Questions

What are eyelash extensions?

Not to be confused with the self-stick strip falsies of yesteryear or individual clusters of lashes knotted together that are a single-event accessory, these semi-permanent, synthetic extensions are glued one by one onto the natural lash (not the skin) by using a specially formulated adhesive that last 4-6 weeks. Single synthetic eyelashes are applied to your own natural eyelash to achieve a beautiful full luscious and long set of lashes that are natural and you won't even know they are there.

What are eyelash extensions made of?

Eyelash extensions are most commonly made from authentic mink hair, nylon, or polyester. Synthetic mink and silk lashes are made from polybutylene terephthalate (PBT). They are precision made, distinctively lighter, softer, more durable, and more flexible than conventional synthetic lashes. In contrast, polyester lashes are heavy and inflexible. They are cheaply made, can be irregular, and tend to look heavy and artificial on the eye. For that reason, I uses synthetic mink and silk lashes exclusively.

Should I be careful who applies the eyelash extensions and should they be trained?

Absolutely, I cannot stress the importance of choosing an eyelash technician who has been taught by a qualified and experienced person and is a listened aesthetician or cosmetologist. There are many eyelash extension operators who are claiming to have been professionally trained but have been self taught via the internet and these operators are also using poor quality products. Please do your research thoroughly and ask many questions.

How are the eyelash extensions applied?

A single natural eyelash is isolated and a synthetic lash is adhered to your own natural eyelash approximately 1 mm from the eyelid so neither the glue or the lash has contact with the skin. 

How long does the application take? 

The procedure will take approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes to 2 hours for a full set and approximately an hour to an hour and a half for a fill. It is a meticulous procedure that requires patience and concentration so therefore it should not be rushed so that clients can leave with a perfect set of lashes. You relax with your eyes closed and there is no pain as this is a non-invasive procedure. Often clients are so relaxed they fall asleep.

Do eyelash extensions make my own lashes fall out?

No, definitely not this is a myth. It is important to have your lash extensions applied by a qualified technician who uses to quality product. The eyelash has a cycle and are constantly being replaced like your hair. If you pull so hard on an extension lash and pull out your own natural lash there will be no new lash ready to grow to take its place and you will have to wait 6-8 weeks for that lash to grow. 

Can I still wear eye makeup?

Yes, but you won’t need mascara and you may even find you won’t need eyeliner, but you can still use eyeliner and eye shadows as usual but remember to remove with a product that does not contain oil of any kind as this will affect the adhesive. We recommend removing eyeliner and eye shadow using a gentle oil free makeup remover. Never wipe down towards the lashes this will cause a build up of makeup on the lashes and may lessen the life of them.

Can I wear mascara?

You won’t have to. You can roll out of bed looking great and best of all it will make your lashes look like you’re wearing mascara 24/7 without the clumping, streaking and smudging look that you get with mascara. No more running and streaking mascara which is fantastic for brides on their special day. If desired you can wear a non-waterproof preferably water based.  

Can I curl or perm eyelash extensions? 

No, do not perm your beautiful new eyelash extensions. Anyway you won’t have to as the extension lashes hold their lovely shape. Never use a eyelash curler this will damage them.  

How long do they last? 

Approximately 4-6 weeks if you follow your after care. Remember this is a semi-permanent beauty procedure. Do not be duped by those who promise “permanent” extensions or attachments that last for 2+ months. A real lash’s life cycle is around 25-28 days, and as yours grow and fall out, so will the synthetic ones that are attached. If your hair and nails grow quickly then that may indicate that your lashes also are growing, shedding and renewing themselves quickly so you may find that your lashes will not last as long as someone whose hair growth is slow. Your life style and what work you do will also make a difference how long they last. A ladies lashes working in the food industry where there is a lot of heat, steam and oil may not last as well as a lady who works in an air conditioned office. Eyelash extensions will not last for three months, this is false advertising by salons and inexperienced people. 

I had eyelash extensions applied a few days ago and a few lashes have fallen out - why?

As explained above the lash has a growth cycle and unfortunately it is hard to determine which lash is ready to fall out naturally so it is unpredictable when applying the synthetic lashes. Each day we can loose 3-5 natural lashes, but often they fall out unnoticed unless they fall into your eye, but when eyelash extensions are applied we are more aware of when they shed as we know the extensions are there plus they are longer, darker and thicker. If you sleep on your stomach with your face squashed into the pillow or you favor sleeping on one side you may notice the lashes may not last as well as the other side. I recommend  a comfortable save my face pillow.

What are fills, why do I need them and how often do I need them? 

In-fills are when the natural eyelash has fallen out (due to the eyelash cycle) and there has been an extension lash applied to it. You will require fills every 2-4 weeks if you would like to achieve a consistently full fresh set of lashes. I take the time to remove any eyelash extensions that have either grown out to far or are not sitting correctly.