cosmetics

Clarendon’s newest lash and brow studio is hoping to open next month.

A mid-September opening is likely for Deka Lash at 1041 N. Highland Street, a company spokesperson told ARLnow. It’s moving into a space that was formerly home to Cherry Blow Dry Bar, which closed almost exactly a year ago.

Deka Lash ownership had initially hoped to start plucking in July but permitting moved slower than expected.

The studio is set to provide a number of eye-raising services including lash lifts, lash fanning, lash extensions, eyebrow sculpting, lash fanning, eyebrow threading, and eyebrow lamination.

The latter is a “hugely popular service these days since Hollywood stars started promoting it,” a company rep said back in May.

This will be the fifth Deka Lash location in Northern Virginia, including one in Fairfax’s Mosaic District. The owners chose Clarendon as the site for their next studio because of its vibrancy.

“​​The owners chose Clarendon because, as Arlington residents, they know what a vibrant, fun, and active part of NOVA it is,” the spokesperson wrote in an email. “You get the city experience without having to drive into DC. Clarendon has everything; bars, shops, restaurants, gyms, and now a studio of the largest international lash franchise in the world.”

There are more than 120 Deka Lash locations across the United States and Canada. A number of them are franchises, including the Clarendon studio.

This is owned by retired Army officer Charles Cox and his wife, as well as former Arlington school teacher Christina Cox. They also own the Mosaic District location which “is consistently one of the top performing studios in the entire franchise,” per the spokesperson.

“As they approached retirement from their traditional jobs, they wanted to try something completely different. Realizing they were behind on the massage, wax, and nail trend, they were excited to be among the original group of franchisees to join Entrepreneur Magazine’s Top New and Trendiest franchises in beauty,” wrote the spokesperson.

A grand opening celebration with discounted services is being planned and will be announced at a later date.

In recent months, Clarendon has had several high-profile business openings (and reopenings). Clarendon Ballroom announced its return last month; B Live moved into Whitlow’s old haunts (which is coming back, but in D.C.); a gun store opened in a former cafe space; and a medical weed dispensary will be opening in the neighborhood soon.

A new lash and brow studio is taking shape in Clarendon, set to open in a former salon space.

DekaLash is aiming for a July opening at 1041 N. Highland Street. That was the location of Cherry Blow Dry Bar for about six years until it closed last summer citing financial issues.

Services the studio provides include lash lifts, lash fanning, lash extensions, eyebrow sculpting, eyebrow threading, and eyebrow lamination.

“A hugely popular service these days since Hollywood stars started promoting it in recent years,” writes a company spokesperson to ARLnow.

This will be the fifth DekaLash location in Northern Virginia, adding to the other shops in Alexandria, Sterling, Manssass, and the Mosaic District in Fairfax County. In total, there are more than 110 DekaLash shops across the U.S. and Canada.

The Arlington DekaLash team will be all “certified, licensed, and experts in their field,” the spokesperson says. Additionally, there are other state requirements to work in the industry.

“In Virginia, lash artists must hold a Virginia esthetician or cosmetology license,” said the spokesperson. “Applicants must then successfully complete our six-week training program and ongoing monthly meetings and training.”

Clarendon has seen a series of new businesses — mostly restaurants — opening in recent months.

Brass Rabbit Public House first started serving last month, in the former Bracket Room location. Buena Vida Gastro Lounge reopened several weeks ago at 2900 Wilson Blvd after a rebranding. Chipotle just opened last week on Clarendon Blvd. The new diner-esque eatery UnCommon Luncheonette has also now started serving breakfast and lunch at the corner of N. Garfield Street and 11th Street N.

Sephora, the national cosmetics and beauty products chain, is opening its new store in Clarendon next Friday.

The location will be in the 4,533-square-foot former Eastern Mountain Sports space in Market Common Clarendon, next to the Barnes and Noble.

The store will sell more than 13,000 beauty products from more than 200 brands, it announced in a press release. Anyone who buys more than $50 at the store will be able to get a free “mini-makeover” while they’re there.

There is still construction ongoing in front of the store, which is covered in black and white plywood, with the words “Sephora has arrived” painted on.