "pinching" on my skin.

During the night in my sleep, I felt the lashes poking my eyelids, to my utter horror, the extensions all fell OFF. Yes, within less than 24hrs! Oh the irony of her telling me that the extensions done at their salon is of good quality and will last for a good long time. In case you are wondering, I did not return to make a scene or request for them to rectify the job proper because I was pretty sure that if I had gone back I would have created a din and end up on Stomp. And judging by how the business conducts itself, they will definitely give me a piece of their mind, in the loudest manner possible.

May this nightmare serve as a reminder for all before deciding to purchase any deals associated with The Best Beauty.

Update - after reaching out to JuzToday, they have kindly offered to refund my purchase back in the form of store credits :)

Photo taken right after extensions were done

Less than 24hrs after extensions were done

Extensions all fell off by themselves!

What remains

Snapshot of deal from
JuzToday

Review of cluster lash extensions at Lisa Beauty, City Plaza (no, this is not MY shop)

There is a saying in Chinese which goes "一分钱，一分货" which simply translates into - you get what you pay for.

Since the last extension done at Dreamlash, I was very much in love with eyelash extensions but the package at Dreamlash is just too pricey. Hence I googled abit to see what are some cheaper alternatives. The very primitive form of eye lash extensions would be cluster lash extensions. As it turns out there are quite a couple of beauty saloons in City Plaza which offers cluster lash extensions.

Chanced upon a Groupon for lash extensions at Secret Beauty for $20. Called to enquire & since first-time walk-in customers also enjoy the same price, I immediately made an appointment. Travelled down to Secret Beauty located at City Plaza on Thur evening to have my lashes done in time for my casual photo-shoot on Fri.

Arrived on time at 7pm only to find the 2 therapists still working on their customers' lashes. Since I didn't want to waste time waiting & there were 2 other beauty saloons which offer lash extensions just near by, I decided to try my luck at the neighbouring saloons.

The saloon, Lisa Beauty, showed me the cluster lashes they used & quoted me $30 for the extensions. Price was reasonable & I decided to go ahead with this saloon. As the therapist was tugging at my lashes trying to remove the single lash extensions done previously at Dreamlash, she was causing me quite alot of pain & I feared for my natural lashes. Cluster lashes are glued onto your eyelids hence there is certainly discomfort, bearing that thought in mind, I had to manage my expectations. The glue she used caused this burning sensation to my eyes & immediately I regretted walking into this dodgy saloon.

Finally when the glue has dried up, the therapist handed me a mirror to inspect the end product. I like what I see & the effect is exactly what I wanted - dramatic lashes. The end effect simply resembles that of false eyelashes. However the discomfort arising from the extensions being glued onto my eyelids, was causing me quite a fair bit of pain. When I got home & had a closer look at where the extensions start, I finally understand why my eyes felt so irritated - the lash extensions start from the inner corners of my eyes. So each time I blink, the extensions rub against my eyelids.

Furthermore, these extensions are thick plastic strands, unlike the soft & natural-looking ones at Dreamlash. Not only does my eyelids feel heavy, each time I shut my eyes tightly my eyelids will hurt because the lashes are glued onto the lids. So when cleansing my face & showering, I was faced with yet another inconvenience - my eyelids hurt like hell when I shut my eyes tightly.

I was greatly annoyed by the extensions & determined to get them removed ASAP after the photo-shoot on Fri. When I got home on Fri evening after the shoot, I was pretty sure my eye makeup was not removed completely since the extensions were in the way. I couldn't stop my itchy fingers from touching the extensions, to my surprise, the extensions at the inner corner of my eyes could be easily removed.

Sat afternoon I arrived at the saloon for removal, the same therapist apply this white paste-like substance onto the eyelashes. I sat around for a good 15-20mins hoping that the removal will be minimally painful. I was WRONG. The removal process hurts like a bitch, it felt as though she was trying to rip off my natural lashes. Yes, OUCH! In case you are wondering, yes my natural lashes survived the massacre & are still alive on my eyelids, phew. But evidently my natural lashes have weakened, each time I rub my eyes, a couple of lashes will fall off :(

May this awful experience serve as a helpful aid when you are considering cluster extensions!