I am lash obsessed. When I first laid my stubby little lashes on Kim Kardashian's lash extensions, I rushed out and booked an appointment with my friend and got lashed up.
In a blink, I fell in love. ♥
Goodbye panda eyes, falsies and rushed morning mascara application. Hello waking up to beautiful, long and voluminous lashes.
As a therapist, I knew clients would love lash extensions as much as I do and I completed a course in classic and volume lash extensions.
From a clients perspective the procedure is painless, relaxing and the perfect time to catch up on some beauty sleep.
From a lash artists perspective it is challenging and requires a ton of technical skill and patience.
Will extensions damage my natural lashes?
If lash extensions are applied correctly then there will be no damage to your natural lashes. Extensions must always be applied to one individual lash. The length of the extensions used can only be 2mm's longer than your natural lash length. If extensions are too long or too thick this is when damage can occur. Never ever rub, tug or pull at your extensions as this could also cause damage.
Application
During application of classic lashes, a lash artist applies one individual lash extension to one of your lashes. Classic extensions are perfect for clients who have a lot of lashes already but need more length.During application of volume lashes, a lash artist applies multiple fans to one natural lash. The fans range from 2D all the way up to 8D. Volume lashes are perfect for clients who wish to have a fluffy, soft, full and dramatic look. Volume lashes are significantly lighter and thinner than classic lashes and will not weigh down and damage your natural lashes. This method is also known as Russian volume as it originates from Russia and Ukraine.
The client can choose between classic or volume, type of curl and whether they would like a natural or oh-so-glam look. The client can also choose from a variety of styles and the therapist will advise the client what will suit their natural lashes and eye shape best.
How long is the appointment?
The appointment can take anywhere from 1–2 hours. It all depends on whether you are having classic or volume lashes as well as the skill of the lash artist.
How long will my lashes last?
How long your lashes last, depend on each individuals lash cycle and how diligent the client is with aftercare. On average, lash extensions can last 6-8 weeks. You will need to get fills every 2-4 weeks.
After the Procedure
Your therapist will provide you with instructions on how to care for your lashes. Generally speaking though most therapists will advise you to not get your lashes wet for 12-24 hours after lash extension application. Getting them wet, could mean a breakdown in the adhesive and your lashes won't last as long. If your therapist uses a Nano-Mister as I do, you can skip all those steps and go ahead and bat those lashes. It is advisable that for the first night that sleep on your back to avoid squashing your new lashes.
Maintenance
Taking care of your lash extensions is as quick as a wink. Clean the eye area every day with an oil free cleanser and lint free wipe and lovingly brush those beauties into position. Lash extensions are so luxurious and long that there is no need for mascara. During the daytime I won't even need to wear any eye-make as the lashes alone provide that “Wow” factor. If you do decide you would like to wear mascara then you can usually purchase mascara specifically formulated to use with your lash extensions and some of them even prolong their life. You could use drugstore mascara however it could break down the adhesive and result in extensions falling out at a faster rate. It is not advisable to wear water-proof mascara as it's really difficult to remove and you may end up removing your extensions when trying to remove the mascara. In my opinion and experience, it is worth spending a little extra to maintain your extensions. When you do apply eye make-up just ensure it's oil free, as oils break down the adhesive and we certainly don't want that!
I highly recommend individual lash extensions and for those of you that cannot afford the maintenance then these are most certainly ideal for those special occasions. Although I am sure that once you have had lash extensions, you would never want to be without them again!