Eyelash extensions are semi-permanent fibers that are individually glued to your natural lashes. The goal is to make your lashes appear longer, thicker and darker without using mascara or other eye makeup.

Thick, curled eyelashes can instantly enlarge the eyes, making them brighter and more energetic. Whether in everyday life or on special occasions, eyelash extensions can make you stand out. It not only enhances your overall image but also adds confidence and charisma to you.

Benefits of eyelash extensions

If you’re trying to decide whether or not eyelash extensions are right for you, it’s wise to weigh the pros and cons of having lash extensions applied. Some of the perks of eyelash extensions include:

• They look beautiful – When done correctly, eyelash extensions will make your lashes look long, full and fluttery at all times. Unlike with strips of fake eyelashes, with lash extensions, you can wake up every morning with princess lashes with no effort.
• You don’t have to wait for them to work – You walk into your lash extension appointment with sparse, weak lashes and you walk out looking like a superstar. The instant gratification of having beautiful lashes after only one appointment is definitely appealing.
• No more mascara – That’s right. No more smudging, flaking, running or stressing that one eye’s lashes always look better than the other. With lash extensions, mascara is a thing of the past, which will also save you the time of applying and removing product from your lashes.
• They’re customisable – Whether you’re a natural honey or a dramatic diva, your lash extensions can be customised to fit your desired look. Talk to your technician about your lash goals, and they will tailor the length, colour and curl pattern to meet your preferences.
• They can last a long time – As time goes on, your eyelashes’ natural shed cycle will cause the extensions to fall out along with your natural lashes. This typically starts to happen a couple of weeks after the first appointment and will continue until the cycle is complete (four to ten weeks). However, you can get regular “fills,” which will keep your lashes looking lovely indefinitely.
• The process is painless – If applied properly, you should never experience any pain with the application or wear of eyelash extensions.
• They can withstand water – After having the last extensions applied, you will have to keep the eyes and lashes dry for 48 hours. Once that time has passed, you should be able to swim, sweat and shower with your extensions, although keeping them dry will help them last longer.

How eyelash extensions are applied

The number of extensions you want (how full you want your lashes to look) determines how long your first appointment will be; however, it’s recommended to block off two hours for the appointment.

Here’s what you can expect during your lash extension appointment:

• The technician will ensure you’re comfortable before gently cleansing both of your eyes.
• Your lower lashes will be taped to your skin using surgical tape. This keeps the technician from accidentally gluing your lower lashes to the upper ones.
• Using tweezers or a similar tool, the lash specialist will separate and isolate your natural lashes.
• A single artificial lash fibre will be dipped with a tiny bit of glue and attached to the top of the isolated natural lash.
• The process just outlined will be repeated for the entire eyelid of each eye.

The eyes will remain closed for the entire process and possibly a few minutes afterwards to allow the glue to thoroughly dry. During your appointment, your technician may have music playing in the room, or you can choose to pop in your earbuds and listen to your favourite music or podcast.