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Are you sick of spending time every morning putting on mascara? Do you wish you could just wake up with long, luscious lashes without doing a thing?

Welcome to the club. Most of us weren’t born with long, beautiful lashes. And, we all know how difficult it can be to apply falsies perfectly, no matter how much you practice.

Luckily, there’s a more semi-permanent solution out there to your eyelash woes- eyelash extensions.

With eyelash extensions, you’ll have beautiful lashes for as long as you want to keep them up (similar to keeping a full set of nails and getting fills), and when you wake up in the morning, all you’ll have to do is give them a quick brush and you’ll be good to go.

So, if you’re getting eyelash extensions in Portland, what should you know?

Check out this beginner’s guide to learn everything you need to know about eyelash extensions.

What are Eyelash Extensions? 

Simply put, eyelash extensions are laser cut silk fibers that are attached to your existing eyelashes using a medical grade long lasting adhesive by a trained and certified lash technician. .

They’re made of different materials (we’ll get into that later), and they’re applied to your individual lashes one at a time using a semi-permanent, specially formulated glue.

And, unlike gluing a strip of fake, temporary lashes to your lash line (and potentially damaging your eyes), eyelash extensions are applied by a qualified esthetician who hand-glues the lashes on one at a time.

Thanks to the natural look of eyelash extensions, many people feel like they’re able to forgo mascara completely.

How Are Eyelash Extensions Applied?

Don’t expect your eyelash extension to be a quick in-and-out appointment that you can take care of on your lunch break.

Typically, it takes one or two hours to apply eyelash extensions. However, you’ll get to lie down with your eyes closed when the extensions are being applied, so the two hours will likely fly by.

In fact, many people find it to be a relaxing experience.

The esthetician will usually apply 80 to 140 lashes per eye, depending on your preference of fullness.

Types of Eyelash Extensions

As we mentioned earlier, there are a lot of different types of eyelash extensions to choose from.

In terms of material, you can choose either mink lash extensions and silk synthetic lash extensions. Here’s what to know about each material:

Mink 

Mink eyelash extensions are made from the fur tail of either Chinese or Siberian minks.

Many people love mink extensions because they’re extremely lightweight and fluffy. Out of all the types of lash extensions, mink ones most closely mimic your natural lashes.

However, mink extensions are also the most expensive out of all the options.

Some salons also offer faux-mink lashes, which are slightly less expensive than the actual version.

Silk Synthetic 

Silk eyelash extensions aren’t made from actual silk.

Compared to mink eyelash extensions, silk extensions are a bit thicker in density of hair. Due to their bold look, most people like to use silk extensions for a mascara like look.

In addition to material, you also can choose how you want your eyelashes to look. If you want long, wispy lashes, then a classic set might be for you. If you’re more about getting a darker, fuller look, then we suggest going for volume lashes.

Or, if you want the best of both worlds, you can get hybrid lash extensions. If you go for a classic set, you can choose from either natural, ultra-thick, or partial.

You can also get extensions on your bottom lashes to make your eyes pop even more. If you like to apply mascara on your bottom lashes, you would like bottom lash extensions.

The type of eyelash extension you choose will depend on your own personal preference, so it’s best to discuss with your esthetician the look you’re hoping to achieve.

Preparing for Your Appointment 

So, once you’ve booked your appointment for eyelash extensions, how do you prepare?

Before your appointment you should:

• Shower- After the appointment, you’ll want to avoid any unnecessary contact with water and steam for 48 hours, which is why we recommend showering beforehand

• Remove your contacts- This will help you avoid discomfort during the appointment

• Turn off your cellphone- This way, you can fully enjoy your “me time”

Then, here are some things you shouldn’t do:

• Wear makeup to your appointment- While your esthetician will cleanse your face to ensure there are no traces of makeup left on your eyes, taking care of makeup removal beforehand can eliminate some time.

• Curl your lashes on the day of your appointment

• Apply sunblock or face cream to your eye area

By taking these steps, you’ll be able to get the results possible with your extensions.

How Long Do They Last?

Typically, eyelash extensions will last about 6 to 8 weeks, as they’ll shed with your natural eyelash cycle.

However, the eyelash extensions won’t all fall off at the same time, so they can start to look a little funky a few weeks in. This is why, it’s a great option to get a fill or lash maintenance after two to three weeks.

Maintenance Tips 

Of course, how long your lashes last depend completely on how well you take care of them.

Here are the top maintenance tips to keep in mind:

• Keep your lashes dry for the first 24 to 48 hours after application

• Stick to oil-free makeup products and oil-free makeup remover available at Miss Knockout

• Avoid rubbing your eyes, as this will lead to immediate breakage

• Avoid using lash curlers, this will bend or break the extensions and cause them to curl in a way that would not be reversible.

• If you’re going to use mascara (although you shouldn’t need to), stick to one that’s specially formulated for lash extensions

• Use a gentle oil free face wash

• Sleep on your back

• Use an eyelash sealant each morning

• To prevent your lashes from tangling, brush them with a clean eyelash brush when you wake up, when you get out of the shower, and at the end of the day

• Use a silk pillowcase, as these tend to be gentler on lash extensions

By following these tips, your extensions should last well over a few weeks.

Removal 

As we said earlier, your eyelash extensions should fall off on their own.

But, if they’re slow to fall off, resist the urge to pull them. Pulling off your eyelash extensions will cause damage to your natural lashes.

Instead, you should go back to the salon to have the extensions removed professionally. This shouldn’t take any more than 30 minutes.

Will They Ruin My Natural Lashes? 

One of the biggest myths regarding eye extensions is that they’ll cause damage to your natural lashes.

If lash extensions are applied correctly buy an experienced and certified technician,a 1:1 application, then they won’t cause any damage to your eyes.

What can cause damage to your lashes, however, is if you pull or tug on your extensions.

Choosing a Salon 

Just as you would with a hairstylist or any other cosmetic professional, it’s very important that you research your lash salon before booking an appointment.

Eyelash extensions aren’t cheap, so you want to make sure you’re choosing the best salon possible.

Before booking an appointment, make sure to read reviews of the salon online.

You should also search for before and after pictures on the salon’s website. If they don’t have any, ask for them.

In addition, you should also make sure that the salon you choose offers the type of eyelash extensions you’re looking for. For example, some salons just offer classic extensions and don’t offer volume or hybrid extensions.

Lastly, you should also check out the ambiance of the salon. As we mentioned earlier, you’re going to be spending a couple of hours at the salon, so you want to make sure it’s a place you can see yourself relaxing in.

Lash Enhancing Alternatives

If you like the idea of improving the look of your lashes, or you want something utilizing your natural lashes, consider other lash services.

If you’re looking for curlier lashes, you can get a Lash Lift or some call a Lash Perm.  If you’re looking for darker lashes, then you can get your lashes tinted right after a Lash Lift.

You can also have Lashcara applied to your lashes, which is semi-permanent mascara.

Are You Ready for Eyelash Extensions?  

Now that you know pretty much everything there is to know about eyelash extensions, it’s time to book your appointment.

If you’re looking to set up an appointment in the Portland area, contact us today. We also offer complimentary consultations so you can ask as many questions as you need to and do a sample set of lashes if you may have any history of allergies to glues in the past.

The lashes of your dreams are within reach!