I'm not wearing falsies - I just got a keratin lash lift! Here's how it works
There’s no question about what a gorgeous set of lashes can do to improve one’s look but thanks to our Asian heritage, most Pinays have short, thin, and stick-straight eyelashes. Luckily, we’ve been pampered with a wealth of lash improvement options: extensions, perms, lash serums, and even the popular and inexpensive castor oil that proved to be a successful DIY. False lashes have also practically become S.O.P. for special events but they take too much time to apply and can be uncomfortable. Wouldn’t it be great to just wake up with camera-ready lashes? Yumi Lashes makes that a viable option!
Also known as a keratin lash lift, the technique is designed to boost and lift the lash without having to resort to false lashes. The procedure originated in Switzerland while the products used in the procedure are made in France. They are also infused with keratin to help nourish the lashes.
I have pretty long lashes already but my problem is that they can’t hold a curl, despite all the curly hair on my head! So I headed over to The Aesthetics Studio by Kristine Lucas, who trained at the Yumi Lashes Academy in Beverly Hills. Kristine told me that she first learned about Yumi Lashes from celebrities on Instagram and, after doing some research, she decided to take up the trade herself. Yumi Lashes is still relatively new in the Philippines, and we are glad to be some of the first to try it out!
before the procedure
Prior to my appointment, I was advised not to wear mascara a day before and to not have any contact lenses on. Before starting, Kristine applied patches under my eye to separate my lower and upper lashes. She then applied a water-based glue on my upper eyelids and then attached a guide to help fan out my lashes. She then added a lifting cream and applied a bit of heat to my lashes.
Once my lashes were lifted, she applied a fixing cream to make the lift last. Afterwards, she applied a tint to my lashes to make it look like I was wearing mascara as well as a nourishing oil to moisturize the lashes. She then removed all the excess product on my face, and applied a keratin mascara to polish off my look.
After a little over an hour, I was finally finished! I didn’t feel any pain or discomfort except for a mild itching that only lasted for a few seconds. I loved how full and lifted my lashes are now, and expect them to last around two to three months, which is around one lash cycle.
Aftercare
Kristine advised me not to get my lashes wet for the next 48 hours to make sure that my lashes properly absorb all the product. The salon also sells keratin mascara to help care for your lashes at home. It is okay to use mascaras also as long as they are not waterproof, since they are hard to remove. You also have to refrain from using oil-based makeup removers and other oils in general.
Before and after
Lash perming vs. Yumi Lashes
One might wonder how Yumi Lashes is different from regular lash perming. Lash perming curls the lashes using a rod, giving the lashes an unnatural “C” shape, and the lashes are also not fanned out so the lashes still stay clumped together. The products used in Yumi Lashes also claim to be hypoallergenic, formaldehyde-free, paraben-free, and non-toxic so they are gentler to the skin and lashes. I can attest to this because I’ve had a couple of lash perms in the past but they were less than perfect.
Three days after the treatment
3 days after the treatment
After 48 hours, I was finally able to get my eyelashes wet and I’m glad to say that I am loving them even more! They actually look very natural. My mascara will be out of commission for a couple of months while I rock this look on its own; it’s really just that good!
Yumi Lashes are P3,700 at The Aesthetics Studio by Kristine Lucas at L68 Richville Corporate Tower, Alabang-Zapote Road., Alabang, Muntinlupa City. Contact 5859670 or 0917 553 4348 to book your appointment. You may also visit their Facebook page here.
