Flutter Lash Studio specializes in custom eyelash extensions by top-rated Chicago lash artists. Our boutique opened in 2009 in the Lincoln Park neighborhood of Chicago, Illinois. We have a wide range of services that cater to the girl who wants it all, or the one who wants to glam it up for a special occasion. Check back regularly to see new services, promotions, happenings, and more. Let us add a fun and flirty flutter to your eyes!
Ignacia Garcia
Ignacia Garcia is the founder/owner of Flutter Lash Studio Corp. Garcia was one of the first individuals to receive both training and certification from Xtreme Lashes in January of 2006. Later on that same year, she went on to receive her advanced certification from Xtreme Lashes in November of 2006. Garcia became part of an elite team of Xtreme Lashes trainers in 2008 when she was "handpicked" by the company to get accredited. Since then, she has trained individuals from coast to coast who have gone on to become successful Xtreme Lash stylists.
After her initial training, Garcia went on to become a master Xtreme Lash stylist at one of the leading upscale lash salons in Chicago, helping launch the first specialty lash boutique. Flutter Lash Studio is the culmination of a dream she has had for quite some time – that of opening her own studio.
"I have a lot of passion for what I do", Garcia says. "Lashes to me are truly an art form. My trademark is that I customize unique lashes for each person, taking into account face shape, eye shape, lifestyle, and a myriad of other factors. My advanced training has also taught me how to use color combinations to really enhance the eyes and allow individuals to make their own personal statement."
Garcia’s creativity and passion with Xtreme Lashes has helped make her a Chicago icon in the world of beauty and lashes. Word quickly spread about this lash styling maven and the media picked up on her success. Her work with lashes have been featured in The Chicago Tribune, Today’s Chicago Woman. She has also appeared on Fox News in the Morning, Chicago’s MetroMix Weekend, BellaSugar, Newcity Chicago, Style Chicago, Time out Chicago. In addition, Garcia’s lash work was featured at two Chicago Sample Sales during the last year, Shape Magazine’s Beauty Sample Sale and Billion Dollar Babes Fashion Sample Sale.
In addition, Garcia has been a trained hair stylist since 1991, having trained with the Vidal Sasoon Academy, and a hair extension specialist since 2006. She is certified in five different brands of hair extensions including Great Lengths and Hair Locs.
Garcia will never forget the first time she learned of Xtreme Lashes while reading a magazine at her sister’s house. That moment changed her life. "I was so excited when I read about Xtreme Lashes and for some reason, I knew it was something that I wanted to do. Since then, I have focused on specializing in Xtreme Lashes techniques. I could not have chosen another career path that would have made me as happy and fulfilled as this. My biggest pleasure comes from seeing the happiness and confidence my clients glean from their Xtreme Lashes."
Garcia’s creativity and adventurous attitude is also evidenced in her personal life outside of Flutter Lash Studio where her passions extend to cooking and traveling. An accomplished cook, Garcia graduated from The Cooking and Hospitality Institute of Chicago. Her specialties include a vast array of international cuisines. Her travels have taken her to countries all over the world including Germany, Argentina, France, England, Italy, Mexico and Spain.
Joan Kim
Joan Kim is one of Flutter Lash Studio's leading lash artists. She's been a certified lash artist with the nation's leading lash provider, Xtreme, since 2006.
After college at University of Illinois (where she majored in East Asian Language and Culture), Joan indulged her life-long interest in make-up artistry and enrolled in courses at Pivot Point Academy in cosmetology and esthetics. After working for several years as an esthetician, a chance dinner with friends introduced Joan to semi-permanent lash extensions. "I went to dinner with a group of girlfriends, and one of the gals had just had lash extensions done. She looked amazing; and as an esthetician, I was totally intrigued," Joan says.
Joan went home that night and started to research lash extensions. She encountered Xtreme Lashes and enrolled in classes. Upon completing her coursework, Joan found work at a leading lash salon, and currently with Flutter Lash Studio.
"I view lash artistry as artwork rather than work. It's unlike any other job. It's just about you and the client," Joan explains. She listens carefully and consults each of her clients on what they hope to achieve with lash extensions. "During our consults, I really look at a client's face shape, eye shape and distinguishing features and from there we create a look that suits their lifestyle," Joan says. It's her ability to listen, and truly hear her client (not to mention her skilled eye and hand) that sets Joan apart.
For Joan it's all about helping women feel good about themselves, something that she enjoys tremendously. "It's great to make someone's day with my artwork," she says. "Clients jump up off the table and are so excited by the change in their appearance." And her clients are full of praise for Joan. She laughs modestly but confesses, "I've had clients tell me that I have 'magic hands.'"
Ellen Afshar
Ellen Afshar is soft spoken, and wields a huge smile. “I don’t know what it is,” she says, “but people are always telling me that I have a very soothing presence." And it’s true; Ellen’s quiet, relaxed demeanor is magical. "I guess I am just comfortable and relaxed in myself and that puts my clients at ease." But it goes beyond that; Ellen is naturally gregarious and genuinely interested in her clients. She remembers details, enquiring about a client’s elderly mother, or asking how a child’s first year in school is going. It’s the sort of friendly conversation usually shared with a friend over a cup of coffee. But in this case, Ellen’s fingers are dancing atop eyelashes applying custom extensions.
"I love knowing that when I wake up and go into Flutter Lash Studio, I’m going to make someone’s day with lashes." Ellen says, “it’s so wonderful to watch a client’s expression when they see themselves with lash extensions. They really light up." Ellen smiles, "The hugs, I get aren’t half bad either."
Lash artistry requires attention to detail and the ability to maneuver "the tiniest of utensils and lashes" to create a look that is customized for each client. "Each lash has to be the right size and go in an exact spot around a client’s eye for the optimum result," Ellen explains. This skill set has taken Ellen’s naturally explosive creativity to new heights.
"I love the creative aspect of lash artistry, there’s freedom to play, and enhance a client’s natural eyelashes and eye-shape," Ellen says. Over the last two years, as an Xtreme certified lash artist, Ellen has developed a signature style. She defines it as, "a bit romantic; natural, but decorative." Her lash artistry highlights a client’s indigenous beauty with organic, but stunning eyelashes that send clients into a tizzy of joy.
Ellen works with some of the city’s most powerful and high profile women, including top mortgage brokers and interior designers. "These are women who are incredibly busy," Ellen says of her clients. "Eyelash extensions not only make a woman feel beautiful, they’re low-maintenance. Lash extensions give women more time to spend with their families doing things that are important to them."
Whether she’s custom sculpting lashes for a client, or designing hand-made jewelry, Ellen is constantly creating. In addition to being a certified lash artist, Ellen also is a licensed cosmetologist and sought-after make-up artist. Her days are filled with creative projects and people. "I couldn’t ask for a more gratifying life," she says, smiling. Ellen and her husband make their home in the Logan Square neighborhood of Chicago.
Maddie
"Oh my god! You’re amazing!" Maddie’s client says as she sits up from the table where she’s been comfortably perched and peers into the mirror. She’s fascinated with her appearance and almost touches the new lashes that Maddie has seamlessly melded into the existing ones. "It doesn’t even look like me," the woman utters in amazement. Maddie watches the scene, grinning shyly. The scenario is normal for lash artist, Maddie Madding., who is used to the accolades and compliments from her clients. But it doesn’t go to her head. "I feel so blessed," she says softly, I’m changing people’s lives everyday. It’s a wonderful feeling."
A hairstylist with over a decade of experience, Maddie has worked with plenty of clients throughout the years, and it’s clear she loves working with people. But nothing gives her as much satisfaction as a set of perfectly placed lashes, and the reaction that ensues. "I love watching a client’s self-esteem soar as they get up off the application table and see their lashes for the first time," she says. And it’s not only her clients’ who benefit from a renewed confidence. "Doing lashes has changed my life," Maddie says, smiling. "I get just as much benefit as my clients. I love helping women feel beautiful."
"I used to be really shy when I was growing up, and I developed a sense of humor to combat that, but I think I was pretty lonely." It took a life-changing move to Colorado for Maddie to recognize what was truly important to her. "In Colorado, I didn’t know anyone, I had to rely entirely on myself and I realized that I missed people, I missed my friends and family. I need those relationships to be happiest."
Eventually, Maddie returned to her native Joliet, IL to care for her mother. Shortly after, she met Iggy Garcia Flutter Lash Studio’s founder. "The first time I walked into Flutter, I knew this was for me," Maddie says. "I just envisioned myself working at Flutter as a lash artist. Iggy believed in me and gave me the chance to learn." And learn she did. Maddie was a standout pupil, quickly taking on her own clients.
The organic enjoyment and aptitude for lashes, comes from Maddie’s artistic background. In her spare time, she meticulously layers one-of-a-kind fashion photographs and drawings on wooden canvases in unique collages, which she frames with carefully culled vintage frames. With the same attention to detail that she applies to her artistic frame selection, Maddie weaves custom lashes that take her clients’ eyes from average to amazing. "The right frame makes all the difference," she says: proof that art does mimic life.
Narela Sanchez
Bio coming soon!
Melissa Johnson
As a life-long Bostonian, Melissa Johnson’s move to Chicago is a change. But she’s not one to shy away from change or challenge and is delighted to be the newest member of the formidable Flutter Lash Studio team.
"I’ve always been a girly-girl" Melissa says. "And I’ve always loved skin care, so I decided to pursue esthetics." Along the way Melissa learned of semi-permanent eyelash extensions. "The lashes make such a dramatic and immediate transformation on a client’s appearance," says Melissa, "it was unlike anything else I had encountered." Smitten, she quickly enrolled in training courses through an upscale Boston salon. But it wasn’t exactly love at first lash. "I cried the first night," Melissa laughs now. "It took me a week before I could do a full set of lashes, but the experience taught me the value of persistence and perseverance."
After her intensive 100 hours of coursework, Melissa began working at the salon as a full time lash and brow artist. She quickly developed a reputation among Boston women and began to gain notoriety in the media as one of the top lash artists in the area. Melissa has been featured in Boston Weddings Magazine for her eyelash work. She’s made appearances on Style Boston television and creates the luscious lashes the hostesses of the show bat at the cameras. Praise for Melissa’s work can also be found on captivate-indulge.blogspot.com and styleboston.com.
"I really look at the anatomy of each eye; I talk with each client to make sure I create a look that suits their features and their lifestyle," Melissa explains of her technique. "This is a great city and I’m happy to be here."
Andrew Derderian
While most kids were frolicking about in the sun every summer, Andrew Derderian was sidelined in the shade with sensitive skin and an allergy to the sun. Not fun for a five year-old boy. "I was literally uncomfortable in my own skin," says Andrew. Over time, Andrew's mother realized that what worked best on his sensitive skin was her own cosmetic creams. The cosmetic grade skin products took her son from daily discomfort to healthy and happy, allowing Andrew to manage his hyper-sensitive skin. From a young age, this transformative experience drew Andrew to the beauty industry as a profession, which has ultimately led him to Flutter Lash Studio.
Andrew began his career working for the luxury skincare and beauty line, Shu Uemura at the age of eighteen, and was with them for six years, eventually moving to Los Angeles with the company. But it was in Chicago that Andrew discovered the burgeoning segment of lash extensions. "The first time I saw the lash extensions, I literally grabbed the woman with these fantastic lashes by the shoulder and said, 'What mascara are you wearing?' Andrew says. "I knew immediately that whatever this was, it was going to revolutionize the beauty industry." After thoroughly researching lash extensions, Andrew began training and working with extensions, and has offered the service for over two years at a high-end salon. The Xtreme lash extensions are stunning, offering women an alternative to mascara and a whole new way to enhance their eyes. Once you try them, there's no going back. Andrew's schedule has steadily expanded with more women coming to him for lasting lash extensions in lieu of the ephemeral make-over.
"My clients are busy women, they're real women with lives to lead. Lash extensions look completely natural and uncomplicated; and they shave time off clients' daily beauty routine." And they automatically play up the most important feature on a woman's face: her eyes. As Andrew's clients will attest, this Xtreme certified lash artist is massively gifted. His custom lash work is sought after by many Chicago-area women and he skillfully frames the eyes with custom lashes crafted for each client based on face shape, eye-shape and her lifestyle and preferences. "One of the best compliments I've received is from a client who called me a 'genius' after receiving her first set of lashes. And I thought, Wow, I'm just doing what I love, making women feel and look beautiful." Andrew says. "I'm so lucky to connect with people in a way that makes them feel good about themselves."
"Working at Flutter Lash Studio is "a dream come true" for Andrew and a natural progression for the fourteen-year beauty industry veteran. "I'm excited to work with the best products available, alongside the highest standards of ethics and professionalism at Flutter Lash Studio," he says.
Andrew's artistry doesn't end with lashes. In his spare time he delves into cinema and theatre. He also gets behind the lens picking up his own camera to photograph the world around him.
