What Are Eye Lash Extensions
Eyelash extensions are semi-permanent fibers that are glued to your natural lashes to make them appear longer, thicker and darker. The goal of lash extensions is to give the eyes a made-up appearance without the use of mascara or other eye makeup. Since they eliminate the need for mascara, eyelash extensions are a significant, daily time saver when it comes to putting on and taking off makeup. If you routinely wear false eyelashes, you’ll save even more time. Plus, you can say goodbye to fumbling with glue and having your false eyelashes come off prematurely. You also have many options with eyelash extensions. You can choose the length, type of curl, and thickness of the extensions you want.
Classic, Hybrid & Volume Eyelash Extensions:
What is the Difference?
Classic lash extensions are specifically designed to have the most natural appearance possible. This means they are applied on a 1:1 ratio. More specifically, a single extension is attached to a single eyelash during application. Classic lashes wont add much volume but will add length, Classic lash extensions offer you an even lash line that opens up the eye. It helps you look made-up right from the moment you wake up, and builds on your natural lash beauty
Hybrid lashes offer you a varied texture and more volume, but without the sometimes-unnatural look of volume lashes. This is the look the Kardashians made popular, so the lash line is broken and almost “spikey”. Though of course, the lashes are very soft!
Volume eyelash extensions vary from an extremely natural look which adds some length and volume (2D and 3D lashes), to a very dramatic and full look (5D up). 5D and higher may look like you are wearing false lashes all the time. Though of course the lashes are attached to your natural lashes. So there is no bulky strip or lash separation to be seen. 2D lashes are very comparable to classic lashes, just with some extra volume which may be just what you’re looking for. Classic lashes are applied individually on a 1:1 ratio, hybrid typically uses 30% classic lashes and 70% volume lashes (variable ratio), and volume ranges from 1:2 to 1:10 generally.
Benefits of Eyelash Extensions:
- They look beautiful – When done correctly, eyelash extensions will make your lashes look long, full and fluttery at all times. Unlike with strips of fake eyelashes, with lash extensions, you can wake up every morning with princess lashes with no effort.
- You don’t have to wait for them to work – You walk into your lash extension appointment with sparse, weak lashes and you walk out looking like a superstar. The instant gratification of having beautiful lashes after only one appointment is definitely appealing.
- No more mascara – That’s right. No more smudging, flaking, running or stressing that one eye’s lashes always look better than the other. With lash extensions, mascara is a thing of the past, which will also save you the time of applying and removing product from your lashes.
- They’re customizable – Whether you’re a natural honey or a dramatic diva, your lash extensions can be customized to fit your desired look. Talk to your technician about your lash goals, and they will tailor the length, color and curl pattern to meet your preferences.
- They can last a long time – As time goes on, your eyelashes’ natural shed cycle will cause the extensions to fall out along with your natural lashes. This typically starts to happen a couple of weeks after the first appointment and will continue until the cycle is complete (four to ten weeks). However, you can get regular “fills,” which will keep your lashes looking lovely indefinitely.
- The process is painless – If applied properly, you should never experience any pain with the application or wear of eyelash extensions.
- They can withstand water – After having the last extensions applied, you will have to keep the eyes and lashes dry for 48 hours. Once that time has passed, you should be able to swim, sweat and shower with your extensions, although keeping them dry will help them last longer.
- The process is (normally) safe – Experts, including dermatologists and estheticians, explain that having lash extensions applied by a licensed professional is safe, though there are risks involved.
Am I a Candidate?
Eyelash extensions can be for just about anyone. Most people looking for thicker, fuller lashes will probably be perfect candidates. It’s also something many professional women do who like the look of makeup on themselves, but don’t have the time or patience for mascara and/or eyelash curlers. Other women may get a set for special occasions to add an exceptional touch to complete their look.
Contraindications:
Contraindications are conditions or symptoms that restrict the treatment to go ahead. If you plan to have a medical procedure that will affect the eye, such as LASIK, chemotherapy or radiation, you should consult with your doctor before having eyelash extensions applied. Additionally, those with the following conditions should talk with their doctor before considering eyelashes extensions:
- Contagious or eye infection disorder Eg. Conjunctivitis
- Hypersensitive skin
- Stye (an abscess filled with puss caused by staphylococcus bacteria)
- Blepharitis – Inflammation of the eyelids that causes red, swollen eyelids and crusty eyelashes.
- Trichotillomania – Trichotillomania is a stress or anxiety-induced urge to pull out your hair, including your eyelashes.
- Eyelid dermatitis – Eyelid dermatitis is a skin condition that causes eyelid skin to burn, and be red and itchy.
- Alopecia Areata – Condition that causes full or partial hair loss on the scalp and may affect the eyebrows and eyelashes.
- Cuts or open wounds in the area
- Epilepsy
- Claustrophobia
After Care:
It is super important to be educated on what you can do to help with retention if you’re a lash babe that loves to get lashes! Here are the tips on everyday things you can do to prolong the life of your extensions at home
- Do not get lashes wet for the first 24 hours.
- Do not use oil-based eye products, creams or mascara.
- Wash your lashes Daily with our Spa Marija Lash Care kit.
- Sleep on your back, or buy a silk pillowcase & or 3D eye/sleep mask
- Use only water-based makeup & makeup remover.
- Remove makeup around the eye with a cotton swab.
- If you cry ( as we all do from time to time) wash your lashes. If you go to the gym, also wash your lashes after. Tears and sweat will break down the adhesive.
- Do not perm, tint, or use an eyelash curler.
- No mascara
- Be careful to avoid pulling extensions or rubbing your eyes.
- Please see a trained lash technician to have your extensions removed.
- To extend the life of your lashes, please schedule touch-ups every 2-3 weeks.
Eyelash Shedding -
Why Touch Ups Are Necessary?
The average person has anywhere from 80-150 natural eyelashes per eye. When applying lash extensions, the goal is to attach extensions to 90-100% of your available natural lashes during your appointment. Why do you need a fill every 2-3 weeks? It is important to know that naturally we lose about 2-5 lashes per day. If you average 3 lashes per day, this is how many lashes are lost each week.
1 WEEK: 21 LASHES
2 WEEKS: 42 LASHES
3 WEEKS: 63 LASHES
Risks:
- Allergic reactions – Many of the glues used to apply eyelash extensions contain the preservative formaldehyde. ( A chemical compound that can cause an allergic reaction in your eye and also on the skin around the eye) While you might think a patch test could help to detect such an allergy, most allergies manifest about 24 to 48 hours after the glue is applied. Additionally, an allergy can arise at any time, even if you have been using the same glue for months or years. The solvents used to remove glue from your eyelash can also cause allergic reactions and are not regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Suspect an allergic reaction if you experience pain, itching, redness, burning or swelling around the eye area. And get to an ophthalmologist.
- Dry Eye, Stye and Infection – When you get eyelash extensions, you’re told to treat them gently, with instructions to avoid getting them wet with water, cleansers, creams or any other product for the first 24 hours. Once that window has passed, you need to wash your lashes daily. If you fail to do so dirt or bacteria that get trapped by your eyelash extensions may not be removed as they usually would, giving them easy access to your eye. Not washing your lashes can also block the oil glands at the base of the eyelash. The oil produced by those glands is part of the tear film that helps protect your eye. One of the oil’s functions is to prevent evaporation of your tears. When oil production is out of balance, tears can evaporate too quickly, leading to dry eye. Like it sounds, dry eye is uncomfortable. Symptoms include irritation, burning, itching, redness, tearing and sometimes a foreign body sensation, as if something is in your eye. Blocked follicles could also form a stye, which can develop into a bacterial infection. If your eye is infected, you may experience symptoms similar to dry eye, plus photosensitivity, swollen eyelids and pus discharge.
- Fibers in the eye – Our lashes normally fall out all the time and sometimes they get into that little pocket in the corner of the eye, When an eyelash falls out, that eyelash extension glued to it falls out along with it. And while not common, sometimes an eyelash extension does get embedded in the transparent membrane that covers the eyeball. If you have a foreign body sensation in your eye that doesn’t resolve, you should see an ophthalmologist.