This post was originally posted at SEEN Magazine
In this fast-paced world, most of us don’t have a lot of time and patience to curl our lashes and put on mascara daily. Not many have the dexterity to apply false lashes either. We barely have enough time just to do the basics. That’s why eyelash extensions have been gaining popularity. It really cuts time for our daily beauty routine and what a great feeling to wake up every morning with lusciously long, thick and full lashes that enhance our facial profile with minimal or no effort. You can literally say, “I woke up like this!”
I recently had the opportunity to sit down with Marley, a certified lash specialist from The Lash Lounge in Rochester, to learn all about lash extensions and everything you need to know before you go.
1. What is an eyelash extension?
It is a procedure done at the salon by a certified trained lash specialist. The lashes are individually applied to the natural lash 0.5 to 1 mm from the base of the lash line using a mink or silk extension. It is not applied to the skin. They can be customized to suit your face, your desired length and fullness of your lashes.
2. What should you expect on your first visit?
Arrive at your appointment without any eye makeup on and don’t curl your lashes.
At The Lash Lounge, they have a four-part training system that all of their services follow. First, they do a thorough consultation using a proprietary face mapping technique. Your lash specialist uses a unique custom design code that is tailored to each client’s eye profile. By doing this, they are able to determine appropriate lengths, curl and thickness based on desired results and expectations.
For the application, you will lie on your back with your eyes closed. For initial application, it takes an average of two hours. (This is the best time to take a nap.) For fill-ins, it takes about one hour. It really depends on your technician, but that’s the average time of the procedure.
3. How long do eyelash extensions last and how do you take care of them?
We naturally shed 10 percent of our lashes every week, which is why refills are necessary every 2-4 weeks. To help keep them as long-lasting as possible, keep your lashes as dry as possible for the first 8 hours after application (Avoid steamy hot showers, the sauna or a really sad movie!). Try not to touch them, and make sure to use oil-free products for the face, especially oil-free eye makeup remover. You can still use mascara, just make sure to use a water-based mascara safe for eyelash extension.
Lash Lounge offers several products that help maintain the longevity of eyelash extensions. Additionally, they offer two types of oil-free makeup remover, two types of life-coating sealer and two types of mascara. The mascara is an ultimate volume mascara that contains fibers that build thickness and also a lengthening mascara that contains keratin to help with the growth of natural lashes. They also have lash and brow enhancing serum, oil-free eyeliner, long-wearing liquid eyeliner, along with many other products.
4. Where can you get eyelash extensions?
Lash extensions should ONLY be done by a certified trained lash specialist. So visit a reputable salon that specializes in lash extensions.
The Lash Lounge provides a comfortable environment to ensure a peaceful, pain-free, relaxing experience while receiving their services. They offer mink and silk lashes, classic and VIP lashes (aka volume lashes), three different curls, 10 lengths, five thicknesses, six colors besides black and three types of adhesive, depending on each client’s needs and sensitivity.
5. Are eyelash extensions safe?
Eyelash extensions are completely harmless when done properly. You have to make sure that your technician is certified and trained. At The Lash Lounge, technicians go through a very intense certification process to ensure quality and safety. It is also important to have them removed by a certified and trained lash specialist. Do not try taking them off yourself, or you could risk damaging your own lashes.
My Personal Eyelash Extension Experience
I went to the salon with no eye makeup on and very light foundation. Marley, my eyelash specialist, greeted me with her beautiful smile and asked me what kind of lashes I wanted. I chose the classic because this was my first time, and I didn’t want to do anything too shocking. The first thing she did was face mapping, where she measured and determined the appropriate length, thickness and curl of my desired lashes. After that, I laid down on my back on their spa bed, which is super comfy. They have headphones to listen to music so you can just relax during the whole process. A lot of people usually fall asleep during this procedure. Marley then gently isolated my lashes and applied lash extensions, one by one, on my lashes using a safe and non-irritating adhesive.
BEFORE
AFTER
For your first full set, it will take two hours or more. It depends on how many lashes you want. My procedure took two hours. It was totally painless, and I didn’t feel anything at all. I didn’t feel the lashes touching my skin nor the tools used.
After the application process, I instantly felt my lashes had volume, but they weren’t heavy. Some may experience a little discomfort because there is something new attached to your body, but trust me, fake eyelashes are way heavier than lash extensions. The material they use for lash extensions is mink or silk, which is lighter than synthetic fake eyelashes you buy from the store. In a couple hours, you will get used to it — I did.
Marley also gave me my new best friend — a brush for my new lashes. It looks like a mascara wand except there is no tint. You brush your lashes every day so they look pretty and stay curled. You can use a mascara, but you don’t really need to. For me, the volume, thickness and curl are just perfect. Also, it cuts my makeup application time. But the best part is the lashes boost my confidence — they make me look and feel beautiful.
SAVE THE DATE
The Lash Lounge Rochester Grand Opening Party on June 28th at 4 pm, If you are interested in trying eyelash extensions for yourself, click here to take advantage of their Pre-Grand opening special rate, available to the first 100 to respond!
The Lash Lounge is a full-service eyelash extension salon that offers safe and customized eyelash extensions and various other beauty services. One of the first of its kind, The Lash Lounge has locations all over the U.S., including multiple Michigan locations in Rochester Hills, West Bloomfield and Ann Arbor. For more information visit thelashlounge.com.
1182 Walton Blvd
Rochester Hills, MI 48307
947-282-5274
thelashlounge.com/salons/rochester-hills/