Archive for 'Eyelashes'

Keeping those Extensions perfect

The tips and tricks

There are a handful of ways to help ensure you get great wear out of your extensions, including correct grooming, washing and make up removal.

I think we all know that Oil is one of the main contributor to extensions prematurely falling off as it damages the bond between extension, natural and glue pod. This can come from skin, hair (fringes in particular), facial products, make up and of course everyday pollution. Your extensions are bound to come into contact with oil over the course of your day to day actives so it more about limiting the time your extensions spend ‘sitting in’ the oil then completely avoiding it.

 

Sleep extension friendly (easier said than done)

Sleeping on your back instead of your side or worse yet your front/face helps to prevent stress on your extensions and natural lashes. It also helps to prevent the extension getting kinks in them or loosing the bond between natural lash and extension. This is most important directly after your lash appointment and for a few days after.

 

Hey!! Go Gentle!

Also (extension or no extensions) be kind to your lashes. Gentle wipe all make up off with a soft make up wipe, no rubbing. Or better yet take your spoolie into the shower with a little baby shampoo on it and give them a groom and wash.

 

You! Yes you! Fingers off them!!

Don’t twist, pull, pluck or fiddle with your extensions. This puts extra stress on the natural lashes and can cause premature shedding. It will also add oil deposits into the lashes and can cause the base of the extension to lift. So if they are moving in unflattering ways, groom them back into line.

 

Speaking of….Groom them.

This helps to prevent any of your extensions getting criss-crossed or out of place. Gently use you spoolie to maneuver your extensions back into place. You can brush under or in an over action, either is fine. Just be gentle.

Know your Eyelashes…

All about your eyelash growth

On average you have 151 eyelashes on each eye. Most peoples lashes grow in 2 to 3 rows along the eyelid (think like sharks teeth).

Your natural lashes have a life span of 60-90 days and grow in 3 stages Anagan (Phase 1), Catagen (Phase 2) and Talagen (Phase 3). Ideally, if we can attach your eyelash extensions to your natural lashes while they are in your in the Catagen stage you would have a lush full set of eyelashes extensions for weeks on end, however most extensions are attached to your lashes in the Talagen stage which is why your extensions have a minimal life span.

As you can see from the diagram above, when your eyelashes are in the Talagen phase they are detached from the hair follicle (base) and loose within the hair shaft. This means the lash is ready to fall out and therefore any extension applied to your natural lash will also fall. Extensions should not be attached to your lashes if they are in Anagen as the lash is weak and still forming, these lashes need time (a good week or two) to become strong and move into the Catagen phase.

 

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Taking care of your natural lashes

Caring for your natural lashes is important and can help to stimulate growth. Dry brushing or grooming your lashes helps to stimulate the hair follicle and encourage the growth process.

Using lash serums (now this is a tad controversial) can also encourage growth. Growth serums act as a hair fertiliser, providing a good foundation for new growth and lashes in the Anagen stage to build into strong lashes. Now, lash serums often promise the world…..long, more volume, darker, result in 14 days but honestly these promises are luke warm at best. Although, I must say, in my experiences (and what I have seen on my clients) the serums can make your lashes darker (mostly due to the serums having a tiny bit of dye in them) and help with encouraging new stronger growth, they do not however, and once again in my experience, give you more or longer lashes.

Using Almond oil can also stimulate growth. Simply brush a little into your lashes with your spooly (groomer) can help the growth process. This works well for brow growth too.