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…The results can last a full growth cycle of natural lashes, which is typically 6-8 weeks, but can vary by individual with some touch-up maintenance needed. Once the lashes are in place, it’s best to avoid mascara, heavy eye makeup and oil-based makeup removers…

Image-2017-05-17-at-11.44.36-PM-1024x576
ok-magazine
Still Stumped on Your Halloween Costume? Get It Taken Care of With These Fun Services! At this point, it’s we’re less than a week, make that DAYS away from Halloween and all the costume parties that come entail. And if you are one of the lucky few that have their costume dry-cleaned, pressed, and folded on your armoire, once again, congratulations.
But if you’re what we like to call the Halloween procrastinator, you don’t have to flunk the big dress-up test. Just start studying these concierge services….Need even more help on those lashes? They are tricky! If you’re in the Big Apple area, Courtney Akai Lash Boutique is your best bet. The store has really cool eyelash services. Because really, that bling is essential!
OkMagazine.com
allure
How to Get Lash Extensions; An Interview with Courtney Akai- Akai owns the Courtney Akai Lash Boutique in New York City. Extensions enhanced the thickness and length of your lashes and create the illusion that you’re wearing eyeliner. You just cant get the same effect with mascara—and let’s face it, you need to be a semipro to apply fake lashes. Here’s what you need to know.
Check the menu. There are several different kinds: mink, which are the most natural looking and also the most expensive; synthetic, which are less expensive; and sil, the newest material, which is soft and lightweight. Tell your technician the look you’re after: Length, thickens, and curl are all adjustable.
Allure Magazine
makeuplovesme
beauties, it’s been over a year since i got lash extensions, but i’m baaaaaaaaaackkkkkk! last week i returned to courtney akai lash boutique (read about my prior visits here). this time i met with lash expert gineann creaney, who gave me the gorgeous set of lashes pictured below. gineann is known for tailoring her extensions to each customers’ individual lifestyle and needs — so when i told her a wanted a cat-eyed look, with slightly longer lashes on the end — she was immediately enthused. she combined two different curl sizes to create my desired effect. also, her voice is eerily similar to deena from jersey shore, which i found oddly soothing during my 1.5 hour application process.

lash extensions can easily become addictive, because out of all beauty services there are to chose from, extensions offer the most glamor. with lashes, i wake up glamorous. i’m like marilyn monroe. the 3 things that make courtney akai lash boutique a special lash experience are:

1. setting – it’s a pink wonderland of girly relaxation – the setting screams of feminine decadence.
2. expert and friendly staff – not only are courtney and her team of lash experts able to create any look from the subtle to the dramatic, they are fun and easy to talk to. this becomes very important during the the time consuming application process.
3. outstanding materials – the salon is devoted to nova lash platinum bond glue, the strongest lash glue on the market, creating a lasting seal for lashes that last up to 8 weeks.

MakeUpLovesMe.com
nbc
FALL BEAUTY TRENDS – Lilliana checks out two great beauty ideas for fall– Lash extensions at Courtney Akai Lash Boutique and a manicure at Ten over Ten.
NBCNewYork.com
new-york-magazine
Critics’ Pick – Courtney Akai Lash Boutique: After several years of working as a makeup artist for brands like Clinique and Lancôme, Courtney Akai found her calling: lashes. The New Jersey native turned her fetish into a reality in 2009 by opening up this pink-washed, two-room salon in midtown. Outfitted with rhinestone-framed mirrors, the space screams girly, as does Akai, whose style is akin to fashion designer Betsey Johnson’s (whom she has worked with). Using a formaldehyde-free glue, and offering half and full sets, Akai is adamant in finding out exactly what her clients want out of an appointment (length, volume, an everyday look, something dramatic, etc.), and matches the desired effect with the appropriate lash type (synthetics, silk, or mink). Her services, which can take up to two hours, don’t come cheap (prices are from $250 for a half-set), though Akai’s meticulous work results in real-looking lashes that can last anywhere from six to eight weeks. (A word to the wise—depending on lash growth, touch ups, after a week or so, may be necessary). For those looking for a more affordable option, Akai has brought on two associates who offer the same lash services, but at slightly lower price points. Special event makeup, permanent makeup, and lash dying are also on the menu. — Randi Eichenbaum
nymag.com
examiner
Say goodbye to your mascara. Say hello to Lashdip

– When it comes to my lashes, I’m definitely a no fuss chica. I’m not a glam puss that wears false lashes regularly. I’m not even good at gluing them on. My daily routine consist of curling my lashes and using my trusty $5 Maybelline Waterproof Great Lash mascara. So, a few months ago when I heard about Lashdip, I was a bit intrigued. The idea of having my lashes look perfectly curled and coated with mascara when I awake everyday seemed almost unreal.
My researched started out by finding what cosmetic empire created this magnificent idea. To my surprise the procedure was created by make-up artists Jessica Harley (heir to Harley-Davidson motorcycles) and Gina Mondragon. Developed in just 2 years, Lashdip was the answer to the busy woman who doesn’t want to worry about smearing, clumping, and flaking. The process consist of brushing the lashes with a semi permanent, tacky mascara like formula that sets and stays on for up to 4 weeks. Sounds impossible? Almost too good to be true. So I set out on my mission. The “long lasting beautiful lashes” mission.

The mission started with booking an appointment at Courtney Akai Lash Boutique. Getting an appointment at this place is like trying to get the Pope to listen to your confessions. After weeks went by. I finally got an appointment with Christian Zamora. I was a bit nervous, but excited. What if I go blind? What if my end result has me looking like Tammy Faye Baker? With Mr. Zamora being the go to make-up artist for stars like Katie Holmes and Nina Gracia, I knew I would be in good hands.

Examiner.com
ny-weddings
Weddings Special – One Dress, Four Ways: A quartet of stylists demonstrate the transformative power of the right hair, makeup, and accessories. – Look #1 Simple Elegance: Cassandra Quinn, manager and stylist at wedding atelier Lovely, wanted to create a look that was “both dramatic and effortless but still edgy.” Ruben Colon, hairstylist for Sally Hershberger Downtown, complemented her work with a “sultry, romantic” updo. Christian Zamora, makeup artist for Courtney Akai Lash Boutique, finished things off with a glowy blend of pink and peach blushes from Kevyn Aucoin.
New York Magazine
allure
Makeover Special – Face Off – Teeth, lips, lashes, brows: When you want to put your best face forward, these little things can make a big, beautiful difference… Lash Extensions “I was self-conscious about my blonde eyelashes-I wouldn’t even go to the gym without mascara,” Greismann says. So Courtney Akai of Courtney Akai Lash Boutique in New Yor City glued fine black lashes, one by one, on top of Greismann’s. At first, Greismann says, “I felt like one of those blinking baby dolls,: but after a day, she was hooked: “My eyes are so much more dramatic without me even having to try.”
Allure
abc
Luscious Lashes the new makeup trend – NEW YORK (WABC) — “What do Halle Berry, Jessica Alba, and Brooke Shields have in common? They are stunning actresses, but they also have Luscious Lashes. It’s the hottest trend in make-up. Dawn Watts, the creator of “Line n Grow” guarantees success. Her team developed this unique do-it-yourself treatment for your upper and lower lashes and even your brows. Apply the product to the base of your lashes twice a day for 4 to 6 weeks. The beauty of it is it goes on like liquid liner and there are several different colors, including clear.” Watch video
abclocal.go.com
ny-times
Fashion & Style – Beauty House Calls in the Wee Hours – “Courtney Akai, who owns an eyelash salon on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan, is another member of the indefatigable new beauty brigade. “I’m almost embarrassed to say I work 6 to 7 days a week, 12 hours a day,” she said. “It’s ridiculous, because I do eyelash extensions. But in this kind of industry, you can’t be 9-to-5. You have to accommodate the client and work around their schedule or you will lose them.””
NYTimes.com
glamours
The Girls in the Beauty Dept. – I’m now the third person on this blog to try eyelash extensions but here’s a new one I gave a go: Semi-permanent mascara. Want to see what it looks like? I’ll show you. Now, a few words about the LashDip. It’s not just a lash dye, it actually coats your lashes and thickens them like mascara, except it doesn’t wash off. So can I feel it? A little. It’s like I’m wearing false eyelashes—there’s a little something there, but I can handle it. But there is one downside: Since the individual strands are thicker, they can get stuck together. I know, I spent a few minutes yesterday with a couple of my top and bottom lashes in a deep embrace. But a deep breath and some monkeying around with my fingers got it all worked out. Crisis averted.

The extensions and the mascara will will stay on until my lashes grow out—about 3 weeks—so it’ll be interesting to see what it all looks like as it grows out. And it’ll be fun batting my lashes at people in meantime. I’ll report back if I have any interesting observations as I go.

So that’s the story. What do you think? Would you ever do this to your lashes, do you think?

Glamour.com
examiner
“Courtney Akai Lash Boutique is the place to go when you want long, natural looking “semi-permanent” lashes. Specializing in eyelash extensions this by-appointment only boutique, is where celebrities and especially brides go to create a bit of ‘eye-drama’. A full set of extensions can lengthen lashes up to 50 percent and thicken them by 30 percent. Courtney is funny, creates a space where you are relaxed as she applies each single synthetic and/or mink eyelash creating a full, lush and natural look. I had them done (just on the corners) and my eyes did pop!”
Examiner.com
she-knows
Fall makeup trends – Fall is coming — and so is the time to update your makeup look. – “…Want your eyes to pop without heavy clumps of mascara?

You need more lashes! Try semi-permanent eyelash extensions. Just by adding some length and volume, says Akai, they bring out the color and shape of the eye without your having to add anything to your makeup bag.”

SheNows.com
get-married
Wedding Dish. Learn why make up trials are so important for your wedding. Plus get exclusive make up tips from professional make-up artist Eve Pearl and Lash Boutique’s Courtney Akai! Check out the video here.
GetMarried.com
mylifetime
“We’ve always wondered how ladies like Jessica Alba, Taylor Swift, Kim Kardashian, Megan Fox and Selena Gomez had such long, luscious and perfectly curled lashes. Their eyelashes look larger than life, right?

Well we finally unearthed the secret to the most gorgeous lashes in Hollywood when we met lash expert Courtney Akai at her New York City salon yesterday and she explained the process.

Courtney attaches each lash extension to exactly every single little lash you have using a pair of tweezers. The shape and color is also customized to best match you existing eyelashes. That’s why you’ll notice that stars like these gals have eyelashes that look natural and yet completely enviable — a set of these extensions can lengthen lashes by 50 percent and can thicken them by at least 30 percent.

Courtney gave us the star treatment and applied some lash extensions to only the outer part of our eyes. (A full session takes two hours; ours took 10 minutes.) We barely felt a thing, except for our very fluttery eyelids which refused to stop quivering. Still, Courtney worked her magic perfectly, with an amazingly steady hand, despite our jitters. Even with only a few extensions, we skipped the mascara this morning and still are getting compliments on our eyes today! (Can’t say that’s happened before!)

Wanna get the scoop on how celebs will get star-worthy lashes for awards shows like the MTV VMAs and the Emmys? Visit Courtney Akai Lash Boutique.”

MyLifetime.com
american-spa
by Heather Mikesell – “A few weeks ago, a couple of my American Spa cohorts returned from the IECSC Las Vegas show with fabulous-looking lashes. To say the rest of us were a bit jealous is an understatement. If there is one thing we all covet, it’s lush lashes. Luckily for me, I had just discovered a gift card for a complimentary set of lash extensions from Courtney Akai in a swag bag from a SpaWeek Media event I attended last month. I had thought to save the card for a special occasion but couldn’t resist booking an appointment after seeing my fellow staffers bat their lovely lashes around the office. Because I’m blonde and fair-skinned, I must admit I was a bit worried that I might end up looking like a drag queen with lashes that were far too dramatic, However, Courtney instantly put my fears to rest, and two hours later, I was batting my own lovely NovaLash extensions. It’s been about five days now, and I still can’t get over the transformation. Interested in becoming a NovaLash lash artist and creating some transformations of your own? Then call (866) 430-1261 or log on to www.novalash.com.”
blog.americanspamag.com
shefinds
“I was hesitant to try out Lash Extensions at first, but after a somewhat lengthy process, my lashes looked dramatic, voluminous and downright fabulous. And the best part was I didn’t bother with eye-makeup – no mascara, no liner, no nothing. I didn’t need anything else to accentuate my eyes!”
SHEFINDS.COM
ny-weddings
“If you’re worried you’ll cry at the ceremony and be self- consciously dabbing the mascara out of your eyes all night, consider getting Lash Extensions. Courtney Akai will tone it up or down a notch depending on what your style is and how long your actual lashes are to begin with”
NEW YORK Magazine Wedding
new-york-magazine
PACKAGED GOODS: Transportive combo treatments form the city’s top spas. The lash master’s new space has the same dollhouse appeal as her first salon, with the bonus of a nail services. While Akai applies faux lashes, manicurist Selena Reyes goes to town on your hands and feet. The mani-pedi massages make the 90-minute application feel downright short-not to mention bearable for anxious types.
New York – Best Of New York edition
new-york-magazine
Adding a Little Flicker To Those Lights by Judith Newman – I have exactly the kind of hazel eyes that were just daring Latisse to mess with them. So I opted instead for the lash extensions. Because I was a little nervous about anyone hovering around my eyes with pointy instruments, I, just as any Kardashian would, paid $500 to Courtney Akai, widely thought to be the diva of eyelash extensions in New York.
“Welcome to my Pink Palace,” she cried as I walked in, and indeed it was floor-to-ceiling pink. A shrine to Hello Kitty stood in the corner. She patiently discussed types of extensions, colors (pink or green: an option!) and length. I decided to be bold, though not purple-lash bold; just kind of a couple of millimeters longer than I thought I’d be comfortable with. And I was right. “You have to be a little O.C.D. to do this all day long,” Mrs. Akai said, as she cheerfully and meticulously glued 90 to 130 tiny silk hairs to each of my own lashes. It took about two and a half hours, and she did only the top lashes (she can also do the bottoms). Since I asked for a glue for sensitive eyes, I was told they would probably fall off within two weeks. Yet they’re still there three weeks later, making me look like a superannuated Betty Boo.
The New York Times
allure
Eyelash Effect – Go big or go home: The latest lash looks are long, thick, and over the top … Extending Extensions – Lash extensions can create Kardashian-level fringe or just a subtle boost. But there are good lash extensions and bad ones (hello, Britney Spears). Courtney Akai, who has an eponymous lash boutique in New York City, explains how to achieve the former.
Allure
womansday
It may take a few tries, but once you master this easy application technique from Courtney Akai Lash Boutique in New York city, you’ll have full, natural-looking lashes.
Women’s Day Magazine
self
Fringe Benefit- Want gorgeously lush eyelashes without the mascara meltdowns—in fact, without even having to own mascara? It’s now officially possible. We’ll wink to that! – How to make it last: Oil can break down the gel, so use a non-oil-based makeup remover says, Courteny Akai, who offers LashDip at her NYC salon.
Self Magazine
allure
Beauty and the Beach: Keep Your Faux Tan (and Hair and Lashes) Looking Hot – You have lash extensions. These are “pretty much maintenance free, unless you’re going to be doing some serious swimming,” says Courtney Akai, owner of Courtney Akai Lash Boutique in New York City. If that’s the case, be sure to wear goggles so the force of the water won’t loosen lash extensions as you do laps. Also, ask your stylist if the glue she uses will hold up to oil-based products; if not, choose sunscreens that come in a creams or lotion (not a spray) so you can be sure to avoid the lashlines when applying.
Allure.com
shape
10 High-Tech Beauty Products Worth Every Penny – Get Fuller Lashes without Mascara: If you want your lashes to be thicker and longer but don’t want to apply mascara every day, LashDip is an ideal solution. The cutting-edge treatment is like a creamier version of a lash tint that darkens and plumps lashes while lasting for about a month. Makeup artist and eyelash specialist Christian Zamora at the Courtney Akai Lash Boutique in New York City specializes in customizing the look by combining LashDip’s lash semi-permanent tinting with a few individual eyelash extensions to really make eyes pop. LashDip is $250 for the initial application along with a complimentary two-week touch up; CourtneyAkai.com.
Shape.com
us-weekly
Us Beauty- Get ‘Wow’ Lashes: “Faux eyelashes give your eyes an instant sultry, flirty look,” says lash expert Courtney Akai (who has worked with Elisabeth Hasselback). “For special big nights out, try a lash strip adorned with glitter for extra pop!”
US Weekly
glamours
The Girls in the Beauty Dept. – Adventures in Eyelash Extensions, Part 2- You guys, I am feeling very flirty at the moment. You see, after I got a handful of eyelash extensions and semi-permanent mascara back in November, I was curious what I’d look like with a full set of lash extensions. So I called up the folks at the Courtney Akai Lash Boutique yet again and headed in. I can’t stop batting them.
Glamour.com
real-simple
Beauty Ideas That Save Time, Money, and Sanity – by Didi Gluck – Think of lash extensions as falsies that don’t come off with the rest of your makeup. How they work: An aesthetician (preferably one with an aesthetician or cosmetology license) applies individual hairs to your lashes one by one, giving you dramatically fuller fringe and negating the need for mascara. A word to the wise: To avoid the Snuffleupagus look, ask for just a few pieces at the outermost corners of your lashes instead of getting a full set. “Lashes are thickest in the middle of your lash line, so emphasizing only the outer corners can enhance your eyes in a more natural way,” says Courtney Akai, the owner of the Courtney Akai Lash Boutique, in New York City. Plus, it can cost less.
RealSimple.com
ny-post
Lash out! Treatment extends holiday glamour – By KIRSTEN FLEMING – ”
When it comes to makeup, convenience is my main priority, especially during holiday time. I love a bold red lip and chunky lashes, but I also have a lazy habit of not washing my face at night — which means I wake up looking like the love child of Courtney Love and Taylor Momsen.

When LashDip — a semi-permanent mascara that promises to thicken your lashes for up to six weeks — hit the city at lash guru Courtney Akai’s salon in mid-November, I was thrilled to try it out. During the one-hour, $250 treatment, Akai sculpts your lashes and brushes layers of a carbon-black jelly on the top and bottom rows. The process was painless; Akai has the precise hands of a surgeon — which she used to add a few extensions ($50) to the corner of each eye. I walked out sporting flirty, fabulous eyes. With the exception of lipstick, my makeup bag sat untouched through a month of nights out on the town…”

NYPost.com
essence
Celebrities such as Grabrielle Union have basked in the glamour of NovaLash individual lashes (which last about four weeks). We are lusting after its new Candied Lashes in metallic shades, Courtney Akai, owner of Courtney Akai Lash Boutique in NYC, tells us hot to wear them well. Add five lashes max to each eye for a hint of shimmer. Skip the mascara. If your lash stylist applied them thoroughly it’s not needed.
Essence
more
“Expect to lie flat for about two hours for a full set (outer rim to inner corner) and just under an hour for a half set (a sparser distribution of lashes, applied just where you need them). Your lash specialist will place a gentle medical tape along your lower lashes to ensure that your top and bottom lashes don’t get glued together. Then each lash is glued on individually.”
More.com
fashion-spot
“Fall is here, and it’s time to experiment with your make-up.

Courtney Akai of the Courtney Akai Lash Boutique in New York City and Mathew Nigara, celebrity make-up artist for NYC cosmetics, suggest looking to the runways for inspiration – not just in terms of color but also in texture.

“Don’t ever be afraid to play with a new look, and never abandon what makes you feel most comfortable. True beauty comes when a woman finds the delicate balance between creativity, whimsy, and self-confidence that her make-up should bring to her daily life!” says Niagra.”

The Fashion Spot
stylelist
Lash Extensions – I Tried It! – by Lisa Schweitzer -“I’m happy to report that this time around, the process was a pleasure. It did not take four hours. I simply hopped onto the table — picture a massage table with a special pillow for your head and one for under your knees, but no robe and blanket.

Akai asked me what kind of look I wanted, and I had my answer ready: I was decidedly not in pursuit of full-on Kardashian-style fringe, but more of the me-only-better look.

I even asked, hopefully, if she had brown lashes.

“I do, but no one ever wants them!” Akai replied. She generally recommends the brown lashes for the timid or the very fair-haired, since they blend in (and therefore stand out less) with lighter eyelashes better than the black ones. You can always apply mascara for a more uniform appearance, but for me, the idea of not having to use mascara every day was a huge benefit, so I was a clear candidate for brown.

Thus we settled on brown lashes, but not a full set. Akai suggested I get them mostly on the outer half of my eyes, for lots of flutter that appears very natural; the “I just woke up looking this way” sort of look you would kill for.”

Stylelist.com
american-spa
by Heather Mikesell – Courtney Akai Lash Boutique
Introduces Add-on Services – “While basically everyone on staff here is obsessed with lash extensions, we’re not so enamored with the time it takes to apply them. And apparently, we’re not the only ones. Responding to requests from her clientele, Courtney Akai, owner of the Courtney Akai Lash Boutique (New York City), recently brought on a massage and nail expert to help clients maximize their time. Now while getting their lashes done, they can also indulge in a manicure or a relaxing hand or foot massage. It’s the perfect way to knock a couple of items off that to-do list in record time.”
americanspamag.com
haute-miimi
“The moment I walked into Courtney’s lash boutique I was welcomed by girly pink walls, boudoir inspired furniture and sultry background music. I was in girly heaven! After choosing the look I wanted to go for, (dramatic, of course) Courtney cleaned off any excess eye makeup I had on, and taped down my bottom lashes so they wouldn’t catch onto the surgical grade adhesive used to apply the extensions. After the preparations she went to work applying one extension at a time, the absolutely painless procedure can last from 1-3 hours. After the extensions were placed Courtney gave me a fabulous oxygen blast to the eye area to cool off the adhesive and comfort the eyes. The end results were amazing! My eyelashes looked extremely long, lush and glamorous yet natural. It has been six whole weeks since I last visited the salon and I have to say my lashes are still going strong.”
HauteMimi.com
total-beauty
“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!). ”
TotalBeauty.com
closet-of-style
by Catherine Horgan – “Courtney Akai makes women all around the globe feel beautiful and sexy with lash extensions. And the great news is, the process works for just about anyone, with the exception of those who change their make-up a lot, such as actresses. So, if you have trouble with mascara, or are constantly on the go every morning, or just want fabulous looking lashes (me!), lash extensions are for you!”.
closetofstyle.com
sheckus
“So you didn’t inherit the long eyelash gene (your brother did), but you can do more than just gob on the mascara. There are salons that specialize in long-term falsies now. At the hands of the licensed esthetician specialist Courtney Akai, I was at ease. Since I have blonde hair, my lashes need ten coats of mascara to stand out. After my extensions, I’ve found the real magic wand. Courtney carefully applied single lashes at the root of my lash line for an “after” that manages to remain natural but still look all out glamorous. A favorite of brides, celebs, and trophy wives uptown and downtown, the treatment is painless. Courtney will give you fantasy lashes whether you’re going for movie star glamour, bridal beauty, everyday natural, or sultry sex kitten.”
SHECKY’S New York BEAUTY
woodbury
Lush Lashes “Courtney Akai explains that she customizes the look of Lash Extensions depending on the strength and length of the natural eyelash as well as the desired look.” “Some want longer on the ends,or longer in the middle. Both create different looks, I also can apply lashes to the outer half of the eye to create a semi-glam look.”
WOODBURY Magazine Beauty Bank
people
Just Add Red Lipstick! A brick, orange or cherry shade will get you classically glam in seconds. GET THE LOOK! Use a lip liner: Apply one all over for a smooth, even finish, says Courtney Akai, makeup artist and owner of N.Y.C.’s Courtney Akai Lash Boutique. Go for a liner the same color as lips or a rosier tone to make red lipsticks really pop.
Just Add False Lashes! They’re flirty (and easy!) way to play up your eyes, whether you want subtle volume or lots of drama. GET THE LOOK! Prep your lashes: Always start by curling them. If you want lots of volume, apply a lash primer (try Lancome Oscillation Powerbooster, $39.50; lancome-usa.com). then add a few coats of mascara, says Akai.
People Style Watch
stylewatch
Find Your Perfect Mascara! – It’s the key to gorgeous, glam ees! Here’s how to select the best one gor you, apply it like a pro and much more.
Get the look you want! Choose your formula Decide what you’re going for-from extra curl to more volume, says Courtney Akai, owner of N.Y.C.’s Courtney Akai Lash Boutique. Experiment Try two different mascaras-one on your right eye and one on the left-to see which you like best.
People Style Watch
instyle
Q: I’ve toyed with the idea of wearing false eyelashes, but I don’t know how to do it. Help!
A: If you’re a faux-lash novice, you should probably start by using individual lashes, which look more natural and are easier to apply, says N.Y.C. lash expert Courtney Akai. First, curl your lashes, which makes the roots more visible. Then, apply a tiny dot of eyelash adhesive to the back of your hand. Using tweezers, pick up a single fake lash by its tip. Dip its base into the glue, and softly press it in between the roots of the hairs at the outer corner of your upper lash line. Repeat with two or three more individual falsies (keep them near your outer corner for the most realistic effect); then do the other eye. Allow glue to dry for at least five minutes, and sweep mascara over all your upper lashes to help everything blend. The process takes practice, but you can steady your hand by anchoring your elbow on a stack of books, says Akai.
InStyle Magazine
allure
5 Secrets to Making Eyelash Extensions Last Longer – With two weddings and New York Fashion Week right around the corner, I got lash extensions after six months of detoxing from them. I’d had lash extensions applied about seven times previous to my appointment last night, and am basically an addict. Yes, the process can be tedious (my appointments last a little over two hours—sometimes I nap!), but the end result is worth it: My lashes are longer and much fuller, plus my makeup routine is cut in half—there’s no need to curl my lashes or coat mascara on them. And because they’re dramatic, I don’t need to wear any other eye makeup. (Sold yet?) Here, the five tips I’ve learned over the years that help me keep my extensions intact and looking good for a long time (I’m talking two to three months):

1. Sleep on your back. This might sound like a crazy request (unless you already sleep on your back), but it’s really important directly following your application, since the glue takes a while to dry fully and you’ll otherwise get weird kinks. After a night or two, resume your normal sleeping position.

2. Give your lashes a little—ok, a lot— of TLC. When removing your eye makeup (liner, shadow, etc.), gently go over the area with a cleansing wipe instead of placing cotton pads or puffs over your lids—not only could you eventually weaken the extensions and mess them up, the cotton fibers get stuck on lashes. (Not cute). Try Neutrogena’s Make-up Remover Cleansing Towelettes.

3. Lube them up. You might think keeping your lash extensions dry is smart, but they actually stay nicer, longer, when they’re oiled up (this helps keep them flexible). Just rub a drop of baby oil on them with your fingers, as Courtney Akai of Courtney Akai Lash Boutique in New York City recommended to me.

4. Comb them out. To prevent any criss-crossing or wonky-looking lashes, use a spoolie wand. Close one eye, place the spoolie on top of your lashes, then roll the brush over lashes to keep them defined.

5. Resist playing with them. Your eyelashes shed naturally, so when you have extensions, this will help push them off. If an extension looks out of place, avoid playing with it or twisting or pulling it off—you’ll risk losing your natural lashes. Let them come out on their own, and use a spoolie to brush them back into place in the meantime.

Allure.com
refinery
How To Get Lush Lashes This Summer By Betsey McLain – Semi-Permanent Coating—For truly effortless yet seriously defined lashes, go for LashDip, a new semi-permanent professional lash coat. With a price tag of $250, it’s definitely on the expensive side, but LashDip lasts up to six weeks and can be applied over natural lashes or lash extensions. Here’s the deal: LashDip wraps an extra dark, fully waterproof coating around each lash and works like a mascara to add curl, volume, and length. Plus, it’s buildable, so you can pick your level of lash intensity. “My clients are loving LashDip for summer because they can enjoy the sun and go swimming without having to sacrifice thick, lush lashes,” says New York-based lash professional Courtney Akai. “And unlike mascara, LashDip won’t run or flake.” LashDip doesn’t contain aniline or formaldehyde and the only upkeep is a bottle take-home of sealant for touch ups.
Refinery29.com
ele
Fringe Benefits – Velvety, come-hither lashes have been prized since time immemorial. Now a slew of technology-pushing mascaras have made a lush, clump-free flutter more accesible than ever. By April Long. “I’m lying on my back, eyes closed, in what might be the pinkest room in New York City: pink walls, pink pillows, pink shelves displaying pink doodads. This shrine to all thinhs ultragirly is the midtown HQ of lash technician Courtney Akai, who is leaning over me, painstakingly painting a black jellylike substance onto my eyelashes with a tine brush. The treatment I’m getting is the Lash-Dip, a semipermanent mascara created by makeup artist Jessica Harley and Gina Mondragon, a hari colorist and former chemical technician at Vidal Sassoon … Akai promises that the coating, which essentially shrink wraps around each lash once she dries it with a handheld fan, will last two weeks-or longer, if I get touch-ups and render my fringer impervious to sweat, tears, water, and steam … My lashes are obsidian dark, dense, shiny, and, to be honest, a little stiff. Here in the pinkest of rooms, I have been literally dolled up.”
Elle Magazine
quest
Quintessential Style – Interview with Courtney Akai – Q: What should a client look for in a lash specialist? A: The level of experience is important. Always make sure to check that he or she is properly licensed, and note the credentials—there’s a difference between an aesthetician or cosmetologist. Ask what type of glue is used and where it’s manufactured. We use NovaLash.
Quest Magazine
ny-times
Fashion & Style – Batter Up: Eyelashes Enjoy a Spike – “Courtney Akai, an eyelash extension specialist who owns the Courtney Akai Lash Boutique on Fifth Avenue, was one of the first makeup artists in Manhattan trained to apply LashDip. She heard about the product from one of her extension clients. “As soon as I saw the first demonstration, my heart was racing,” Ms. Akai said. “I just knew this was the missing piece.””
NYTimes.com
ele
“A longtime slave to mascara, I jumped at the chance to try LashDip, a new budgeproof semipermanent product that promises impenetrably dark, lush lashes for up to six weeks. But before laying my anemic hairs in the hands of NYC lash guru Courtney Akai, I was eager to learn more about the mysterious miracle treatment: What was in it and how did it work? Here, the lowdown on LashDip and how it compares with other eyelash enhancers on the market.”
Elle.com
new-york-magazine
Women in New York Do Not Let Sleep, Long Work Hours, or Husbands Get in the Way of Their Spray Tanning – “In addition to needing self-tanning services around the clock, women like to have their eyelash extensions done at odd hours, as well. Eyelash aesthetician Courtney Akai sometimes even gets self-conscious about working so much:

“I’m almost embarrassed to say I work 6 to 7 days a week, 12 hours a day,” she said. “It’s ridiculous, because I do eyelash extensions. But in this kind of industry, you can’t be 9-to-5. You have to accommodate the client and work around their schedule or you will lose them.”

NyMag.com
ladies-home-journal
“A few weeks before a family wedding, I bumped into a friend who looked especially stunning. “I got lash extensions,” she whispered. My brain quickly did the math: Instead of splurging on a new dress and shoes, I could treat myself to new lashes. I visited Courtney Akai at her namesake lash boutique, in New York City, where she meticulously glued individual lashes to my own. Two and a half hours (and $400) later, I was fluttering my own remarkable set of fringe. During the big wedding weekend I didn’t wear a stitch of eye makeup but got tons of compliments on my “gorgeous lashes.” A month later the extensions all fell out. Luckily, I got lots of great family photos at the wedding, so I can always remember my fun fake-lash experiment.”
Ladies Home Journal
real-beauty
“The best treatments to promote healthy lashes are growth serums or vitamins packed with biotin,” says Courtney Akai, lash expert and owner of Courtney Akai Lash Boutique in New York. The double-edge sword with growth serums is that they might not fit your budget if you’re a new graduate or still in school. This two-step mascara with a lash-boosting serum for night can mimic the results of an expensive growth serum for half the price.”
RealBeauty.com
marie-claire
Batter Up: Lash Extensions Are a Home Run. “Reporting our monthly “What I Love About Me” feature has taught me a lot about women’s grooming routines across our fair country (pun intended). The one constant I’ve discovered in my beauty-roadtripping is that women love mascara—it’s the number one item most of you say you can’t live without. This was originally somewhat of a surprise to me, but with good reason. I have super-sensitive eyes and can’t wear most formulas unless I want to look like I’m on the verge of crying all day. Tired of my wimpy lashes and coveting the recent look of mega-lashes (think Kim Kardashian but a little less extreme), I went to Courtney Akai’s Lash Boutique in NYC yesterday to give lash extensions a try. Within 45 minutes, Courtney applied a half set of extensions to my individual lash hairs, and the results were awesome. My eyes looked bigger, wider, and even greener. Plus, the amped up lashes eliminate the need for any eye makeup, which fits in well with my low-maintenance lifestyle. I’ll have to go back in three weeks for a touch-up if I decide to keep up with the look, but at $200 session, I might save my visits for special occasions. In the mean time, stay tuned for more on my lash-centric experiments: falsies, mascaras, growth serums, oh my!”
MarieClaire.com
american-spa
“Steal the look: Julia Roberts in Eat, Pray, Love. Eat, Pray, Love, in book as well as movie form, became a worldwide phenomenon because women universally relate to the hurdles and triumphs of the heroine. The book is a study of a woman’s voyage to find herself after her world as she knew it crumbled. The movie, likewise, tells of struggles and journeys — but its costuming has already made its way into fashion. Want to embrace cultures of the world with your own personal style? Julia Roberts embodies the spirit in Eat, Pray, Love. Here’s how to steal the look! … Skin –

According to Courtney Akai, of Courtney Akai Lash Boutique in New York City, Julia’s natural glowing look starts with matte neutral/bone-colored eye shadow from lid to brow. Using an angled brush, fill in your brows with a taupe eyebrow powder. Wet a dark brown matte eye shadow with an eyeliner brush and softly use it against the lash line as eyeliner. One to two coats of mascara will accentuate lashes for a natural look. Contour cheeks with color.”

americanspamag.com
the-lost-girls
“Thicker, longer lashes: Visit Courtney at the Courtney Akai Boutique Salon for eyelash extensions. I was admittedly freaked out about having someone glue individual lashes to each of my own eyelashes, but I heard the process meant I could skip mascara and eyeliner—and that my lashes would look full even after swimming in the ocean! Application can take up to two hours, but Courtney makes you so comfortable and relaxed it doesn’t feel like that long. She laid me down and propped my legs up on a pillow, and then we talked the whole time about everything from career to love. I’ll admit, the process can make your eyes water, but the end result is so amazing you won’t need makeup for six to eight weeks. Courtney is the only woman I’d trust to get that close to my eyes because she’s been doing it for more than five years and has the skills needed to give natural-looking results.”
LostGirlsWorld.com
spa-week
“If a picture speaks a thousand words, then two sets of before and after pictures are pretty much a magazine. Erin and Kaitlin, two of the ladies of Spa Week, recently got eyelash extensions at the Courtney Akai Boutique in New York City and have the rest of the office lusting! Courtney works around her clients’ schedules and applies every lash herself, ensuring top quality, VIP service. The process consists of a synthetic lash glued to each individual eyelash, and VOILA, you rid yourself of having to wear gunky mascara for up to 6-8 weeks. Both girls’ lashes look and feel totally natural! Summertime and the livin just got even easier.”
spaweekblog.com
launchpad
Pageant Peepers – “Oh beauty queen, why are your lashes so long?” Pageant princess Chelsey Rodgers relaxes while her lash stylist, Courtney Akai applies NovaLash lash extensions . “I previously wore lash strips because my lashes are shorter and much curlier than I would like them to be,” explains Rodgers. “Now, I actually have the transformational results that I’ve read and heard so much about.. I couldn’t be happier!”
LAUNCHPAD Magazine
ny-post
“As someone who, every day for two years, glued on false lashes, I was more than eager to submit to the care of Courtney Akai. Placing myself in her hands for two hours yielded an ultranatural-looking, enhanced set that will last weeks- And several months with regular touch-ups.
NY POST- Haute List by Danica Lo