Gossamer Beauty

Gossamer Beauty offers permanent makeup, lash extensions and lash training, and has been providing lash and brow services since 2016. It has a studio in Metairie at 2955 Ridgelake Drive, Suite 108, and another in Old Town Slidell at 251 Erlanger Ave. The studio is led by Katie Alyse, whose background is in permanent makeup and lashes.

Lash extensions come in three styles. Classic sets place one extension on each natural lash for a subtle look and are listed at $150 for a full set, taking about two hours. Hybrid sets blend classic and volume styles for a fuller look at $200, also about two hours. Russian volume applies two or more ultra-thin extensions to each natural lash, listed at $250, and takes roughly one hour and 45 minutes to two and a half hours. Lash work is built around the health of natural lashes, and sets are fitted to each client's look and style. Lash extensions need at-home care and are filled every two to four weeks, depending on growth and lifestyle.

Microblading is a semi-permanent tattoo done with a manual tool and disposable blades to create hair-like brow strokes. The initial microblading package totals $500, with a $350 first appointment and a $150 perfecting session. The combo brow totals $600, with a $400 first appointment and a $200 second session, and blends microbladed front strokes with shading throughout for a fuller look; it suits oily skin or people who wear makeup daily. Current microblading clients can book a color boost for $200, about an hour and a half. The combo or powder brow boost costs $250 and takes about two hours. Brow color boosts are recommended annually, and the cost varies with time since the initial appointment; boosts at 18 months or more may need two sessions.

Lip blush is a cosmetic tattoo that adds color and definition with a soft, sheer wash. The initial appointment costs $400 and takes about three hours. Lips with scarring, sun damage, cool undertones or several tones may need extra sessions, and darker lips need a neutralizing session first. After a neutralizing session, touch-ups are recommended eight weeks apart.

The business offers lash and brow training courses for estheticians, cosmetologists and beginners. The two-day course is taught in small groups of two students. The Classic Artistry Intensive costs $1,500 and includes a luxury kit, live model practice and a certificate of completion. It covers anatomy, sanitation, isolation, placement, eye mapping, aftercare, client building and social media marketing. Students need to be licensed estheticians or cosmetologists, or currently enrolled in one of those programs, and bring their own model for the second afternoon's practice. A Russian volume intensive for established lash artists is also offered, with details to be announced. The booking page describes the business itself as offering the best microblading, lip blush and lash extensions in Old Town Slidell.

Lash work focuses first on the health of natural lashes, with each set suited to the client's look and style.