Most women have heard about eyelash extensions by now and have either tried them or have been considering it. Lash Extensions are flattering to almost any eye shape and really help to open up hooded eyelids. They draw attention to the eyes and away from other problem areas while saving women time in the morning from the whole make-up process. With a good skincare routine, all you need is lip gloss to go out and about your day. And once you get used to wearing lash extensions, they are relatively easy to care for.
However, there are some cons to lash extensions. For one, you do have to modify how you apply make-up and how you clean your face. You can’t use waterproof mascara (you shouldn’t need mascara at all) and no gel eyeliners. They can also be pricey and may not fit into everyone’s budget, which is why we offer special package pricing on fills once clients have visited for the first time.
So, how do you improve retention?
So many of my new clients are afraid to get their lashes wet. While it’s true that we prefer you wait 24 hours after your appointment for proper bonding, cleaning your eyelash extensions after that time period is the most important thing you can do to insure retention. If a build-up of oil and dirt gets trapped in the lash line and between the lashes, it can weaken the natural lashes and wreak havoc on the bonding of the glue, causing the lash extensions to come off and causing your own lashes to shed much faster than normal. This is also why sleeping in lash clusters and lash strips is extremely unhealthy for natural eyelashes.
Let’s discuss how to wear make-up with eyelash extensions before we talk about removing it.
1.) Throw out all waterproof or gel eyeliners and mascaras. You won’t be able to scrub your lashes with extensions on, so why do you need them? Also, if those products are more then six months old, you are increasing your exposure to risks for microbial infections. And be honest. When is the last time you cleaned your make-up brushes? Make-up artists clean brushes after every client so if you’re not cleaning your brushes at least once per month, even if you’re the only person using them, you are asking for hygenic problems. Parian Spirit makes wonderful brush cleaners in both sprays and immersions. Using the spray weekly can make a world of difference in both how your skin looks and how clean your make-up stays.
2.) Fine line liquid eyeliners are the best to get as close to the lash line as possible if you insist on wearing eyeliner. Stila Cosmetics Stay All Day is my favorite because it resists running or moving from oil in the skin and while it is waterproof, it removes easily without scrubbing.
3.) How do you remove fall-out from eyeshadow? Removing the sprinkles of eyeshadow that falls into the lash line is much easier than people think. Keep a soft, fluffy eyeshadow brush always clean and handy for this situation. I like NARS #42 Blending Brush. Simply dust off the fall out and fluff the lashes with an eyelash brush. Then use your Parian Spirit spray to clean off the brush so it will be available to use the next time. Voila!
4.) To remove make-up, use cotton pads soaked in oil and glycol free make-up remover to swipe lid and brow bone. Then spray rose water or witch hazel onto a q-tip, making sure it is soaked, to remove eyeliner and get the lash line clean. If you need something smaller than a q-tip, try bendable mirco-applicators from Amazon. Because these have plastic handles and are not great for the environment, I prefer the NYX Dual Silicone Applicator for cleaning the lash line. It has a small end that is perfect for the job and again, if you clean it right after, it will be ready for the next time.
5.) Once all eye make-up is removed, a gentle foaming lash bath can be used to clean any remaining dirt and oil before bedtime. STAY Cosmetics Gentle Foaming Lash Bath is sting free and made in the USA. Simply wet the lashes with warm water and apply the foaming cleanser to the eyelids allowing the bubbles to work themselves into the lash line. Rinse with warm water and pat dry with a clean towel. Wait until the lashes are dry before brushing.
Another way to keep the lashes healthy is to sleep on a silk or satin pillowcase since a cotton case can snag the extensions and make sure you wash it weekly. Getting fills every two to four weeks is key to keeping your lashes strong, along with using a great growth serum.
