Lash extensions have been getting more popular over the last few years, and as someone who cannot live without them, I think I know a thing or two about the maintenance. So, how do you care for your lash extensions and get the most out of them? I have some interesting information to share with you.
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I’m going to go into this by saying that I did not just Google everything that you are about to read, I worked with my lash technician to bring you this information. Katie, my absolute babe of a lash guru, has been doing my lashes for over ten years. What started out as popping in to get lash clusters applied for special events, turned into once a month lash maintenance for the last seven and half years. And when I floated the idea of doing this post, she was very excited because people do not look after their lashes properly.
Ripping them out is very bad
This should go without saying but people do not take this seriously. “When people come in, I can see if they have been pulling at their lashes, and it can cause a lot of damage,” Katie explained. I’m not sure what the mentality is behind this as your lash extensions can be removed for free (or Katie will remove her clients for free), there is no need to pull them off yourself. Pulling them out can cause damage and inflammation in the lash bed. When you pull off your lash extensions, you will pull your own lashes out with them. And, if you cause damage, it can be permanent. If you have made a mistake by ripping them out, using Borboleta lash serum can help to bring your lashes back to life if you discover your lashes are not as full as they once were. We all make mistakes with our lashes but if you are careful, you can bring them back to life with a little TLC.
Your lashes have a cycle
When you get your lashes done, they look full and bushy. As the month goes on, your natural lashes start to fall out and your lashes don’t look as full. This is completely normal. However, because you are used to seeing your lashes being really full, your eyelashes look bald when they all fall away. Like I said, this is normal. During lockdown when I couldn’t get my lash needs tended to, I felt naked without them. As time when on, I got used to seeing my face without the fluffy lashes that Katie expertly applies every month. My lashes were fine, there was no damage. Your lashes have a life cycle consisting of three phases. The first stage is the growth phase, anagen. Then the degradation phase, catagen. This is when the lash stops growing and lasts around 2-3 weeks. If a lash is pulled out at this stage, the lash will not grow back any quicker. Finally, the resting phase, telogen, the lash is literally resting while the new lash is growing underneath it and will naturally push the old lash out, which causes the shedding of lashes. Following the telogen phase, the lash falls out and the life cycle begins again with a new lash in the anagen phase.
Sleeping surface is important
One thing I have noticed over the years is that my lashes mainly fall out when I’m in bed. My husband regularly wakes up with a wayward lash on his cheek. However, what I sleep on has a huge impact. I normally sleep on a cotton pillow case. A while back, I got some brushed cotton bedding which is slightly fluffier than regular cotton. I noticed that my lashes were not lasting the way they normally do but thought nothing of it. However, last month I reviewed a silk pillowcase and instantly noticed that my lashes were not falling out at the usual rate. In fact, at my last lash appointment, Katie barely had to fill anything in. What you sleep on can make such a difference to your lash maintenance. If lash extensions are part of your routine, you should consider investing in some silk pillowcases to make them last longer.
Cleaning is essential
This should go without saying but you need to clean your lashes. Washing your face alone will not cut it because lash extensions are so thick. In order to ensure your lashes are clean, you should use a small lash brush to clean your lashes and remove any dirt. Personally, I like to add some micellar water to help remove any makeup and gunk that might be lurking. This is because your eyelashes are the first line of defence for your eyes, therefore they catch a lot of dirt. Don’t be afraid to give them a good clean, the glue that is holding your lashes together should be strong enough to withstand a good clean.
Listen to your lash tech
Katie has been my lash tech for a long time, so it’s not surprising to me if she says something about my lashes (although that doesn’t happen often because I’m a good girl and have always taken my lash maintenance seriously). For example, when I was pregnant, my skin was very sensitive and I took a reaction to my lashes. Thankfully, Katie was on the ball and offered to take them off straight away. But, me being me, I wanted to keep them on and decided to try some things to reduce the swelling in my eye. A couple of cold packs later and a lot of advice from Katie, the swelling was gone. If I hadn’t listened to her advice, I could have ended up losing all of my lashes and faced a trip to hospital. If you have any problems with your lashes, speak to your lashes tech and listen to their advice.
Watering is normal
After every lash appointment, when I open my peepers, my eyes water. EVERY DAMN TIME. This is because the glue that is used is strong enough to hold little fake lashes to your eye lashes gives off a gas. This is normal! It takes a few seconds for it to clear, and normally Katie gives my lashes a blast of air to help get rid of any gas that is hanging around my eyeballs. The glue is strong, and some people can have an allergic reaction, so make sure that you get a patch test done before you commit to lashes.
Don’t settle with a lash tech
This is a big one, and one of the reasons why some people have so much trouble with their lashes. Especially if they have followed all of the steps for excellence lash maintenance. Always use a good lash technician. If you use someone who isn’t the best, then you will run into a lot of problems. One of my favourite stories comes from my best friend who went to get her lashes done for the first time, used someone that a work friend had recommended, and they messed up BIG STYLE. For a start, they didn’t put those little pads on under her eyes, glued her eyelids together, and had to have all of her lashes (top and bottom) removed. Your lash tech should ensure that your lash extensions are applied properly, are clean, and they should have your care as their top priority.
And there you have it, a guide to looking after your lashes. As I have said before, lash extensions can be amazing if you look after them properly.