Romy Raves

This contest is now CLOSED. And the winner is . . . SuperKitty, Congratulations!

I am obsessed with LASHES! The longer, the lusher, the fuller, the BETTER! And with my lashes on, I look and feel so much prettier and awake. However, I recently took a break from my beloved Xtreme Lash Extensions and was missing them something awful, but was delighted when the fab folks at Xtreme Lashes asked me to try out their exciting brand new lash growth product called AMPLIF.eye Lash & Brow Fortifier (available starting December 3, 2010).

I must admit, I have tried several other popular lash stimulating products that are currently on the market (which all contain prostaglandin-a hormone that stimulates lash growth) and although these products did induce growth, unfortunately they also left a VERY undesirable line of pigmentation around my eyes which I was not a fan of! Needless to say, I have been rather skeptical about trying other products in this category, but I was delighted to hear that AMPLIF.eye contains none of these undesirable ingredients.

AMPLIF.eye is a non-drug, side-effect free product based on a potent complex of peptides, vitamins and nourishing extracts formulated to produce thicker, fuller, darker lashes without drugs or dangerous and annoying side-effects. It is also the only formula that is made to be compatible with lash extensions (love that!) and it also works on your eyebrows too.

So how does it work? AMPLIF.eye contains a potent trio of exclusive peptide complexes that have been proven to promote lash growth and help stimulate cell activity in the lash follicle where growth actually occurs. AMPLIF.eye has an exclusive delivery system that allows its peptides to deeply penetrate into the follicle to stimulate hair growth, nourish the lash follicle and strengthen the root structure. This power packed peptide formula is designed to amplify lash length, thickness and volume and give you lusher, darker and more plentiful lashes.

So what did I think? Love it! After several weeks of use, I have definitely noticed that my lashes look lusher, fuller, darker, and healthier-in a subtle but noticeable way. I actually would describe it as an anti-aging serum for your lashes–it’s a product that rejuvenates your lashes and makes them look younger and healthier. And it has even helped my challenged sparse brows look fuller too! And the best part, NO side effects, no pigmentation!

Sounds FAB, right? Well, how would you like to win your very own AMPLIF.eye lash enhancing serum (valued at $119!) of your very own? Just in time to make your lashes fresh and flirty for the holidays?

All that you need to do to enter this giveaway is THREE Things:

1. Become an email subscriber of Romy Raves
2. ‘Like’ (really Like me ) me on my Facebook Fan page                                                                                       
3. And post a comment on this blog post and share your favorite holiday tip or tell me what make-up products you use to look more festive during the holidays

This contest will end at midnight PST on Thursday, December 9th, 2010. The winner will be selected using Random.org. You must have a U.S. shipping address in order to enter and only one entry per person.

Of all the beauty treatment and enhancements out there, I would say that eyelash extensions are hands down my absolute favorite beauty indulgence. Why you ask? Because men make passes at girls who wear lashes. . .no no I meant to say that I LOVE LOVE LOVE lash extensions because they instantly make me look sexy, flirty, awake and refreshed without one stitch of make-up. Some mornings I barely have time to brush my teeth and then I am out the door, but with my lashes on I feel ready for the day with no effort. What’s not to love about that??

[caption id="attachment_2745" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="My Lashes Before Extensions"][/caption]

Well, every summer for the past few years I have always gotten extensions from various stylists and while they all have been great, Arlena Parker takes the cake! She is a gifted pro who is the only Advanced Certified Xtreme Lashes Stylist in Los Angeles. Xtreme Lashes is one of the leaders in the lash extension industry, their products are top notch and Arlena exclusively uses these products. Well a couple of weeks ago, I had the delightful pleasure of putting my eyes in Arlena’s hands so that she could customize a gorgeous full long lash look on my eyelashes, she took before and after shots to show the dramatic difference (see left) and OMG all I can say is WOW!

[caption id="attachment_2746" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="My Lashes AFTER Extensions"][/caption]

It took her about two hours to create these amazing extensions that she meticulously glued to each and every one of my lashes and the effect is truly amazing! Xtreme lashes are synthetic so that they last longer, are wider at the base and taper at the end to mimic the natural curl so the they really look like an amazing enhancement of your natural lashes. Arlena is a pleasure to be around and her work is so amazing (she is the go-to-girl for botched extensions BTW) that you could not detect where my lash line meets the extension. My lashes are going on three weeks and I conitually get stopped for compliments on my amazing lashes (and now after three weeks time, it is about time for a fill-in.) You do have to be a little more gentle with these lashes than you are with own, you can’t use any oil based products but the results are stunning.

And I am also loving a couple of the amazing Xtreme Lashes products that are beautifully made and extend the life of your lashes. Xtreme Eye Makeup Remover and Facial Cleanser is a delightfully soothing aloe vera juice-based formula that gently cleanses the skin and easily removes make-up from your eyes and lash extensions. And I am obsessed and addicted to GlideLiner Long Lasting Eye Pencil becasue it is made out of an innovative long lasting gel technology that glides on easily without tugging, is easy to blend and then it sets quickly and stays put all day. OMG this beautifully pigmented liner achieves the perfect lined look and it really doesn’t move. My true test of whether a liner stays put or not is that with most liners, the line ends up on my lids, but GlideLiner never does and it even looks good at the end of the day–I LOVE IT!! This liner makes it into my hall of fame favorites!

So I can’t RAVE enough about Arlena’s work and these amazingly addicitve Xtreme Lashes. However, good extensions don’t come cheap (usually $300+ for a full set) and they are slightly high maintence, but the results are SO worth it! So take note LA/CA beauty mavens, give Arlena a call and ask for the Romy Raves Speical–She is offering a full set of extensions to my readers for $275, normally she charges $350 and believe me she is well worth it!

Arlena Parker, The Beauty Boutique in Studio City, California (818) 506-6400