Behind The Brush

Welcome to Behind The Brush. We are more than just professional makeup artists, we’re professional women, too. We know how hard it can be to feel put together after a night of being up with kids or after a long day at work. We want to make that feel easy for you, not like a chore.  

This little corner of the Internet is for you, our clients. We wanted to create a space where we can communicate with you when you’re not in our chair. We think each and every one of you is beautiful and you deserve to feel that way every day, not just after coming into the studio. We want to share beauty tips and tricks that we’ve learned along the way. Occasionally we will share personal stuff, too. We want you to get to know us the same way we want to get to know you! 

We are Raquel and Ahmana, lifelong best friends and now business partners. We believe in the power of connection and relationships. We believe in confidence. We believe that every single woman is beautiful. We believe in you. Our whole mission is to help women see themselves just as the people who love them do. Us ladies are really good at loving others and forgetting about ourselves. This is our attempt to change that.

We’re going to do our best to post something weekly. (Is that goal too big? We’ll find out)! However often we post, we know that we want this space to be useful and fun. We want your input on how we can help you. If you could drop a comment below and tell us what you’re struggling with when it comes to your beauty routine, that would be so great. What overwhelms you? What is the question about the products in your makeup bag that has been bugging you? Do you need advice on skincare? How can we help?

Can’t wait to hear your comments and hopefully chat more about this stuff with you the next time you’re in the studio! 

What’s In A Name?

We get asked maybe five times a day how to pronounce the name of our studio. Though we knew it would be a challenge, we really love the meaning, so we kept it. Now we have fun helping people remember how to say it:

Mooi like boy

Mooi like toy

Mooi like soy

Mooi like coy

You get the idea. 

Mooi means beautiful in both Dutch and Afrikaans. But it’s not just that translation we liked. We want everyone to feel and embody Mooi. 

You know that feeling when you're getting ready to go out for the evening? You played all your favorite music, you set aside a good chunk of time to pamper yourself. You nailed your makeup, your outfit is on point, and you catch a glimpse of yourself in the mirror and think, “Damn.” That’s Mooi.

Mooi is being able to say “damn” with the same confidence when you roll out of bed, grab a cup of coffee, and drag yourself over to your bathroom mirror and see your pajama’d self with bedhead staring back at you. 

We truly feel that beauty has so little to do with what’s on your face. It’s how you feel about that face. We love that we have the tools and training to give women outward confidence. But we think our secret sauce is the relationship skills we have to help women find confidence for who they are, not how they look. It’s our Mooi.

We have a challenge for you. We challenge you to write down at least three things about yourself that make you feel Mooi. These things should have nothing to do with your physical appearance. We would love if you shared them in the comments below, but even if you don’t share, we can guarantee it will make your day. 

So, go on. Write them down. Feel beautiful. Be Mooi.

I Woke Up Like This: All About Lash Lifts

No fake eyelashes or extensions, no eyelash curler, just your gorgeous and natural set of eyelashes!

Lash Lift is one of our favorite services and it’s quickly becoming one of the most popular. This technique is completely natural and utilizes lifting lotion and silicone rods to lift your eyelashes, making them look longer and fuller. It lasts six to eight weeks, sometimes longer, and you’ll still see a fabulous lash lift even when you get of the shower or a swimming pool.

This is probably the most cost effective and safest lash treatment out there. We use Elleebana Lash Lift, which is one of the most highly recommended brands for lash lift treatments. We can’t even begin to tell you how much time this will save you in the morning. A few of our clients even expressed they didn’t have to start applying mascara until the second week after their treatment, and even if they did, they applied one coat.

You don’t realize how many you have or how long your eyelashes truly are until you receive a Lash Lift treatment! Waking up like this – with completely natural, curled lashes – is absolutely worth it.

Here are some answers to frequently asked questions about lash lifts:

What is a Lash Lift?

The lash lift procedure has revolutionized old, inadequate perming techniques. Using silicone pads instead of perm rods, this new technique can lift, straighten or curl, and lengthen your own natural lashes to create a brighter, fuller, wide eyed look. No need for extensions and the associated aftercare, this will last you 6-8weeks. 

How do I need to prep for the treatment?

Please come in make up free. If you wear contacts, they must be removed.

Can a Lash Lift be used to compliment other treatments?

Yes! A lash Lift is enhanced when you use an eyelash growth product, or a semi-permanent mascara. While your lashes grow longer, our process controls straight or overly curly lashes by giving them a uniform lifted look. 

Is a Lash Lift the same as an eyelash perm?

No the Lash lift is a new, improved procedure, overcoming the ‘over curled’ look of its predecessor . Whilst the chemical procedure is identical to a perm, the difference is in the results. By ditching the old fashioned perm rollers which curled back the lashes to the extent of the ‘dolly look’, the silicone pads used for this new procedure lifts the lash from the root in either a straight or curled, upwards fashion that produces length and a bright eyed enhanced look.

Does the Lash Lift procedure hurt?

No the procedure is totally painless. You will have your eyes closed for the entire treatment and although it may feel a little strange being unable to open your eyes for this time, it offers you a chance to relax during the treatment.

Is the procedure safe?

Yes. Lashes are lifted onto our specially shaped lifting pads before products are applied.

Will the Lash Lift damage my natural lashes?

No. Your lash procedure will be performed with the utmost care and proper technique. The product never touches the skin during the process. Redness around the eye may occur due to the product removal process (wiping the eyes with cotton rounds) but should disappear within a few minutes after the procedure.

How long does a lash lift take?

An Elleebana lash lift takes approximately 45 minutes.

Can I wear makeup after my lash lift?

Yes but it is advised that you leave your lashes untouched for at least 24 hours after your treatment. You may find that there is no need for mascara anyway, but if you wish to make your lashes even fuller, a non-waterproof mascara is advised as the removal of waterproof mascaras can be harsh on the lashes and weaken the lift.

Post Care Instructions:

• Keep your lashes dry and free of makeup for 24 hours after the treatment.

• Avoid any oil based creams and lotions for the first 24 hours after the treatment.

• Do not use waterproof mascara.

• Do not irritate or rub your eyes while you have a Lash Lift

Have any other questions about our Lash Lift service? Let us know in the comments below!

Client Before and After