Eyelash Extensions

By Lashes by Sue Marsh

Price: From £45

Best for:  Perfectly applied lashes

For first-class eyelash extensions, tailor made to your own requirements, you won’t find better than Lashes by Sue Marsh. A session with founder Sue will set you back around £185 and upwards but is worth every penny. Celebrities have Sue on speed dial and you can see why. Alternatively, you can book a session with one of her technicians. This is cheaper, starting at £98 and as all technicians have been trained by Sue the results are just as stunning.
A pre treatment consultation explains the procedure to you and also helps you to work out with your technician what kind of extensions you’d like.
Eyelashes are added individually as single hair extensions and Sue, or her technicians assess the weight, shape (how curled they are) and colour of your own lashes before they start. The right weight is important as the lashes will feel more comfortable and stay on for longer. This is a precise science! Depending on the kind of look you want the treatment can then take up to two and a half hours.
You can opt for a natural look which will add around 30 per cent more lashes on the upper lid only (the effect is subtle but stunning), or more outrageous lashes for one off party nights and big events in coloured or neon designs.
Sue has also recently been developing her technology further and now individual lashes can also be added even when there is no root or no hair – for example when someone has had chemo therapy or suffers from alopecia. This is technical and quite ground breaking stuff.


Sue Marsh works at Nicky Clarke (0844 884 2444) and Cosmetics a la Carte (07880 81164)

By Lash Perfect

Price: From £175, maintenance costs from £80 - £100

Stockist: Lash Perfect

Best for: special occasions

Eyelash extensions by Lash Perfect are available in many high end hair and beauty salons up and down the country.  They are one of the most expensive lash extension treatments available, but their extensive knowledge and well trained staff are what you are paying for.
On arrival, a thorough consultation should determine the effect you want to create, then the treatment begins with a relaxing and nourishing eye-area massage after which your eyelids will be secured shut with tape – not as uncomfortable as it sounds. It can be unnerving at first, but within ten minutes you’ll feel completely relaxed, you might even be lucky enough to fall asleep.
Next, each of your own lashes is extended individually - this is a lengthy and diligent process which will take approximately 90 minutes for a full set of natural lashes to be applied.
With Lash Perfect lashes, and indeed with all eyelash extensions it’s important not to use any oil based products on eyes or face as this breaks down adhesive and will cause your new lashes to fall out.  Lash Perfect recommend purchasing their own oil-free eye make-up remover and mascara  - which is not waterproof but long lasting and effective.  There are also plenty of other oil-free products on the market by brands like YSL for example.
Don’t be alarmed if after a few days a couple of stray lashes fall out, this is normal and the bulk of the lashes will last much longer, remaining lush and natural for up to four weeks later.

By AH Francis

Price: Full set £88, maintenance £30

Stockist: AH Francis

Best for: thicker lashes

AH Frances 3D lashes are made of silk and during your treatment, which can take up to an hour depending on the look you want, these individual lashes are bonded to your natural lashes with adhesive.
In your consultation before the bonding starts, your therapist will discuss how you want your final lashes to look and also assess the length and weight of your natural lashes, as well as considering the size and shape of you eyes (shorter lashes or smaller eyes benefit from subtler false lashes).
Once you’re made comfortable lying down on a treatment bed, collagen tape is placed on lower lashes to stop them getting in the way and eyes remain closed throughout the procedure. Each false lash is applied to a natural lash and therapists are meticulous checking that none that have stuck together. The collagen tape sticking your eyes shut is slightly strange at first, but if you’re not in the mood to chat, you’ll soon relax and might even be lucky enough to drift off.
The result is thicker, longer lashes with a subtle curl and mascara can be put into storage for at least three or four weeks. Whilst getting used to your new lashes it can be tempting to rub or touch them – but you really must resist. You should also avoid anything oil based and use water based mascara and make-up removers.
A full set of lashes should last between three to six weeks depending on the condition and length of your own lashes and of course, hoe much you look after them. The salon also does extension maintenance, which you have every 2-3 weeks to fill any gaps.

By Daxita

Price: Full set £150, maintenance £45

Best for: longer lashes

We’re not all blessed with bambi-esque lashes, but the Daxita eyelash extensions at Vaishaly are renown for bestowing false lashes worth fluttering.
The consultation is a hugely important part of the procedure. It is now that the therapist explains how lashes are to be applied, but also the best time to discuss and decide on different looks and the selection of lash styles that could be applied. Daxita lashes include glamour, natural and designer lashes. While most of us want super long, thick lashes the therapist will explain exactly why a certain lash combination will work on your eyes and what will suit you best.
To start the therapist removes all traces of make-up and then the bottom lashes are taped down. A lavender flannel is placed on your forehead to aid relaxation and the therapist begins - you can hardly feel a thing - it’s just like someone applying mascara. The process takes about an hour after which extra long, natural looking lashes are revealed.
All eye products – make-up and remover - need to be avoided for 24 hours and for as long as you have the lashes, oil based products and mascara are a no-no as these will break down the glue which bonds the lash extensions.
If you want to wear mascara then use YSL mascaras which are oil free.
The original lashes should last up to three months but you must have regular maintenance visits – every two to three weeks. Maintenance takes about 15-30 minutes (filling in gaps) and really does prolong lash lifespan. If you don’t have maintenance lashes last around three to four weeks.

By Glamour 2 Go

Price: From £25

Stockist: Harrods

Best for: value-for-money extensions

As the name would suggest, Bespoke Lashes by Glamour To Go, is an express beauty service that’s perfect for busy girls who don’t mind a social, lively environment when getting their pampering fix.
Like all eyelash extension treatments, you’ll have a consultation with a therapist first to assess what length and weight of lash will work best with your natural lashes, the shape that will suit your eyes and for the look you want to achieve. The service is situated in Harrods’s busy Beauty Hall and lash extensions are applied at the counter sitting upright in a treatment chair. The whole process is painless but can take up to 90 minutes so an iPod is a must, as is a relaxed attitude to pampering in public!
Afterwards the results are natural yet stunning. The lashes make a statement without the need for make-up and mascara and look super pretty.
Before you leave after care is explained: no oil-based products (mascara/ make-up remover etc) as oil will damage the adhesive used to bond the lashes, and the lashes must be kept dry for 24 hours after the treatment. You should also avoid saunas and steam rooms for a few days so if you are preparing for a big event – like your wedding for example – plan your pampering, spa and treatment schedule carefully.
Lashes should last up to six weeks but will fall out gradually over the following month so top-ups are recommended.
We tested Glamour 2 Go lashes at Harrods.

By Toni & Guy

Price: From £120

Stockist: Toni & Guy

Best for: natural looking lashes

At Toni & Guy you’ll be pleased to know that eye lash extension treatments take place in private consultation rooms rather than in their busy salons.
Your therapist will talk you through the treatment, explaining how long the procedure takes, what it involves and the results you can expect. You also discuss the look you want to achieve and how dramatic, thick and long you want the lashes to be. You’ll also receive a pamphlet on aftercare.
Once comfortable in your treatment chair the therapist will look at the weight and length of your natural lashes as it’s important to match the extensions to your own weight otherwise they’ll be too heavy and may not stay in place. Like any kind of hair extensions this is a precise art and time consuming. For a natural effect on upper lashes only the treatment will take an hour.
Some eye lash extension brands recommend that you should avoid water, oil and mascara on lashes for the whole time you expect to have them in and if you can bear to do this it will mean you’ll keep your lashes longer. At Toni & Guy therapists advise that lash extensions should be kept dry for just 24 hours afterwards and that you can use mascaras as long as they’re water based and don’t contain oil (try YSL for oil free mascara). Also oil based removers and eye make up are to be avoided as the oil will damage the adhesive that bonds the lashes and cause them to fall out.
After the treatment eye lashes look incredibly natural, full, thick and very pretty. You’ll barely need mascara at all. In the first week a few lashes do fall out, after this if you’re careful you can expect to keep your lovely new lashes for three to four weeks.