Last Friday after work I got a real treat: A trip to the Pierre Michel Salon on the Upper East Side for quite possibly the most extravagant beauty treatment I will ever receive mink eyelash extensions. Yes, when I say mink, I am talking about real fur.
To be completely frank, I was a little freaked out to hear that I’d have some poor animal’s coat super-glued to my eyelashes, but the promise of longer, fuller lashes for two to three full months was worth the initial weirdness.
Monika Crouch, the salon’s resident eyelash expert, greeted me upon my arrival, and showed me to the cozy alcove where I would get to relax for the next 90 minutes. After removing all of my eye makeup and applying pads to my lower lashes so they wouldn’t get stuck, she got right to gluing. Monika explained that the mink lashes are by far the softest, curliest and most build-able out of all the different varieties of extensions, which allows her to achieve maximum volume and a highly natural look.
The process is a bit tedious (for the stylist, that is you just have to lie there with your eyes closed!), since each of the individual extensions is dipped in glue, then attached to your lashes one by one. Monika determines the length and thickness of the mink extensions by each person’s own natural lashes, as well as the customer’s personal preference of how she wants them to look. A unique aspect of the mink lashes, as opposed to silk or other synthetic options, is that they are fine and lightweight enough to attach multiple extensions per lash.
My eyelashes are relatively dark and lengthy to begin with, so I wondered if the falsies would make a noticeable difference. I allowed myself to doze off, and only once or twice during the process was my delightful nap disturbed due to the fumes from the glue, which irritated my eyes and made my nose burn. It was definitely a small price to pay, since as soon as Monika was finished, I looked a million times more glamorous than I probably ever have.
I was so pleased with the results that I had to ask about ways to help them lastthe extensions will fall off with your natural lashes, which go through a three-month shedding cycle. Although the maximum span you can expect the extensions to last is two to three months, Pierre Michel offers touch-ups between full sets to keep them looking their fullest.
The one key tip to longevity? Avoiding products that contain Glycol, which is the ingredient that is used to remove the lashes at the salon when you’re ready to shed them. Unfortunately, most makeup removers, soaps and face washes utilize Glycol, so Monika suggested that I use a washcloth or cotton swab around my eyes in order to avoid contact with the glue.
To be honest, the mink extensions took some getting used to. The first few times I looked in the mirror, I thought I looked a little ridiculous, like one of those creepy, old-fashioned porcelain dolls. But they grew on me within hours, and I have never gotten so many compliments from strangers in my life. In the spirit of full disclosure, I should also add that my already-complimentary boyfriend has not been able to stop gushing about them, and the last seven days have been filled with random outbursts like, “your eyes look insanely sexy,” and, “those lashes are so damn pretty!”
Now that I’ve raved about the mink extensions, I’m sure you’re wondering about the price, and they will set you back about $500. While that’s definitely expensive, if you’re looking to get noticed or want to get glam for a special occasion, I’d say they’re well worth the cost.
Pierre Michel Salon (135 East 57th Street, New York, NY 10022)
Photo courtesy of Chanel
nice!
how many lashes did they use for you? i’ve looked into a few salons and they seem to go in sets of 20 -30 and then 50 – 60 etc etc…
best to go with a last stylist that doesn’t charge per lashes. Better a full set at a flat rate. That is what I do. 500? Way way way too much
i do eyelashes at home for a agood price..call 630-2801454
Hi Sir,
Glad to hear that you’re on the market for mink eyelash. We specialize in this field for several years, with good quality and pretty competitive price.
Should you have any questions, pls do not hesitate to contact me. SAMPLES will be sent for your evaluation!
Tks & br.
andy
Interested in finding out more about your eyelash extensions and pricing for my makeup artist and esthetic business.
the more popular this gets the less ‘humane’ it will become. Why are these mink being farmed anyway? Surely its not just for eyelashes? I havr a feeling supporting this is supporting the fur trade.
the more popular this gets the less ‘humane’ it will become. Why are these mink being farmed anyway? Surely its not just for eyelashes? I havr a feeling supporting this is supporting the fur trade.
As far as I know mink lashes are not from actual minks. The places I have looked into have all explained that it is called mink lashes because of the qualities being very soft and naturally beautiful but it is synthetic. Maybe I’m sourcing out places that have a conscience which is better for me as I am totally against the fur trade! But I would suggest everyone double checking to make sure you know what you are getting!
hm-m-m-m… glue that stings your eyes and makes your nose burn… it may look great, but what will be
the long-term effects of applying that to your lashes? time will tell.
but what’s a measly $500 to look fabulous anyway – and the mink, well who
cares about the mink – after all, beauty knows no pain – yours or the mink’s.
The animals aren’t killed. They’re combed/brushed and the furs are collected.
There’s a Korean company that sells mink (yes, real mink) fur lashes on a band, like your more traditional drug store lashes. It’s pricey, but less expensive than $500 at about $89 for a pair. It’s by a company called MinkEye and that’s what I was searching for before I found this post.
Douglas Otero, D’Style Makeup, at Salon 808 in Hackensack does the best, for the best price…plus he’s a genuinely very nice person.
I love my mink fur lashes, get mine from eyelashesdirect.co.uk they have a huge selection of strip lashes and 100% mink fur individual lashes.. love that site.
Dear ,
We supply kinds of eyelashes, false eyelash extensions and eyelash glue with good quality and very competitive price. Hope to be a partner of your company! We can supply the samples gratuitously.
E-catalog will be provided if needed.
Email me or just call me directly. Thank you!
Best regards,
Dear ,
We supply kinds of eyelashes, false eyelash extensions and eyelash glue with good quality and very competitive price. Hope to be a partner of your company! We can supply the samples gratuitously.
E-catalog will be provided if needed.
Email me or just call me directly. Thank you!
Best regards,
info05@thewzgroup.com
I’m a l.a s.f makeup artist and i’m really interested in getting some prices on the glue and mink individual lashes ? latinbrazil209 at aol.com
I think you got ripped off girl , $500 ? I got for $29 on dealfind lol. and the value is $150 so either you are lying or you just overpaid them .
Yeah gotta agree….$500? they are $100-$200..so you overpaid
can you get them wet?
“to be completely frank, I was a little freaked out to hear that I’d have some poor animal’s coat superglued to my lashes…”
…but then I remembered that I’m a vain, shallow c*nt.
the mink is shaved from the tail of the animal at the end of winter each year. The animals are in no way harmed from this process. I suggest you keep your offensive opinions to your self!
Anyone who buys a product that tortures and kills an animal–mainly for it’s fur is a bad person. And then when that person tries to cover it up by saying “the [sic] mink is shaved from the tail of the animal at the end of winter each year. The animals are in no way harmed from this process,” then that person sounds like an idiot. What do you think happens to poor mink after you shave its tail?! What condition is the mink living after you take away its fur?! (Newsflash: They’re not kept in a controlled temperature room.) Furthermore, what do you think they’re doing to them while they’re shaving their tail?! (They’re not getting petted and given treats.) You’re a bad person–period.
Christ almighty. Not that I expect sanity or intelligent discourse on a site about beauty, but this sort of wasteful nonsense is one reason I look forward to this civilization’s decline. I have faith that a hundred years from now, no one will be wearing fake eyelashes, and the sort of mindset that thinks of them will no longer exist. $500 could have fed dozens and dozens people, but instead you’re using it to get compliments. I hope you get that flesh-eating virus right in the middle of your face. Best thing that could happen to you. And those strangers who compliment you aren’t seeing a person. They’re seeing meat.
You’re such a hater..
If u claim to be all Godly like..why are u judging and cursing..
Wow you need to spend $500 on some therapy to work on your anger issues against women!! Anger management classes go a long way. And really if this bothers you why are you on a beauty website to begin with!!! Get a grip!
Maybe you need to spend 500$ on a textbook. People are vain. You act like people in this age are finding out about beauty methods. Lol beauty and make up, wigs etc are apart of history. Get a clue
I’ve had lashes done since Sept love em!! Although I don’t pay the hefty price of $500!! I get touch ups done every 2 to 3 weeks …love them hough and to the woman below me…who are you to say that 500 could have fed dozens blah blah blah if the person has the money to pay that…why not??? And if you’re so generous, why don’t you donate $500 to charity???
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I am a licensed estheticain in Arizona. I provide eyelash extension service. There are so many choices to choose from when thinking of lash extensions.Y
1st there are the tradtional strip lashes you can buy at the store. These seem to be more of a hassel since they usually must be applied daily if not multiple times in a day.
2nd you have flares or cluster lashed. They consist of a cluster of 3 to 8 lashes. These are nice but can really damage the lash if not taken care of properly. They only last about a week or so before needing to be removed and reapplied.
3rd Single strand or individual lashes. These come in all lengths, shapes, thicknesses, and styles. You can create any look you want when choosing from synthetic, silk and mink lashes. A good lash stylist will have choices for you or at least access to these choices. I charge anywhere from $99 to $300 for a full set and
$45 to $100 for a fill. (most clients choose $99 full set $45 fill of synthetic lashes and are extremely happy)
If you are in the phoenix are check me out. designsbychrista.net and http://facebook.com/customhairextensions
I do love my beauty products but i have to say that I only purchase non animal tested products. I was curious about the mink extensions as I do love the look on others. However, after learning that these were from actual minks, I find this quite disgusting and repulsive. I think Sergei and to and to an extent svi. I find the lack of compassion from the beauty industry (and many of these posters) for these poor animals very disheartening, extremely selfish and narcissistic. Do those 2 months justify the torture and death of a helpless animal? All I can is Karma!!
this is cruel is so superficial. It saddens me that so many people on her act so barbaric. These animals are raised for money so please don’t tell me that they are treated humanely. Maybe I should kill your dog and turn it into a cuff on my winter coat!!!! Then will that be called cruelty????
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[...] Mink Lash Extensions: Are They Worth The Fuss? | Beauty High. [...]
This is horrible and insanely cruel. When will people stop using these poor animals for fashion and beauty, it’s pathetic.
I can only hope that those who knowingly use
[...] begun to make a name for themselves over the past couple of years, and though we all know what eyelash extensions are, we still have a massive amount of questions when it comes to the procedure. How much do [...]
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