Eyelash Extensions: What You Need to Know Before You Try Them
NO Caffeine before your appointment.
We don’t want your eyes to twitch as we apply the lashes! Please no caffeine for at least 3 hours before your appointment with us.
Show up to your appointment completely bare-faced.
That includes not curling your lashes either. If they’re curled, there’s a crease right by the root, and it’s hard for the lash tech to apply the extensions—it won't be a smooth-finish job. Other things to avoid: mascara, waterproof eye makeup, oily skin care, and eye cream. You basically don’t want anything that’ll interfere with the glue. If you need to work out, go to the gym and take a shower in advance. You can’t get them wet for 24 hours post session because the adhesive has to dry completely. We recommend avoiding waterproof eye makeup for up to a week before your appointment for the most long-lasting lashes.
It's not an in-and-out kind of appointment.
Eyelash extensions take a long time (up to two hours!), especially if you’re going for a refill since we’ll need to remove many existing extensions and clean your lashes before applying a new set.
The best extensions are custom.
Which also means the best lash extensions are pricey and will require a consultation. (Costs vary wildly from salon to salon, but expect a starting point around $120 for the basics) Because everyone’s eyes are different, you’ll want a set that complements your eye shape, lash length, and lifestyle. One curl and length will look completely different on one person versus another. Most eyelash studios have a menu to help get the conversation started and guide the look you’re after (from subtle and round to the boldest cat eyes).
A consultation will also help you determine what to choose for material (most common are silk and faux mink; silk is bit more shiny and pops more, whereas mink is most fluttery and natural), length, and curl type (J is the slightest curve but ends up looking longer; C and D are the most flipped up), as well as how many lashes should be applied. A great lash artist will also mix lengths to give lashes a naturally wispy vibe. At Belle Vie Beauty, we tend to use a minimum of four different lengths for every style we offer.
Stay away from cluster lashes.
If your lashes are sparse, some salons may suggest 3-D lashes, or clusters, which are three hairs glued together, to give your eyes a more voluminous look. Avoid them—they’ll only weigh down your natural lashes and lead to breakage. You should always have one extension applied to one natural lash, there should be no visible glue, and the extensions should not be touching your lid in any way. Basically, if they look like falsies, they'll be way too heavy.
They will feel weird at first.
It takes a day or two to get used to the feeling of wearing extensions. They'll also mess with the way you normally sleep (unless you're already a back sleeper). If you sleep on your side and stomach you’re going to crush them and they won’t last as long. Try using a travel pillow or something that helps to elevate and keep you on your back.
You might need to adjust your skin care routine…
The general rule of thumb is to avoid anything too oily. And if you’re going to apply eye cream, we recommend using it in the morning instead of at night so it doesn’t travel into your lashes (skip greasy ones that are packed with mineral oil). Stick to non-oily makeup removers as well: we recommend using micellar water with a cotton swab to remove makeup around your eyes (with cotton pads, fibers will stick to your lashes), or presoaked oil-free makeup-removing pads.
…and the way you do your makeup.
While there are some “extension-safe’ mascaras out there, we recommend avoiding mascara completely. You just splurged on lashes—don’t jeopardize them! Also stay away from waterproof eye makeup; removing it will take a toll on your eyes and can soften the glue. We also recommend avoiding loose powder or glittery eyeshadows, which can build up on the roots of your lashes, eventually weakening them and leading to breakage. And if you’re devoted to liner (though you may find you no longer want it), stick to gel and liquid formulas that won’t tug at your roots.
Give your eyes extra attention.
Because you’re not washing your eye area as thoroughly as usual, you can and will get residue buildup, particularly at the lash line. Even if you don’t put eye makeup on, there’s still outside impurities and dust that can get trapped. You can try to mix distilled water with a little bit of tear-free baby shampoo and use the mixture to thoroughly clean the top lids and the bottom of the eyes.
Like your hair, lashes need to be brushed.
Lashes get a little wacky when waking up or after showering. We’ll demonstrate how to comb your lashes daily. Here’s how we do it: Looking down, support underneath your lashes with your pointer finger. Then gently twirl the eyelash brush on the top side of your lashes (the opposite of how you’d apply mascara; brushing that way will tug at the hair). It takes five seconds out of your day and it goes a long way.
Never—ever!—pick at them.
The only way to remove eyelashes is with a pro—seriously. You’ll end up tearing out or breaking your lashes if you try it yourself, and it’s not worth it. That doesn't mean you have to remove them; you can also just wear them until they all cycle off. Typically they last around three to four weeks, but don't be surprised if you find yourself back for refills before then. They're addicting.
