By now, it is no secret that the long luscious lashes that grace the faces of celebrities are not the result of a heavy dose of mascara. Eyelash extensions are becoming more and more common because they are customizable and look (almost) real. The other major appeal is that they are semi-permanent, which means that you can be selfie-ready quickly. The lashes are not just fake lashes that you can purchase from the store in a strip; eyelash extensions are applied by a lash-technician who glues each lash on by hand on top of your natural lashes. While this sounds amazing, and eyelash extensions are by and large quite fantastic, there are a few things you need to know before you book your first appointment. Here is the 411 on lash extensions!
Do Your Research
Depending on where you live there will be a variety of options, as many salons now have lash technicians on site. This is convenient, yet quantity doesn’t always mean quality—make sure you do your research before booking an appointment. You want to go to a reputable place that uses good quality lash adhesive and maintains a sanitary environment. Asking friends, checking reviews online, and doing a bit of research can save you an ugly lash job or an eye infection. If you want to be 100% thorough call ahead and ask the salon about the type of adhesive they use. If formaldehyde is an ingredient then cancel your appointment and look for another salon ASAP.
Maintenance
Typically, lash extensions do not come cheap. This means that you want to follow through with the proper maintenance routine, to keep your lashes on point. What is the routine? Well to start, you will need to brush your lashes with a spoolie brush to keep them from tangling. It is best to do this in the morning, after any showers, and before bed. If you do not keep your lashes brushed they could prematurely fall out costing you time and energy because you will have to go for more refill appointments. Yes, eyelash extensions also require follow-up appointments to keep them thick and luscious. On average, every three to four weeks you will need to revisit the salon to re-up on lashes, as lashes regenerate and fall out over time. Another important thing to note is that regular maintenance is important for your lashes because if you wait too long and too many lashes have fallen out the salon can charge you for a (new) full set. Yikes! Maintenance is key to maintaining your signature look and saving money.
What Else?
The whole thing seems easy and fun, but another thing to consider is your personal routine and the beauty products you use on a daily basis. Your mascara and eye makeup needs to be applied very carefully or avoided totally, since the removal process, as well as the contents of the products, will affect the integrity of the lash adhesive. Another pro-tip is to consider why you are getting the lash extensions in the first place. If you are thinking it will be a foolproof way to look great in all of our vacation pictures…think again. If you are going anywhere with high humidity or plan on spending a lot of time in the water then lash extensions are not a good option. Too much rubbing, oil-based makeup, excessive water, swimming, snorkeling masks, and chemicals can render your fabulous look obsolete.
Amy N. Pugsley
