Everything You Need To Know About Eyelash Extensions

Everything You Need To Know About Eyelash Extensions

It can be hard to know what you want you when you get eyelash extensions. Even harder to know what is happening while getting your lashes done. In a common consultation you will likely be asked about five preferences, thickness, type, style, curl, and length. So here is guide to help you be prepared for your consultation and understand what your lash artist does while your eyes are closed.

Application

The process of applying lash extensions is simple but important. It is essential to isolate each natural lash before applying the extension. Once a natural lash has been isolated the extension is selected from what we call a lash tray. It is dipped in the adhesive, not to little or it won’t adhere but not to much or you will likely glue lashes together. Then the extension is placed on top (or sometimes to the bottom) of the natural lash. Position is also important, you don’t want the lash to cure laying at an angle.

#1 Thickness

Eyelash extensions are created with different diameters for different purposes. Avoid anything that is too thick .20 mm or .25 mm are just too much for most lashes to handle. Thickness .15 mm is most common for classic lashes, .10 mm could be used on very fine lashes or can be placed with another .10 mm to create a volume/2 dimensional effect. .07 mm, ,06 mm, and ,05 mm thicknesses are used for volume lashes. The number of lash extensions in a fan should vary depending on the thickness of your natural lashes and the thickness of the extensions being used. For example most frequently used is the .07 mm with 3 extensions in a fan, but a lash artist could also use .05 mm extensions with 5 lashes per fan, depending on what they feel the natural lashes can handle.

Tip: The thickness of your natural lashes will effect what we can put on as extensions. Too thick, too long, or too many can damage your natural lashes.

#2 Type

Lash Extensions are most commonly separated into classic and volume. Classic being one thicker extension to one natural lash and volume 3–5 finer extensions to one natural lash, spread out in what we refer to as a fan. There is also a hybrid option that is a mixture of classic and volume. 2D stands for 2 dimensional which means there a two extensions to one natural lash and when built with .10 mm extensions can create beautiful set.

Tip: We can only add as many extensions as you have natural lashes. Therefore if you have fewer lashes and want more fullness go for hybrid, 2D, or volume lashes. But for some, with lots of natural lashes a classic set can look like a volume set.

#3 Style

Most common styles include but are not limited to cat eye, doll eye, and dramatic. Cat eye draws the eye out with length at the ends making the eye look more almond shaped. Doll eye puts the majority of length in the middle where it opens up the eye to make it look larger, and often looks the most natural. Dramatic leaves lots of length throughout for a more obvious look.

Tip: The names are slightly deceiving because any of these styles can be natural or dramatic depending on the lengths used.

#4 Curl

The curls are defined by a letter representing the look of the curl. J curl is obviously more of J shape and is the least curly or lifted. B curl is a lesser or basic curl. C curl is the common curl that matches most people natural lash curl. D curl is the most dramatic and lifted, it will be the most visible from the front, it is also the most popular. L curl has a harsher L shape that makes these lashes ideal if working with clients who have hooded eyelids for whom D curl just isn’t enough.

Tip: Matching your extensions to the curl of your natural lashes can help increase retention because the extension will adhere to more of the natural lash.

#5 Length

Length is largely decided by the length of your natural lashes, be cautious of going too long as it may decrease retention or cause breakage. But everybody loves length so if you prefer them long maybe opt for a volume set that consists of more, finer lashes.

Tip: If you wear glasses and don’t want your extensions to brush them as you blink don’t go longer then a size 12 mm extension. Again can vary by person.

Aftercare

After care is essential to long lasting extensions, do not get them wet for 24 hrs after a full set or a fill this allows the adhesive to completely cure. Avoid anything oil based as it will break down the adhesive, as will salt water or chlorine. Please do not put mascara on your extensions, it is very difficult to remove and can cause you lose more extensions after the next fill if not properly cleaned off. It is not the responsibility of the lash artist to clean your lashes before each fill.