Super-size lashes, impeccable brows and luminous locks are beauty attributes most of us desire. Unless you resemble Angelina Jolie, who completes the entire package, you’ve got to work on maintaining an effervescent vibe. A surefire way to obtain this-so-called-effortless beauty is through a little investment. See what sorts of ideas we’ve got in mind to give you that ‘seamless look’ for summer that’ll last well into fall.

Hair extensions
Perhaps you’ve got short tresses or suffer from thinning hair. Whatever the case, try a solution that looks and feels real with hair extensions. Two common types of application are: individual strands and wefts. To apply individual extensions, a modest part of the extension is applied to limited strands of actual hair. This can be done by weaving, gluing, heat fusing, clamping with metal rods or using waxes and polymers. For all of the aforementioned methods (other than clamping) a coat of a chemical substance is applied to serve as an adhesive. Typically individual extensions last several months before they need to be loosened and reapplied.  

The weft style is done by attaching hair to the head by sewing a track (tiny braid) made out of your own hair. The track runs horizontally around the back of your head and the tracks are done in the middle of the scalp underneath the hairline so they are not visible. Wefts are either machine made or handmade, handmade being better for one’s hair. A handmade weft is color coded to match hair perfectly, suited to one’s scalp size and lasts longer than machine made.

Hair extensions begin in the mid hundreds and can run up to $3000. Maintenance runs from $20 to $60 per track every six to eight weeks.

Eyelash extensions
Coast to coast the hip trend for eye makeup is eyelash extensions. Originating in Asia, eyelash extensions slowly made their way to the United States. Differing from false eyelashes, which last one day, synthetic eyelash extensions are glued to eyelash hairs one by one with tweezers. The process takes about two hours and the lashes can last up to three months. Costs vary from $300 to $500 depending on where you get the process done. If you’re Madonna they’ll come studded with diamonds and cost well into the thousands, ten grand to be exact. Since salons everywhere are catching on to this trend, word of mouth typically is the way to go. Several popular spots in Los Angeles and New York are booked up several months in advance just for a consult. For those who prefer an alternative at a lower price opt for semi-permanent lashes that run around $50, take minutes to apply and stay on for up to 10 ten days.

Cosmetic Tattooing
Intradermal micropigmentation, or cosmetic tattooing, is a fast-growing part of today's beauty and health industry. The popularity of permanent makeup for eyebrows, lip and eye lining is so in demand that many makeup artists and technicians offer these services, in their offices, or in conjunction with beauty salons.