About: Caroline's Lash Boutique

Unlike food products, which are clearly labeled with expiration dates, beauty products can often expire without consumers realizing it. Skin care products, especially those with active ingredients like retinol, can become less effective the longer you have them. The makeup you’re putting on your face, such as mascara, could also age to a point where the pigments fade or the product causes irritation.

Eyeshadow and Eyeliner Require Regular Replacement

Eyeshadow degrades after a year, and the potential for bacterial growth increases, especially if you’ve been known to dip your fingers into your eyeshadow (a big no-no). As it starts to crumble and dry out, it will lose pigmentation and do less for your look than when it’s fresh.

Similarly, pencil eyeliners can develop unhealthy bacterial growth after as little as three months. Regular sharpening can help keep your pencil, but if it develops any kind of odor or begins to wear down, it’s time to toss it. Liquid eyeliners are only good for a few months, due to bacterial growth and drying. There’s not much you can do to preserve liquid liner, so it’s better to toss it when in doubt.

Foundation and Concealers Need Regular Replacement

Foundation can go bad in as little as six months. After a year, it’s time to replace it. Bacteria growth, as well as chemical separation, keep it from doing the job it once did. Concealer can last for up to a year, but because you’re likely applying it over areas that attract bacteria, such as blemishes, continuing to use it after a year could mean doing more harm than good for your skin.

The Rules for Blushes and Lipsticks

There are so many kinds of lip products, so it’s easiest to apply the same rule to them all. Lipsticks include oils that go rancid, which can smell bad or lead to uneven color application. Drying is also a warning sign that you need to hit the store.

Powder blushes can last up to two years before getting hard and chalky, while creams should be replaced after one year. Darkening or other color changes are early signs that you need a new compact.

Mascara Has the Shortest Shelf Life

Thanks to air and germ exposure, your mascara, even the designer ones, should be replaced every two to three months. Otherwise, drying and clumping are in your future, as well as the potential for an eye infection.

Eyelash extensions are a great alternative to buying new mascara every few months. Eyelash extensions will last almost as long as a tube of mascara, and they don’t require daily upkeep or mascara application to make your eyes pop. Plus, you’ll never have to worry about the color running!

The transition into autumn also signals that it’s time to transition your look accordingly. As the leaves change and temperatures drop, we must pull our sweaters and boots from the back of the closet. In addition to a wardrobe change, it’s also a good idea to tweak your skincare and makeup routines as fall and winter set in. Not only will you be more comfortable and weather-ready — you’ll also have the opportunity to have some holiday-specific fun with your beauty regimen… the kind that only rolls around once a year!

Here are a few special beauty tips to keep in mind as you embrace the seasonal spirit from Halloween all the way into the New Year.

Halloween

It’s the spookiest time of the year, and this season is everyone’s favorite excuse to dress up, try on a new look at that theme party, and otherwise push the boundaries of everyday beauty routines.

Complete the costume: Whether you’ll be donning a dastardly disguise at a friend’s murder mystery party or wearing a costume to work on October 31, the right hair and makeup ties together even the most average attire. Voluminous lashes are an essential finishing touch for many Halloween costumes. From quirky to flirty, try the following favorites on for size (just don’t forget those extensions!):

• Marilyn Monroe, your favorite Spice Girl, or another starlet of your choice
• A TV, movie, or pop culture character (such as Jessica Rabbit, Wonder Woman, or Daenerys Targaryen from Game of Thrones)
• Your favorite feline for cat-eyed glam (try a black cat or a tiger)

Mind your skin: Though removing your makeup before bed is a fundamental part of any daily skincare routine, this step is especially important when you’ve been wearing a full face of heavy products. Most costume makeup and face paint is created extra thick for a bold and long-wearing look. Left to sit on your face overnight, heavy makeup will not only smudge off onto your pillowcase, stain your bedding, and leave you with racoon eyes in the morning — it can also clog pores, cause breakouts, and leave skin looking congested and dull. While lash extensions will eliminate some of the work by doing away with mascara messes, make sure to gently remove foundation, eyeliner, lipstick, and anything else you used to complete your costume.

Thanksgiving

What do you have to be thankful for this year? We’re thankful for beauty solutions that cut time, stress, and effort.

Long-lasting lip color: Between dad’s turkey and grandma’s sweet potato pie, you know to arrive at Thanksgiving dinner prepared to do a whole lot of eating. In addition to saving plenty of room for seconds and thirds, make sure your lip color will last you through dessert without budging or smudging. Try a highly pigmented lipstick labeled for long wear or apply a lip stain. Ideally, whatever product you use should be able to stand up to your napkin (without staining your aunt’s nice linen, of course!).

Travel-friendly beauty: Thanksgiving marks the beginning of holiday travel season. If you’ll be celebrating at a friend or family member’s home, pack a travel size emergency beauty kit to carry on the plane, store in the glove compartment on a road trip, or just keep in your purse. A small bottle or can of hydrating facial mist, oil blotting sheets, a powder compact, tinted lip balm, and some dry shampoo can go a long way to keep you fresh-faced (and free of greasy locks) on arrival. Bonus: with lash extensions on your side, there’s no need to contend with smudged mascara after your in-flight nap!

Christmas

Yuletide cheer will have you smiling from ear to ear when you incorporate some fun yet practical beauty accessories.

Festive lash colors: Why not get lash extensions to match your favorite holiday sweater? We offer tinted lash colors for every festive occasion, including red, green, gold, and silver for the Christmas season. Colored lash sets are made from synthetic, cruelty-free fibers that look tasteful and feel natural. We apply extensions individually to each existing lash, so you can control just how bold you want to go — whether it’s a full set of color or a blend of tinted and natural-toned lashes.

Winter weather hacks: There’s nothing like a white Christmas… but seasonal snow, ice, rain, and wind are formidable opponents for your polished look. Fortunately, your eyelash extensions allow you to skip the mascara, so you won’t need to fret about dripping and running. Though this is the ultimate beauty hack when wintry weather hits, if you wear eyeliner or eyeshadow, make sure to complete the look with waterproof products (and bring an umbrella or hood when on the go!).

New Year’s

Flirty lashes and on-point makeup got you looking and feeling fine? It’s gonna be a great year.

Party-proof eye makeup: Mascara can run when you’re up partying past midnight. Eyelash extensions are your trusty beauty sidekick. Let loose, enjoy yourself, and ring in the New Year without frequent touch-up trips to the restroom!

Dare to sparkle: All things sparkling reign supreme on New Year’s Eve… from champagne to fireworks to that glittery party dress. Kick it all up a notch by adding sparkled or jeweled lashes to your usual set! Placed at the outer corners of the eyes, these are a sure way to brighten your complexion and accessorize with glitzy glam.

Eyelash extensions streamline your daily beauty routine, saving you time in the mornings and before events. With nothing more than a short appointment every few weeks, you can revolutionize your look and boost confidence about your appearance. Here are six of our favorite ways that eyelash extensions simplify life.

1. Don’t fret about mascara smudges

No one wants to worry about their mascara running in the middle of a big event such as a wedding, a work conference, or a date. With extensions, you won’t need to keep checking your eye makeup all day or night, because you can forgo mascara entirely! Your lashes will appear darker, longer, and fuller without any makeup, so you can enjoy yourself without stressing about raccoon eyes.

2. Look younger and more alert… without makeup!

When your eye makeup smudges or runs, it can leave you looking exhausted and rough around the edges. Of course, skipping mascara completely can also make you look tired, as short and light-toned lashes give the illusion of smaller eyes. Is there a happy medium? You bet! Eyelash extensions make your eyes look awake and leave you looking energized (and, as a result, younger!).

3. Simplify your eye makeup routine

From eye cream and primer to shadow, liner, and mascara, your eye makeup routine can quickly eat up a significant chunk of your morning. With eyelash extensions, your lashes are eye-catching and alluring from the moment you get out of bed… no mascara required! You’ll find your beauty routine is shorter and you’re out the door stress-free.

4. Extension appointments can be relaxing

You may feel rushed when you apply your own makeup. Whether you’re getting ready for work or primping and polishing before a special event, doing your makeup is just one more thing to worry about as you try to time everything perfectly and get to the office or venue promptly. Getting eyelash extensions can have the opposite effect. You’ll simply rest in a comfortable position while a professional tends to your lashes for roughly an hour or so. This is a great time to sit back and relax and can be a luxurious addition to your self-care regimen.

5. Extensions make your eyes appear brighter

You’ll find a range of subtle and dramatic color tones to eyelash extensions. You and your application specialist will pick the perfect pair to really make your eyes pop. The eyes are the windows to the soul, so play up this key feature with minimal effort!

6. Improved confidence in daily life

When your lashes are on point, you look and feel your best. When you feel good about yourself, you attract all the right kinds of attention. Eyelash extensions can encourage you to feel naturally beautiful and ultimately boost your self-confidence. You’ll go boldly into the world when you know your lashes are popping! Contact us to see the difference for yourself.

Thick, long, fluttering lashes have become the latest beauty accessory — one we can certainly get behind here at Caroline’s Lash Boutique! However, eyelashes are so much more than the finishing touch to your flirty look. They serve a critical everyday purpose: to protect our eyes from anything that could cause damage, especially airborne particles such as dust or sand. For this reason, above all, it’s important to keep your natural set both beautiful and healthy!

Your Eyelash Life Cycle

Like any other hair follicle on your body, lashes operate on a natural growth cycle. This means that when your lashes complete all three growth stages, they will naturally fall out as fresh lashes grow in. While this may sound like cause for alarm, fret not! All human lashes cycle through this replacement process, so there’s no need to worry when you notice a loose natural lash or two on your pillowcase after sleeping or on your towel after washing your face.

The eyelash growth cycle consists of three parts:

1. Anagen Phase: This is the phase in which your lashes are actively growing. The lashes will grow to a specific length, then stop. This process lasts anywhere between 30 to 45 days.

2. Catagen Phase: Also known as the transition phase, this occurs when the lash has stopped growing and the hair follicle begins to shrink. This means that if the lash were to be plucked out during this time, it would take longer to grow back, as the follicle still needs to complete the full cycle. This phase lasts 2-3 weeks.

3. Telogen Phase: The final phase is also known as the “resting phase.” It’s the longest cycle by a significant amount, typically lasting more than 100 days. Eventually, during this resting phase, the eyelash will fall out. It will then be 4-8 weeks before a new one starts growing in.

Eyelash Extensions

Eyelash extensions give your natural set some extra length and volume, so they not only look healthy, they also look glamorous. It’s best to apply lashes in the middle of the growth cycle to help them last longer; this way, you should only need a touch up every four weeks or so.

During your appointment at Caroline’s Lash Boutique, you’ll also have the option to pick your desired length and thickness, so your eyelashes can go anywhere from a slight upgrade to a dramatic makeover.

Regardless of your choice, our beauty experts will give you long lasting, natural looking lashes to help your look go the extra mile!

Are you craving longer, thicker eyelashes? Over time, lashes become naturally thinner and the growth cycle starts to slow. Mascara can help, but even the most high-end options only offer short-term benefits and require daily application.

If you’d prefer a longer-term solution, you may want to consider either eyelash extensions or eyelash tinting. While these two services offer different perks, they can each make lashes appear thicker and darker… for much longer than your average mascara.

The Case for Eyelash Extensions

Just like hair extensions, applying eyelash extensions involves attaching new fibers to existing hair. In this case, instead of clipping, sewing, or gluing hair into your strands, individual lashes or small clusters of lashes are carefully attached to your natural lashes or lash line.

Eyelash extensions typically last two to three weeks. They require roughly an hour for application. Clients can select the length, color and curl of the lashes, as well as the kind of fiber. Some people prefer natural, real mink lashes, while others opt for synthetic lashes. You can go for bold and dramatic or more natural, depending on your personal look. Once the extensions are in place, you won’t need mascara!

What Is Eyelash Tinting?

Eyelash tinting is essentially a dye job for your lashes. Some facilities also perform an eyelash lift, which is like a perm that gives your lashes more curl. Your lashes are colored and curled to perfection, and then you have 6-8 weeks of darker, more defined lashes with little or no maintenance required. Unlike extensions, you may still want to use mascara after eyelash tinting.

While this service will not necessarily affect your lash volume, it does boost their tone and definition. The end result is typically less dramatic than extensions for this reason. If you have short or thin lashes, you may require the extra volume from extensions. Both services take roughly the same amount of time to complete, and extensions are approximately the same price as a tint and lift combination.

If lash extensions sound like the beauty solution for you, contact Caroline’s Lash Boutique today and schedule an appointment for professional application!