Eyelash and eyebrow treatments such as lash extensions, lash lifts, brow embroidery and microblading have become more advanced over the years. But with so many places offering them, where should you go? Here we review some of the best brow and lash treatments offered at boutique studios and home-based beauty salons. After all, if there’s any truth behind the saying that our eyes are the windows to our soul, you want your eyes to look their best!
The Beaute Canopy
“The Beaute Canopy founder Cheryl Lee left her corporate job two years ago to pursue her home-based beauty studio, which specialises in professional eyebrow microblading and shading ($500), brow removal treatments, lash lifts and lip embroidery. Her passion for her work is evident as soon as you enter the treatment room. The space, while cosy, is immaculately clean and tidy. In fact, it’s better kept than many salons I’ve come across!
A PhiBrows Royal artist, Cheryl used the PhiBrows Divider (a compass) to precisely measure the dimensions and shape of my ideal brows, based on a ratio known as the ‘golden proportion’ (1.618). I appreciated that she didn’t rush when marking out the points on my brows; she took the time to meticulously measure the right length and angle, and made sure to show me the draft before proceeding. I had an old brow tattoo job from a couple of years back that had faded to an orange tint, so we had to work around that, too.
After I was happy with the look of my arches, numbing cream was applied and left on for around 20 minutes, before the actual microblading took place. Much to my relief, the entire process was painless. It only got a tad tingly towards the end, but a second round of numbing cream, along with Cheryl’s gentle hands, helped immensely. I even managed to snooze for a bit!
Two hours later, I emerged with fresh brows with fine, hair-like strokes. I was given a handy kit and a detailed list of aftercare tips to help the skin to heal faster and the pigment to last longer. It should last me up to a year, but after having such a pleasant experience, I’ve already booked myself in for a touch-up session to prolong the effects.”
– Anthia Chng
Psst… The Beaute Canopy also offer lash lifts!
The Beaute Canopy
266D Punggol Way
8233 0166 | instagram.com/thebeautecanopy
Jo Artysan Brows
“I never thought too much about my eyebrows, beyond the occasional tweeze and shaping. Then COVID hit. Over 12 months of daily Zoom calls, and the uncontrollable urge to keep looking at my self-cam like a budgie into its toy mirror, I came to realise how wonky my brows really are! Plus, why oh why are they growing at a seemingly 45-degree angle downward? Why?
I headed off to Jo Artysan to get some professionals onto the situation. I arrived at this little beauty haven tucked away in the heart of Orchard. Admittedly, it was with some trepidation. I mean the words “tattoo” and “blading’” haven’t ever instilled a sense of calm in me.
Microblading involves tiny, fine-point needles (instead of a tattoo gun) that make up a small disposable blade and handle to scratch and deposit pigment simultaneously under your skin. The result? Fine and realistic-looking eyebrow hair strokes that don’t wash off. Even more exciting, the experience for me was pain free! Previously, the thought of tattooing anything on my body seemed crazy, not to mention painful, but I’m happy to report that this process was easy. Jo, the director at Jo Artysan, calmly and clearly talked me through the process, which really put me at ease. I’d almost say I was relaxed.
There are different styles of microblading, depending on the end look you would like to achieve. I wanted something natural that kept with my existing brow shape, but I also wanted the unevenness of my brows corrected. We agreed the Artysan Signature Brows style ($690 for artist, $950 for director) would best suit my face, existing brows and most closely mirror the end look I wanted.
After determining my ideal brow shape using special measuring tools and the “golden ratio” (which basically means assessing how all the parts of my face fit together), Jo penciled in the eventual eyebrow shape so I could see this first. Once I was happy with it we started the process. First she applied numbing cream to my forehead and I settled back for 30 minutes while the cream worked its magic. Thankfully it worked a charm and I was not bothered by the microblading process at all. In all it took a little over 90 minutes.
The results are not instant. Your eyebrows will go through a natural healing process for a month from your initial appointment. It heals and flakes off first, which sounds hideous, but you can barely notice it happening except for a slight itching over the first week or so. Jo gives you a fabulous aftercare pack with things to help, including a lotion to help speed up recovery. For me, the initial colour of my brows lightened a little during this week, which was what Jo had warned me about during the initial colour selection phase. After about a month, the healing finalises and you can see the shape and colour of your new brows. That’s when you need to return for a touch-up to fill in any patchy areas. This all helps you to achieve perfectly shaped, natural looking brows.
Jo Artysan has saved me time in the morning from all the “self brow wizardry” I used to apply – pencils, gels, and more. I’m thrilled with the results and highly recommend Jo and her patient, caring crew at Jo Artysan.”
– Melissa Hill
Psst… Jo Artysan also offers eyelash extensions and lash lifts!
111 Somerset Road, TripleOne Somerset
#02-44 to #02-48
joartysan.com
The Lash Company
“I’ve always been hesitant about giving eyelash extensions a go. For some reason, the idea of someone else touching my peepers has always freaked me out. But I’m pleased to say any reservations I had completely disappeared when I met my lash artist, Penny from The Lash Company. Friendly yet professional, Penny asked me what I was after with this treatment, and what results I was hoping for. She confirmed that the Full Classic ($108) eyelash extensions was the way to go, as it would add length and curve without looking over the top.
After settling me on the treatment bed, Penny cleaned my lashes using a foaming cleanser and a saline solution. This is to remove any mascara build-up. She then placed a slightly damp pad on my bottom lashes to make sure they wouldn’t get in the way, and some tape on my top lid to turn my lash line up slightly so it’s easier to add the extensions. Penny used tweezers to pick up the individual false lashes, dipped them in glue and stuck them to one of my real lashes. In between adding lashes, she would occasionally brush them with spoolie to keep them neat and tidy. The whole procedure lasted just over an hour, and it was super relaxing, so much so that I actually fell asleep.
Once Penny was done, I checked out my new look in the mirror and couldn’t have been happier. She had managed to achieve what mascara promises but never accomplishes – thick, fluttery and perfectly curled lashes. I think it’s safe to say this usually low-maintenance beauty girl has become an unlikely lash extension addict.”
– Gracie Stewart
Psst… As part of the studio’s efforts to minimise physical contact during this period, all forms are made available online. Book your eyelash extensions appointment through their website!
The Lash Company
9A Kampong Bahru Road | 9144 0377
101 East Coast Road | 9113 7675
thelashco.sg
Gergert Beauty
“As I’ve always had thick, dark and bountiful brows, I tweeze religiously, giving them a quick shape after a shower while never really giving eyebrow embroidery a second thought. I assumed these types of pigment treatments were only for those with thin or light eyebrows, but I was wrong!
Owner and makeup master at Gergert Beauty Academy, Ola Gergert is a certified Phibrows Artist hailing from Russia. With five years of practice under her belt, Ola has always championed woman’s natural beauty, aiming only to strengthen our assets and save us the time of daily makeup routines with semi-permanent solutions that last for up to 3 years. With a tracing pencil, a facial-symmetry apparatus and steady hands, Ola drew an outline to explain where I had veered off track with over-plucking – causing gaps and jagged edges. She suggested microblading to give my arches more definition and shape that would better suit and frame my face, while carefully selecting a blend of natural pigment that would match my skin tone.
The entire process took under 90 minutes, including frequent application of a topical anaesthetic cream to relieve the pain of the microblade, making it only mildly uncomfortable. Ola’s precision and handywork was a literal and figurative eye-opener! I instantly saw how such subtle adjustments to the shape, tone and structure of my brows brought out my eyes more.
The healing process was swift, thanks in part to the brow care kit Ola gave me (complete with wipes, honey healing ointment and brow brush). Three months later, I’m using far less eye makeup and using the parameters of Ola’s work to allow my natural brows to grow back. My only regret is that I didn’t do this years ago!
The microblading treatment at Gergert Beauty Academy starts from $550. It also offers different semi-permanent makeup services, including brow sculpt and brow lamination, which is a less invasive procedure that uses setting lotion to help the brow hair stay brushed up and lifted upward for six to seven weeks.”
– Leanda Rathmell
Psst… Gergert Beauty also offers lash lifts, lash botox, and eyelash extensions!
Gergert Beauty
70 Shenton Way, #01-22
8591 1557 | gergertbeauty.com
Lash Inc SG
“I’ve always been a huge fan of lash extensions – until I tried a lash lift for the first time earlier this year. Unlike lash extensions, which require a bit of looking after, lash lifts are pretty low maintenance. The results are more natural too, making it the perfect choice for an everyday look. On the other hand, lash extensions can make you look more dolled up, which is also great for special occasions.
Located along a buzzy stretch of shophouses in Tanjong Pagar, this beauty studio is spacious and impeccably clean. Choose from a range of brow and lash treatments, including microblading, ombre brow shading, and the all-time favourite Camellia eyelash extensions for a foxy and dramatic look.
I opted for the Yumi lash lift and tint ($105), a safe and gentle one-hour treatment that results in a ‘mascara’ effect. Think of it as a boost to your natural lashes! The entire process was painless and comfortable, and I couldn’t help but doze off in between. I woke up to find that my stubbornly straight lashes were lifted, curled and darker than usual. I love the subtle enhancement! Two weeks later, the tint has slowly worn off, but my curled lashes are still going strong. This treatment is suitable even for pregnant ladies, as well as those with sensitive eyes.”
– Anthia Chng
Lash Inc
46A Peck Seah Street
9152 8583 | lashincsg.com
The Face Place
“In a studio at Central@Clarke Quay, Sandra at The Face Place specialises in facials. She also does brows though, and I went for a retouch of my previous microblading treatment, which was nearly two years old. At just $280 for a service (including a top-up two to three months later), this is great value. The treatment can last up to 18 months, with some feathering and fading over time, of course.
With a fantastic view over Boat Quay, Fort Canning and the river, I hardly wanted to close my eyes. But as I’m a bit sensitive to the sounds of the microblading, I lay down and put in headphones while Sandra got to work. Numbing cream went on for 10 minutes and then I didn’t feel a thing. Sandra could still see my previous shape (which I liked) so she followed it. In under 90 minutes we were done! My hair is darker than when I had them done two years ago, so she used a slightly darker colour but without the cream on. It looked very natural and the peeling was minimal over the next week, so I never felt self-conscious about them like I have in the past.”
– Danielle Rossetti
Psst… The Face Place also offers lash lifts!
The Face Place
The Central, Clarke Quay #12-83
8 Eu Tong Sen Street
8233 1723 | thefaceplacesg.com
A lash growth serum to try!
Long Lashes Eyelash Enhancer by Cangro, $89
“This Australian-made product is vegan, cruelty-, hormone- and paraben-free. The tube looks like a mascara but when opened it has a fine brush on the end, which you use to “paint” a line along the top of your lashes where they meet the upper eyelid. Peptides, antioxidants and grape seed extracts help to moisturise, condition and strengthen the lashes at the roots.
I hate having things inside or close to my eyeballs, but this did not run into my eyes, or sting at all. Before you apply any other products or makeup around it, it has to be left to dry, which for me took only 10 minutes or so (I used a folding fan in the bathroom to speed up the process).
I used this daily for six weeks, and almost immediately noticed I had less lashes dropping. I didn’t notice a lot of lengthening, but it seemed to “fill in the gaps” so my uneven lashes looked thicker. Hydroxipropyl Guar, a plant-based ingredient, helps to separate, define and slightly coat the lashes. So when I put mascara on, my lashes definitely looked longer. As your eyes are such a focus at the moment above a mask, that is a bonus!”
– Danielle Rossetti
Psst… This lash treatment is suitable for those with sensitive eyes, as well as those with eyelash extensions.
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