Lashes speak louder than words

/by

By Sanmari Swart

Editor: Marcelle Jordaan

We all have them, we all love them, but we all wish they could be fuller and longer.
Lash extensions have boomed within the South African Beauty Industry the past few years and has fast become just as popular as getting your nails done. Once you have it, you cannot stop applying it. It’s a #LashAddiction.

 

Firstly, it’s important to know how the lash procedure works.
To ensure that your lashes last, you need to come prepared to your appointment. By following the next steps, you are setting your lash extensions up for success.

  • A step up from not wearing any mascara or eye make-up to your appointment is to not even wear eye make-up the day before. Mascara can be a b…….astard to wash off. Even if the Lash Extension therapist attempts to wash it off, there will still be some product residue left which will influence the longevity of your Lash Extensions.
  • Use the restroom before you lay down to get lashed. We all know it’s not pleasant having to go to the restroom when you can’t. Once you lay down you cannot get up or open your eyes for the duration of the procedure.
  • Come tired and ready to relax or to sleep. If you are a person that does not like to sleep during the day, bring some earphones and a killer playlist.
  • During COVID time, most salons try to keep everything as hygienically clean as possible and thus avoid putting sheets on the bed. Bring your own blanket so that you are as comfy as possible during your appointment.
  • A special word of advice to contact lens wearers: don’t wear contacts to your appointment. Some of the liquids used may be harmful to the lenses and as a bonus, this ensures that you don’t have to fiddle with a freshly applied set of lashes when you must remove your contacts later on..

 

Now that you know what to do before getting lashed, we move onto some aftercare tips. A lash artist doing a perfect job with your application really doesn’t mean much if you don’t look after your lashes. You can compare this with the post-op instructions you get from your surgeon. In the same manner, failing to comply to the post-lash instructions might earn you a trip to the hospital.. just kidding, BUT it is very important to look after your lashes so that you get as much bang for your buck as possible.

 

Here are a few guidelines on how to take care of your lashes after your lash procedure:

  • Do not wet your lashes within the first hour after your procedure. This might weaken the glue and cause your lashes to fall out very early.
  • Do not take a shower or go for a sauna the evening after your appointment or the next morning. The steam can weaken the glue. Ag and babe, we all know you do not need an excuse to take a long, relaxing bath.. no judgement!
  • After 24 hours you should still avoid steam as much as possible to improve the longevity of your lashes.
  • Have you ever noticed your one eye has more lashes than the other? Well, that’s because we all have a favourite side we sleep on.

If possible, try to sleep on your back the first night after your procedure, as it’s very important to avoid abrasion during the night.

  • To help to avoid abrasion, it’s totally recommended to purchase a satin face mask or satin pillowcase. This will help the lashes not to hook on any rough surfaces and as a bonus, you’ll feel like you’re sleeping in a 5-star hotel! To purchase KiCoco satin pillowcases, click here.
  • A very important tip is to avoid any oil-based cleansers, creams, and lotions on the lash area as any oily substance will dissolve the bonds. Use an oil free cleanser to remove eye make-up.
  • Speaking of eye make-up, PLEASE do not use mascara over your lash extensions! You will only cause it to stick together and look messy, not even thinking about the hassle to remove the mascara.
  • Last, but most definitely the most important point, you MUST clean your lashes at least 2 to 3 times a week. In saying this remember to make sure you clean it with a cleanser that has an ingredient in that will prevent mites living and breeding in your hair follicles. If your lash artist does not have a cleanser available for you to purchase, a good option is the Naviblef Daily Care which you can find at your local pharmacy.

 

Lash extensions will stay beautiful and last a decent amount of time, only if your care for them decently. Beautiful lashes only start with the lash extension artist, but how you care for your lashes is even more important than the skill and talent of the lash technician. So, do not take fuller, longer lashes for granted- take care of them and they will stay beautiful until your next 2–3-week fill.

 

About Sanmari Swart:

She is the owner of Twin Brow Hustle and an Intradermal Cosmetic Specialist. She has been practicing permanent make-up and lash extensions for almost 3 years. For more information contact her at 0822635948 or visit her Instagram page @the_twin_brow_hustle

Is loungewear here to stay?

/by

By Angeliz Venter

Editor: Marcelle Jordaan

We can all agree that the year 2020 and the changes Covid-19 brought, changed many aspects of our lives. But one change most of us observed or adopted was and is wearing loungewear 24/7. Some of us are in full on comfy mode and others dress up their sweatpants, but let’s face it, we all have way more loungewear than we did a year ago.

With most of the world opting for remote working and work from home business models, loungewear came back into fashion and consumers are actively looking for comfy, yet stylish options to wear at home, while looking good on their Zoom meetings. In this short period of 2021, we’ve already seen major fashion brands change their designs to accommodate the loungewear trend, with suits, skirts, button up blouses and many more being manufactured in soft stretchable fabrics, to essentially let their customers “lounge” in a stylish manner. But if we are being honest with ourselves, you can’t call it loungewear if you are uncomfortable during the transition from video call at 16:00 to watching Netflix at 17:00. Am I right?

The trend of wearing sleepwear when going out, also made a return late last year and early 2021, with a few fashion forward (or lazy, we will never know) consumers spotted with silk and satin sleepwear tops, paired with jeans and sneakers when doing their essential shopping. I personally love this trend and the way our ‘conventional’ clothing categories are starting to flow into one another.

According to Instyle the sale of high heels dropped by 71% in 2020 and it is anticipated to drop even further in 2021. High heels were in the decline before the pandemic started, with younger generations actively going against the stiff work wear culture and bringing casual wear into the everyday office life. If I just think back to the type of shoes I’ve been wearing for the past few months, it consisted of slippers (most of the time) and on the rare occasion of going out, it is sneakers.

Since there is no immediate need for wearing high heels or dressing up, with offices being closed, restaurants not staying open late, nightclubs being closed, will we get used to our comfortable footwear or will we eventually be so starved for social gatherings and dressing up that we wear heels for the most basic outings? Or will the loungewear trend stay and just be dressed up with minimal accessories and footwear? Only time will tell! One thing I know for sure is, I am excited to see how fashion develops and adapts to our needs during this time!

 

About Angeliz Venter

I am the owner of KiCoco. I started my small business in 2016, as part of my studies for a Clothing Retail Management degree at the University of Pretoria. We had to do 200 production hours and I started making baby clothes as a part of that. People soon started showing interest outside of the university and I decided to take part in small markets and baby expos for extra money to travel and save to invest in the business further. I realised that this venture could be more than just a hobby and I used my savings to expand and stock small boutiques all over South Africa. We expanded to baby, toddler, kids and in 2020, adult ranges. We aim to empower all local communities by using a small CMT (cut, make and trim) factory in Thembisa (a township in Gauteng, South Africa) and also make use of ‘at home’ seamstresses who gets paid a fair wage per unit. Especially now with the economic environment and Covid-19, it’s been so beneficial for us and our employees that they can sew from the comfort of their homes, even if this makes quality control so much harder. KiCoco aims to keep production in South Africa and source most of our fabric here too.

Instagram: @angeliz_venter

 

To shop our KiCoco loungewear click here.