For the last 20 years, I have trusted Shannon Winter for all of my esthetician needs, but when she…read morestarted doing lashes back when NO ONE had even heard of eye lash extensions, I became a committed, lifetime client. I have always envied the girls with long, beautiful eyelashes and I thought I was doomed to live with my invisible stumps or those awful false eyelash strips that I can never get on let alone straight for the rest of my life. Now, Shannon gives me gorgeous, natural looking eyelashes and my friends and strangers envy me every day!
I currently live in Manhattan where dodgy, dirty eyelash spots can be found on just about every block (I think there called "Pink Eye"). I have tried places in Philly, Delaware, NJ, NYC, Los Angeles and San Fransisco and nothing compares to Shannon's talent and technique and for those reasons, I will follow her wherever she goes. If you are in the Philadelphia area I envy you. If you are in Philly and not working with Shannon, I pity you.
She's not a careless hack with questionable training and credentials who will glue anything to your face with no explanation or consultation. She is a consummate professional and one of the first artists to offer and perfect the eyelash extension technique in the United States. She wouldn't touch your face without a thorough consultation to select the appropriate product and technique for your individual needs and she would explain everything to you from start to finish as well as after care.
Trust me, I had a frightening, first-hand experience when I was on an extended work trip in San Fransisco and I was expected to speak in front of a large audience. I went to a high-end, highly rated, expensive salon in the Marina so I assumed I would be well taken care of. The tech chose the wrong length and thickness and they were too heavy for my natural lash. I woke up the next morning (the morning of my presentation) to more than half of my natural lashes and the extensions they were glued to on my white pillow case. I learned my lesson right then and there; never again. Once you go to Shannon Winter for eyelash extensions, you won't want to go anywhere else. Heed my warning: Don't go anywhere else!
Shannon uses top of the line products and is on the cutting edge of trends and training techniques in eyelash art. She is also a nationally renowned trainer so when the best want to learn from the best, they seek out Shannon Winter
Even though everyone wants the extra thick, super long look they see on celebrities, the truth is very few people have the natural lash to support it without damaging the hell out of your natural lashes (trust me... It took me 1.5 months to grow my lashes back to somewhat normal looking. I still have PTSD!)
All I know is that Shannon would never have allowed this to happen to me. She would have selected the correct lash and applied them perfectly, not 2-3 stuck together in a clump of glue on one lash sticking in 3 different directions. The end result are lashes that last and look so beautiful and natural, I get compliments 3-4 weeks later. Even when I've let my fill go way too long, I have never walked around embarrassed by the state of my lashes because they shed slowly and naturally and remain straight and presentable. The situation in SF was so embarrassing and I felt so insecure that everyone was looking at the mess that was my eyes. It was a very painful lesson learned.
When you go to Shannon's studio, prepare to be pampered and treated with the highest quality of products in an impeccably CLEAN, serene setting. She'll be your consultant and confidant (and best friend and family member before you even know it :-). She works quickly and meticulously. I usually fall asleep as soon as she touches me due to her delicate touch, calming demeanor and cool music vibe. I wake up refreshed with my lashes on fleek (did I just say that? Smh) even better than the inevitable compliments, I can go without makeup if I want to because they make my eyes pop and look more colorful and vibrant! Even with all the compliments, I have yet to have anyone ask me if they are false! Her application is extremely natural. Somehow she manages to get one extension on each lash without clumping any together or visible glue. It's incredible how finely tuned her technique has become. You will definitely know and feel that you are working with an artist and master who takes great pride in her craft and your satisfaction.
Now go see for yourself! I guarantee you won't be ale to stop batting your eyelashes at yourself in the rearview mirror so be careful! As soon as I have pictures (I am scheduled to see her in the next week or two) I will be sure to post pictures so you can see what I'm talking about. If you're in Philly and want awesome lashes, go see Shannon