Eyelash Tints

Perfect for: If your natural lashes aren’t black, a low-maintenance woman who wants to be able to wash her face and go.

Women with pale lashes will know the difference a good eyelash tint makes to their natural face. Tinting your eyelashes involves dyeing the lashes a colour of your choice (black looks amazing on absolutely everyone though), which will last you 4 to 6 weeks.

Some women, especially pale-lashed beauties, feel like they look tired or not quite themselves without mascara, usually because their lashes lack definition. Tinting them gives you that definition, but don’t have to wear mascara if you don’t feel like it that day.

If you rely on mascara for volume as well then tinting won’t be a sufficient replacement, but if you mainly use it to dye your lashes black then this could be the treatment for you.

The salon option
Going to get your lashes done at the salon takes about 10 to 15 minutes and is pain-free, provided you don’t open your eyes during (this is surprisingly easy to do and boy, does it sting). However, once you get accustomed to this look on yourself it can be expensive to have to redo every few weeks. Salons often combine a lash tint and lift in one treatment.

The DIY option
Luckily, it’s possible for you to try at home, there just won’t be any complimentary head massage. You will need some Vaseline and a box of eyelash or brow tint.
 

• Prep by cleaning off any makeup you might have on then cover all the skin around your lashes with Vaseline so that the dye doesn’t tint your skin too.

 

• You can then follow the instructions inside the box but basically you need to combine a dye and an activator and apply the paste to your lashes using the clean mascara wand provided.

It can be tricky to get right the first few times you attempt this at home but once you perfect the technique it’s as easy as shaving your legs. Eyelash tint kits also last for a number of applications so you end up saving a lot of money by doing it yourself. Yay!

Our product picks: Julienne Brow Tint or the full Julienne Brow Tint Kit, both with a with a handy lash applicator (and you get to do your brows as well!)

You can also try Catrice Glam & Doll Lash Colorist Semi Permanent Volume Mascara with an innovative formula that makes the lashes darker after 2 weeks of daily use.

Read More. Secrets on How to Create Awesome Lashes (Without Going Fake)

Keratin Lash Lift

Perfect for: Women who want to use what they have naturally to totally transform their tired-looking eyes.

You may have seen a keratin lash lift from before-and-after pictures in your Instagram feed, showing women’s eyelashes getting a serious but subtle lift, and you can’t quite put your finger on what has changed.

Not all lash lift services are keratin-based - and a keratin lash lift isn't a lash perm, which many others are. Keratin is a building block to healthy lash hair and works to smooth out and strengthen your lashes while lifting them into a semi-permanent shape.

If you want your eyelashes to appear naturally darker, thicker and to curve upwards without the help of an eyelash curler then you are going to love this treatment.

How does it work
It involves lifting and darkening your lashes by adding a pigment infusion to them. The process can last around two hours but the result lasts between 8 and 12 weeks so it’s worth it.
 

• After cleaning your lashes of any products, you will lie back and close your eyes as the therapist applies specially shaped silicone pads to the tops of your lids.

 

• Next, using a serum, each of your eyelashes is combed backwards to lie flat on the silicone pads. This looks a bit weird but it’s (gently) forcing your lashes to lie straight against your lids so that they set in a way that will make your eyes look wide open.

 

• Once all of your lashes are stuck to the silicone pad a firming serum is applied to them and left to set for about 20 minutes.

 

• The next step after the firming serum is a lash tint, after which your lashes are gently rinsed.

 

• Lastly a conditioner is applied which gives your lashes a nice shine and prevents them from drying out.

As soon as you are done your lashes will be darker, thicker and be spread upwards as though you have just curled them with an eyelash curler. Your lashes also appear longer because they point straight and upwards instead of curling outwards from your lid.

The results are really impressive; once you see them you will be dying to try this out for yourself. A lash lift and tint can cost around R750, which isn’t bad considering all the cash you will save on mascara and eyelash curlers.

If you feel like an eyelash tint just doesn’t do enough for your lashes, or that eyelash extensions are too over the top and high maintenance for you then the keratin lift could be the perfect middle ground for you. The treatment is safe and doesn’t damage your lashes; just don’t get them wet for the 48 hours after your appointment.

We recommend:
In Johannesburg - Wink and Whisper, Flutter Eyelash, Manuela Academy and The Brow Studio.
In Cape Town - Urban Beauty Lounge and The Brow Lab.
In Durban - Spa Durban.

View Video. Keratin Lash Infusion: Lash Lift with Benefits 

Eyelash Serums

Perfect for: Women who have thin, brittle or unhealthy lashes and want to enhance them naturally.

If you’re a girl who likes to go au natural but your natural lashes just aren’t doing what you want them to do worry not; you can grow the lashes you desire yourself. Lash serums have been around for a while and a lot of women swear by them as the secret to getting stronger and longer lashes.

How does it work
So, what exactly does a serum do that’s so special? A good eyelash serum should promote growth, condition lashes as well as strengthen them. There are a lot of serums on the market but it’s worth splurging on a good quality one that has been tested thoroughly and contains the best ingredients. After all, your eye area is very sensitive and delicate so you should only be using the best products on it.

When it comes to selecting a serum look out for ingredients like glycerin, oils and natural extracts, which will condition and nourish your lashes. For growth stimulation the serum should contain vitamins, proteins and minerals.

When applying your serum, you only need to focus on the root of the lash because we are using the serum to promote growth and this is where all of the growing happens. Be careful not to get it in your eye as this can cause irritation and redness, but rather gently drag the applicator along the roots of your eyelashes.

Results from serums vary greatly. Some women saying their lashes have increased in volume (this is due to more lashes growing; nothing will make your individual lashes actually increase in thickness) all thanks to religiously applying eyelash serum twice a day. Others say the results are so minimal that it’s not worth the expense.

Try a serum for yourself because if it works for you, it could be a huge game-changer in your beauty regime.

Our product picks:
Lash Serums. The gold standard that you may have heard of is Latisse, the only eyelash growth serum approved by the FDA. The main ingredient in it - and a few other brands - is Bimatoprost, but unfortunately, it’s only available in South Africa on prescription.

There are however other well-formulated, healthy lash growth serums available online or instore.
 

• Rapidlash is an award-winning eyelash enhancing serum with an exclusive and unique blend of lash-enhancing, conditioning, and fortifying ingredients that helps to promote healthier eyelashes. The soybean oil base gives your lashes a healthy shine, while polypeptides strengthen weak hairs.

 

• Bionic Biotin Lash Serum, a high-performance lash enhancing serum that conditions eyelashes to look longer, fuller and thicker.

 

• Mavala Double Lash Treatment to strengthen, lengthen and thicken lashes.

 

• Maybelline Lash Sensational Boosting Serum for thicker and fuller looking lashes in just 4 weeks.

Mascaras and Primers with conditioning and strengthening benefits
These include Mavala Waterproof Mascara, and Almay Get Up & Grow Mascara with an anti-breakage, pro-vitamin formula that visibly strengthens your lashes with every use.

Otherwise use a conditioning primer under your mascara, like L'Oréal Voluminous Paradise Mascara Primer and Rimmel Ultimate Boost Volume Primer.

Read More. Do You Want Big, Bold & Beautiful Lashes? Here's How.

Eyelash Extensions

Perfect for: If you want to look glam 24/7 without any make up and if you are a relatively high-maintenance girl who is happy to take extra care of her lashes.

Why should extensions be limited to the hair on your head? Eyelash extensions were a well-kept secret in the beauty world for years but have now become much more mainstream. The treatment involves glue-ing individual lashes onto your actual lashes, giving you the false-lash look that lasts for six to eight weeks.

One of the many pros of extensions is that they are totally customisable to your personal preferences. You get to choose how long you want them, how much of a curve you want them to have and the density of the lashes. So if you want to look like a Kardashian even when you’re not wearing mascara you can simply ask for super long lashes, and loads of them. Conversely if you just want to subtly enhance what you’ve already got ask for medium length lashes spaced in a natural way.

How does it work
It’s always best to take in a photograph of the kind of look you’re going for. If you want to look extra cute go for medium-length lashes that curl upwards and away from your eye, and if you want a sexy look taper the lashes so that they get longer towards the outer corner of your eye.

The application process takes a long time, but all you have to do is lie back with your eyes closed for two to three hours. Unlike falsies you buy in the store that are applied in a strip these semi-permanent extensions are applied one by one and the lashes are glued to your actual lashes. Once you’re done you can’t get your eyes wet for 12 hours to give the glue a proper chance to dry.

They’re expensive, especially because once you’re addicted to them (which you will be, sorry) you’ll be going back for touch ups every few weeks. You won’t, however, need to apply mascara at all, and the thickness makes eyeliner pretty unnecessary too so at least you’ll be saving money on eye makeup.

The lashes are going to fall out slowly, that’s normal, but there are steps you can take to prolong their lifespan. Comb them with a clean spoolie brush every day to untangle them and comb out any debris. Some technicians recommend you coat your spoolie brush with a small amount of diluted baby shampoo to gently wash them before bed.

Also, if your usual makeup removal technique is some vigorous rubbing that won’t fly with these extensions. You will need to make the switch to makeup removing wipes and be really gentle with your wiping, going in a slow downwards motion.

We recommend:
In Joburg - Allure Lashes and Aesthetics, Flutter Eyelash, and The Lash and Brow Bar.
In Pretoria – Lash & Brow Bar and Infinite Lashes.
In Cape Town - Urban Beauty Lounge and Darling Lash & Brow Studio.
In Durban – Tam’s Lash Studio and Pamper Rooms.

Read More. Are Eyelash Extensions Really So Awesome? All the Pros and Cons

View Video. EYELASH EXTENSIONS Before & After, Experience & Check in after 4 weeks! Sensitive Eyes