What are eyelash extensions?
Eyelash extensions are single synthetic lashes applied directly to the natural lash, close to (but not touching) the lash line with a semi-permanent bonding adhesive. Eyelash extensions should not be painful. They are applied carefully, one by one using specially designed tweezers. The whole process normally takes 1 – 2 hours depending on how many lashes are applied or requested style as some take longer than others.
Do eyelash extensions damage your natural lashes?
Not if applied by a professional who has been well educated. It is our studio’s utmost priority to maintain the health of the lashes first and foremost. We apply eyelash extensions taking special care to ensure that they are all applied correctly to maintain your eyelash health. To ensure the ongoing health of your lashes, we highly recommend that you take the advice of the technician regarding the maximum thickness and length that would be appropriate long-term for your natural lashes. The eyelash extensions come off when your natural lash falls out, and so long as an appropriate weight extension has been applied, your natural lashes will grow through as normal.Please listen to the technicians’ advice about how long/heavy you should go if you have naturally thin or sparse lashes. Don’t try to remove the eyelash extensions yourself – as this could easily damage your natural lashes, as the adhesive bond is extremely strong.
Sometimes clients choose not to take our advice regarding the lashes and do request extra long and thick lashes be applied to their thin or fine natural lashes. We will advise against this as we cannot guarantee that they will last well if they are too long or heavy for your natural lash to support. We will apply the lashes that you request, within reason.
You can also ensure that your lashes are actually healthier with extensions applied by using a special serum that maintains the lash integrity and can in turn grow your lashes to a length and thickness that will allow the technician to then apply a fuller/longer look if that is what is desired.
“My colleague got Volume lashes done in approx 1 hr or so, how come you take so much longer? “
Please understand that true Russian Volume Lashes are applied by highly skilled artists who make perfectly symmetrical fans by hand and range anywhere from 3D (D = amount of lashes to each individual lash) – 6D+ and apply them so carefully that they ‘envelop’ the natural lash to ensure the longest lasting results. This meticulous application takes up to 3 hrs for a full lushious set. Places that claim they can they can provide Volume sets in even half that time are not true Russian Volume. Some technicians will apply lashes in clumps/clusters and apply Clusters to multiple lashes. An experienced, well educated artist/technician will apply the right weight and dimension carefully to each lash one by one by gauging what the natural lash can handle without damage (using a mathematical formula believe or or not!).
An experienced lash artist will never ever compromise clients lash health.
What Do I need to do before my eyelash extension appointment?
Please refer to our ETIQUETTE PAGE. The most important thing to remember is to please make sure you arrive to your appointment with clean eyelashes and no make up on. If you are arriving to your appointment from work please arrive early to try to remove all make up. Please Stop using any oil Based products for at least 72 hours prior to your appointment. Please check moisturisers and eyecreams too.
“I am not happy with the eyelash extensions applied somewhere else can I have them removed and new ones applied?”
We Would love to be able to say yes, however unfortunately this is not always possible. In particular if they are so badly done they have caused extensive damage we may need to give your eyelashes time to repair and use an eyelash serum to strengthen the lashes. Remember
optimum lash health is our priority.
What about allergies to adhesive used for lash extensions?
As with all Cosmetic products allergies can occur or develop. Whilst we care and strive to only use the safest products on the market, even so we can not guarantee that no one will react to our products. Some technicians use really strong eyelash extension adhesive of low grade quality, combine that with inexperienced application techniques and together can cause the worst reactions in people with extreme sensitivities. We strongly recommend if you suspect a sensitivity that you book an appointment for a patch test. We also recommend patch tests for appointments before special occasions i.e weddings. At the end of the day reactions are rare but must be taken very seriously. Allergies to the adhesive will usually occur within the first 48hrs after application in which case a doctor must be seen. Removing extensions before a doctor gives the ok to do so can aggravate the symptoms further or cause more damage. We can not as artists/technicians give out medical advice so please see a doctor. We do perform emergency removals for extensions done in other salons as long as there is permission given my the doctor first. Please keep this in mind if a reaction does occur as some technicians will use gel removers that can run into the eye and cause more damage worse yet some will tell you to just take antihistamines which is a BIG NO.
Can anyone get eyelash extensions?
Mostly anyone but not everyone. For example some medications or health concerns can be contraindications all of these can be found on our medical form.
Is it OK to still use Mascara and other make up on Eyelash extensions?
It would be a shame to ruin beautiful Russian Volume fans by applying mascara, so no. Eyelash extension safe eyeliner is fine (no gel) and eyeshadow is fine, so long as it is removed thoroughly. Mascaras in particular waterproof ones contain oils that are almost impossible to budge and cause lashes to clump. Oil based make up removers are also not recommended for removing make up. Oil based make up removers disintegrate the strength and bond of the adhesive and lashes may fall off prematurely. It is very important to remove all make up and cleanse the lashes at least once a day as at the very least to remove debris that can build up on the lash line as a result of natural skin shedding. We of course stock professional Lash cleansers specifically formulated to be safe for eyelash extensions.
I have had eyelash extensions in the past from another salon and I found it painful. Should they be?
No. Absolutely not. Eyelash extensions shouldn’t be painful because they are not applied to the skin only to the natural lash. If you do experience pain you should notify your technician immediately and insist that they schedule an appointment to check and make sure there are no eyelash extensions touching the lash line as this can also cause an adverse reaction which could land you in hospital.
How do I take care of my eyelash extensions and get them to last longer?
Four words – Clean lashes and serum – Please refer to our aftercare advice here for more advice.
What is Russian Volume and what is the difference between Classic lashes and Volume lashes?
Russian Volume lashes started in Russia of course and they are delicate fine lashes fanned symmetrically and applied to hug the natural lash. They create a fluffy volume effect to your lash line. Russian volume lashes when seen on a salon menu have a number and a letter ‘D’ next to it to signify how many lashes are used to make a fan. e.g 3D Volume sets consist of three lashes to each fan applied to one natural lash. TRUE Russian Volume is an art and takes a long time to master not all lash artists aspire to offer this service to clients. Classic lashes on the other hand are applied 1:1 One extension to one natural lash.
The two main eyelash extension types advertised are silk and faux mink, what is the difference?
To be honest most lashes manufactured these days are all made from synthetic fibres. This means that silk lashes are a actually not made of silk. This also means that silk lashes do not cost that much more at all, certainly not $$$ more. The main differences between the two is the following.
Faux Mink lashes – Shinier, tighter curl.
Silk – More tapered at the end usually hence more natural looking, matte black.
Essentially it really all differs from manufacturer to manufacturer. Avoid falling for over priced ‘Silk’ labelled eyelash extensions. It’s more important you find a lash artist who’s work you trust and you know works with quality products accross the board paired with quality client care.
How Do I avoid the ‘Over board’ look?
We aim to provide a thorough consultation prior to application. We ensure to ask the right questions to make sure we listen to the look our clients are trying to achieve and combine this with our professional style prescription. In our lash salon, the only time you will get the drag queen look is if you ask for it and your natural lashes can support it. We recommend if it is your first time getting eyelash extensions that we apply a modest set first and at your follow up appointment we can achieve a more dramatic or fuller look if desired. Eyelash extensions do give an instantaneous result, they should fit in with your lifestyle, be comfortable and make you feel great.
What about Eyelash extensions and pregnancy?
If you had already been getting eyelash extensions prior to being pregnant and know for certain you have no existing allergies or sensitivities then yes it is fine. Eyelash extensions will not cause harm to your baby however if a reaction does occur it can be stressful and that is something that can be dangerous. The other thing to consider is that whilst a client is pregnant it is important to bear in mind hormonal changes that occur which can throw a lash cycle out and in turn cause some retention issues which may mean that the lashes do not last as long. Also whilst pregnant the body does amazing things with the immune system which can make some clients more susceptable to a reaction to the adhesive or cause a sensitivity in which case some clients will have to give eyelash extensions a break and resume once no longer pregnant . The other important thing to consider is lying on your back for long periods of time especially once in the second trimester. We do apply eyelash extensions on pregnant clients at their request, so long a medical form is signed to state that there are no other medical conditions and we encourage movement to ensure we alleviate from lying on your back or the same position for too long.
Can I still wear glasses or contact lenses?
Yes, of course. Please make sure you notify your lash artist/technician that you do wear either in order to make sure they do not go too long on the extensions.
Why Does your salon not infill other salons work?
The answer is really because we can not guarantee our work mixed with another technicians. We follow certain protocols and use quality products to make sure our clients lashes have good retention and ensure lash health and client safety come first.
We have seen damaged lashes and even worse damaged lash follicles that leave clients with very large gaps in the lash line and very sparse lash lines where lashes do not grow anymore. We have seen Clients in tears. Eyelash extensions are applied very close to the eyes and when applied by inexperienced technicians, can cause irreversible damage. Eyelash extensions when applied PROPERLY are not supposed to hurt and are not supposed to be irritating. If you find a salon you would like to apply your lash extensions ask as many questions as you feel necessary to make you feel like it’s the right place for you. At the end of the day you just have to decide whether it’s price or quality that’s more important.
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