4 Beauty Treatments To Leave To A Professional

No one can dispute the eye-opening effects of lash extensions, but applying them on yourself can come with several risks, including: allergies to the lash glue, unsafe handling with sharp tweezers around the eyes, and improper application that leads to gluing lashes together. Thankfully, you have options when it comes to eyelash-extension alternatives.

Beauty treatments you can do at home Grandlash

One is eyelash growth serums. Though consistency and patience are key when it comes to using lash serums, these products contain ingredients that extend the growth cycle of the lashes for fuller, thicker results. False eyelashes are another solid alternative to eyelash extensions, and there are a plethora of easy-to-apply options on the market (think: magnetic lashes, strip lashes, individual lashes). The Grande Cosmetics GrandeLASH-MD Lash Enhancing Serum harnesses the lash-thickening power of vitamins, antioxidants and amino acids to improve the look of damaged lashes. Looking for a pair of false lashes that mimic the effect of extensions? Try the Sephora Collection Luxe False Lash, a fluffy pair of soft false lashes that add natural-looking length and volume.

Beauty treatments you can do at home Amour Luxe lash

3. Hair bleaching

Looking to bleach your hair? Save it for the chair. Hair bleaching is an intricate process that requires the skill and precision of a hairstylist to perfectly mix hydrogen peroxide with a bonding treatment. This is all done after an in-depth consultation with the hairstylist to determine your individual needs. Doing this process at home can come with some seriously damaging — and oftentimes permanent — side effects to your locks in the form of dry, brittle strands that are more prone to split ends and breakage.

Beauty treatments you can do at home

Instead of attempting hair bleaching at home, opt for a DIY alternative by mixing lemon juice, water and olive oil to create a hair-lightening mixture that you can spray on your hair after a shower. Those gorgeous highlights you get from spending a day under the sun? Get the same results with the Sun In Hair Lightener Spray, Lemon Fresh — a hair-lightening spray suitable for blond to medium-brown hair colors that brightens and illuminates strands. Brighten up your blond tones with the John Frieda Sheer Blonde Go Blonder Controlled Hair Lightener, which improves color and tone using a medley of citrus and chamomile. Instead of attempting hair bleaching at home, opt for a DIY alternative by mixing lemon juice, water, and olive oil to create a hair-lightening mixture that you can spray onto your hair post-shower.

Beauty treatments you can do at home

4. Blackhead extractions

Nothing ruins a good skin day like a blackhead, especially if you can’t make it to your regularly scheduled facial for your esthetician to extract them for you. Unfortunately, extracting your own blackheads at home can do more harm than good if done improperly, and can lead to scarring and additional breakouts if you accidentally push the bacteria deeper into the skin. Alternatives to blackhead extractions lie in the skin-care products you choose. Go for pore-refining exfoliators and masks containing ingredients that draw out impurities, such as glycolic acid, charcoal, clay and salicylic acid. For a weightless serum that may minimize the appearance of even the most stubborn blackheads, try the Elemis Clarifying Serum. It gets bonus points for evening-out skin texture, too. Another alternative is Versed’s Game Over Acne Drying Treatment, which contains 10 percent sulfur to ward off acne, blackheads and whiteheads before they make an appearance.

Beauty treatments you can do at homeBeauty treatments you can do at home Versed Game Over

Photo credits from top: Courtesy Monat; Courtesy The Ordinary; Courtesy AMD-PR; Courtesy Sephora; The Girlfriend Team (2); Courtesy Elemis; Courtesy Science Magic Inc