The Belmore Centre: LVL Lashes

I have a love/hate relationship with my lashes; whenever I wear mascara it clumps together, gloops up in the corner of my eye and presses off all over my lids and under eyes despite being waterproof. If I don’t end up looking like a panda with my runaway eye makeup then I look like a pig without it, as my natural lashes are quite blonde and hardly show up at all so my eyes need all of the definition they can get. I’ve tried stick on strip lashes and individual glue-in lashes in the past for special occasions which look so ridiculously fake, bold and drag-queen-esque for an afternoon until they peel off, curl up, poke you in the eye or fall out unevenly. So when I heard about the new LVL lashes, meaning lift volume length, to enhance the natural beauty of your own lashes I simply couldn’t wait to book in for a treatment.

The Belmore Centre LVL Lashes

The Belmore Centre LVL Lashes

LVL lashes are different to traditional eyelash extensions as no actual extension is used and no mascara is needed, yet the same amazing results can be achieved as a special silicon shield lifts the eyelashes from the roots; the 45 minute treatment is low maintenance and long lasting, with your natural lashes looking thicker and voluminous for up to six whole weeks. The first appointment takes an hour and a quarter and involves a patch test 48hrs prior to the treatment which is included in the price, a consultation to discuss the look that you want to create, the treatment itself and finally an eyelash tint. After the initial appointment, information and checks, the process itself can be performed in 45 minutes in future for a top up.

Pulling into the car park of the Belmore Centre which was clearly signposted from the main Stoke Mandeville Hospital road, I was pleasantly greeted by the friendly and welcoming staff at reception before being shown to a beautiful white stone waiting area filled with beauty products, soft lighting and soothing music. A few moments later I was greeted by Laura, my therapist, and shown to a peaceful, cosy and quiet treatment room upstairs which was furnished with beautiful white and purple materials and sumptuous soft fluffy towels. After answering a few questions about my health concerning the procedure that I was about to have, Laura showed me to a bed where I laid down and the appointment began.

Laura started by using soft cotton pads to gently remove my eye make up which was just some under eye foundation and brow pencil. She also cleansed my lashes to make sure that the area was clean and free of any product. As I wanted to have the maximum volume for my lashes, Laura advised that I use the small shield for lift, with medium being more natural and the large used to subtly shape and perfect the direction of the lashes. She then placed a gel pad over each of my lower set of lashes in order to keep them out of the way as only the top lashes were being treated. The gel pad was cool and soothed the delicate skin under my eyes which often gets puffy and hot. I closed my eyes and listened to the calming music as Laura applied the adhesive to my lash line and fixed the shields in place. The silicone shield is a flexible soft strip which is set at an angle for the lashes to attach to, giving varying degrees of volume depending on which size you go for.

Laura then used a solution to delicately attach my lashes to the shield and separated them with a fine brush, ensuring they were equal, evenly spaced and all angled in the same direction, as the position she set them in now is the position they will remain in for the next six weeks. Following this she applied the lifting solution for which I waited several minutes with my eyes still closed for it to take effect.

After removing the lifting solution with a cotton bud, Laura then applied the volumizing serum, waiting for another seven minutes before it was removed with a soft bud and the lash tint applied. The colour I had chosen was blue/black which is the darkest shade available and it comes in a thick paste of pigment which is mixed up in a dish and smeared over the lashes. Laura advised the products used to lift the lashes had opened up the hair making the dye take more quickly and easier than a normal tint would, so it only had to remain in place for four minutes to take effect. The tint was then removed with a soft bud and moisturising serum applied which stops the lashes from being pulled or damaged, restoring their natural moisture and helping to avoid dryness when lifting them off of the shield. The shields and pads were then peeled back to reveal my new gorgeous lashes that were completely my own. Laura finished up by wiping down my lashes and combing them and when I saw them in the mirror it was love at first sight.

I couldn’t believe how long and full my natural lashes they looked, as it really makes a difference to their length just by having them lifted. My eyes look more defined, so much wider and brighter than before, and the tint has made them look so thick and dark. It’s like having perfectly placed permanent mascara that won’t come off, drop or clump, oh and it will amazing last for the next month and a half. Laura advised that I should keep any products away from my eyes for the first few hours so as not to irritate them whilst they settle, but after that I can get them wet, wear make up, put on mascara – not that I’d need to, and carry out my usual beauty regime without any disruption.

The procedure was so relaxing, comfortable and pain free, and it was lovely to be able to lay down for an hour whilst listening to calming music and being pampered; now I have gorgeous natural lashes that will remain perfectly volumised and defined for the next six weeks. I’m forever looking for ways to cut down the time it takes to get ready in the morning, as well as looking effortlessly maintained, so to be able to wake up with my lashes perfectly in place is fantastic. There is something very feminine, classical and elegant about having naturally pretty lashes, because you don’t look fake or over made-up, but people wonder if you’ve had something done or lucky to be born that way. With gift vouchers also available I’ve got Christmas all wrapped up!

For more information or to book an appointment you can visit The Belmore Centre online!

Beauty Therapist Laura says:
“LVL is a revolutionary alternative to lash extensions that provides our clients with longer looking lashes without the need for lash extensions or harsh perming techniques. Each treatment takes 1 hour and treatment price is £45.00. LVL revolutionises antiquated perming techniques in a number of ways. LVL uses an innovative technique to gently lift and straighten the lashes, giving clients lashes that look thicker and more voluminous. LVL uses silicon shields, rather than rods, the shields are far more comfortable both for clients and their lashes. Another key difference is that our fabulous LVL gel formulation straightens the lash rather than curls it. The result? Stunning length, volume and lift for your client’s natural eyelashes.

LVL treatment is not painful at all. The whole process is designed to be gentle and relaxing and you should leave the salon feeling ultra confident and sexy with your new-look lashes. LVL doesn’t curl, frizz or fry your lashes like perming often does, it simply provides a healthy-looking lift.
Contra indications to the treatment are —
• Cataract, Diabetic Retinopathy, Glaucoma, Herpes Simplex, Psoriasis.
You also need to be aware of —
• Conjunctivitis, Dry eye syndrome, Eye infection, Trichotillomania, Alopecia, skin disorders and recent hair loss.

You are not able to carry out the treatment on ladies that are pregnant or nursing mothers, people that have got a allergy to latex rubber. Before having the treatment, clients wearing contact lenses will need to remove them. We are now ready to start the treatment! We will discuss what look you would like to acheive with your lashes and we will pick a suitable sheld to give you the desired look.

First of all we remove the protein residue from the lashes by using protein remover pads.
Then we will protect the lower lashes by using special anti-wrinkle gel pads underneath the eye. Once they are fitted the therapist will then brush through the lashes to make sure they are set into place
We then need to apply the desired shield to the upper lid and fix the lashes to the shield using a special adhesive. This can take a little while as we need to make sure that the lashes are set in the correct position as this is the way they will look once the process is finished. Once the therapist is happy with the lashes we then apply a small amount of LVL Lifting balm to the root of the lashes. This helps to break down the disulphide bonds in the lashes, making them flexible. We have to leave this on for about 7 minutes.

Then we remove the residue and get ready to volumise those lashes using LVL volumising balm, which repairs the disulphide bonds in the lashes, fixing them into place where we want them. Again this stays on for about 7 minutes, once this has taken we remove the residue and tint the lashes normally using a blue/black colour for maximum effect. The final touch in the process is applying the LVL serum which removes the lashes from the sheild and replenishes the lashes with oils and moisture, leaving them looking and feeling fantastic. Once this is done the lashes just need to dry for a second, combed into place and then they are ready to go—looking fantastic!

After having LVL lashes you just need to let them calm down as it takes approximately 24 hours for the LVL lashes to set in place. What clients need to be aware of for the first 24 hours are—
· Dont wet or rub the lashes
· Dont apply cream to the eyes as this could get onto the lashes
· Dont apply mascara
· Dont use a sauna or faical steamer for 48 hgours
· Dont go swimming
Enjoy your LVL’s!”

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Tracy Kiss

Social influencer, Bodybuilder, Mother, Vegan
London, UK

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