A Beginner's Guide To Eyelash Extensions

Once a beauty treatment reserved for celebrities, eyelash extensions have extended their reach to even the mothers at your child’s soccer practice. If they’ve piqued your curiosity just know that you are not alone. More and more women are embracing the effortless beauty that lash extensions have to offer and raising questions in those that are not yet familiar with them. Women everywhere are loving how much longer and fuller extensions make their lashes, as well as how much younger they look wearing them. Not to mention the fact that they eliminate the need for mascara altogether. If a simplified makeup routine sounds good to you, but you still have questions about eyelash extensions you’ve come to the right place. Today we’ll answer the most frequently asked questions about eyelash extensions to help you determine if they’re right for you.

What Are Eyelash Extensions?

Some think that lash extensions are nothing more than high-end false lashes, but they couldn’t be further from the truth. False lashes typically come in a strip that is glued along your lash line. These false lashes often need to be removed and reapplied every day, and they have a reputation for falling off at the most embarrassing times. Lash extensions are painstakingly attached to the base of your natural lashes one at a time. This produces completely natural-looking results that are undetectable, leaving you looking like you were born with those luscious lashes. And because they’re attached directly to your lashes they will stay in place until that eyelash naturally sheds. This means that it won’t be noticeable when they fall out because it will be one at a time over the course of several weeks. 

Will Lash Eyelash Extensions Work For Me?

If you have natural lashes to attach the extensions to, then eyelash extensions will work for you. Lash extensions are completely customizable. There are colors, lengths, and shapes available to suit anyone. Whether your natural lashes are already full and lush or short and sparse lash extensions can be applied to enhance your eyes and give you gorgeous hassle-free lashes. If you do not have naturally growing eyelashes, lash extensions won’t work for you because there is nothing to attach them to. In this case, false lashes are the perfect solution for beautiful lashes. 

How Long Does An Eyelash Extension Application Take?

Eyelash extensions do take a little while to apply because they are so precisely placed and individually attached, but you won’t need to take an entire day off to get your extensions applied. The initial application takes about 2 hours, depending on how full you want your lashes to be. Then about every three weeks you will need a refill appointment to replace the extensions that have been shed and that lasts for about 75 minutes to 2 hours depending on how many extensions need to be refilled. Compare that to the time you currently spend curling your lashes, applying coat after coat of mascara and fighting clumps, or gluing on false lashes every single day and it’s easy to see how eyelash extensions will save you valuable time.

Preparing For Your Appointment

There is really nothing special that you need to do to prepare for your eyelash extension appointment. Just show up with clean lashes that are free of product buildup and oils. This will decrease your prep time at the salon and ensure a secure application that will last as long as possible. 

Can I Still Wear Mascara?

Part of the appeal of eyelash extensions is the fact that it eliminates the need for mascara, eyeliner, and lash curlers to make your lashes look stunning. However, if you just really want to give your lashes an extra boost for a big night out you can apply a coat of mascara. Just make sure that it’s a water-based conditioning formula that is easy to remove. And be careful when applying it as it’s more likely to clump on your extensions.

Caring For Your Eyelash Extensions

For the first two to three days you should avoid getting your lashes wet as much as possible. Water can interfere with the bond if it comes in contact with the glue before it is set. You’ll want to avoid any oil-based eye products like cream eyeshadows or liners, waterproof mascara, and eye creams. The oil could loosen the bond and cause your extensions to fall off prematurely. Do not use cotton pads, balls, or swabs near your extensions as they can snag and pull on them. You should consider switching to a satin or silk pillowcase to avoid any snagging at night, especially if you tend to sleep on your side or stomach, and apply Bella Lash IntelliSeal Eyelash Extension Sealer morning and evening to protect your lashes and increase lash retention. 

Cleaning Your Extensions

Some cleansers contain ingredients that can cause your eyelashes to shed too soon. Bella Lash Cleanser With Makeup Remover is an oil-free cleanser specially formulated to clean your extensions and remove your makeup without damaging the adhesive that holds the extensions in place. You should use this twice per day, morning and night, to keep your extensions clean and your lashes healthy.

If you’re ready to have the most gorgeous, long, luscious, hassle-free lashes that you can swim, workout, laugh, cry, and sleep in without worry of smudging or them falling off, come see the well-trained lash extension experts at Voga Salon. We will help you choose the perfect length, color, and shape of extensions to give you the worry-free, full, gorgeous lashes that you’ve always dreamed of.  You can give us a call at 913.685.1832 or download our free app from iTunes or Google Play to make an appointment, and ask about our best stylists. We are at 13357 West 135th in Overland Park.