1129 Faking it

Wednesday, November 29, 2006 Daily Herald
1129 Faking it

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MARCIE JESSEE
These days looking like a supermodel — complete with long tresses, thick eyelashes and perfectly manicured nails — can be as easy as a trip to the salon. But what lengths are you willing to go to fake it? Whether your beauty weakness is your $600 hair extensions or a bi-monthly trip to the manicurist, check out these three ways to enhance what Mother Nature gave you:

Eyelashes

Some of us just weren’t blessed with luscious lashes and find ourselves pumping the mascara wand for some caked-on thickness. Of course, you can head to the drugstore for some sticky strips of fake lashes that last a day and cost less than $5. However, Linda Bledsoe, part owner of Extend Your Lashes, a Provo and Cedar Hills eyelash extension studio, said eyelash extensions can be a more natural-looking solution.

“They look so natural that you can’t even tell that they’re fake,” Bledsoe said. “They look like you have mascara on. They’re dark, they’re thick. They basically make it so you don’t have to use mascara on your upper lashes. Or an eyelash curler.”

The “natural” look doesn’t come without a price, however. One full set of upper lashes can cost around $200 and takes up to three hours of painstaking application.

“You also have to be careful that you’re working with someone certified and trained because the eye area is a very delicate area,” Bledsoe said.

To apply the eyelashes, the specialist will isolate one eyelash and put black surgical glue on it. Sharp tweezers pick up the fake eyelash, and it’s carefully applied on top of the existing eyelash, glued close to the follicle (not on the skin of the eyelid). Around 60-70 eyelashes are a full set at Extend Your Lashes, and Bledsoe said the fake lashes are practically weightless.

Since opening the studio a couple of months ago, Bledsoe said she has seen a variety of clients.

“We have everything from high school students to grandmothers in their 60s,” Bledsoe said. “We have mothers who are busy and want to save time on their makeup routine, or a lot of people who just have really short sparse eyelashes. We’ve got the whole gamut.”

Bledsoe said she has also been able to do lashes for people who have lost almost all of their eyelashes due to chemotherapy or health problems.

“It really gives them a lift when they’re going through something like that where they’ve lost their hair,” Bledsoe said.

The extensions do require maintenance, and Bledsoe suggests monthly visits to replace lost lashes. A touch-up costs $45 at Bledsoe’s salon.

Hair extensions

For longer, natural looking hair — without all the growing time — real hair extensions could be just the ticket.

Unlike synthetic hair, the 100-percent human hair extensions have a natural look, but Jamie Johnson, stylist at Studio 210 in Orem, said they won’t work for everyone.

“If they have extremely thick, thick hair, sometimes it doesn’t look as well,” Johnson said. “Or if their hair is extremely thin and falls out often.”

Prior to getting your extensions, Johnson said a hair consultation is a must. During the meeting, the stylist will determine if your hair is right for extensions and your hair color will be matched.

“Most people want it for the thickness,” Johnson said. “It makes a total difference in their hair.”

Johnson said different techniques are used for hair extensions, the most popular being strand by strand. For this technique, a stylist will take about 50 strands of hair, and using hair glue, will attach 50 strands of the hair extension at about the height of the top of the ear.

“If they’re done properly, your hair shouldn’t be damaged by the glue at all,” Johnson said. “I have them in my hair, and I’ve taken them in and out without a problem.”

A first visit will cost anywhere from $500-$650 at Studio 210 for the hair and the work, with touchups running around $45 an hour. Because hair grows slowly, touchups to re-glue and tighten up extensions need only be every two to three months.

Johnson said the hair can last around a year depending on how well it is treated.

Artificial nails

For the perennial nail biter or those plagued with weak, chipped nails, Jean Fitzgerald, owner of Jean’s Nails, suggests giving artificial nails a try.

“I’ve had women say they don’t feel beautiful in the morning, but when they look down at their hands, and their nails look beautiful, then they say they feel beautiful for the rest of the day,” Fitzgerald said.

The nails are first applied with a plastic nail tip glued to the end of your natural nail. A product such as acrylic, silk, fiberglass, gel or solar gel is then applied over your nail to give the longer nail a natural, smooth look.

Fitzgerald has been in the business for 25 years now and has her own nail school. From her experience with different product, she prefers using a form of acrylic called solar nail for its organic, lightweight qualities.

“You don’t even know you’re wearing them,” Fitzgerald said.

A full set of nails can cost anywhere from $30-$60 with bi-monthly visits to fill in more product where the nail is growing out, and filing down the length for around $20.

Artificial nails can be relatively low-maintenance, requiring no special treatment. Fitzgerald just recommends being careful with them like you would with regular nails.

“The saying is, ‘Nails are jewels, not tools,’ ” Fitzgerald said.

During her years of experience, Fitzgerald said she has seen a variety of customers, from the young to the old. She said no matter the age, the nails have always been popular.

“They’re no trend, they’re here to stay,” Fitzgerald said.

Damage to the natural nail can happen if you try to rip off your own fake nails, Fitzgerald said. The artificial nails should only be removed by soaking, and should leave no damage to the nail.

“If they’re applied right, the natural nail should be as nice, or nicer when you soak them off,” Fitzgerald said.

Eyelashes

Price Range: $150-$200 for a full set

Time: Up to three hours for the first visit

Maintenance: Monthly visits for a touch-up

Beauty don’ts: Do not use mascara or eyelash curlers on eyelash extensions. Avoid rubbing your eyes and using oily products on your face.

Hair Extensions

Price Range: $150-$600 depending on your hair

Time: Up to three hours for the first visit

Maintenance: Touch-ups every two to three months.

Beauty don’ts: Don’t dye your extensions and don’t let them grow out too long because you can damage your hair with curling irons or straighteners.

Artificial Nails

Price Range: $30-$60 full set (depending on product used)

Time: Around one hour

Maintenance: Fills and filing every two weeks

Beauty don’ts: Don’t try to rip them off yourself. Wear gloves when using strong cleaning products.

This story appeared in The Daily Herald on page B1.