FAQ

WHAT ARE LASH EXTENSIONS?

Lash extensions are semi-permanent lash extensions that are applied strand by strand with specially formulated non-irritating lash adhesive to your own lashes to enhance your eye shape.

Traditional false eyelashes, which you remove after each use, are applied directly to the skin and have pre-designed depth and layers that don't take your unique eye shape into account. Extensions, on the other hand, attach to the lashes themselves, so they grow out naturally and can be customized to create specific depth and elongation to your eye shape for the exact effect you crave.

DO YOU USE HYPOALLERGENIC LASH ADHESIVE?

There’s no such thing as a sensitive or hypoallergenic adhesive (glue).

Hypoallergenic" is a term often used to create a false sense of safety. It’s simply a marketing tool and doesn’t guarantee that a product won’t cause allergic reactions, and the reality is that this is a misleading sales gimmick to attract clients.

Everyone's sensitivities are different, and even "sensitive" adhesives can cause reactions in some people. No eyelash extension adhesive can be considered truly hypoallergenic. A person can either have a reaction to the cyanoacrylate (bonding ingredient in all lash adhesives) or to the stabilizers in the adhesive.

If you have particularly sensitive skin, have never had lash extensions before and you’re worried you’ll have a reaction, I recommend doing either of the options below:

1) Consult a dermatologist and get tested to find out exactly what you are allergic/sensitive to.

2) Get a lash lift instead. Lash lifts are a great alternative to lash extensions and can still still give you that ‘I feel pretty” feeling. Lash lifts are also very low maintenance.

More info on lash lifts can be found here.

DO LASH EXTENSIONS DAMAGE YOUR NATURAL LASHES?

Simply put: no, extensions alone will not cause damage to your natural lashes. Lashes can be damaged as a result of improper extension application or by the lash artist not selecting the correct type of extension based on the conditions of the natural lash.

If your artist uses too much adhesive (glue) causing other lashes to stick together, or applies an extension that’s too long or too heavy, it can strain the natural hair and cause traction on the follicle.

Applying lashes that are too heavy or too long for the natural lash will ultimately end in premature shedding. Eventually, the traction can stunt your lash growth or, in some cases, permanently damage the follicle so the hair no longer grows.

If your lashes feel heavy on your lids, they’re probably straining the follicles.

Rubbing your eyes will also result in immediate breakage.

It is also super important to maintain proper lash aftercare.
More information on lash aftercare can be found here.

This is a recent client of mine who decided to take a lash break after having worn lash extensions since last year.
One picture is of her lashes before the extension application, and the other is after the extension removal. If you cannot tell which picture were her lashes before or after lash extension removal, you know you have a stellar lash artist in me!

DO LASH EXTENSIONS HURT?

I get this question asked quite frequently, especially during consultations.
I’ve compiled a list of 10 possible reasons why your lash extensions are hurting. Keep in mind that factors unrelated to the lash extensions like contagious diseases or preexisting conditions may also cause discomfort after you get a lash extensions.

• Poor adhesion: If the lash extension isn’t attached properly to individual natural lashes, it can cause discomfort and even permanent harm to your eyes and eyelashes.
  Additionally, it can even rip out your natural lashes when they grow. In this situation, you won’t be able to comb through your false lashes comfortably too.

• Clumping: When your lash artist applies a single extension to multiple natural lashes, it can lead to clumping of natural lashes which leads to pain and discomfort when opening and closing your eyes.
  It’s typically referred to as a botched job in the industry.
  

• Choice of extensions: Another main reason that adds eyelash pain is if the lash artist picks the wrong type of extensions for your eyes.
  
  Lash extensions must match the length, thickness, and shape of your eye so that it feels comfortable. If the professional who worked on you ends up selecting thick lashes, they will feel heavy just as they might poke into your eyelids if they’re too long or curly.

  For this very reason, I will never compromise your natural lash health and will only choose a length and thickness of lash extensions that are right for your natural lashes.

  Ever heard the saying “GO BOLD OR GO HOME”? If you insist on going BOLD and want to compromise the integrity of your natural lashes, then I am not the artist for you and it’s time to GO HOME.
  Oh, the sass! But I mean well and only want the best for your natural lashes.
  

• Excess adhesive (glue): If the lash artist applies too much lash adhesive (glue), chemical burn (as well as multiple lashes sticking together) may be the culprit. This can lead to excessive fumes from the adhesive that can end up irritating the sclera (white part) of your eyes.
  
  If irritation doesn’t happen during the session, it can pop up a day or two after the appointment with inflammation and redness.
  This could be the reason why your eyes pain every time you wash them with water too. Because lash extensions are waterproof, there shouldn’t be any discomfort anyway.

• Allergic reaction: Eyelash extensions are affixed to your natural lashes using a medical-grade adhesive using an ingredient called ‘cyanoacrylate’.
  
  It can be allergic to some people with sensitive eyes and if you have this problem, it could end up as inflammation, redness, itching, and contact dermatitis after the lash extension session.
  
  It is possible to develop an allergy over time – sometimes this can occur the second or third time, but sometimes many years down the road. This is due to repeat exposure to an ingredient that you were always sensitive to, and your body has developed an immune response that has resulted in an allergy.
  If you are experiencing an allergic reaction immediately after you lash extension application, see your doctor right away.
  
  

• Improper cleaning: Oftentimes, pain around the lash line could be a direct cause of your poor cleaning routine.
  
  If you wear mascara and eye makeup on top of lash extensions (mascara should never be worn) regularly and fail to clean them properly at the end of the day, bacteria can accumulate around your hair follicles and lead to diseases that cause pain around your eyelashes (i.e. Blepharitis).

  More information on lash aftercare can be found here.
  
  

• Forceful lash extension removal: Because lash artists use a medical-grade adhesive (glue) that’s equivalent to the superglue, removing the lash extensions on your own by pulling or rubbing can cause immense pain and irritation.
  
  In case there is a problem (not allergy related, or you’re just wanting your lash extensions removed, please see you lash artist.
  Your lash artist is able to remove them professionally using a remover specifically designed for eyelash extensions.
  

• Corneal abrasion: If your eyelash extensions end up scratching the cornea, corneal abrasion may occur. This is usually attributed to excessive adhesive (glue) and poking extensions that scratch the cornea upon shedding because they are too long or applied improperly.
  

• Sparse application: If lash extensions are applied too far off from the lash line, they can often get twisted, droopy and turned, leading to pain and discomforts around the eye.
  

• Glued to the skin instead of lashes: When eyelash extensions are glued to the skin, it will eventually pull out natural lashes and hurt your eyes within days or weeks after the treatment.

HOW LONG DO LASH EXTENSIONS LAST?

To maintain the full-lashed effect in the long term, refills are recommended every 2 to 3 weeks.

Lash extensions last through a full growth cycle of natural eyelashes, typically six to eight weeks. Since each lash extension is attached to a single eyelash, they will fall out naturally along with the natural growth cycle of each lash.

Because each person’s lash growth is somewhat variable, extensions require refills every two to three weeks. In other words, regular refills are required, no matter how well you take care of them. I recommend lash maintenance every two to three weeks to maintain a full look (depending on your natural lash cycle).

Aftercare also has a big role in your lash extension retention. The cleaner the lash extentions are, the better the retention.

More information on lash aftercare can be found here.

HOW LONG IS THE APPOINTMENT?

Applying a full set of lashes takes about two hours to 3 hours, and can be maintained year-round with fills recommended every 2 to 3 weeks. Fills are anywhere from an 1 hour to 1.5 hours long.

DO YOU DO FILLS OVER OTHER LASH ARTISTS’S WORK?

Yes. Foreign Fills start at 150+ and are for new clients with another lash artist's work.

No two lash artist's are the same. We use different products, varying placement techniques and have different experience and knowledge.

For this reason, careful and thorough evaluation of your current lashes will be done. Removal is required for lashes that are placed incorrectly. This may also require a new set. Full sets are $200

By booking this appointment you are consenting to have a Full Set done if it is needed. *

The picture above is of a client who came to see me with existing lashes on from another lash artist.

Gallery of my Foreign Fill work can be found here.