The eyes have it



Longer, lovelier lashes are now possible for everyone at Jewels. Helen Firth reports...

It will not be only hearts that are all a flutter this Valentine's Day thanks to local salon Jewels Beauty Therapy. A treatment popular in the celebrity world is now available at the Greenfield Road salon. If you have ever looked in the mirror and wished for longer, fuller, sexier lashes then this treatment is for you.

Salon owner Julie Livingstone is fully trained in the Hollywood semi-permanent lash extension treatment. For those of you imagining frightening, feather-like falsies fret not, we are talking enhancing what you have naturally with individual extensions being adhered to your own individual lashes giving a natural looking finish.

The extensions are available in a number of lengths giving you the opportunity to achieve the level of look that you want. From glamour puss lengths to a shorter, fuller look you can leave the salon within two hours with the fluttering finish that you desire.

With the lash extensions being black and being fair myself a lash tint was required prior to the extension treatment. Julie then carefully and expertly, using an advanced formula black adhesive, glued each individual lash extension to my own individual lashes.

Now you would be forgiven for thinking that attempting to lie perfectly still with tape applied to your bottom lashes and a therapist hovering above your head with with two pairs of tweezers would not be the most comfortable of situations to find yourself in. However, thanks to Julie's efforts and the relaxed environment of the salon I actually felt quite at ease.

Some time later Julie announced that her masterpiece was complete and sitting up to look in the mirror I was amazed at the va va voom fluttering back at me. The extensions certainly added a 'wow' factor whilst looking like they were my own lashes.

Julie explained how I should take care when removing make up and use oil-free mascara and make-up remover (both of which are available at the salon). The cost of the initial treatment varies between £60 and £80 and to maintain the look infills are required after three weeks (again with the price varying between £40 and £60).

I left the salon and fluttered my way down the street eager to get home and apply a coat of mascara. Although I noticed the result straight away, the effect was so natural that friends didn't notice immediately. One asked a couple of days later if I was doing something different with my eye make-up.