New Eyelash Studio Gives A Wink To Local Artisans
SAINT JOHN — Uptown Saint John has a new touch of glamour with Lashes and Lavender Boutique, which opened at 145 Union Street in February.
“My heart is in lashes,” says owner Tara Keats. “I really like to take care of clients. I like that one-on-one.”
As one of the few places in the region offering lash extension and fill services, Keats is bringing her seven years of expertise in this niche field to the region.
She says her Uptown Saint John business neighbours have been very supportive. Workers from the nearby offices downtown have been stepping in to find out about her services, and neighbouring hair salons have let their clients know about Lashes and Lavender.
Keats says the most popular service right now is the lift and tint, which takes a little over an hour. It “gives the appearance of fuller, thicker, longer lashes without the use of leave-on chemicals or extensions” and lasts about six weeks.
“I actually specialize in lift and tint,” Keats explains. “It’s what I book the most because it is that working professional. They don’t want that big, heavy, dramatic look. They just want something natural that they can throw a coat of mascara on, or even not.”
A regular lash extension involves placing one extension over each natural lash, while a volume extension uses handmade multiples of lashes for each lash, creating a fuller and more dramatic look.
In addition to lash services, Lashes and Lavender also offers spray tans, as well as some other products to refresh and inspire.
The idea was to create a relaxing atmosphere, inspired by a visit to a spa in Ontario that offered a similar experience where you could pick up a little houseplant after getting your hair done, refreshing both mind and home.
“I’m not a florist or anything like that. But I have some cute select houseplants for sale,” she says. “And then, because my space is so big, I decided to bring in some local artisans as well. I’ve got candles, jewelry, bath products … I just chose everything that’s local.”
“There are paintings on the wall. Everything has a vibe and a feel that all is cohesive but a little bit of everything.”
Originally from Ontario, Keats has taken the embrace of her new East Coast home and brought it into her business, as well.
“I love to support local and bring in local things,” she says. She adds that just about everything she’s got in the shop outside of the beauty supplies she’s sourced from about a 100-kilometre radius of town.
“I found a really good source for plants,” she says. Avon Valley in Sussex, a florist that grows all kinds of wholesale flowers and tropical plants. She says finding unique plant pots was a bit of a challenge, which she solved by pairing up with a local potter who hand makes them.
She also carries products from local artisans the Holy Soak.
“They have these gorgeous candles that have a spiritual crystal in them,” she says, noting that a client has already called and asked her to set two aside.
Bubbles and Balms is another local line that she carries, which makes artisanal bath salts, body butters, soaps and bubble truffles.
Cinnamon Fern jewelry is another local artisan Lashes and Lavender carries.
“She hand-dries local flowers and makes resin jewelry out of them,” she says. “It’s like a little flower made by a local artist.”
She’s hoping the local treasures she’d found will also be of interest to the cruise ship passengers roaming downtown during cruising season.
“I love cruising, and I love nothing more than to pick up stuff that was made locally,” she says.
Keats was the owner of a spa back in the Peterborough, Ontario region when she heard the siren song of the East Coast. The pandemic was the time she decided to make her move.
“We just decided it was time for a change … let’s try our hand at something new.”
With roots in the region Keats decided to give Saint John a try. “It just seemed like the kind of place where a young family could make it.”
She says the move to New Brunswick has been great in terms of quality of life.
“I got a house on the ocean… and it’s such a beautiful coastline,” she says of her place in St. Martins where she and her family are currently living. “It’s a gorgeous drive [into Saint John].”
Alex Graham is a Huddle reporter in Saint John. Send her your feedback and story ideas: [email protected].