You may be brand new to lashes, or perhaps you are a regular lash connoisseur. However, we think it’s important that regardless of how familiar you are, that you have all the right information to help you take care of your lashes.
Lash extensions are delicate things and do need a little TLC to ensure that they last well. The answer to ‘How long will they last?’ is hugely variable – it mostly comes down to you and what you do (and don’t do) to them.
There are three main reasons you would want to look after them properly:
- Your lash health. If you regularly do bad things to them as listed below, it can compromise your lash health and slow down the growth of new lashes. Your lids can become itchy from the buildup of dead skin if they are not cleaned regularly.
- They will look better for longer. Eyelash extensions that have been coated in mascara, oily makeup and strip lashes don’t look that great.
- Re-fill cost and financial/time factors. If you look after your lashes and retain them well, you won’t need to come in as frequently or for extended infill appointments, which will save you money.
DO
- Try not to touch them much, particularly during the first few hours. The more you touch them, the more oils from your fingers get on them, the more strain on the lash root etc.
- Keep them as dry as possible for at least 24-36 hours. This means, it’s ideal if don’t wash around your eye area during this time. However, if you need to, use only facial wipes. This also includes avoiding steamy environments, very hot showers, spas, saunas etc. for 24 hours as a minimum. If it’s a very hot and humid day, try to stay out of the heat. All of this will allow the adhesive to cure as strongly as possible.
- After the 24 hour mark, they are technically waterproof, however, if you are swimming or sitting in a hot spa daily, they probably won’t last quite as long as if you didn’t, more from rubbing them when water gets in your eyes.
- If you have a very oily face, try to control this as much as possible with blotting papers, mattifying lotions etc. and by using oil-control moisturizer.
- Make sure you are using oil-free products on your face, particularly eye makeup removers and cleansers. We can recommend products.
- Clean them properly, at least a few times a week with a foaming lash cleanser. Baby shampoo (not the conditioning type) in very small amounts.
- Let us know if you have any concerns or questions – we’re always happy to help!
DON’T
- Play with or pick at your lashes, rub your eyes roughly. If you are a picker, it can really damage your natural lashes
- Use oily products on your eyes or face
- Use waterproof or oil based mascara or eyeliner (felt tip/pen-style liquid liner is usually fine)
- Use any mascara if you can help it
- Use baby wipes/makeup wipes/cotton pads to wipe makeup off them
- Try to remove them yourself – as it may damage your natural lashes. We can remove them for you if you wish
- Use cleansing oils, coconut oil etc. on your face if you want the lashes to last
- Put strip lashes on top of them unless you are prepared to lose a few of your own lashes when you try to take them out.
What is normal
- Immediately after the lash application, some individuals with sensitivities can experience minor redness and dry eye. We try to minimize this where possible, so we will ask if you are sensitive beforehand. In most cases, this disappears within an hour or so and there’s no need to worry. Of course, call us if you are concerned.
- It’s normal lose a couple of lashes every day (1-5). Don’t be alarmed if you notice them from time to time (as they are much larger than your natural lashes). The extension falls out attached to the natural lash when it is ready to come out, and a new baby lash takes its place. Some days you won’t lose any, other days you might lose 3 or 4. It’s completely normal and does not mean your eyelashes are all going to fall out!
- Some lash growth cycles are faster than others. You may find every few months, your lashes shed faster than other times. It usually means that you have a lot of new growth, and when you come in we will see a lot more lashes we can lash! Other times they might still look great at 4 or 5 weeks, as they have not shed much.
- No two sets of lashes are identical. We customize the styling, sizes, weights and curls to every individuals eye shape, natural lash condition and tastes. Each style looks different depending on how own eye shape. So please be aware that your lashes will not look identical to your friends, even if you request the same thing.
- Expect between 2 – 4 weeks before you need a refill. On average, our clients come back every 3 weeks.
What’s not normal
- If you experience intense itching and or red/swollen eyelids in the first few days after the application. This could be an allergic reaction. Unfortunately, these are largely unavoidable – but luckily they are rare, and can be treated. Please contact us if you are worried.
- Excessive shedding of extensions off the natural lashes in the first few days. This is uncommon – but please contact us if you feel they are shedding rapidly within the first 3 days of application so we can troubleshoot and/or assess your lashes.
- If (after wearing extensions for a while) you find your eyes sometimes feel gritty and sandy – this can mean that you really need to clean your lashes more frequently/properly. Your technician can assess your lash line and give advice on the best way to clean your lashes.