Review of lash extensions by freelance lash artist Julia

My lash craze has continued much to the dismay of my wallet and after hunting down a few saloons to find out about their package prices, below are some of my findings (in order of priority based on my experience with them) -
1. Dreamlash (I called the saloon 11times before someone answered my call, really casted doubt over how easy it would be to secure an appointment with them if I had purchased a package)
Each session comprising of full set extensions + removal
5 sessions - $688
8 sessions - $988

2. Lolita's Lash
Buy 4 touch-up sessions and get 1 touchup free - $396

3. HighBrow (I asked if it was possible to swap the removal sessions into touchups, the kind staff responded with an explanation of how important it is to have proper removal to ensure no glue residue is left behind on the eyelids, now I know!)
Each session comprises of full set extensions + touchup + removal
7 sessions - $660

If you had seen me without eyeliner on, you would know I look perpetually exhausted because of my tiny Asian-slit eyes and literally non-existent natural eyelashes.

Imagine waking up in the morning with a presentable face.

Imagine having semi-permanent fake eyelashes without the hassle of pasting the falsies, without the discomfort of the fake lash weighing down on your eyelids.

These are just some of the benefits semi-permanent lash extensions offer.

In short, the lash extensions really make me look less shitty when I get up in the morning so much so that I can come to office without eyeliner. Which explains my undying love for eyelash extensions. Based on my experiences with both the good and bad, here are 2 factors which I believe determines the level of comfort in the user as well as the lifetime of the extensions -

1. Adherence of the lash extensions - the uncomfortable lash extensions are pasted onto the root/tip of your natural lashes, hence when you blink or close your eyes tightly, the glue residues "bite" into your eyelids causing great discomfort. When the extensions fall off, there is also a high likelihood of your natural lashes falling off together.

On the other hand, the comfortable extensions are pasted mid-length onto your natural lashes. this way you do not feel the extensions at all.

2. Quality of the lash glue and skill of the lash technician - a skilled technician would know the right amount of glue to use to ensure that the extensions adhere well because excessive glue would cause a burning sensation - which was what happened at The Best Beauty - when you open your eyes after the lashes are completed.

No matter how strong the glue is or how skilled the technician is, much depends on how well the user maintains the extensions. Some of the common activities to avoid include -
1. Oil-based makeup removers and mascaras (in fact, with the extensions done you would not require much eye make-up, hence a gentle cleanser should suffice)
2. Swimming
3. Rubbing of the eye area (this is self-explanatory because it causes the extensions to fall off)

In fact when I shower, I try hard not to get water from the shower head directly onto my face otherwise I would have to dry my eyes using my palms, this is deadly for the extensions!

Back to the recent lash extension I did, after searching high and low for reputable saloons offering lash-by-lash extensions, I was thrilled to chance upon Julia's advertisement for home-based eyelash extensions services! Prices were really competitive, what more, she travels to your place at no extra transport charge, Imagine my surprise when the petite lady who showed up at my doorstep is a Korean lady! Upon taking her suggestion I went for the $75 extensions and because my natural lashes are very short and sparse, Julia had quite a hard time fixing the extensions. The whole session took approximately an hour, thanks to her patience, dexterous fingers and fantastic skills, I was very pleased with the end result of the extensions!

As at today, the extensions are already 2 weeks old and I am very happy to say that they are still very much intact and I really recommend Julia's services :) No doubt for first-timers, Groupon deals will be alot cheaper but going long term, as seen from package prices of the various saloons listed above, $75 per session is definitely more affordable :)

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 lash extensions at HighBrow (part 2)

After touch-up session on 21 Jan

Picture taken on 27 Jan

Extensions all fell off in less than a week

Review of lash extensions at HighBrow (part 1)

Bought the Groupon deal at $42 for Full Eyelash Extensions + Touch Up. Arrived punctually for my appointment and I was promptly whisked off to start my lash extensions. Therapist kindly informs that I have to pay $3 for the eye masks which is necessary for them to proceed with the lash extensions.

Extensions done up nicely, in my opinion, thicker and longer than my prior extensions done at Dreamlash and Lolita The Beauty Studio. I was very impressed at how much more awake and alert I look with the lash extensions, not to mention my "zhng-ed" eyes definitely appeared more lively than it naturally is.

Before leaving, therapist reminded me of the steps to take care and prolong the lifetime of the extensions, most importantly being to avoid oil-based make-up removers. My usual remover from Biore is oil-based, later on that evening I purchased a water-based cleanser from Sephora, hoping that my efforts at taking care of the lashes will help to maintain it at its optimal condition.

Dipped cotton buds into the water-based cleanser and painstakingly started removing the eyeliner I had on like how the therapist had instructed. Even when showering, I avoided pointing the shower-head at my face. Unfortunately, right after showering I noticed the extensions on my right eye has fallen off significantly, such that there was a noticeable "hole" along my lash line.

The following day, I contacted HighBrow because I was bewildered at how the extensions could have detached themselves so quickly in less than 24hrs from my lash extension treatment, without hesitation they offered me a free touch-up as part of sales recovery (impressive service!). I was genuinely taken aback and very delighted. The touch-up restored my extensions back to its glorious form.

Unfortunately, my happiness did not last long as the extensions started falling off within days, at one week old my extensions already appear sparse and in dire need of a touch-up. Needless to say, I am looking forward to the touch-up session on 21 Jan!

Photo taken fresh after the extensions were done (7 Jan)

After shower. Look at where the red arrow is pointing (7 Jan)

After touch-up (8 Jan)

Extensions at 1 week old