I have been performing semi permanent lashes for about 5 years now and in this time I have seen many new brands and lashes pop up. I personally use the Nouveau Lashes brand, and the Lash Emporium products. There are so many lashes out there to choose from and, if I’m completely honest, they all seem much of the same, just in different packaging.
The most important ingredient to secure good lashes is the glue; it is integral to getting a good application and the most wear out of your false lashes. I have used may over the years, but I have found the best one to be from the Lash Emporium: the ‘medium velocity’ glue. The glue does sting a little on application when the client opens their eyes, due to the fumes of the glue, however this quickly fades and the lashes always last and give the best results by far.
The Truth about Lashes
Your lashes have an average life cycle of between 60 – 90 days, and they all grow individually at different stages, losing on average 1 – 3 lashes per day. You’re more aware of the lashes coming out when you have the extensions purely because your lashes are longer and more noticeable.
Lashes are applied to each single individual eyelash except the baby lash as these are not strong enough to carry the weight of an extension. People always ask me can lashes damage their natural eyelashes and I always reply honestly: 'Anything fake that is applied to your body, whether it be hair, nails or lash extensions, can cause stress to the part of the body being treated'. It is the same for lashes; the first set of lashes and 2 infills will not cause any damage to the lashes, however after that the lashes can become weaker and cause some premature loss of lashes if you continue having the extensions for a long time. Also, if you have a thicker extension than that of your own eyelashes (some people just really want thicker lashes), the weight of the extension may encourage your natural lashes to come out slightly earlier than they would without the extension. This, in effect, reduces your lash cycle slightly. So, for example, if you have an 8 week cycle, this may be reduced to a 7 week cycle. But don’t worry, it doesn’t damage the actual lashes, and they will grow back to the same length as before if you stop having the extensions. When you do have your lashes removed, you may feel your lashes are shorter. This is purely a psychological feeling; after all, you have just had long, thick, luscious lashes applied so of course you will feel slightly naked without them.
When the lashes are being applied you shouldn’t feel any pain, and it should actually be a very relaxing experience. Many of my clients fall asleep during the treatment. I find 9 out 10 of my clients adore the lashes and become very addicted to having them. 1 out of 10 may love them but just can’t get on with them. This is usually because they do require maintenance every two – three weeks, and you cannot rub your eyes or put mascara on whilst they are on as this can cause them to shed quicker. I also find that one eye tends to always shed quicker than the other, as this is the eye that you tend to sleep on. I would say lashes are for the more high maintenance client, who can find time to spend that little bit longer looking after themselves and find the time for regular infills if you wish to maintain them perfectly.
Tips When Looking for a Technician
Lash extension courses do not usually require any previous beauty training and a course is usually one day only. This does concern me, as there are now so many people thinking they can do a lash extension course and earn a quick money asap, without thinking about the consequences of their clients.
Beaware! Beauty therapists spend two years training and have to learn a great deal of anatomy and physiology to perform treatments. However, this is not the case with a one day lash extension course. Students do half a day on anatomy and physiology and half a day applying lashes, which, as I remember, I got all of 6 lashes on the client before being sent on my merry way with my certificate in hand to start applying lashes to paying clients. These days you do have to go back for a ‘graduation day’, however this doesn’t mean a lot either.
It takes a lot of skill and time to apply a full set of lashes; my first set took me four hours (!) but luckily I can now do them in hour and 15 minutes. However I would say it took me a year of doing lashes day in, day out to perfect them and, without seeming big headed, I’m pretty damn good at them now! This is why I advise all of you looking for a good lash technician to check the following…
· They should have a history in beauty
· A minimum of one year’s experience
· Ask you to fill in a consultation form before the procedure and fully explain what is about to happen
· Give you thorough aftercare advice
· Spend a minimum of an hour applying the lashes
· Charge no less than £65 (a good technician wouldn’t charge anything less - you really do get what you pay for!)
Personally I would be very careful of a technician who has decided to do a one day course on lash extensions, and then perform the treatment straight away. I regularly have clients come to me with terribly applied lashes, which they paid £40 for, and ask me to fix them. This is something I will not do, as I never touch another technicians work - especially a bad one.
Lash extension are amazing and are the perfect accessory for weddings, holidays and parties - just please ensure you find a good technician and follow the aftercare advice. This way you will have lovely long lashes without any problems.
Remember to post any comments, questions of queries for me to answer, and I’ll get back to you asap!
Stay Beautiful
Gemma Lovingbeauty x
