Courtney Akai Lash Boutique

I should have written this a long time ago but never got around to it. I have been seeing my girl Holly for some time now and I can’t rave more about her talent! She makes my lashes look super natural and they always last very well despite me not being so gentle with them! She’s always taking her time with it, which I appreciate cuz then I walk out feeling fabulous every time! Thanks for always making me feel and look my best! Also, such a sweetheart!

This review is from 2013. I forgot my technicians name but she had blonde curly hair back then. The first few times, I loved her work. The lashes looked great and it felt like it was going to last a while. But to my dismay, they barely even lasted a week. It’s quite expensive here and I think now, there are so many different lash boutiques that offer better prices with excellent skills. There weren’t many boutiques back in 2012 – 2013 so I came to Courtney’s. After I switched to a different lash boutique, I was notified that the some of the lash extensions were applied to the upper lash line, not on the eyelashes itself. Ladies please do extensive research before choosing a lash technician. Your eyes are so fragile and so important.

Courtney Akai runs a very professional salon. She has worked hard to train her staff to be welcoming and accommodating, and the space is luxurious and gorgeous. She is a brilliant artist and if you can get in to see her, you will not be disappointed. She executes her craft very well. This salon is the place to go to get your lashes.

Courtney is my GIRL! I’ve been going here religiously for 5 years. Lashes leave me the convenience of waking up and walking out the door looking done up without the hassle. and Courtney delivers stellar lashes everytime. I’ve had touchups with all of her staff whenever she has been unavailable and they all have astounding talent and results. I always leave here more than happy and ready for the world.

I researched several lash places in Manhattan and finally settled on Courtney akai because of the good reviews and their claim that the lashes last 4 – 6 weeks (versus other places that claim about 3 weeks). The longer duration and the good reviews justified the salons significantly higher prices– or so I thought.
I have been to this place twice now, with mixed results. They have this scheme where you choose your technician based on their level of experience. The first time I got in with their most novice technician (I had asked for the mid-​grade person, but she was fully booked). After three hours and about $ 400 with tip, I had what I thought was a pretty nice set of lashes– until the next day when they started falling off. I informed the salon and they replied with a kind of ho hum email that it was normal to lose some lashes blah blah. After 10 days, I was back at the salon booked for an hour lash «maintenance» appointment with a more experienced technician who confirmed that the amount of loss I experienced was abnormal and probably due to he amount of glue the other tech used. Despite her best efforts, she couldn’t fully finish in an hours time, so I left the salon with about ²⁄₃ of my lash line complete, which was acceptable, but not great, and still cost $ 100 with tip.
I wrote in to the salon explaining the situation and was told that I would be comped an hour appointment. Experience showed than an hour was not enough time for full results and I don’t plan on supplementing AGAIN for something that should have been done right in the first place.
It’s now about a month after I had my second appointment and, save a few stragglers, I have only my natural lashes left. My conclusion about this experience is that the product is not all it’s cracked up to be (your eyelashes do thin and break even after short-​term use, it looks good for maybe 10 days and I did have about two days worth of irritation that was SCARY) and that the salon that touts its supposed professionalism and standing by its work doesn’t follow its words up with actions.
This whole thing was a potentially dangerous and expensive waste of time. I have been much happier with other eyelash enhancing products and will return to using those. Hopefully my mistake will give others pause before they take the plunge.

I have been going to this location for about a year now, after having gone to various locations prior to moving to NYC, and have had great experiences with every lash stylist I have seen and I have nothing but great things to say.
Yes, this place is pricey, but you get exactly what you pay for and I have yet to find a place with better customer service, or provide me with a better set of lashes.
My past visit due to many subway problems I showed up to my appointment late and Vivian (my regular stylist) was so sweet about the situation, and made sure I didn’t just get the entire time I was paying for, but stayed even a little bit longer to make sure my lashes were perfect, past when they typically would be closed on a Friday evening. She always goes above and beyond in making sure I leave with exactly what I want, on top of her being extremely friendly and sweet.
I recommend this studio, and especially Vivian, to all of my friends that are looking into getting lash extensions!

The lashes were glued onto my eyelids… not my lashes.
If you live in the NJ area, there are much better technicians. I say this after months of getting my lashes done here and after a nice infection on the eyelids :)

I LOVE MY LASHES! i’m not a supermodel but tell that to my face bc i look gooood. My «lash-​lady» Kate was so cool & nice & gave me exactly what i wanted: glam but still natural. I’ve gotten extensions before & they don’t last or are uncomfortable– these are perfect.

I wanted to try lash extensions as I hate mascara but was hesitant. I have heard horror stories of allergic reactions, infections and a lot of extensions I have seen look like strip lashes. A friend recommended Courtney Akai. Love is an understatement. Vivian at Courtney Akai is an artist. My lashes look natural, full and beautiful! I will never go anywhere else. Courtney’s lash salon is adorable and feminine. All clients are in private rooms — you will not be lined up like you are in an infirmary. The quality of the lashes they use are the best — silk and mink. Pure luxury. These women are passionate about lashes and making their clients look and feel amazing! Thank you Courtney and Vivian.

I just had my first half-​set done by Holly and I am in LOVE with these lashes. Also, Holly is so nice, lovely, and gentle… I had heard nightmares about how uncomfortable having lash extensions could be and I was so at ease that I slept through most of the appointment! I definitely recommend Courtney Akai Lash Boutique and you should ask for Holly!

ladies, I am PICKY and demanding and on top of that am a beauty professional myself (makeup designer and former extreme lashes lash stylist) and this place satisfied all of my senses, most importantly my eyes. My lashes are luxurious and sultry, just how I like em. This is the ONLY spot for me.

Terrible customer service. Had such an awful experience with the booking that I never even made it into the salon. All beware of Lauren, the so-​called «manager». She is a terrible receptionist and a horrible liar. Needed lash extensions ASAP and she had the nerve to give my appointment away. I used this review website to find a good lash salon in NYC so I feel obligated to provide my experience. Glad I never made it in to use then as I am sure I would have been just as disappointed with the quality of the lash application.

Courtney is the Da Vinci of eyelashes and so much fun to boot. I’m always looking for new and innovative beauty treatments. Then, I want to find the best. Courtney IS all those things… the best. She is an eyelash savant and gorgeous to boot.

Best. Lashes. Ever. Courtney is amazing and one of the most talented women I have come across in my many years in the beauty industry. I am lucky to try out many of the top beauty experts in nyc and was simply amazed by Courtney Akai. She is meticulous in her work– I have had lashes done by other places but found the holy grail. My lashes are long, luscious and have just enough drama. Plus the lashes last over 4 weeks. The environment is fun and girly making it a really great experience overall. Don’t waste your money at the cheap places unless you want thin lashes that last a week (been there, done that). Courtney is the best out there. I have gotten refills by Ellen also and she does an awesome job too.
Once you go Courtney Akai, you never go back!

Courtney Akai is AMAZING!
I’ve been going to Courtney for my lash extensions now for two years and I love the work she does. I first went to her to have my lashes done for my wedding and I was so happy with the results that I’ve become a Courtney addict. Not only do I constantly receive compliments on my lashes, but Courtney is just great to work with. She knows exactly what products to use on my super sensitive eyes and isn’t satisfied untill my lashes are perfect… I leave her studio feeling (and looking) like a glamour queen.

I love my lashes and it’s all thanks to Courtney Akai! I’ve been going to her for four years, every four weeks, as if it’s my religion and I absolutely love my lashes and her! She’s personable, yet professional and what’s most remarkable is that she isn’t satisfied until you’re completely in love with your lashes. She knows extensions better than anyone and truly goes above and beyond when it comes to her clients.
Simply put, she’s the best.

I had gotten my full set done somewhere else (with a deal) and they looked good but fell off so easily and fast and I was being really careful with them. So I started to research and found out that the place (in k-​town) didn’t have a licensed-​certified staff, which is really scary when people are using glue around your eyes! Then I asked what glue they used and they wouldn’t tell me — never a good sign, probably had Formaldehyde in it — also not good!
Enter Courtney Akai Lash Boutique. All their stylist are licensed and certified and they use Novalash glue, which is Formaldehyde free. That alone is worth at least 3 – 4 stars! I made an appt with Christian to do a retouch and explained my situation. At this point my eyes looked wonky, since my left eye had little to no lashes left since most of them fell out and my right eye had all these lashes lol. Not a pretty sight. Anyway, Christian was super sweet and nice and explained everything to me and then got to work. He was extremely meticulous with applying the new lashes and was really sensitive to my eyes watering. I think he made a client for life (or at least until I can afford to keep doing the lashes lol). My lashes look real, natural and feel great. Christian even gave me a little pink brush so that I can maintain them at home.
Courtney Akai Lash Boutique was really professional in every way. From the moment I walked in and greeted by the bubbly Wendels to Christian, the whole experience was relaxing and great. The décor is fab, its pink and funky — love it! I will def be going back again.
I almost want to take a star off for pricing (so expensive) but honestly after paying and having most of my lashes fall out and thankfully avoiding any infection by having an untrained person touch my eyes with glue, this place is totally worth the price. You won’t regret it; they are probably the best in NYC.

I strongly disagree Spoof p!!!
I too am an Afro American woman in NYC… I’m a long time client of Courtney Akai! (my Mom is also a satisfied client) And We have NEVER experienced any prejudice, discrimination, or judgement, period from Courtney… No less based on skin color! Racism is NOT an accusation that should be frivolously thrown around! Speaking of racism… Courtney’s assistant has a NAME, and it’s NOT «the Asian girl» shame on you spoof P!
For the last several months all of my appointments have been booked through Courtney’s assistant Wendy… She is always friendly, professional and accommodating!
I highly recommend Courtney Akai Lash Boutique… I give Courtney and her Boutique 2 Thumbs Up! 5 Stars! And a Snap in Z formation!!! ;0)

There. Is. No. Other. Place. To. Go. For. Lashes.
Courtney Akai is just perfect. The vibe, the attention to detail, the fact that my lashes still look perfect two weeks later and that she did a job that looks totally on point with my face! Oh and did I mention Courtney is hilarious and kind and sweet? Because she is.
Although I came to her with a scraggly, half-​out set, she worked with it (and didn’t charge me full price!) and made it just stunning. The lashes work with my face, look natural and just all kinds of fabulous.
After hideous experiences at about four other places, I’m done. I have found my girl and I’m never going back.
MONEY WELL SPENT, ladies. MONEY WELL SPENT.

After trying many places I researched on Unilocal and getting ripped off, or just garbage lashes that didn’t feel or look natual, I found Courtney Akai.
Gineann welcomed me right into the salon and rescued my lashes. She’s also awesome and makes it simple to spend a couple of hours getting your eyelashes done. This is THE BEST eyelash extension spot in NYC and worth every penny. Don’t bother with anywhere else.
The price balances out, because while other places may be cheaper, the lashes don’t last nearly as long. I am addicted and only have to go for a reasonably priced touchup every five weeks. Warning, once you have these extensions… you will never be able to live without them!!!