What to expect during your lash appointment

What to expect during lash application

What to Expect During Your Appointment:

1. I will apply a sticker to cover your lower eyelashes and you must keep your eyes closed until the completion of your eyelash application (between 1-2 hours).
2. You should not feel any discomfort during the eyelash application, it is very relaxing for most people and you may fall asleep.
3. You should plan on being quiet during the application, talking causes most people to flutter and/or move their eyes making application more difficult.  Same for gum.
4. If you do fall asleep, sometimes your eye may open causing a slight discomfort from the glue fumes, this happens rarely, and will go away quickly if it does occur.

Prep prior to your lash appointment

Preparation before lash appointment

Preparation Before You Come to Your Lash Appointment

1. Try to do your workout before your lash appointment to avoid interfering with the curing process that can take 24 hours.
2. Remove all eye makeup and clean your lashes with mild, oil-free, water based cleanser with a lint-free cloth. Do not use make-up remover pads as the tiny fibers attach to your lashes and have to be removed before lash application.  I have facial cleanser here if you don’t have time to wash your face.
3. Remove your contact lenses or bring a case with you to remove the lenses prior to eyelash application.  Remember to bring your glasses, I’ve notices a lot of tearing from peepers taking their contacts out at the studio, so try to do this before you come.
4. Plan on spending two hours for your appointment.
5. You may bring an iPod if you would like, otherwise I will have spa music playing.
6. Please avoid coffee on your way here if you have an AM appointment and generally limit your caffeine intake before you come. Caffeine can cause your eyelashes to flutter making application more difficult resulting in fewer lashes applied.
7. Please don’t chew gum, it causes your eyelid and lashes to move.
8. It may sound silly, but limit your intake of liquids before your appointment, if you must get up during the appointment, it will lower the amount of lashes I can apply as it will take at least 10-15 minutes out of our appointment time since the application preparation will need to be redone.

Lash extension aftercare instructions

Lash aftercare

Aftercare Instructions:  The First Day

1. Don’t plan on wearing any mascara while you have extensions!  The only time you will need mascara is to fill in gaps caused by waiting too long between touch-ups.
2. Make sure you do not sleep on your lashes the first night.  Sleep on your back if possible or prop your head to avoid pressure on your lashes, you’ll be happy you do this because the lashes will last much longer.

Aftercare Instructions:  General

1. Avoid any cosmetic product or cleanser containing propylene glycol, organic solvents, urea, carbonate or high concentrations of alcohol.  Products with these ingredients can potentially break down the adhesive bond and shorten the lifespan of the extensions.  Ask me if you aren’t sure.
2. Use only water-soluble mascara that does not contain the above-mentioned ingredients and never use waterproof mascara.  Please note that repeated use of mascara might shorten the lifespan of your lash extensions.
3. Unless you’re washing your face, keep your hands off your extensions to make them last longer!
4. Curling of your lash extensions is not recommended.  Because the extensions come pre-curled, additional curling is not necessary and doing so may shorten the lifespan of the extensions by compromising the adhesive bond.  If you must, a heated curler is recommended.
5. Avoid pulling, picking or twisting your lash extensions.  This can cause damage to your natural lashes and lead to premature shedding of your extensions.
6. Wash your eyelid/lashes!  Lashes were created by God to keep dirt out of your eye!  In order to maintain the health of your lashes, It’s extremely important to keep your extensions and natural lashes clean by using a good cleanser.  If you aren’t sure what to use, ask me.
7. Use a lash wand to fluff your extensions to reduce tangling and flipping every morning and evening.
8. Return for touch-ups every two weeks to keep your lashes looking their best!

Parabens explained

This video was published on Oct 28, 2013 by First Coast Oncology.  Scot Ackerman, M.D. discusses what you need to know to keep yourself as chemical free as possible. Follow Dr. Ackerman on Twitter: https://twitter.com/dr_s_ackerman

According to the Breast Cancer Action website, “Parabens are chemical preservatives that have been identified as estrogenic and disruptive of normal hormone function. Estrogenic chemicals mimic the function of the naturally occurring hormone estrogen, and exposure to external estrogens has been shown to increase the risk of breast cancer.”  The FDA deems both BPA and parabens safe in small amounts, but according to Dr. Ackerman, ongoing studies are finding more links with breast cancer.  You can find paraben free products online, at natural grocery stores, or even at Target.  The Breast Cancer Action website has a list of brands that carry paraben-free products.

 

Natural tip for lash and brow wellness

Topical use of castor oil for lash and eyebrow wellness from thebeautydepartment.com

If you are in the market for lash extensions, skip this post – using oil on extensions is not advised.  If you are recovering from effects of chemo, this may be for you.  I was skeptical about using castor oil on lashes and brows until I read some reviews of users on the Makeup Alley website.  I did some research and found it’s a pretty remarkable substance.  Castor oil is a unique glyceride in that the fatty acid portion is 87-90% ricinoleic acid, which enables the oil’s solubility in alcohol.  It’s actually a seed, not a bean, that can be cold-pressed to release the oil.  The seed casing may sound familiar if you’ve watched Breaking Bad.  But don’t worry, the toxic protein ricin found in the casing is non-transferable to the oil.

Samantha Mill praises its anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties.  She also notes it won’t congest pores or trigger reactive sensitive skin types.  In addition to the non-comedogenic properties, it’s also a humectant, attracting H2O from the environment and trapping it next to the skin.  She states it effectively pulls dirt from the epidermis and is a great addition to cleansers.  I like the idea of using it as a eye makeup remover.  Additionally, sufferer’s of psoriasis may find comfort in its analgesic properties, the support  in removing flaking skin, and the protection of new skin according to the Natural Skin Revival website.

I’m not crazy for the clumpy mascara look, but I like this video because it’s anecdotal, informative, and love the accent!  I also like how she uses a clean wand each time:

Minimal ingredients. Maximum benefits

When I put lashes on my guests, I want them to last as long as possible, and that means using the most natural, essential, and fully researched after-care product possible.  I have guests that use everything from olive oil to clean their face to those who use basic facial wipes, and others that will spend $40 on a high-end facial cleanser.  I have two criteria for recommending aftercare cleanser.  The first requirement is that the ingredient list is short, plant-based, and free (of all the offenders listed below).  The second criteria is that it must take off mascara and eyeliner with one application without irritating the eye.   After experimenting with different cleansers that effectively remove eye makeup, DermOrganic Soapless Facial Cleanser is the best I’ve found to suit most guests needs.

 We all want to simplify our routines and maximize results.  The problem with wipes is the fibers get stuck in the extensions.  The problem with oil-free cleansers on the shelves is they have propylene glycol, parabens, and alcohol that break down the lash adhesive.  The problem with using oils like olive oil or argan oil is they don’t work across the board for everyone to clean the face.  Your eyelid and lash hygiene are extremely important and this product can be used as an eye-makeup remover, it removes all traces, or it can be used as a facial cleanser, even on rosacea/sensitive skin.

This cleanser is oil-free, fragrance-free, sulfate-free, paraben and propylene glycol-free.  It is plant-based with Argan fruit extracts which provides natural moisture from Omega-6 lipids, antioxidants, and Vitamin C.  Plant extracts derived from Yuzu root provides collagen and elastin support for the skin.  The DermOrganic slogan is “Minimal ingredients. Maximum benefits” and I think that says it all.

Lash Extensions Before and After

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