EYELASH EXTENSIONS | TORONTO LASH SALON GIVES A BREAKDOWN
Winks Eyelash Boutique's Definitive Guide to Eyelash Extensions: The benefits, how they are styled, applied, and more.
Fall in Love with
YOUR LASHES
We love lashes. Our love affair started in 2008 when we opened a salon in Toronto dedicated to eyelash extensions. Wearing extensions is incredible because you look like you were born with lush, perfectly curled lashes that don’t require nightly removal. It’s a game-changer to know you look good, which helps you feel good. Lash professionals use their skill and knowledge to create a beautiful set of extensions, and we're sharing this information with you. Throughout this breakdown, you will learn why eyelash extensions are so desirable, what you can expect during the application process, and what you can expect from them.
BENEFITS
Say goodbye to strip lashes and your vain attempts to replicate the look of extensions with excessive amounts of mascara, and say hello to a joyous life with the many benefits of eyelash extensions.
Beautifully frame your eyes with a set of customized lashes.
HASSLE-FREE RESULTS
- It lasts up to 6 weeks
- No daily application and removal
- Smudge-proof
- Waterproof
- Flake Proof
CONFIDENCE BOOSTER
- Look put together and in control no matter the occasion
- Don’t cry your lashes away
No worrying about eyelashes lifting off - Wake up happy with what you see in the mirror
- Look rested, bright-eyed, and in control
- Look your best at ALL times…at yoga, the gym, the office, the beach, the club, etc.
TIME SAVER
- No need to fuss with strip lashes
- Spend less time getting ready.
- Simply Lipgloss and Go
- There is no need to spend time applying and removing mascara.
- Minimize the amount of makeup you wear because you already look ‘done.’
First of all, I never look tired…My eyes are always perky. No more fiddling with mascara and eyeliner. Lashes and lipstick, and I am set… Try it once, and you will make it an essential part of your beauty regime.”
WHAT ARE EYELASH EXTENSIONS?
Eyelash extensions are synthetic or organic “fibres attached to your natural eyelashes to make them not only longer, but also thicker. and darker.. Lash artists use a medical grade adhesive to attach these extensions customized to enhance your unique eye shape.
Available in lengths from 7 mm to 20 mm and thickness from .03 mm to .25 mm.
TYPES OF EYELASH EXTENSIONS
Synthetic Lashes
These polished extensions are made from processed acrylic fibres and have a glossy finish visible when wearing them. The polished acrylic fibres of these lashes are stiff, sturdy, and not as soft as mink or silk. Although they hold curls, professionals think of them as a lower quality lash
Mink Fur:
Manufacturers harvest the tails of Chinese and Siberian minks to create natural mink lashes. These lightweight extensions allow the application of several extensions to an individual eyelash without weighing it down. As a result, they make fluffy and luxurious-looking lashes. Although authentic mink is beautiful, it is not hypoallergenic. Also, it is unruly by nature and does not hold its shape, so they require daily curling.
Faux Mink and Silk extensions:
Faux mink and silk extensions are PBT (Polybutylene terephthalate) fibres – a polyester and thermoplastic semi-crystalline polymer heated and moulded into the extension’s desired shape. As these hypoallergenic fibres cools, the body of the curls sets. Lash artists love PTB extensions because they are soft and light as real mink fur while being sturdy enough to hold its curl. Although faux mink and silk extensions are both PBT fibres, the difference is in their finish.
Faux Mink lashes:
Faux mink lashes have a natural matte finish, are soft, smooth and lightweight, but hold their curl, unlike real mink. For this reason, they are a popular choice for eyelash professionals.
Silk Lashes:
Silk lashes have a glossy finish that offers a shiny alternative.
EYELASH EXTENSION APPLICATION TYPE
Volume Lashes
A fan, made from 2 to 5 thin extensions attached to one natural eyelash
Hybrid Lashes
A set of lashes containing a mix of classic individual extensions and volume fans
EYELASH EXTENSIONS ADHESIVE
Cyanoacrylate-based glues bond eyelash extensions to natural eyelashes. These glues mixed with other ingredients create variations that influence the glue’s bonding life, flexibility and colour. As a result, the bond life can range from two to eight weeks, depending on the formulation—cyanoacrylate-based glues bond eyelash extensions to natural eyelashes.
Trained professionals apply eyelash extensions with cyanoacrylate-based adhesives.
The rule of thumb is that the bonding life of the glue is related to its strength – this means that the stronger the glue, the longer-lasting the bond.
Stronger glues are usually faster to dry; therefore, experienced technicians should only use them. Some glues also contain ingredients like latex and carbon black, which can, in some cases, cause reactions.
On the opposite end, weaker glues are generally gentler and therefore deemed a suitable option for sensitive people.
A patch test can rule out any allergies, as well as address any concerns.
NATURAL EYELASHES
Eyelashes are fundamentally essential. We certainly appreciate how lashes accentuate our eyes and increase our expressiveness. Still, they also have a job, mainly to keep dust and foreign matter from our eyes.
After all, an eyelash is a hair – this means it has anatomy and patterns of behaviour that are important to understand when wearing extensions.
HOW MANY EYELASHES DO WE HAVE?
The number of eyelashes we have and their maximum length are genetic. This means we can’t grow more or longer lashes than programmed into our DNA. We’re born with a set number of eyelashes, and on average, it’s about 99 to 150 on the upper lid. Some have as few as 50 lashes, while others have as many as 200 plus. Upper lid eyelashes spread on average over 5 to 6 rows and like all hair on our body, they follow a cycle of growth.
EYELASH GROWTH CYCLE
Anagen Stage (Active Growth Phase) 35% to 40% of lashes
Anagen Stage (Active Growth Phase) 35% to 40% of lashes
Lashes actively grow at a daily rate of 0.12mm to 0.14mm for the first 30 to 45 days. In this first stage, the hair is attached to the dermal papilla (blood supply), feeding the hair growth. 35% to 40% of eyelashes are in this phase simultaneously.
Hair is actively growing in the anagen phase, so an increase in lash length is experienced. Extensions should not be applied to the fragile baby lashes in the early stage of this phase and should be applied to the middle to end stage of this phase
Catagen Stage (Transition Phase) 20% to 30%
Once the eyelash has reached its maximum length, the hair follicle in the catagen phase shrinks and removes itself from the blood supply. The follicle transitions to the next stage over 3 to 4 weeks.
A lash won’t start growing back until this phase is over and the final stage begins. So, eyelashes removed unnaturally will not begin to grow until this stage ends.
20% to 30% of eyelashes are in the catagen phase.
Telogen Stage ( Resting / Shedding)
The lash will now rest for up to 100 days while new hair develops in the follicle. Next, the new baby hair growing and developing will push the resting lash out – this is shedding. Then, the anagen (active growth phase) starts again.
50% of lashes can be in the telogen phase.
HOW EYELASH EXTENSIONS ARE DONE: THE 4 STEP PROCEDURE
1. THE CONSULTATION: LAYING THE GROUNDWORK
Your lash appointment will begin with a consultation. Your lash technician will develop a plan to achieve the best results during this first step. Keeping you safe and simultaneously creating a customized style for you begins here.
Allergies & Medications
You must let your technician know about any allergies you have as well as any medications you are taking. Avoiding any discomfort and compromising the application process is the goal. Allergies can cause reactions, and certain medications can affect the condition and behaviour of your skin, eyelashes, etc.
Lashes for your Lifestyle
Are you going for a more conservative look, or are you going for full-on glamour? Do you wear strip lashes or mascara, or both? What are your lash dreams? This is the time to let your technician know how you want your set of extensions to look so that they can help you make it a reality.
Analyzing natural lash
A successful application rests on choosing the best extensions for the job. Therefore, understanding the curl, length, thickness, and growth pattern of your natural lashes will help ensure that the extensions we choose will not cause damage by being too long or thick.
Classic lashes, volume lashes, or hybrid lashes all give different results. Your technician will discuss the pros and cons of each option and suggest what is best for you.
2. ANALYSING YOUR EYES
All eyes are beautiful, and the shape, size, depth, and position of one’s eyes play an essential part in one’s appearance. What is so great about eyelash extensions is that some strategic styling can alter your appearance. Great eyelash styling considers eye shape, eye size, eye set, and facial features.
Eye Shape
Many eye shapes and eyelash extensions can enhance or alter their appearance.
- Upturned eyes can be lifted or pulled outwards
- Round eyes can be drawn outwards to lengthen
- Downturned eyes can appear lifted or pulled outward
- Almond-shaped eyes can appear lifted or
- Monolid, hooded, protruding, and deep-set eyes are additional attributes considered.
Eye Set
Eye set is determined by how far apart or close the eyes are.
WIDE-SET EYES
When eyes are farther apart than the width of an eye.
Styling can make the eyes seem closer together.
CLOSE-SET EYES
Eyes are closer together than the width of one eye.
Styling can make eyes appear to be farther apart.
BALANCED EYES
When the eyes are the same distance apart.
Styling can frame their position or make eyes appear farther apart or closer together.
3. EYELASH STYLES: DETERMINING THE BEST STYLE FOR YOU
Styling your eyelash extensions is the way you play up your looks. For example, a sultry cat-eye or an open doll eye effect begins with the way your lashes are laid out. All eyelash styles are based on three pattern guides – the open-eye, the natural-eye, and the cat-eye. These patterns are mixed and adjusted to create variations tailored to your unique eye shape.
THE CAT EYE
This style typically has shorter lashes at the inner corner of the eye, which gradually increases in length as it moves towards the outer corner of the eye.
THE NATURAL EYE
The natural eye is when the same length of extensions are used from the inner to the outer corner of the eye.
THE OPEN EYE
The open eye has shorter lashes at the inner and outer corner of the eye and longer lengths at the centre of the eye.
4. EYELASH EXTENSIONS APPLICATION
The application will now begin after your lashes and eyes have been evaluated.
Preparing your lashes
Cleansing lashes: Your natural lashes and surrounding eye area will be cleaned to remove oil, dirt, and debris traces. The base must be clean to get the best bond.
Priming lashes: Eyelashes brushed with primer, is an additional step to enhance the extensions bond to your natural lashes.
Protecting bottom lashes: An under-eye pad or tape will cover your bottom lashes. This will prevent your bottom lashes from sticking to your top ones.
Taping upper eyelid: Tape will be attached close to the base of your eyelid up to you your eyebrow. A gentle tug on the tape helps with the isolation and attachment of the extensions because it helps expose the eyelash roots.
Attaching the extensions
Isolating one eyelash: Specialized tweezers isolate a single natural lash.
A single extension or fan is picked up, and the base is dipped into the glue.
Attaching the extension: the glue-based extension is carefully attached to the natural lash 1-2 mm from the base. The extension should never touch the skin.
Drying of lashes: At the end of the application, a fan is used to dry your lashes. Sometimes the fan is used throughout the application to help with slower drying glue.
Removal of Tape: Your technician will gently remove the under-eye gel pads and tape on your eyelid once your lashes are dry.
Brushing lashes: The final step will be a brushing of your lashes with a spoolie.
HOW TO MAINTAIN YOUR EYELASH EXTENSIONS
AFTER THE APPLICATION
What happens at home after your lash appointment plays a significant role in the health and longevity of your extended lashes.
After Care
- Keep extended lashes dry for at least 12 hours, although 24 hours are ideal.
- Stay away from oil: Most oils can weaken the bond of the extended lash.
- Cleanse lashes: Clean lashes are happy lashes.
- Makeup and debris can cause buildup and clog your eyelash follicles. However, regular use of an oil-free lash shampoo will keep them clean.
- Brush regularly: Gently brushing your lashes a few times a day keeps your extensions in place, removes fuzz, stimulates growth, and keeps them groomed and beautiful.
Shedding
- Your eyelashes go through a growth cycle, and every day, eyelashes are shed naturally. It’s normal to lose up to five lashes a day.
Refills
You shed lashes every day, So every two to three weeks a refill appointment will keep your extensions looking their best. Remember, your eyelashes go through a growth cycle, and every day, eyelashes are shed naturally. It’s normal to lose three to four lashes a day (this looks like 56 lashes in 2 weeks)
Removals
- If you decide not to continue wearing extensions, you can have them professionally removed. A technician will use a special cream or gel remover, which will break down the bond of the adhesive.
Lay back, close your eyes and relax. Then, with the skill and knowledge of a professional eyelash technician, you can open your eyes and enjoy all that a set of eyelash extensions have to offer.
What’s the next move?
Get inspired and explore your options. Learn more about Classic Lashes, Hybrid Lashes & Volume Lashes
MAKE THE NEXT MOVE....
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