Lash & Body

Lash & Body

Written by Candace Birkelbach Friday, 22 August 2008

Owner Jaime Richter opened Lash & Body Shop to make everyday women feel a bit more confident about their appearance. While the shop has only been in business a year, its success has developed rapidly by word of mouth. At the shop, customers can get luxurious, authentic-looking eyelashes, massages, beauty products and holistic skin tightening treatments.

Richter had experimented with different brands of faux eyelashes, but after finding the “Xtreme” brand decided to start selling them herself. The semipermanent lashes are applied to the base of the natural lash. The lashes are then shaped, polished and curled, eliminating the need for mascara or an eyelash curler.

“Most people hadn’t heard of Xtreme, but I absolutely loved them. They last while swimming, in the shower and working out,” Richter said. “I don’t have to wear makeup to the gym, and that is very freeing.”

The synthetic lashes fall out as you lose your natural lashes, so a touch-up is recommended after two to six weeks.

Richter is excited about developing a new program to help chemotherapy patients and other people who have lost their natural lashes. Before, the shop was unable to help them because a lash was needed to attach the extension. Over the next month, Richter and her staff will be developing this program further and eventually be able to offer clients a lash kit to take home.

“It really helps with their self esteem,” Richter said. “After they have been through [chemotherapy], we don’t want them to feel poorly about the way they look as well.”

The Lash & Body Shop provides a relaxing atmosphere for its clients. Giant comfy couches fill the waiting area, and lashes are applied on beds in a room filled with natural sunlight.

“You do a job well and people will tell their friends,” Richter said. “We have hundreds of walking models around town so people can see the actual product.”

Lash stylists must complete a one-month hands-on training before they are allowed to apply the Xtreme lashes to customers. Each stylist is a certified aesthetician.

“We’re up on the new tricks and products,” Richter said. “And if you don’t like [the lashes], we’ll redo it.”

mycontourz

Located within the Lash & Body Shop is mycontourz, which offers body contouring. Wendy Dipietro opened the shop earlier this year to give customers PowerSkin treatments, a skin firming treatment that originated in England. The holistic method is an alternative to plastic surgery that can still reduce cellulite and stretch marks, Dipietro said.

“I know a lot of people who have had liposuction and the fat just comes back in the same or additional places,” Dipietro said. “Surgery is not the way to go. Fat does not go away without a lifestyle change.”

The body contouring sessions are performed by a computer that administers microcurrents into fat cells to remove toxins. The microcurrents reenergize the body and act as a valve in fat cells to release toxins from the body, but are not designed for weight loss. Dipietro, who has battled a thyroid disease throughout her life, said she encourages her customers to follow a complete, holistic lifestyle approach that includes drinking plenty of water, exercising 30 minutes a day and eating plenty of vegetables. By using computer algorithms, Dipietro said she is able to notify patients if they might have an underlying disease such as diabetes for which they should see their doctor.

She recommends a 12-week session of body contouring treatments along with quarterly maintenance.

“It’s just like air filters on a house. If they get clogged, the air conditioner is not going to work as well,” Dipietro said.

Treatments

Lash & Body offers free consultations for customers who have questions about lashes or PowerSkin services.

Treatments are done by appointment only, and the store usually books several weeks in advance.

Lash & Body, 9801 Anderson Mill Road, Ste. 129, 258-0009, www.lashandbodyshop.com

Mon.-Sat. 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

mycontourz, 964-3051 • www.mycontourz.com