Hey, hey! I’ve missed you! So sorry I’ve been away, but I’m glad to be back!
Today we’re taking a step away for skincare and talking about one of my most popular services - eyelash extensions! I get a lot of questions about eyelash extensions and what better way to dig deeper in to those questions than to break it down on the blog!
Eyelash extensions are used to enhance the length, curliness, fullness, and thickness of natural eyelashes. Having eyelash extensions can save you time and give your more confidence on your no makeup days. Today’s eyelash extensions are made of synthetic materials like PBT. Many clients get real mink and synthetic/faux mink confused - Real mink lashes are very expensive and many artists no longer use them because of concerns with animal cruelty, allergies and lack of uniformity and consistency. The method of applying extensions requires using a specialty adhesive made of cyanoacrylate to individually adhere the extensions to the natural lash. False / strip eyelashes and clusters are not individual eyelash extensions.
Before your full set, your lash technician should discuss any medical conditions or medications that could interfere with your service. Clients with back or neck problems, hypothyroidism or trichotillomania are often not candidates for eyelash extensions. They should also discuss your lifestyle and styling choices. An average person might have anywhere from one hundred to two hundred lashes per eye, and it can take two to three and a half hours to attach a full, new set. Newer lash technicians may take longer. You want your lashes properly isolated and not stuck together so give your lash artist a break, especially if they are a beginner. The amount of lash extensions applied depends on how many lashes you have that can be extended safely. Because we lose 2-3 natural eyelashes every day, eyelash extensions require fills every 2–3 weeks or a full set every four weeks.
When getting lash extensions, it is important to have realistic expectations, especially if your technician is concerned with lash health. A properly trained and ethical professional will not compromise the health of your natural lashes no matter what. That could mean you may not have the same results of the girl you saw on the gram. Be honest with your technician with what you want, but also be open to the professional advice they give you. To create an uncompromising set you’ll love, your lash artist will need to understand eye styling and have an inventory of lashes in a variety of lengths, curls and weights (diameters). This is how a lash artist can personalize each set to enhance their client’s features. At Lumi Beauty Studio, our inventory includes over 40 different lashes in silk and faux mink.
When looking for a quality lash artist, check out their social media accounts. When you do, look at their before (if available) and after pictures. Do all their sets look the same? Are they preforming the same style (more than likely a cat eye) on all clients? This could be a sign they don’t understand lash health, facial features or lash styling as a cat eye does not like good on most people, let alone everyone. Placing the cat eye style on the wrong person will make their face and eyes droop, making them look tired. An artist will know how to modify a cat eye to give you the same or very similar effect while complimenting YOUR EYES. You should verify that your artist is using quality products. Quality lashes are an investment, and if you’re paying top dollar, you want to make sure you’re receiving top products. Products, experience and proven skill should justify luxury pricing. If you’re not paying top dollar, that doesn’t mean the artist isn’t skilled, but check them out and understand what you’re getting for a lower price.
During your research, you also want to see who trained your technician. When I went to school for esthetics, lash extensions were not in the curriculum. I traveled to Dallas and trained with Borboleta Beauty. I researched (okay, stalked) companies for months before making my decision. I didn’t want to just apply lashes; I wanted to be different from what was around me. Your technician being trained in school or outside of school doesn’t really matter. Was the program reputable? Are they licensed? What does the program’s social media look like? How long since graduation have they been an artist? Did they learn about styling and maintaining eye health? Does your technician care about eye and lash health? Will they teach you how to care your lashes? This might seem like a lot to consider, but THESE ARE YOUR EYES! In Arkansas (at the time of this post), you only need an esthetic or cosmetology license to apply eyelash extensions. That means your artist could watch a YouTube video on Monday, open on Tuesday, and lash you on Wednesday. This is not to scare you, just to advise you to do your due diligence. It is possible to have healthy eyelashes extensions and healthy natural lashes. I’ve been doing it for years at Lumi Beauty Studio!
Have I begun to answer your questions about eyelash extensions? There’s a lot of info to cover and next we’ll get you educated on types of lashes and the difference in classic, hybrid, volume and mega volume full sets!
Until next time…