Picture this: fluttering long, luscious eyelashes that frame your eyes like a work of art. Thanks to the magic of eyelash extensions, achieving this dreamy look has become easier than ever, but if you want to keep your eyelash extensions looking fabulous, it’s crucial to understand how to maintain them properly. In this article, we’ll explore the ins and outs of eyelash extensions maintenance, including lash fill appointments and the essential art of cleansing between treatments.
The Beauty of Eyelash Extensions
Eyelash extensions have revolutionized the beauty industry by providing a convenient way to enhance the natural allure of your eyes without too much upkeep on your part. They can add length, volume, and drama to your lashes, making your eyes pop without the need for mascara. But, as with any beauty enhancement, maintenance is key to ensuring your eyelash extensions remain stunning for weeks.
Lash Fill Appointments: The Secret to Long-Lasting Glam
One of the most important aspects of proper eyelash extensions maintenance is scheduling regular lash fill appointments. These appointments are essential for keeping your lashes looking full, fluffy, and symmetrical.
Timing Matters: The frequency of your lash fill appointments largely depends on your lash growth cycle and personal preferences. Typically, you’ll want to schedule a fill every 2-4 weeks. However, you might prefer more frequent visits if you’re a fan of an ultra-full lash look or if you have a fast hair growth cycle – you can talk to your Lash Tech about this and come up with the best schedule for you.
Prevent Gaps: As your natural lashes shed over time, gaps may appear between your extensions. Regular fills ensure that these gaps are promptly filled with fresh extensions, maintaining a seamless and beautiful lash line.
Lash Health: Lash fill appointments also allow your technician to assess the health of your natural lashes. If there are any issues, they can provide advice on how to keep your lashes strong and prevent damage.
Customize Your Look: Your lash technician can also help you customize your lash extensions during fill appointments. Whether you want a more dramatic look for a special occasion or a more natural appearance for everyday wear, they can adjust the length, curl, and thickness accordingly.
Proper Cleansing: The Key to a Lasting Relationship with Lashes
Using the right products is paramount when cleaning your eyelash extensions. Opt for a gentle, oil-free lash cleanser specifically designed for extensions. Avoid oil-based makeup removers or cleansers, as they can cause your extensions to fall out prematurely due to the oils getting in between the glue bond and the natural lashes, causing the extensions to slide off.
Cleanse with Care: Each evening – and in the morning too, if you wish – cleanse your lashes with the help of a specially formulated foam cleanser for lash extensions. You can use a soft-bristled cleansing brush or your fingertips if you prefer.
Rinse Thoroughly: After cleansing, rinse your lashes with cool or lukewarm water to ensure all traces of cleanser are gone, then pat them dry with a clean towel or lint-free cloth, being careful not to rub – fibers getting caught around the glue bonds can quickly become uncomfortable!
Avoid Rubbing and Tugging: Never rub or pull on your extensions, as this can cause them to come loose. Instead, be gentle during the cleansing process to prolong the life of your lashes.
Brush and Fluff: This is particularly important if you have volume lashes or a hybrid lash set, but it should still be done with classic lash extensions as well. Brushing keeps your lash set looking full and fluffy, and also helps to prevent them from looking droopy over time.
Additional Tips for Eyelash Extensions Maintenance
While lash fill appointments and proper cleansing are the foundations of eyelash extensions maintenance, here are some additional tips to ensure your lashes stay flawless:
Be Mindful of Excess Heat: Excessive exposure to steam or high temperatures can weaken the lash adhesive. If you love hot showers, steam rooms, intense workouts, or saunas, just be mindful that the added heat can soften glue bonds. You may experience some redness in the eyes due to this softened glue, and you may also notice that your lashes don’t last as long as you’d hoped. In this case, speak to your Lash Tech and see if they can add anything to their treatment to help with your retention, such as using a retention-promoting Lash Booster during their lash prep routine.
Be Careful with Makeup: If you’re an eyeliner or eyeshadow enthusiast, make sure to use oil-free makeup products, and remove them gently to avoid damaging your extensions. It’s best to avoid liquid or waterproof eyeliner as it takes more manual cleaning and can disturb the glue bonds. When it comes to removal, carefully check the attachment area for any leftover makeup, and re-wash if you spot any residues.
How You Sleep Matters: It’s easy enough for Lash Techs to advise you to simply sleep on your back to avoid lash friction, but some of us simply aren’t comfortable sleeping that way! If you can, try not to sleep with your face in the pillow to avoid friction on the glue bonds. If you can’t get comfortable that way, look into sleep masks designed for lash extensions.
Avoid Mascara Whenever Possible: One of the primary benefits of lash extensions is the freedom from mascara. Avoiding mascara altogether is best, as it can lead to several issues. Firstly, applying mascara to extensions can cause them to clump together, especially if you have volume lashes. Secondly, removing mascara – even from your natural lashes – often requires a fair amount of rubbing, which can weaken the adhesive bonds and lead to premature natural lash loss. Therefore, it’s highly recommended to skip mascara while you have extensions to ensure they stay in their best condition for longer. If you feel the need for a more dramatic look, discuss alternative lash extension styles with your technician during your fill appointments.
Proper eyelash extensions maintenance is essential to keeping your lash sets looking gorgeous and captivating for as long as possible. Regular lash fill appointments and gentle cleansing techniques allow you to enjoy stunning eyelash extensions that turn heads wherever you go.