About
Merc Co. is a small lash and brow business in Elgin, Illinois, run by owner Mercedes Barrera. Its blog describes the business as offering lash, brow and permanent jewelry services, and blog tags describe it as woman owned.
The site says parking is easy to find downtown. Hours are Monday to Friday 9 AM to 6 PM and Saturday 10 AM to 7 PM, with the studio closed on Sundays.
Lash services center on extensions. Natural full sets place one extension on each natural lash. Wet sets use narrow, closed fans of volume lashes, and hybrid sets mix volume fans with individual extensions. Volume sets apply fans to natural lashes for a fuller look. Half sets are a soft enhancement on the outer corners, covering 50% or less of natural lashes. Returning clients can book fills, which need about 40% of the lashes still in place and are generally recommended every 2 to 3 weeks. Mini fills are touch-ups that must be booked within 7 days of the original fill. Lash removal uses a cream-based product intended to protect natural lashes. The Korean lash lift curls and tints lashes, with the hold lasting about 6 to 8 weeks.
Brow services include shaping with soft wax, with brow mapping based on bone structure. Brow staining adds semi-permanent color to brow hairs and skin, lasting about 7 to 10 days on skin and up to 3 weeks on the hairs. Brow lamination straightens brow hair so it can be styled, and its results last about 6 to 8 weeks. A brow bundle combines lamination, stain and wax in one appointment. Dermaplaning removes the uppermost skin layers and fine vellus hair with a specialized instrument, and the site says it can help reduce the appearance of acne scars and imperfections.
Booking involves a $25 non-refundable deposit. Appointments average about 2 hours, and clients are asked to arrive at least 5 minutes early, leave phones silenced, wear no eye makeup and bring no extra guests. Cancellations need 24 hours' notice, and a $50 fee applies to cancellations inside that window. Clients arriving after hours use the intercom for access.
Merc Co. also offers training. A one-day one-to-one brow course runs from 10 AM to 6 PM for $1,450 with a $350 deposit, and ends in certification in brow lamination, stain and wax. It covers theory, brow mapping, mannequin practice and a live model. A two-day beginner lash course runs from 10 AM to 6 PM for $1,850 with a $500 deposit, and ends in certification in natural, hybrid and volume lashes. It includes lash anatomy, removal and fill process, social media basics and mannequin practice with a model, and lunch and coffee are provided. Permanent jewelry is also listed among the services.
Staff take time to listen, ask questions and learn what each client is hoping for before recommending services that suit their lifestyle. The business says it keeps up with the latest lash techniques and beauty trends.
Services
Final prices may vary.
Brow waxing and shaping with mapping, semi-permanent brow staining, brow lamination, and a combined brow bundle.
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Brow Wax & Shape $31.02
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Brow Stain $41.36
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Brow Stain & Wax $67.21
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Brow Lamination $82.72
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Brow Lamination & Shape $103.40
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Brow Bundle $124.08
Lash extension sets in natural, hybrid, volume and wet styles, fills and mini fills, a half set, a Korean lash lift and tint, and cream-based removal.
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Lash Removal $31.02
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Mini Fill $49.63
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Lash Half Set $77.55
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Fill $98.23
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Korean Lash Lift + Tint $103.40
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Full Set $139.59
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Merc Co's Signature Full Set $139.59
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Lashes Full Set $139.59
Dermaplaning, which removes the outermost skin layers and fine vellus hair.
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Dermaplane Price at booking
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Brow Wax & Stain Price at booking
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Hybrid Set + Fill Price at booking
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Natural Full Set + Fill Price at booking
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Volume Set + Fill Price at booking
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Wet Set + Fill Price at booking
Photos
Meet the team
Team members listed on their website. Individual roles, credentials, and current employment have not been independently verified.themercco.com (opens in a new tab)
- Highlights
- Specializes in natural, hybrid and volume lash extensions
- Korean lash lift and tint, with hold lasting about 6 to 8 weeks
- Signature full set, a textured wet set designed by the owner
- Brow bundle combining lamination, stain and wax in one visit
- One-day brow certification and two-day beginner lash certification courses
- Permanent jewelry services
- Good for
- Lash extension clients
- Returning clients booking lash fills
- Brow shaping and color
- Clients interested in a Korean lash lift
- Students seeking lash or brow certification
- Downtown Elgin visitors
- Treats
- Lash length and fullness
- Brow shape and color
- Brow hair that needs styling
- Unwanted facial hair
- Acne scars and skin imperfections, per the site
- Techniques
- Natural full set
- Hybrid set
- Volume set
- Wet set
- Korean lash lift and tint
- Lash half set
- Lash fill and mini fill
- Cream-based lash removal
- Soft wax brow shaping with brow mapping
- Brow staining
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