Eyelash extentions
Define eyeliner eye makeup
You can virtually pop around the corner to find a lash bar these days. Following on from the trend in nail and brow bars, you can pick up expert tips, plus take advantage of lash tinting and extension services. Most don't require a booking, but I'd ring to check first.
Pros: In-salon lash advisers will guide you on the right length, curl and style to suit your natural lashes.
Cons: It's addictive and expensive, so you'll need to consider the upkeep of having lashes applied at the beauty bar. Why not try it, then learn to do it yourself?
Blink & go
A specialist lash service, rolling out across 600 salons nationwide from September.
Price: From £45 for a full set of individual lashes - and the best bit? It takes just 20 minutes using a hi-tech weaving technique.
0845-6443994; blinkandgo.co.uk
lash lounge by shavata From Westfield in London to Guildford and Bristol, she's gone from brow queen to lash princess, but don't always expect to see Shavata herself.
Price: From £19 for lash tinting to £55 for a full set of individual lash extensions.
(020) 8993 8333; shavata.co.uk
Get lashed at Nails inc From nail tips to lash tips, these fantastic beauty bars are now nationwide.
Price: From £16 for lash tinting to £30 for a full set of individual lash extensions.
(020) 7529 2348; getlashedlondon.co.uk
Shu Uemera Tokyo Lash Bar For every lash style imaginable, from individual lashes to wild and colourful party lashes, as seen on the catwalk, visit the
Shu Uemura Boutique at 24 Neal Street, London, and on the ground floor at Harvey Nichols stores nationwide.
Price: Complimentary application service when you buy a set of lashes, from £11.74.
(020) 7240 7635
Glamour to go A one-stop lash shop on the ground floor of Harrods. Price: From £45 for a full set of individual lash extensions, or pop to Shavata Brow Studio in Urban Retreat on the fifth floor for a lash tint, from £20.
(020) 7173 6461 for Glamour To Go; (020) 7893 8333 for Urban Retreat; harrods.com
Do you need to tint?
If your lashes are indistinct, you've changed your hair colour recently or you're allergic to some kinds of eye make-up, lash tinting is the answer! Whether you choose to have it done by a professional in the salon or using a home kit, such as Eylure Black Dylash, £6.99 from Boots, it will instantly make lashes look thicker, longer and shinier. It takes a steady hand and I'd recommend the salon first time round, but it lasts between four and five weeks. This is especially important if you have fair lashes and are paying for long-lasting extensions.
Building volume
Sparse lashes? Join the club! Ageing doesn't guarantee a problem in itself, but over time you are more likely to have run-ins with the key culprits: hormonal imbalance or menopause, medication, stress, bacteria, lash extensions and harsh chemicals in cleansers and cosmetics.
Still early days here in the UK, lash growth enhancers are fast reaching cult status. But, in my mind, there are two scenarios: first, there are lash enhancers - such as Latisse and Lumilash from the US and Peter Thomas Roth Lashes To Die For (£78, beautyexpert.co.uk) - that contain synthetic prostaglandins used in glaucoma treatment for over ten years and now used to boost lash growth. The rest are simply sophisticated conditioners that incorporate all the latest cell renewal ingredients, including peptides and biotin. But then, what is a lash if not a hair? So if lash conditioners can help strengthen hairs from the root and keep the lashes you have soft, less brittle and so less prone to falling out, lashes may well look thicker in the long run. Check out Cargo LashActivator, £19 in Boots; Mavala Double Lash, £9.50 (mavala.co.uk); Talika Lipocils Eyelash Conditioning Gel, £20 (talika.com) and Marini Lash by Jan Marini, £99 (janmarini.co.uk).
