When I caught up with a friend for drinks recently, I clocked her eyelashes – fuller and more fluttery than I had ever seen – before I’d even said hello. They looked amazing, and natural, not like she’d loaded them up with mascara. Her secret? Eyelash extensions – a full, fluttery set.
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As our lives get busier and our beauty knowledge broader, more and more women are turning to eyelash extensions in Sydney and beyond. “Apart from making your lashes thicker, darker and fuller, which is every woman’s dream, it also saves you a lot of time and effort getting ready in the morning,” head make-up artist at Blown Lux Barangaroo, Hoai Tran, enthuses.
Read on for all your lash extension questions, answered by the experts.
What are eyelash extensions?
“Eyelash Extensions are semi-permanent synthetic, silk or mink lashes that are adhered to your natural lashes with medical grade adhesive,” says Tran. “With care and regular infill visits they can last a long time and are customised to fit your eye shape and taste.”
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Which eyelash extension material is best?
“It comes down to preference, but we find the most durable and striking to be a combination of acrylic and silk,” says celebrity brow and lash artist Amy Jean. “The acrylic means the lashes don’t bend and turn too much, as some mink or faux mink lashes look stunning and fluffy for a few days, then they become a tangled mess.”
How long should lash extensions last?
“There are more lashes laid within a set of ‘3D volume lashes’ as opposed to requesting a ‘classic’ or traditional set of lash extensions,” says Amy Jean. “The more lashes that are laid, the longer they will take to shed. Generally, most clients like to book a refill every 3-4 weeks.”
Can you still wear mascara?
“Yes, you can most definitely wear a mascara that has a separating and lengthening wand,” says Jean. “Volume or thickening mascaras are a little intense paired with the extensions and are quite difficult to cleanse off the lashes themselves.”
Do eyelash extensions ruin your natural lashes?
“When applied unprofessionally, it can be very damaging. This is why you need an experienced artist. You certainly feel “depleted” straight after all the extensions have shed. The lashes have a cycle of roughly 6-8 weeks, so if you give them time to recover, you will see them return to their usual strength. We do sometimes recommend a lash growth serum like Li-Lash to speed up the transition from extensions to natural lashes,” says Jean.
Is there anything women need to avoid when getting lash extensions?
“You need to avoid oily eye make-up removers and heavy mascaras. Anything that interferes with the cohesion of the bonding solution near the roots. It’s important to let warm water stream through them daily to wash away any oils and impurities in the lash bed. NEVER pick out any lashes that twist or turn. We recommend combing/brushing them daily with a disposable mascara wand,” says Jean.
What should women keep in mind when choosing a salon?
“Do your research and read the reviews before choosing a technician. Keeping in mind cheaper isn’t always better, as the eye is such a sensitive area it is vital that the place of choice is professional and clean,” says Tran.
How much do lash extensions cost?
“A Full Set Russian Volume Lashes cost $260 at Amy Jean as this is a lot more intricate and is 3 extensions placed onto one natural lash. A Full set of Classic extensions is $160 at our salons,” says Jean.
