Are Eyelash Extensions right for you...

All the rave these days, you can see these beautiful beauty enhancements on the likes of Gweneth Paltrow, Jennifer Lopez, BEYONCE... man I love her! :) and a lot of your friends and coworkers.  I LOVE them.  I think they can add just an extra umph to your eyes or a full blown POW! So would I recommend them to everyone, for the most part YES.  So here are some common questions and answers that I hope can aide you in your decision making to the question "Are Eyelash Extensions right for you?"

Most commonly asked question: Will eyelash extensions damage my natural lashes?

NO. They do not damage the natural eyelash or it’s growth because they are not applied to the root of the hair growth. Your lashes will continue to grow. You want to however be sure you are going to someone who is very precise with their application and you should always follow the care instructions provided to you.  Common sense helps too, like be gentle with them, if you pull on the extension it may pull your natural lash out prematurely.

How long do eyelash extensions REALLY last?

Realistically they should still be looking good around 3-4 weeks, however they fall out gradually with the cycle of your natural eyelash growth, so it could vary. You are continuously growing new lashes as the old ones fall out.

Can I use other eyelash enhancement products at the same time?

Research says that it is safe to use lash growth serums at the same time that you have extensions on. I have never seen, heard or experienced any harm in doing this. But, to be honest you won’t need a lash growth serum while wearing extensions!  So save your money. 

How are the extensions applied?

They are applied one by one to each individual eyelash.  A full set of eyelashes usually takes a well-trained technician around two hours.

Is there anything I need to avoid once I have them on?

Your technician should always provide you with after care instructions and go over the dos and do nots, however, you will want to avoid oil and steam while wearing extensions; it will cause the adhesive to loosen, and the eyelash extensions to fall out faster. You also want to make sure you are not rubbing your eyes, or picking or pulling at your lashes.

Can the extensions get wet?

They can get wet and you can continue with your normal activities but is advised that you stay out of water and steam for 48 hours after your application.  

Do I need touch ups?

Yes, if you’d like to maintain your full lashes you will need to get them filled.  I always suggest 3-4 weeks for fills, but it all depends on how you are taking care of them, lash cycle, and other factors that will be discussed with you.  I do have some clients that come every 2 weeks, so it just depends on what YOU want. :)

What is the main difference between the different types of lashes?

The difference between 100% mink and silk is that the 100% mink are lighter weight and a more glamorous effect can be achieved.  The silk and synthetic look almost identical but the silk is lighter and softer.

How much do eyelash extensions cost?

You can expect to pay anywhere from $150 to $300 for a full set of synthetic/silk and $300 to $500 for a full set of 100% mink lashes.  Every place is a little different, but if you see eyelash extensions for around $25 PLEASE do not get them! I mean it! I have had to correct some very sad lashes.  

I hope I have answered some of your initial questions about eyelash extensions and help aide in your decision making. If you have any other questions feel free to email me at meadowstar@me.com

Yours truly,

Meadow Star
PURe Skin & Lash Studio
1655 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd., Suite 201
Thousand Oaks, CA 91362
(805) 750-9700

Homemade Eczema Cream/Skin Moisturizer

Recently, when visiting with one of my girlfriends she told me that they had just found out their son has eczema and they were looking for an all natural treatment to soothe his poor little skin so I set out on a mission to find just that for her.  I found this online from The Thrifty Couple and the comments it received from people who suffered with eczema and other skin conditions were amazing so I thought I would share this for all you skin sufferers out there.

This recipe can be used as a daily skin moisturizer to prevent eczema from flaring up, if by chance it does still appear this helps to nip it in the bud quickly! You ready for the best moisturizer recipe ever??? Well, let's get to it!

Homemade Eczema Cream/Skin Moisturizer

Items needed:

1/4 cup of oats
3/4 cup of coconut oil
A few drips of rosemary oil (optional)
1 tbsp of olive oil

Recipe:

1.  Finely grind the oats to a powder/flour consistency and set aside. (You can use a blender, food processor or a Magic Bullet type of appliance.)

2.  Over a low heat, melt the coconut oil in a pan until it has a liquid consistency.

3.  Add in a few drops of Rosemary Oil (if you are adding it.)

4.  Add ground oats in the pan and mix until well blended.

5.  Now, pour the olive oil into the mixture until blended.

6.  Once all ingredients are mixed, remove from heat and pour into a small storage container.  (It filled up 1 1/2 baby food jars.) Let it harden for several hours.

Now that your recipe is complete... Apply to hands and skin as needed and feel the magic at work!  This recipe lasts for a long period of time so enjoy!

WHY OATS?  Oatmeal contains healthy fats.  When they come into contact with your skin, these fats help to add moisture to soften and repair your skin.

WHY COCONUT OIL?  Coconut oil works wonders as a moisturizer for all skin types, especially dry skin and aging skin, leaving your refreshed and looking wide-awake.  The fat in the oil helps reduce the appearance of wrinkles without any irritation.

WHY OLIVE OIL?  It is a great skin moisturizer, in part because it contains linoleic acid, a compound not made by the body, but which prevents water from evaporating.

WHY ROSEMARY OIL?  Rosemary essential oil helps in toning your skin and removing dryness.

Your's Truly,

Meadow Star

PURe Skin & Lash Studio

at The Salon Suites

1655 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd., Suite 201-17

Thousand Oaks, CA 91362

meadowstar@me.com

(805) 750-9700

At home acne treatment that really WORKS.

Adult acne, or should I say adult hell! Acne is not fun. It comes with force, lingers far to long, and leaves your skin looking like a train wreck.  So WHY won't it just leave you alone.  A lot of reason factor in the role of acne, hormonal, lifestyle choices, nutrition, stress and there are all different levels of acne too.  So how can we combat this problem when we don't even know why it's happening.

First thing you need to do is drink more water.  No seriously, go drink some water right now.  Even if you think you drink enough water throughout the day, drink more.  If you are a smoker, STOP! And make sure you are getting proper nutrition.  Those are the first steps to getting truly healthy clear skin.

So now for the at home treatment.  I have found that this one key ingredient works on all types of acne, starts treating immediately, and you see results right away, which is what we are looking for.  RESULTS and we want them NOW.

Non-Coated Aspirin - this is your miracle at home cure for any, and all breakout.  Not only is Aspirin an anti-inflammatory that will immediately reduce the redness and swelling but Aspirin also has salicylic acid in it, which is the number one fighting component in combating acne, and great for fine lines and wrinkles as well.  :)

There are a lot of different treatments you can add Aspirin too, including honey, milk, your facial cleanser, you can make a sugar scrub with it, and the list goes on.  But I am going to share one with you that I have seen work and that I would use on any of my clients in efforts to eliminate adult acne.

What you will need:

7-10 uncoated aspirin pills

Fresh lemon

Organic Honey

Coconut Oil

Tea Tree Oil

Baking Soda

Preparation:

Crush 5 -8 aspirin with a spoon, rolling pin, or whatever and place in a small glass dish.  Add just enough fresh squeezed lemon juice to make your aspirin a paste.  If it seems too pasty add more lemon juice, if it's too runny add another aspirin.  Once you have your paste to the consistency you like, add a few drops of the tea tree oil, mix well.

If your skin is dry add the following: A teaspoon of warm (not runny) organic honey OR a few drops of coconut oil and mix.

If your skin is oily add the following: 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda OR more lemon juice and mix.

Directions: 

Apply to the face, jaw, chest or back - any area that is prone to breakouts.  Leave on for 7 - 15 minutes.  Remove with a wash cloth soaked in warm baking soda water.

(Psst: This is also a great treatment for men as aspirin is wonderful for ingrown hairs (i.e. beard acne).

You should notice immediate results.  Your skin should feel heavenly soft and look luminous.  Please use your judgment when concocting your treatment, patch test first.  Make sure you have no allergies to any of the ingredients.  Basically use common sense.  

Note: Honey and any type of natural oil (coconut, almond, olive) are all moisturizers and great for dry skin, and can be applied directly to all areas of your skin.  While acidic things such as baking soda, lemon juice, etc... should be diluted with distilled water when applied to the skin and are all great for oily skin.  Tea Tree oil is a great antiseptic and anti-fungal treatment.

If you would like more information about your specific needs please feel free to email me: meadowstar@me.com.  I would be more then happy to help you customize an at home treatment for you.

Your's Truly,

Meadow Star

PURe Skin & Lash Studio

at The Salon Suites

1655 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd., Suite 201-17

Thousand Oaks, CA 91362

meadowstar@me.com

(805) 750-9700

Love my clients... Catherine Giudici from The Bachelor

I never really post about my clients but I just had to share something about how incredibly lucky I think I am to have the pleasure of working with Catherine Giudici.  She is one of the most down to earth girls I have met in a long time, not to mention, sweet, and genuine as well.  We had no problem talking about our passion of travel and our love for our families, during our two hour glam sesh.  No wonder Sean Lowe fell in love with her, it's kinda hard not to.

Here are some pictures of my work with this lovely lady.

"Prom Night" on Dancing with the Stars

Meeting people like this always reminds me of why I love my life so much! If you are in the need of  your own eyelash extensions, professional makeup, or any skincare service please give PURe Skin & Lash Studio a call at (805) 750-9700.

Yours Truly,

Meadow Star

PURe Skin & Lash Studio

at The Salon Suites 

1655 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd., Suite 201-17

Thousand Oaks, CA 91362

(805) 750-9700

meadowstar@me.com