Eyelash Extension Tips! #1-5

Updated March 2nd, 2021

Enjoy our tips #1-5! 

Tip 1: Satin or Silk Pillow Cases

 Satin or silk pillow cases are a great way to ensure the longevity and care of your lash extensions! If you are a side or belly sleeper, your lashes can get snagged, pulled or tangled in other pillow case fabrics. Satin is gentle to lash extensions, hair, skin and scalp. Avoid losing lashes, and sleep on a cloud of silkiness! They also help reduce wrinkles, hair frizz, and static! Coming soon, we will be carrying a variety sizes and colors of "Morning Glamour" satin pillow cases. 

You can also find a variety online at morninglamour.com

Tip 2: DIY Make-Up Removing Wipes

(Hypoallergenic, oil free, and eyelash extension friendly.)

Afraid to wash your face because of your lash extensions? But still have make up on? Don't want to spend a fortune on makeup remover wipes or wash that has no oil? cant find one without oil? Make some instead! Take a roll of viva paper towels (or lint free, or least lint free) and cut in half. Place in a Tupperware or container. Than, take 4 cups of hot water and mix in 1-2 tablespoons of baby shampoo. The one I have chosen is non toxic, hypoallergenic, and oil free! Mix the water and shampoo gently, so it doesn't bubble. Once mixed evenly, Apply  the mix by pouring over the roll and in the container. Close and leave for 15-20 minutes. Come back and remove the cardboard core roll,until it's softened enough that you can pull it out. And Vuah-lah! Make up remover wipes soft enough for your skin and lashes!  And the best part? You have made a ton of make up removing wipes, for a fragment of designer brands!

For summertime, add 1-2 table spoons of aloe vera, and:or place the wipes in the refrigerator for summer cool down wipes! Great for after the beach or camping.

Tip 3: Book a Fill Appointment! 

Once you have a new full set of lashes, make sure to book every 2,3 and even 4 weeks for a fill appointment. If this is your first time getting lashes, check back after 2 weeks. We offer 4 different fill appointments ranging from 30 minutes to 90 minutes. Everyone is different, so depending on how fast your lash cycle is, make sure for fill appointments that you have at least 30-25-% of your lashes left for a fill appointment (each eye!) For pricing and appointments call us to book and keep your lashes looking full and beautiful!

Tip 4: The Blow Dryer Trick

To keep up with your lashes, here's a great idea for drying! Sometime's coming out of the shower/pool/saunas, etc. Lashes can appear or feel to be heavy. This is caused by heat or moisture from when they are wet or damp after the shower, bath, pool, or more. Sometimes air drying doesn't "fluff-em up", but here's a trick that can help. Take your blow dryer and make sure its on the "cold shot" or the cool setting. Make sure to test the temperature first. (The heat can potentially damage, singe, melt, or destroy lashes depending on what type of lashes you have on. Don't do it!) Take your cool blow dryer and hold it by your stomach, having he nozzle facing up towards your face. It'll dry your lashes faster, but also help fluff them! :) Make sure to detangle with your mascara wand, and vuah-lah! Perfectly Fluffed lashes. The better your lashes stay drier, the longer your lashes will last.

Tip 5: Brow Tape No No

Every time I see this, it makes me so angry. Every lash tech learns from different educators and differently. No matter what tech you go to, and regardless if they use surgical tape, paper tape, foam tape, etc. They should NEVER be applying any tape to your brows. I understand some techs will disagree, because every eye shape is different to accommodate, but taping the brows is laziness and can be damaging and painful to the client! Taping the brows can cause damage and irritation to the brows and can cause irritation to the delicate skin on the eyelids. If clients or customers see this, tell your tech NO, or I'd suggest finding another tech. 

Next tips 6-10 will be posted soon!

 

Can eyelash extensions damage your natural lashes?

(P.s. I apologize for any grammar or spelling errors, will fix ASAP.)
Updated March 2nd, 2021

I get asked this question A LOT. When I am at social gatherings or meeting new people and get asked, "what do you do for a living?" People seem interested but also skittish, when I tell them that I am a eyelash extension technician. Which women in particular have a laundry list of questions for me, which I am glad to answer, but annoyed that this information is misconception to the consumers.

In my first post,"great work ain't cheap, cheap work ain't great." I explain about licensing, products, pricing, and location differences, between local lash boutiques in California. If you have not read that article, go read it :), before continuing here.

If you have read that post, than you know about the licensing, certification, etc.

Eyelash extensions are not damaging. Period.

When properly applied, eyelash extensions are applied one by one. Each eyelash extension is applied to one eye lash, given proper drying time, and they will act as your own lash.  Once completed, your lashes will act as your own with the same flexibility, and can last anywhere from 2 weeks to a month. With time and daily wear and tear, your lash extensions will grow and fall out. This is your natural lash cycle. Your lash cycle will normally lose 1-5 lashes a day. This can depend if you hair or cycle grows faster, if you take vitamins, medications, etc. The faster your hair grows, the faster your lash cycle could be growing too. If you take vitamins such as biotin or if you are pregnant and taking prenatal's, this can speed up the process for your keratin production: or hair and nails cycles. This can cause your lash cycle to go faster. Again, the faster your cycle, the less time your lashes will last. However, everyone is different, and every body reacts differently. The human body is a mystery, and each person may find that this does not qualify to them.

No one really notices lashes falling out, until you have lash extensions. With an extension on a natural lash, it's a bit more noticeable. It makes sense. You have thicker, darker, longer and curlier lashes on, so you'll notice. If you notice a lash extensions attached to your natural lash, DONT panic. Unless you plucked, picked, or snagged the lash, its your natural lash cycle. Your natural lashes will fall or cycle out, meaning a new lash is growing in. While making its way to grow in place of the old lash, the old lash falls off. If you see a extension, but no natural lash attached, than the bond became loose and slipped off. :) Again, no damage has occurred.

Anytime a client sees lashes with 2 or multiple extensions on, that's what techs refer to as volume and volume fans. This is to help create either a thicker, fuller appearance that one desires, or to help conceal bald spots. Don't freak out, it's not two or multiple natural lashes stuck together, it only the extensions.


Here are the ONLY ways lashes and your lash cycle could be damaged.

Wrong. SO wrong. See that a second lash is crossing over?

If you see lashes stuck together, two extensions or one connected to two natural lashes, than this could be a problem. This is found a lot more frequently with tech who are unlicensed, uncertified, improperly trained, clusters, etc. When you see two natural lashes stuck to 1 or more lash extensions, 3 things could have happened, the tech didn't see the lash sneak in, there wasn't enough time for the adhesive to solidify  and/or improper lash isolation technique. A vision or lighting problem could have occurred, yet the tech ignored it. The tech used the wrong lash products such as clusters (found at the drugstore). Or clients used oil based products or followed poor aftercare instructions. 

OIL. Clients who use oil based products can cause damage to your extensions, which can then cause issues to your natural lashes cycle. This is why techs stress to discontinue any use of oil based products, or follow our tips and tricks on what to use or how to avoid the eye area or lashes. If oil based products are used, you are jeopardizing the lash extension bond. The lash extension medical grade adhesives are oil based, which oil and oil mix together, causing lash extensions bonds to break down. This can than lead to lash extensions loosening and re-adhering to neighbor lashes. Causing clumps, tangles, and a messing. Oil could also cause extensions to fall out at a faster rate, bonds deteriorated, or to loosen. 
This can also be caused by hot water, steam, or water in the first 24-48 hours.
The oil based products can make lashes stuck together, or more, which could lead to potential damage or balding if not addressed properly.
Another problem, if clients are constantly touching your lashes, STOP. Your fingers have oils on them too. Beware, and stop touching.

Excessive touching, plucking, pulling, tugging, snagging, etc. can be many more reasons that your lashes could be heading down a path of damage, pre mature shedding or balding. Again, stop it! (Or you're grounded! ) hehe

If your tech is using inadequate products, this can also be an issues. The wrong tape, adhesives, removers, lashes, can be a problem. make sure to ask your tech what they use and to make sure the product line is credible, medical grad and made in the USA, Canada, etc. Reputable is the key. 

Also, make sure your tech has a FULL client consultation with you. We want to make you happy, but we also face reality. You may want the biggest, longest, drag-queen-level lashes, but your natural lashes (or lash base) may not be able to handle it certain weights or lengths. If your natural lashes are tiny, stout, short, thin etc. you may have to settle for another variation of lashes, or a plan B. The heavier or longer the lashes the less they will last. Similar to nails, the shorter your natural nails are, and the longer the fake nails you want, won't last as long, compared to someone who has long natural nails. If your natural lashes are thin, make sure your tech is not putting a heavy lash/lashes on you. I see wayyyyyyy too many lash boutiques/techs putting .20's and .25's on clients who have too short and thin of a natural base. Heavy lashes applied to thin lashes, can not hold the weight, which can cause lashes to not hold as long.
Both length and weight/width matter! If ignored both can cause damage, premature balding, and balding of lashes.

THIS is one of the MAIN causes.
You want to keep the integrity of your natural lashes!
Most of the local lash boutiques in my area, and a universal size for classic, use .20's. The description of this lash is "average," however since it's bigger, it creates fullness. This is mainly easier for lash techs, because we don't have to apply an extensions to each natural lash. The illusion of fullness it crates, no client will notice. Unless your lashes can handle it, ask your tech. 

Lastly if you have a lash tech who is inexperienced, unlicensed, uncertified, etc, than this could be a different situation. If a tech is not properly licensed, certified, or trained in eyelash extensions
techniques or general education, you are risking damage, health and safety, and sanitation.

Again, these are your EYES. Don't risk it.

Unless those reasons are credible to you or your tech, than

NO, eyelash extensions are NOT damaging, nor damaging your natural lashes.

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Why Eyelash Extensions and Oil Do Not Mix

(Updated March 2nd, 2021.)

 So imagine this....
You just got your eyelashes done!
You're excited, and can't wait to show off your lashes to the world.
You have an event to attend to tomorrow night, and can't wait to get dolled up.
The next day, you decide you want to go a little heavy with the eye make up, including mascara.
Whats the bid deal.... you got your lashes done over 24 hours ago, you should be good to go.
Once you're satisfied with your look, you leave for the party.
By the time you get home, your exhausted.
You switch to pjs and wash your face with your favorite make-up remover and/or facial cleanser.
Before you know it, you're snoozing Z's.

You wake up the next morning, and take one look in the mirror.

You have few left! How can this be!? A night, and suddenly a lot of lash extensions are missing!
You freak out, and call your lash tech...

Now STOP right there.

We give every client an aftercare pack, which includes a mascara wand (to help detangle), instructions, a business card, and usually a coupon. We usually answer any questions about maintenance before or after your appointment. But, we are only human :). We too can forget or be slammed with clients giving us not enough time to tell you all the instructions ourselves. Our aftercare card and packs help with that. Our aftercare card instructions states, "only use oil free make-up remover, face cleansers, makeup, etc." It also states,"Do not use oil based products on or around the eye lash/lid area." Meaning, avoid getting sunscreen, face cleansers, moisturizers, eye creams, etc. that contain oils on the lids or lashes. Avoid heavy eye make-up or make-up that has oils in them, this includes mascara, and other products.

Nooooooooooooooooo Oil, mineral oil, coconut oil, grapeseed oil, etc.

Now that you have the "no oil" theme down,

You're probably wondering WHY? 

Eyelash Extensions, when applied correctly and with good product, feature adhesives that are medical grade. Almost all lash extension adhesives are "oil based."
Anytime you add oil and water, they repel.
However, if you add oil and oil they combine.
That's where our problem begins.

Oils can break down the bonds of lash extensions bonded to natural lashes individually.
Making lashes either slip off faster, and or lashes becoming loose, and able to stick to other or neighboring lashes/lash extensions. This can create a mess, making a fill and/or corrective appointment come sooner rather than later.

Again, to avoid all of the heartache and mess....... no oil!

Make sure any products that DO have oil, that you can not live without, are applied away from lashes and eyelid.

Examples:
Sunscreen, moisturizers, masks etc.:
apply on the face, avoid eye area (in red.)
Make sure when you wash your face, that you avoid the eyes when using a oil based facial cleanser.
Use a water based make up remover or facial cleanser to remove any debris or excess product, oils, make-up etc. Using qtips that are lint free or a soft microfiber washcloth, can be helpful to remove excess product. Avoid using any cotton or q-tips that have lint, the lint can get snagged on the lashes. Be gentle, no pulling, tugging, or rubbing when cleaning lashes.

Eye creams, concealers, eye, under eye make-up:
Apply with a finger, dabbing the product to the skin around the eye are, desired skin. Make sure to avoid the eyelid lashes. Once applied. Give 2-5 minutes, unless otherwise directed to "dry" or absorb".

Eyeshadow, eyeliner, etc.:
*This can be tricky, considering that most of the problems come from liquids or cream based make-up. Make sure when applied, it's applied thinly and had sufficient time to dry /absorb.
Apply with desired brush, sponge, finger, etc. Avoid the lid, or can lightly dust on the lid. Make sure to not get on the lashes.

Mascara:
Water based mascara only. (Most mascaras now-a-days are water or clay based.) 

No oil based or waterproof. Check out our post on top 5 favorite water based mascaras that are eyelash extension friendly. Mascara should only be applied to the tips of the lashes, and/or bottom lashes. The base of the lashes can build up product, making it more a mess to clean, but it's up to you.

(Avoid any growth for lashes & or vitamins if possible.)
Note:Make sure if  any creams, eyecreams, etc. are applied at night, that the product is completely dry/absorbed. If you sleep on you stomach or side, lashes can have product transfer the oils from the skin once the eyes are closed.

Make sure to follow your lash extension aftercare card.

Our techs give you one after every appointment, 

if you did not get one, make sure to ask for it. 

  

Stay tuned for eyelash extensions tips and tricks #1-10!
Happy July! :)