Eyelash extensions and enhancements have become increasingly popular for those seeking to enhance their natural beauty and achieve a variety of looks, from subtle to dramatic. Throughout history, people have modified their lashes for aesthetic and symbolic reasons, and today, eyelash enhancements are more popular than ever. This article explores the various types of eyelash makeup, including extensions, lifts, and tints, along with essential information on application, maintenance, and safety.
Eyelash extensions are semi-permanent fibers, typically made of faux mink, silk, or synthetic materials, that are attached to natural eyelashes to create a fuller and more defined appearance. Unlike strip lashes, which are less durable, lash extensions are designed to last for several weeks with proper care. The eye extension process begins when a certified lash artist takes individual fibers that resemble natural eyelashes and, using glue, applies them to each lash of the client’s eye.
Lash extensions are attractive for several reasons:
Depending on individual preferences and the desired outcome, several types of eyelash extensions are available. A skilled lash technician will be trained to apply all types of lashes and will be able to assist clients in selecting the right eyelash extension for their goals.
Classic lashes involve the application of one synthetic eyelash to each natural lash. This method provides a subtle enhancement, adding length and volume while maintaining a natural appearance. This style is often called the mascara effect and is most suitable for people who would like to enhance their natural appearance without it being too obvious that they have extensions.
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Volume lashes are created by applying multiple synthetic lashes (typically 2-6) to each natural lash. These "fans" of lashes are finer than classic lashes, resulting in a fuller, more glamorous look. One of the most popular eyelash extension styles is volume lashes. These require applying multiple synthetic lashes to each natural one. You use what are called “fans” of lashes, which usually mean anywhere from two to six extensions per fan. Because you’ll be applying a few to each real lash, volume lashes tend to be thinner than other options. The results are fuller and more glamorous, making them perfect for special events. They can easily be customized to achieve the exact results desired.
Hybrid lashes combine classic and volume techniques, alternating between single lash applications and fans to achieve a balanced, textured look. Hybrid lashes involve the combination of classic and volume lashes. You can alternate between single synthetic lash application and fans, creating a strategically planned look that balances glamour with a more natural look. This combination offers a very textured style that has an almost wispy appearance.
Beyond the basic types, various styling options can further customize the look of eyelash extensions.
The cat eye style elongates the eye by gradually increasing the length of the lashes from the inner to the outer corner. As their name suggests, cat eye lash extensions can give clients a slightly “feline” look. They can do this by making the eye appear longer. To apply this extension style correctly, you must gradually increase how long the individual eyelashes are from the inner to the outer corner of each eye. These extensions not only elongate the eye but they provide a lifting look, too. They’re excellent options for close-set or almond-shaped eyes. This classic lash style is perfect for pretty much any eye shape and does a great job at creating a lifted look.
The fox eye is a more dramatic version of the cat eye, with a higher lift at the outer corners for a sultry, angled appearance. Creating the fox eye is similar to forming the cat eye, but it is more dramatic. You would place the longer lashes on the outer corner of the eye and diminish the size as you move toward the inner corner. The fox eye look features a higher lift on the outer corners than the cat eye look. The “older sister” of the cat eye, the fox eye lash look is all the rage right now on social media. The lashes are still shorter on the inner corner, but the outer corner is played on even more for a full-volume, angled look. When paired with a great eyeliner, this makes a sultry and feline look.
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The wispy eye style incorporates varying lengths of lashes to create a light, feathered effect. Wispy extensions are all about varying the length of each individual lash or fan. Thicknesses can vary and can be combined with longer lashes to create spikes that offer a dramatic look. Depending on how glamorous the client wants the results to be, you can use individual lashes or fans to achieve this look. The wispy look can be an excellent choice for hooded eyes. This soft eye shape is perfect for lifting naturally downturned eyes.
The open eye look features longer lashes at the center of the eye, creating a wide-eyed effect. An open eye look refers to extensions that are longer at the center of the eye, creating a more “open” and rounded look overall.
Similar to the open eye, the doll eye emphasizes the center of the lash line with longer lashes, tapering towards the corners for a youthful appearance. Doll eyelash extensions provide an innocent, wide-eyed look reminiscent of a doll. You create the look by applying longer lashes at the center of the lash line and allowing them to taper out toward the corners of the eye. The eyes look bigger and perfectly symmetrical, providing a youthful appearance. It’s a great option for those who have smaller or downturned eyes. The doll eye look is very similar to an open-eyed look, but much less subtle. These lashes are longest at the center, shortest at the inner corner, and tend to be medium length at the outer corners. People with almond shaped or deep-set eyes pull off this style well.
The squirrel eye look uses lash extensions to create a wispy and flared appearance, bringing to mind a squirrel’s tail. The goal is wispiness and fluffiness, as well as a lifted outer corner of each eye. It can be a good choice for round, almond, or downturned eyes.
The natural lash style aims to enhance the existing lashes without drastically altering their appearance. Many people prefer to get just a simple touch up to their eye area that closely mimics their natural length pattern. This look is extremely realistic, and if done with the right lash artist, can make the wearer look like they’re only wearing mascara.
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Also referred to as “the Kim K look,” staggered lash extensions are one of the more modern styles that involves the stylist alternating between longer and shorter extensions. If you want, you can have your lash artist create staggered lashes in other lash shapes, like the cat eye or doll eye looks.
Selecting the appropriate lash style depends largely on the individual's eye shape. There are a number of eye shapes, including round eyes, which have less tapering at the corners. Almond eyes have a naturally elongated look, while hooded eyes have an extra layer of skin that folds over the eyelid crease. Another type of eye shape is downturned, which features outer corners that turn downward. Monolid eyes are those that don’t have a crease in the lid but do have coverage in the inner corner.
Almond eyes are versatile and can complement various lash styles, including cat eye, fox eye, doll eye, wispy, and natural extensions. When considering eyelash extensions for different eye shapes, almond eyes can benefit most from cat and fox eye looks. Almond eyes are highly versatile, however, so they can also look great with doll eye, wispy, and natural extensions.
For round eyes, doll eye extensions can enhance their prominence, while cat or fox eye styles can elongate them. For round eyes, the doll eye look can make them stand out, while the cat or fox eye can elongate them. Wispy extensions can offer a more natural look while enhancing eye size.
Hooded eyes benefit from doll eye extensions, which create a wide-open appearance, or cat eye styles. Hooded eyes can benefit from the doll eye style because it provides a wide-open look that increases the eye’s size. Cat eyes are a good option for this, as well.
Monolid eyes, lacking a crease, can appear smaller. Doll and cat eye styles are excellent choices to widen them. Monolid eyes are those that don’t have a crease on the lid. This can make them appear smaller than they are. To widen them, doll and cat eye looks are great choices.
Close-set eyes, where the distance between the inner corners is less than the width of an eye, benefit from cat eye extensions to elongate the eye and create a more balanced appearance. Close-set eyes are a type of eye shape in which the distance between the inner corners of both is less than the width of an eye. Cat eye extensions are one of the top choices because they elongate the eye, bringing a more balanced appearance. Fox eye lashes can bring further glamour to the look.
A lash lift (also known as a lash perm) curls your lash from the base to tip so that you can see its full length. It should be done carefully by a licensed and certified professional. It’s a fast service that lasts four to six weeks and can transform your lashes in 45 minutes to one hour. Lash lifts will enhance your natural lashes at a minimal level. They won’t create texture, add color, contour, shape or dimension to your eyes. Lash lifts are ideal for those who don’t want the maintenance or added volume of extensions.
Eyelash tinting is when a technician will brush dye onto your lashes to make them more noticeable. This is especially beneficial for those with light or blonde eyelashes.
The application process of lash extensions determines whether they will hurt. Additionally, it also matters whether a professional is performing the lash application.
Your Lash Stylist can guide you to the best lash extension shape for your eyes too. These range from the traditional Round or Natural style to the more custom shapes like Cat-eye or Doll-eye. It is always best to listen to your stylist when it comes to deciding your lash style and level of fullness and drama. They want you to be happy and will know from experience how to ensure you leave satisfied. After all, they want you to return for your refill so it is in their best interest to ensure you are very happy with your lashes! At Envious Lashes, they take the first five minutes to have a detailed consultation with every client.
Proper care is essential to prolong the life of eyelash extensions and prevent complications.
Natural eyelashes, like hair, are shed and re-grown regularly. Eyelash extensions, therefore, are only as permanent as the natural lashes they are attached to. Everyone has different individual lash growth cycles but generally a person can shed 1 to 5 lashes each day or around 20% of a persons natural lashes shed every two weeks. New eyelashes continually grow to replace lashes that fall out and for most of the time, we do not notice the shedding. When cared for properly, eyelash extensions can last the full length of your natural lash cycle. However, because individual natural lashes are shed at different times, refills are required every two to three weeks to maintain a full appearance. Therefore, if you cannot do regular maintenance, skip the dramatic eyelash extensions. Nevertheless, regardless of the size of extensions that you pick, you will still need to go for a refill. Additionally, it is less time-consuming and less expensive to get a refill than needing to book in for a new full set as you have lost too many lashes to be refilled in the normal 60 to 75 min refill appointments.
Aftercare is important for the first 48 hours after the application to allow the glue to cure. Watch out for any sensitivity and itching within the first 24 hours. In case you experience these signs, you may be allergic to the glue used to set the extensions. Visit your lash professional immediately.
As mentioned earlier, stay away from eye products for the first 48 hours after lash application. After this you are free to use any eye makeup, mascara included. Your makeup should be eyelash extension-friendly and oil-free. Oil can weaken the adhesive bonds holding the extension in place. For example, although mascara is allowed, keep off waterproof mascara. The mascara is stubborn to remove and may weaken the lashes when you’re trying to get them off. Additionally, it is also advisable that you avoid eyeliner pencil. Most pencils contain oil, and drawing along the lash line may create tension that is likely to weaken the extension glue. Your lash studio and artist is likely to sell oil-free mascaras and eyeliners so ask your professional for some advice.
As advised above, you should avoid cleaning around the lashes for the first 48 hours. After the glue has cured, proper cleaning of the extensions will help extend their lifetime and prevent possible eye problems. First, never go to bed with your eye makeup on. Going to bed with your eye makeup puts you at risk of blepharitis. This is a condition caused by the building up of bacteria on your skin. Since the goal is to keep oil away from the extensions, you should get oil-free removers to get rid of the eye makeup. You are also advised not to use cotton balls, makeup wipes, or cotton pads to clean the extensions since they can damage them. Instead, use specifically designed lash extension cleansers that have antimicrobial properties to eliminate the bacteria around the eyes. There is also a gel-based shampoo that you can use to clean the lashes without rubbing, pulling, or tugging them. Lash experts also recommend it to remove any other residual eye makeup.
The mention of eyelash extension mites is likely to scare you. Unfortunately, more than half the people using eyelash extensions have extension mites. These are debris that feeds on the oils and debris found around the lash line and lash follicles. The mites are likely to affect you when you go to bed without washing your eye makeup. After the lash mite gets into the eye follicle, it does not get out. Instead, they multiply in the follicles. When the mites multiply, they might lead to eye problems such as itching, eye redness, swelling, eye infections, and loss of your natural eyelashes. In addition, if left untreated, the eyelash extension mites can cause other serious eye problems and may affect your sight.
The most common cause for extension mites is failure to remove makeup before bed. Also, others remove the makeup but do not do it thoroughly. Therefore, set a home care routine to carefully cleanse your eyelashes and remove all eye makeup every night. The routine will help prevent extension mites and eye infections. Avoid sharing makeup and makeup brushes. Not only does sharing makeup brushes transfer bacteria and impurities to your skin, but it could also cause lash extension mites. No matter how much you trust the person you share your makeup with, this could be the source of your problem since the mites can be carried on from one skin to another. Therefore, always carry with you the brushes and makeup that you may need, and make sure to clean the brushes regularly. Keep your towels, sheets, and pillowcases clean. Regularly wash them in hot water at least thrice a week. If you come into contact with someone with the extension mites, avoid sharing bedding with them. In a gist, always ensure that your eyelash extensions are clean. You will never have to deal with eyelash extension mites.
Ideally, eyelash extensions are meant to boost the look of your natural lashes. Unfortunately, some wrong eyelash extension practices can make you damage your natural lashes. Therefore, to protect your natural lashes, consider hiring a Certified Lash Stylist/Technician to professionally apply the extensions.
If you leave your lash extensions to fall out with your natural lashes, they will last for about eight weeks. However, since the natural lashes do not grow at the same rate, you are likely to have gaps in your eyes after the extensions start falling out. Therefore, to keep your eyes looking good, go for a lash refill after every two to three weeks. This will also help the lash artist to examine your eyelash extensions and rule out possible problems.
It is okay to swim when you have eyelash extensions after the time given to allow the glue to set is over. However, even after 48 hours, swimming and other sporting activities will naturally take a harder toll on your lashes and you may need more frequent refills.
The cost of a full set of eyelash extensions ranges can range from $100 to $350 and Lash Fill costs range between $50 and $150 per 60 to 75 minutes. Some of the factors determining the cost are:
Research widely, check out reviews and get the extensions that are within your budget and worth your investment. Also, many professional salons offer discounted full sets for First-Time Guests and Refill Plans and Memberships that can discount your refills based on you committing to a number of refills per month.
