NYC's Premiere Lash Extension Boutique

Lash extensions. To be honest, up until a few weeks ago, the mere term gave me the eebee-jeebees. It sounded, to me, over the top and indulgent. (My prior thinking: who really needs longer lashes than those God given? And, if you really demand lengthened ones, why not glue on a pair of falsies?). And shamefully I admit, I though the process sounded pretty scary. Naïve? Indeed, 100%; I can admit it now, as I am fully aware (post results) that lengthened lashes are lush, lovely and totally luxe. So was I crazy? Yes, it was entirely silly of me to think that there was anything terrifying about the gorgeousness that comes with longer eyelashes. Especially if you visit Courtney Akai and her lash boutique, where and beauty is the name, and lash extensions is the game. Here’s a sneak peek into why I’m swearing-by this chic boutique for all things lashes:

First, to address the points I mentioned earlier – my fears and prior assumptions and accusations – I can tell you this much: one experience at Courtney Akai Lash Boutique instantly eases any lash woes, erases any pre-conceived ideas about who extensions are right for, and kills the illusion that the process is something to fear. As one of the first NYC-certified extension specialists, Courtney Akai is a pioneer in the business. Though she is a makeup artist by trade, her forte is lash extensions; it’s her bread and butter, so to speak, and it’s her passion, clearly. Chatting with Courtney is fabulously fun, and makes the up-to-two-hour process speed by, seriously. She works with precision and personalization, choosing the specific lashes to fit your natural ones. Curl, density, color – you name it, the process is customized to fit you, which means the result is totally realistic, kicked up a notch. It’s like you’re wearing mascara on beautifully-curled lashes, sans the makeup or curler (Really!).

While a full-set of lash extensions at Courtney Akai Lash Boutique isn’t the cheapest route (the price-tag can run up to $500, if you opt for Mink), it is the safest (amazing for sensitive skin and eyes), healthiest (the glue is chemical free) and offers the most long-term results (with minimal touch-ups, a full-set can look incredible for up to six months, versus fake lashes lasting two days). And although NYC is home to a fare share of lash boutiques, few have been awarded (as Courtney Akai has been) and deemed gold-star worthy. Scout honor, this is a rising one in the Big Apple.

Celebrities love Courtney. I adore her too. Courtney Akai Lash Boutique is a keeper. She makes you feel at home in her cute, Fifth Avenue boutique, and she makes the experience totally about you. Bonus: Courtney will even supply you with an after-care kit, post extensions, to help you maintain the look properly at home.

Details: Courtney Akai Lash Boutique www.courtneyakai.com 501 5th Ave, Suite 1211 New York, NY 10017 212.867.8469