My New Favorite Thing!!

Have you heard of Scentsy?  Well, they are a fairly new company specializing in flameless candle "warmers" and waxes.  The scented wax is gently warmed in one of their warmers using a low-watt lightbulb instead of a flame, releasing the fragrance.  If I forget to turn it off before I leave or go to bed, no problem!  It's totally safe!  My home and studio now smell wonderful ALL the time!

I love this one!  I have one at work and one at home.

To me, there is nothing better than walking into a home or business that smells amazing!  Honestly, I have many candles laying around.  Many I don't use because they were so expensive that I keep putting it off for a "special occasion".  But also because I am very forgetful, and when I burn a candle, there have been many times where I get this overwhelming fear that I've forgotten to blow one out, so I get up to check them all (or turn around and go back home or work to check).  I also have oil burners that I have used in the past, only to find it smoking because the water has evaporated and now it's burning in the dish...and not smelling very good any more.  And have you ever burned a candle under a cabinet and looked at the underside of it?  Black soot all over it!  And if the soot isn't sticking to the underside of a cabinet, it's surely floating around and landing somewhere in your home.  Gross!

I am using this one in my studio right now for the month of October, and also have this design in a plug-in at home.

So, I received my Scentsy warmer for my birthday and I totally fell in love!  There are over 100 different warmers...one to fit into any decor.  They also have Plug-ins and Holiday warmers.  There are over 80 different scents and I have found many that I absolutely love!  I have a warmer in my studio that I keep on all day while working and my clients are loving it!  I also have them going at home almost every day.

This is a bar of Scentsy wax.  It breaks off into eight squares...this is one of my favorite scents!

Here is some information about using Scentsy waxes instead of candles that I found interesting and helpful.

Yankee Candle -

22 oz candle

110-150 hrs burn time, cost $24.99 each and $0.17 to $0.23/hr to burn.

14.5 oz candle 

65-90 hrs burn time, cost $21.99 each and $0.24 to $0.34/hr to burn.

Glade -

10 oz soy-based candle

25-35 hrs burning time, cost $9.99 each and $0.29 to $0.40 to burn.

4.9 oz soy candle

16-26 hrs burning time, cost $34.60/6 pack and $0.22 to $0.36 to burn.

Scented Oil candle

2-3 hrs burn time, cost $3.79/3 pack and a whopping $0.42 to $0.63/hr to burn.

Scentsy:

1 Scentsy bar  --  Warm Time: 60-80 hours                 

 Price: $5.00           TOTALS: $.06 - $.08/hour

I actually use one square in my Scentsy warmer in my studio at work and can warm it for two full days at work (22 hours).  My bars are lasting longer than 80 hours.  Larger rooms will require more than one square, or to be changed out a little more frequently.

Please see this link from the U.S. Fire Administration for some statistics on candle fires:

US FIRE ADMINISTRATION

I have this little plug-in too! 

I am now totally addicted to my Scentsy stuff!!  So much so, that I signed up as a consultant.  I had so many clients asking about it, and I think it's such an amazing product, I decided to make it available to them, as well as my friends, family and myself!  I have a Scentsy website that they (and you) can order from, or I can take orders.  Free shipping and customer/host incentives kick in at $150, but even if you don't spend $150, the shipping is VERY reasonable!  Scentsy is not available in stores...only through independant consultants.   I am not doing home parties (not my thing, and I'm way too busy with my lash business and family), but I have a basket set up and have had several clients take it to work and get sales from there...and they end up getting lots of free and discounted stuff.

If you have any questions about Scentsy, please feel free to contact me or visit my Scentsy website!

Caring for your new Eyelash Extensions

Now that you have had your gorgeous eyelash extensions applied, how should you take care of them?
Following these instructions will ensure you have the best and longest lasting experience with them.

You will want to avoid getting them wet for the first 24 hours so the adhesive has time to completely cure.  After the first 24 hours, however, you want to make sure you are keeping them clean.  Some people are so afraid to touch them and mess with them that they aren't cleaning them properly and the opposite will happen.  Dirt, oils and make-up will build up at the base of the lash and weaken the bond of the adhesive, eventually causing the extension to pop off the natural lash...not to mention, compromising the health of your natural lashes.  Keeping the lash line clean with an oil free cleanser is a must with your new lashes.

When cleaning your lashes, it is best to use your fingers and a gentle oil free cleanser.  A 4-1 mixture of baby shampoo and water (water 4, baby shampoo 1), and a teaspoon of baking soda in a foam pump dispenser is a great cleanser for them, and gentle on the eyes.  Do not pull or scrub them.  Just gently cleanse the base and rinse away.  

You must also remember that oils are the enemy of lash extensions.  Oils will break down the bond of the adhesive and cause premature loss of the extension.  You need to be careful with eye creams, sunscreens, etc. You may use these around the eyes, but you must be careful not to get it on the lashes.  If you do, you may use a makeup sponge with the baby shampoo cleanser to gently cleanse the lashes--remember, no pulling or scrubbing.  If you have excessively oily skin, you may want to use blotter sheets around your eyes once or twice a day to keep oils away from your lashes.  Also be careful with certain eye drops...some contain glycerine which can also compromise the adhesive.  Another thing to be aware of is your hair conditioner.  You do not want to let it run down onto your face or lashes when rinsing.

Don't pick, pull or play with your lashes.  Our fingers have oils on them and it will negatively affect the bond of the adhesive.  Obviously picking and pulling is not good, because you are pulling out lashes prematurely and it will take longer for that new lash to fill up the gap.

Do not use cotton balls, cotton rounds or cotton swabs on your lashes.  The fibers can get stuck at the base of the extensions and irritate the eyes.  If needed, it is best to use the disposable makeup sponges or eyeshadow applicators.

Do not use crimping eyelash curlers on your extensions.  They will give an unflattering crimp that will stay with you until removed.  You also risk breaking or pulling out the extensions and natural lashes.  If you feel you need a little lift, you can use a heated curler on them.

If you are going out and want to punch your lashes up a bit, you may use a water-based mascara on them.  Just apply it from the middle out to the tips...not at the base of the lashes.  But remember, the more you do to your lashes, especially when it requires extra cleaning, the faster you may lose some of the extensions.

You've made a big investment in your new lash extensions, and I'm sure you want to get the most from your money.  With a little extra care, and these tips, you can do just that!

Cluster lashes are not Eyelash Extensions!

I've been doing a lot of repairs lately on new clients coming in after having what they thought were “eyelash extensions” applied to their lashes.  What they really got were cluster lashes (also called individuals or flares) applied with semi-permanent extensions adhesive.  What happens when these clusters are applied with semi-permanent glue is that you will have several natural lashes stuck together within each cluster, which will be damaging to the natural lashes over time, not to mention, very uncomfortable to the client.

  

Our natural lashes are all growing at different rates and are at different stages of their growth cycle.   When lashes are glued together for any length of time this will cause the growing lashes to pull on slower growing lashes or lashes that are in their resting stage, which can cause them to shed prematurely, not to mention the fact that you will feel discomfort from the pulling of these lashes.

Individual semi-permanent eyelash extensions lashes.

Flares/cluster lashes

True Professional Semi-Permanent Eyelash Extensions are done by adhering a single extension lash to a single natural lash.  This is done by a very precise isolation of the natural lash, and placement of the extension lash, to prevent any other lashes from sticking to it.  EVERY lash should be separate and able to shed when it's ready.  With proper care, the extension will stay on until the natural lash sheds.  Properly applied extensions will NOT be uncomfortable and will NOT damage natural lashes.  In fact, I have seen many clients show improvement in their natural lashes because they aren’t curling, applying heavy mascara and then scrubbing it off every night.  

So, for the health and safety of your natural lashes, please make sure you’re having your lash extensions applied by a licensed and certified lash extensions specialist.  And make sure you see pictures of THEIR work.   

The following pictures are of my own work....

Very few Eyelash Extension Specialists offer bottom lash extensions

90+ lashes per eye

This was a removal and new set I did.
Original lashes were way too long for clients natural lashes and stuck together 
at the base.  They were causing discomfort and client did not like the "fake" look.
(my after pic lighting was SO bad...the lashes I use really are black, but look lighter in the pic)

Here they are open.
The previous lash job caused some lash loss, so I was not able to give her 
as full a look as I would have liked to.  Today, her lashes are much fuller and healthy, and she LOVES them!  Another lash addict!  I'll try to remember to 
get a new picture of her lashes to post.

Cry Baby Semi-Permanent Mascara

Semi-permanent mascara is the newest thing to hit the beauty industry.  Cry Baby is a professionally applied semi-permanent mascara that will give you 2 weeks of volume, length, color and curl.  It's 100% waterproof and smear-proof, and is perfect for a vacation or special occasion.

Now, in my opinion, SPM will in no way replace eyelash extensions.  If you can afford it, get the extensions!  When applied correctly, they are absolutely gorgeous!  But if you don't want the commitment of extensions and just need a break from applying mascara and the raccoon eyes that come along with it, than Cry Baby is definitely the way to go.

If you want to become a Cry Baby you can book your appointment on my website.  Just click on the "Book Now" button on the top right on any page of my website, or at the top of my blog page.  A full set is $40 for a limited time.

If my location is not convenient for you, you can go to the Cry Baby website where you can locate a certified stylist in your area.

Give it a try...I think you'll like it!

Car Lashes

I finally got my car lashes!  I love them!  I even got the "bling eyeliner".  My husband is being very supportive (we'll have to wait and see if he drives it anymore), but my boys are mortified and have vowed never to be seen in my car again.  Of course my daughter loves them as much as I do.  I'm sure the boys will fold when they want a ride to the skatepark or the beach.  Or maybe I'll end up being one of those moms that has to drop her kids off a block away from school.

Because my car is black, they aren't as noticeable as some, but they still catch peoples eye on the road and are so fun!  I know, I know...I am totally obsessed with eyelashes, but I just can't help it.  My friends have said I should bling out the lashes to make them more noticeable.  We'll see...I don't want to completely throw my boys over the edge...YET!  Hmmm...this might make for some interesting punishments, bribery, etc... 

If you want a pair of your own, check out www.carlashes.com.  They will work on any car's headlights.  They have some great pics on their website and Facebook page.  They are $25 for the lashes and $20 for the crystal eyeliner.