So I found Eriko after months of researching eyelash extensions from San Jose, San Francisco and the East Bay. These were my criteria:
affordable
very decent yelp reviews
prompt appointments
I am going to start off by saying, I am a very impulsive person. When I want something done, I want it done now! But I was not willing to compromise on quality. When I contacted Eriko, she was able to sympathize with me. She scheduled me for an appointment 3 days after my initial email with her. But she let me know as soon as she had a cancellation. So I was able to get my lashes done so much sooner!
I live in Berkeley, so getting to her studio was a breeze. There is also tons of unrestricted street parking in front of her studio. Upon entering, I was warmly greeted by the lovely Eriko.
Her studio is well decorated, smelled nice, but not overbearing, soothing, clean, and trendy. She sat me down to go over my preferences and expectations. This being my first time getting my lashes done, I trusted her expertise. I did tell her I wanted something natural, I curl my eyelashes, and I wear Dior Show mascara. She is professionally trained and her licenses and certificates are hanging on the wall.
I was 26 weeks pregnant when I got my eyelashes done by Eriko. Her bed was warm, clean, and as comfortable as it can get laying on my back for 2 hours at 26 weeks pregnant. She was very accommodating with the bed temperature, water breaks, and making sure I was comfortable. We had very good conversation, and she recommended a dim sum restaurant to me, which I will also review today. It was awesome. Eriko also smells nice. Which is important if someone is going to be hovering over you and talking to you for 2 hours.
After my lashes were done, they were just beautiful. They were long, they were curled, and they looked natural. I could tell during the application, that Eriko is very meticulous about the process, ensuring that each lash was separated and did not stick together. They were a little longer than I had in mind. But to anyone else, I'm sure this is not an issue. I just trimmed them a bit when I got home. ( I do not recommend doing this on your own. But I come from an aesthetic background so felt comfortable doing so. I'm sure had I called up Eriko, she would had easily done this for me)
Over a week later, my eyelashes still look awesome. I do not use mascara I just wake up and wash up and go! Because my eyelashes are longer now, it is more obvious when I naturally lose an eyelash due to the normal growth cycle of lashes. However, this has not made a difference in how my eyelashes look overall. At this rate, and because I do take good care of my lashes, I do not anticipate having to see Eriko for a couple weeks. But I look forward to seeing her again! read more