We at Salt City Lashes are often asked what brand product we use.  Since we opened our doors in June of 2014 we have been loyal to the Blink Brand.  We believe that they offer the quality and consistency that keeps our clients coming back time and time again.  We also resell our Blink Brand products to licensed lash professionals.  Call for information and pricing.  

Too many times we at Salt City Lashes will get a new client who has on a bad set of eyelash extensions.  Sometimes they are so bad that their lashes are too damaged and short to apply eyelash extensions safely.  (To these ill trained lash artists, we implore you to take our training.)  For these unfortunate victims we typically recommend they use a lash serum and return in 2-4 weeks for eyelash extension services at Salt City Lashes where we will never damage your natural lashes.  We also offer free removal to anyone with lash extensions whether you got them from us or not.  

Here is one article and review of a lash serum found on The Courier-Journal.com

The Best | Cosmetic eyelash builder

Eugenia Badger, Who won’t blink at buying more 4:13 p.m. EDT September 26, 2014

When I first heard about the prescription drug to grow eyelashes, it caught my attention and made me wonder about my eyelashes.

I have always hated mascara and thought it was painful to wear. My dad has threatened to disown me over the fact that I can get anything and everything into my eyes at any given point in time. So, when I heard the ad, I thought about the purpose of my lashes: They were there to keep things out of my eyes.

I called my doctor. He told me that it was really expensive and that my insurance would not cover it. OK, but I wouldn't give up.

I investigated over-the-counter/cosmetic lash builders. I had never noticed that there was such a thing until I heard the prescription drug ad. I located one and decided to try it.

I bought a tube of eyelash-enhancing serum called RapidLash. It is made in the United States and contains a product called Hexatein complex. It is applied at night to the tops of both the upper and lower lashes with a small brush. It is totally painless.

In about one week, I saw results. I had lashes! In two weeks, I had lashes to which mascara applied easily and looked nice. Mascara was no longer a pain.

The product is available in almost any drugstore for $40-$50. A tube lasts right at 30 days. It never has made my lashes such that I do not need mascara, but it has made mascara easier to apply and gotten me compliments on my lashes.

The best part of it for me is that I have not gotten anything airborne into my eyes since the 10th day of using the product.

It may be worth trying if you get things into your eyes easily or if you hate mascara but feel that you need to wear it.

I love WebMD.  Here's what they say about Eyelash Extensions.  Salt City Lashes approves this article :)  FYI we have save glues that are formaldehyde-free and medical grade.  We get all of our products from ExtensionsForEyelashes.com who buys direct from the manufacture.  

^^^^^^^
The 411 on Eyelash Extensions

Tempted to invest in these luscious add-ons? Here's how to do it right.

By Sonya Collins

Reviewed by Mohiba Tareen, MD

WebMD Magazine - Feature

If you're like most women, mascara is a key item in your makeup bag. Some 65% of us whisk it on our lashes in hopes of making them look longer and fuller. But do you ever wish your lashes were just longer and fuller to begin with?

Your wish might be granted: Eyelash extensions are a growing trend at spas and salons. "Extensions look beautiful when they're done right. They completely eliminate all need for mascara," says Sophy Merszei, founder and CEO of NovaLash, a Texas-based company that certifies eyelash technicians.

Eyelash extensions are individual lashes, made of a synthetic fiber such as nylon, which a professional glues one by one to each of your top lashes. "It is one of the hardest beauty procedures for a cosmetologist to learn. It's like microsurgery," Merszei says.

Using long, pointed tweezers, the tech brushes a single synthetic lash in a dab of adhesive. With another pair of tweezers, she separates the natural lashes to isolate just one. She places the synthetic lash on the natural lash, holding it for a few seconds while the glue bonds. The tech repeats the process, one lash at a time, attaching 40 to 100 lashes per eye. The tech will use several lengths of lashes, attaching the longest artificial lashes to your longest natural lashes.

Eyelash extensions last a few weeks to 2 months and fall out when your natural lashes do. "You should still have 50% of the extensions remaining after 30 days. Then all you need is a little touch-up once a month on the regrowth," Merszei says.

Find a Good Eyelash Extension Technician

Eyelash extensions are relatively new in the United States. The FDA does not regulate the products, and Texas is the only state that regulates the industry.

"Individuals need to advocate for themselves. Is the facility clean and neat? Are the technicians well trained? Does the facility have a good reputation?" says Philip R. Rizzuto, MD. He's an eye doctor and communications secretary for the American Academy of Ophthalmology.

Merszei recommends you first choose a national brand that certifies technicians, and then find a technician in your area. That way, you can research the training, the products, and who can buy the products. Some brands sell only to licensed beauty or health professionals, so if a salon uses that product, its techs have credentials.

"We get calls and emails every week from people who end up in the doctor's office," Merszei says, "because they had a poorly trained technician."

Unqualified techs might apply lashes to the eyelid instead of the lash, which can cause irritation or even serious injury. Or they might apply several lash extensions to one natural lash, causing lashes to fall out prematurely from the weight. Some may glue strips of false lashes to clients' eyelids with permanent adhesive. All of these are dangerous, improper techniques.

Find a Good Eyelash Extension Technician continued...

"The technician should go through all the risks and benefits of having eyelash extensions" before applying them, Merszei says. The technician should also ask about any conditions you may have that would make eyelash extensions unsuitable for you.

Online, you'll find a lot of conflicting information about formaldehyde in eyelash adhesives. Many adhesives do contain at least trace amounts, as do many cosmetics, including some mascaras. A small percentage of people are allergic to the chemical. Some brands offer adhesives with formaldehyde levels too low for a lab test to detect or trace amounts below the maximum the FDA recommends for cosmetics. Many adhesives are intended specifically for sensitive clients.

Seek brands that openly share this information."I'm not here to talk people out of getting eyelash extensions. But not everybody is a good candidate," Merszei says. "I've had mine on for about 9 years now. I just keep touching them up, and I love them."

Eyelash Extension Tips

Rizzuto offers these pointers for readers interested in eyelash extensions.

Don't confuse semi-permanent eyelash extensions with a surgical eyelash transplant -- a procedure that only a doctor can do.

Eyelash extensions are a spa or salon procedure that takes 2 to 3 hours for the first application, which can run from $150 to $600, depending on your location. Monthly touch-ups range from $50 to about $65.Look for a salon that uses medical-grade adhesive, like the type used to close wounds in lieu of stitches.

Choose a brand that discloses ingredients. Many companies post safety and toxicity reports on their web sites or provide them upon request.

"The biggest concern with regard to eyelash adhesive is whether a person is sensitive or allergic to anything in the glue," Rizzuto says. "She should ask what type of adhesive is used and what the ingredients are. Then she can assess whether or not she may be allergic to any of the ingredients."

Find more articles, browse back issues, and read the current issue of "WebMD Magazine." 

I would like to start a series on this blog about the art of eyelash extensions.  I have a background in art. I used to do drawing and painting before I had kids so I feel that I have an eye for shape, style and proportions.  Look at this set of lashes, what do you see?

Clearly they are long, well placed and full.  Kudos to the artist.  Although... Here's what I see:  There are no extensions at all on the inner 1/5th of the eyelid.  That bothers me.  I like to taper down and do as many lashes as I can so that the black long lash extensions don't just come to an immediate end.  

What else do I notice?  The lash extensions are so long that they almost touch the lower line of the eyebrow.  You need to carefully examine the size and shape of your client's feature before determining what length would be appropriate.  

At Salt City Lashes we do so much more than just glue individual eyelash extensions to your natural lashes.  We create little works of art.  We will help you find the perfect length, curl, and style to suit your style, features and personality.  

It is always a good idea to look at what kind of lash strips are selling and what kind of styles you can mimic using individual lash extensions.  Here is a great article on eyelash strips that will help you see the many variations of styles you can request before getting your lashes done at Salt City Lashes in Salt Lake City Utah. At Salt City Lashes we also offer extensive one-on-one training in the art of lash extensions.  We will teach you all you need to know about eyelash extensions as well as teach you how to stylize and create the best lash look for each client. 

Here's the article I posted on thetrendygirl.com:

All About False Lashes

Mehwish Khan

On the nights when an extra coat of mascara just won’t do, bust out a pair of false lashes and turn some heads. Don’t be afraid – I promise it’s not as hard as you think.







Here's what you'll need:

• 
  A Set of lashes (your choice)
• 
  Eyelash glue (I prefer Duo brand)
• 
  Small scissors
• 
  Tweezers
• 
  Mascara
• 
  Liquid liner

1. CHOOSING LASHES




False lashes come in many different shapes and sizes. Some are natural, some are super dramatic.If you prefer a doll-like doe eye, go for lashes that are long in the center. If you like a sexy cat-eye, get lashes that become longer towards the ends.You can also buy individual lashes. They take a little longer to apply but yield a very natural, controllable result.



2. SIZING LASHES

Every eye size is different. Remove lash strip from package and gently bend back and forth. This will help loosen up the lash strip, making it more pliable. Now, place lashes directly above lash line. Lashes should begin a few millimeters away from the inner corner of your eye.When cutting lashes down to size, always trim away the outer end. Do a little at a time – you don’t want to cut off too much!


3. CURL LASHES

Now is the time to curl your lashes. Once the lashes are glued on, it will be difficult to curl unruly lashes. Don't give your lashes too severe of a curl. Remember, your falsies need to lie against your natural lashes.


4. ADHESIVE







Adhesive is shown in red for demonstration.

I like Duo adhesive. You can find it in any drugstore in the eyelash/beauty department. It looks like a milky white glue, but it will dry clear.




Now, there are many ways to go about this. You can apply glue directly from the tube onto lashes, but this method often results in too much glue. I like to deposit a dab of glue from the tube onto the back end of an eyeliner brush.

Now, hold lashes between your finger and gently run the glue evenly along the strip. You are looking for a thin, even layer of glue on the lash strip only.

Once adhesive is applied to lash strip – WAIT, about 20 seconds! Adhesive needs time to set and become tacky. If glue is too wet when you apply your lashes, the falsies will slide around and make a big sticky mess!




5. APPLY LASHES

You’ve waited 20 seconds, and now you are ready to apply. Don’t be nervous.

Using either your fingers or a pair of tweezers, grasp the lash side of the falsies (lash strip facing you), tilt your head back (so that you are looking down, into your mirror) and gently place lash strip directly above your natural lashes.

Use the back of an eyeliner brush, pen, or any other clean stick-like object, to guide the lashes as close to your lash line as possible. Using the same utensil, gently press the lash strip against your skin. This will help to secure your falsies in place.


6. FINISHING TOUCHES

Initially, your lashes may feel funny. They will feel heavy and it may feel strange to look through them. As long as they are not pinching or painful, you will get used to the sensation. It will take about 15 minutes.

I like to apply a few light strokes of mascara after the falsies are on. It’s a good way to blend your natural lashes with the false ones. It also lifts the lashes so you don’t feel like you’re looking through a curtain of hair.

Fill in any gaps where skin shows with liquid liner. If for whatever reason, the lashes look completely atrocious and you’ve deemed them insalvageable – gently peel them off, remove dried glue, and start again.


7. REMOVAL

Grasp the outer edge of lashes and gently pull up, toward the inner corner of your eye. If the falsies are stuck on your natural lashes, use soap and warm water to dissolve the glue a bit. Once the glue is more pliable, it should peel away more easily.

If the lashes are in good shape, peel dried glue off and place them in their original packaging. They’re good to go a couple more rounds.

Good luck!!!

Glamour.com just posted a tutorial on the smokey eye look.  I love that they mentioned lash extensions as a must.  Not individual specifically, but c'mon, there's nothing better! 

An no place offers a better service than Salt City Lashes.  Come see our Professional, Licensed & Experienced lash artists who are passionate about YOUR lashes.  

NDTVcooks.com posted an article online today about skin care in your 30s. Since I just turned 30 this year, I thought I should read this... 

Sadly, I can relate.  While My hair hasn't changed, and I don't have any wrinkles yet, my 30s hormones have manifested themselves in the form of severe acne... sigh... There are some great tips in this article about skin care for people in their 30s.  

At Salt City lashes, all of our lash artists are licensed estheticians.  if you have any questions about general skin care, feel free to pick our brains during your next service.  

Here are the tips given by Dr. Deepali Bhardwaj

How to look fabulous in your 30s:

To stay gorgeous through your 30s and after, follow these 8 simple steps:
 
1. Cleansing - Cleanse your skin each morning and make sure to remove all makeup and cleanse again before bedtime. This allows the skin to perform its essential protective and renewal functions well. Always use products suggested by your dermatologist as there are many products available in the market and picking the right can be confusing.

2. Exfoliate - Exfoliate at night rather than in the day. Overnight skin is in renewal mode and removing dead skin skin prior to bedtime enhances the skin's function. Exfoliate gently, just to remove dead skin and if your skin is oily or you've got acne then exfoliating twice a week should be sufficient.

3. Protect - Protect your skin during the day by combining an antioxidant serum or vitamin C serum with sun screen as they enhance each other. Be sure to apply the sunscreen first.

4. Stay hydrated - Make sure that the skin is not dehydrated. Don't spend more than 5 minutes in the shower and use lukewarm water. Use a moisturizing body wash as acts as a protective moisture barrier for the skin.

Here's a golden nugget of advice for working professionals: Add 4-5 drops of essential body oils or if nothing then almond oil/vitamin e oil/sesame oil in 2 mugs of water and splash it on the body to form a moisturizing coat.

5. Sunscreen - Wear a sunscreen with broad spectrum UVA/UVB sun protection every single day of the year, including raining days and on overcast winter days. UVA rays are "slow agers" which remain constant throughout the year.

6.  Moisturize - Rub in rich intense moisturizing body lotion or apricot oil daily after bathing on slightly damp body for a healthy, hydrated skin.

7. Drink water - Drink plenty of water to also stay hydrated internally. Add lemon or lime juice for an extra boost. Eat a healthy and high-fiber diet and workout for atleast 15-20 daily.

8. Stay stress free - Of course that's easier said than done but indulging in a hobby of ones choice works wonders for the skin.