Lash Extensions

Q: WHAT ARE EYELASH EXTENSIONS?

A: Not to be confused with the self-stick strip falsies of yesteryear or individual clusters of lashes knotted together that are a single-event accessory, these semi-permanent, synthetic extensions work in a similar way to hair extensions - eyelash extensions add length and thickness to your real eyelashes, thus enhancing the charm and appeal of your eyes. Synthetic single fiber polyester thread-like materials are applied to the natural lash (not the skin) by using a specially formulated glue. Extensions come in various lengths, colors and thicknesses, and can be worn during sleep, showering and swimming. However, excessive exposure to oil can weaken adhesive bond.

Q: HOW LONG DO THEY LAST?
 
Approximately 2-4 weeks if you respect your new lashes and take care of them. Remember this is a semi-permanent beauty procedure. Do not be duped by those who promise “permanent” extensions or attachments that last for 2+ months. A real lash’s life cycle is around 25-28 days, and as yours grow and fall out, so will the synthetic ones that are attached. If your hair and nails grow quickly then that may indicate that your lashes also are growing, shedding and renewing themselves quickly so you may find that your lashes will not last as long as someone whose hair growth is slow. Your life style and what work you do will also make a difference how long they last. A ladies lashes working in the food industry where there is alot of heat, steam and oil may not last as well as a lady who works in an air conditioned office. Eyelash extensions will not last for three months, this is false advertising by salons and inexperienced people.

Q: SHOULD I BE CAREFUL WHO APPLIES THE EYELASH EXTENSIONS AND SHOULD THEY BE TRAINED?

A: Absolutely, we cannot stress the importance of choosing an eyelash technician who has been taught by a qualified and experienced person. There are many eyelash extension operators who are claiming to have been professionally trained but have been self taught via the internet and these operators are also using poor quality products bought on ebay. This is disastrous and at Elizabeth Clare we are having more and more distressed ladies contacting us for help and advise as they have had a bad experience by one of the many self taught people. Please do your research thoroughly and ask many questions.

Q: A FRIEND SAYS SHE HAS PERMANENT EYELASH EXTENSIONS IS THIS WHAT ELIZABETH CLARE DOES?

A: There is still a lot of confusion about what eyelash extensions are. All eyelash extensions are semi-permanent and they may also be known as grafted eyelashes. The only permanent eyelashes are eyelash transplants which are performed under anesthetic by a doctor and will cost approximately £3,200.

Q: WHO WEARS EYELASH EXTENSIONS?

A: You don't have to be a celebrity or model to wear eyelash extensions. Normal everyday ladies love eyelash extensions and can't bear to be without them. Elizabeth Clares clients include nurses, beauty therapists, surgeons, dentists, lawyers, financial advisors, mums, detectives, dancers, business owners, nail technicians, forensic chemists, university students, hairdressers, police women and many more wonderful people.

Q: HOW ARE THE EYELASH EXTENSIONS APPLIED?

A: A single natural eyelash is isolated and a synthetic lash is glued to the top of your own natural eyelash approximately 1mm from the eyelid so neither the glue or the lash has contact with the skin.

 
Q: HOW LONG DOES THE PROCEDURE TAKE?
 
A: The procedure will take approximately 2 hours for a full set and approximately 1 hour for an in-fill. It is a meticulous procedure that requires patience and concentration so therefore it should not be rushed so that clients can leave with a perfect set of lashes. You relax with your eyes closed and there is no pain as this is a non-invasive procedure. Often clients are so relaxed they fall asleep.

Q: CAN I DO EYELASH EXTENSIONS MYSELF?

A: No. Eyelash extensions can only be applied by a trained professional.

Q: HOW ARE THE LOWER LASHES HELD DOWN?

A: It is important that our clients are comfortable therefore, we use soft under eye pads specifically designed for eyelash extensions. We never use surgical tape or lash tint paper which are uncomfortable for the client.

Q: DO EYELASH EXTENSIONS MAKE MY OWN LASHES FALL OUT?

A: No, definitley not, this is a myth. Elizabeth Clare has had many clients that have been with us since 2008 and have constantly had extensions applied with no break and they have never encountered their lashes all falling off. It is important to have your lash extensions applied by a qualified operator who uses a quality product. The eyelashes have a cycle and are constantly being replaced like your hair. If you pull so hard on an extension lash and pull out your own natural lash there will be no new lash ready to grow to take its place and you will have to wait 6-8 weeks for that lash to grow.

Q: CAN I STILL WEAR EYE MAKE UP?

A: Yes, but you won’t need mascara and you may even find you won’t need eyeliner, but you can still use eyeliner and eye shadows as usual but remember to remove with a product that does not contain oil of any kind as this will affect the glue. Elzabeth recommends removing eyeliner and eyeshadow using a damp cotton bud and a small amount of eye make-up remover and gently running it along the eyeliner to remove it. To remove eyeshadow wet a cotton wipe and eye make-up remover and gently remove eye shadow in a side and upward movement not down onto the eyelash extensions. Wiping down towards the lashes will cause a build up of makeup on the lashes and may lessen the life of them.

Q: CAN I WEAR MASCARA?

A: You won’t have to. You can roll out of bed looking great and best of all it will make your lashes look like you’re wearing mascara 24/7 without the clumping, streaking and smudging look that you get with mascara. No more running and streaking mascara which is fantastic for brides on their special day. If desired you can wear a non-waterproof on the lower lashes but remember to use an eye makeup remover that contains no oil. Elizabeth recommends the specially formulated Nouveau Lashes 'Noir' Mascara.

Q: CAN I CURL OR PERM EYELASH EXTENSIONS?
 
A: No, do not perm your beautiful new eyelash extensions. Anyway you won’t have to as the extension lashes hold their lovely shape. Using a clamp eyelash curler is not recommended and will lessen the life of your eyelash extensions and perhaps damage them. You can however use a heated eyelash curler but do not over use it only using it when necessary.

Q: I HAD EYELASH EXTENSIONS APPLIED A FEW DAYS AGO AND A FEW LASHES HAVE FALLEN OUT - WHY?

A: As explained above the lash has a growth cycle and unfortunately it is hard to determine which lash is ready to fall out naturally so it is unpredictable when applying the synthetic lashes. Each day we can loose 3-5 natual lashes, but often they fall out unnoticed unless they fall into your eye, but when eyelash extensions are applied we are more aware of when they shed as we know the extensions are there plus they are longer, darker and thicker. If you sleep on your stomach with your face squashed into the pillow or you favour sleeping on one side you may notice the lashes may not last as well as the other side.

Q: WHAT ARE IN-FILLS, WHY DO I NEED THEM AND HOW OFTEN DO I NEED THEM?
 
A: In-fills are when the natural eyelash has fallen out (due to the eyelash cycle) and there has been an extension lash applied to it. You will require in-fills every 2-4 weeks if you would like to achieve a consistently full fresh set of lashes. At the Elizabeth Clare we take the time to remove any eyelash extensions that have either grown out to far or are not sitting correctly. Please note that we do not stack the lash extensions as other operators do. Please refer to Eyelash Pricing for in-fill bookings allow approximately 1 hour.

Q: CAN I OPEN MY EYES DURING THE PROCEDURE?

A: Yes, but please advise your technician before you open your eyes as two sharp tweezers are used when applying the lashes.

Q: DO THE SYNTHETIC EYELASHES COME IN DIFFERENT LENGTHS AND THICKNESSES?

A: Yes, Lengths available are 5mm - 15mm, in black and coloured lashes in purple, navy, pink, red and green used as highlight amongst the black lashes in "J" curl. Now available and extremely popular with Elizabeth Clares clients are the thicker .20mm and .25mm thick lashes. Elizabeth Clare also uses "C" and "D" lashes. The thicker lashes are artfully placed along the lash line. Specialty lashes are now very popular in Y lashes which create double the amount of lashes giving the look of thickness and volume. During the application a mixture of lengths and thicknesses are used - shorter lashes being used on the inner eye area and gradually increasing in length towards the middle and outer corners. Unlike other eyelash extension operators who only stock three lengths we understand that not one size fits all so at Elizabeth Clare we apply what our clients request and we tailor make to suit each individual client. If you have a specific request or look please discuss this with your eyelash extension technician a few days prior to your appointment.

 
Q: DO I HAVE TO GET A FULL SET OF EYELASH EXTENSIONS?

A: You can get half sets. But we only specialise with the complete full look, half sets look half done.

Q: ARE THE EYELASH EXTENSIONS GLUED TO MY SKIN?
 
A: No, it is adhered approximately 1mm from the eyelid.

Q: IS THE EYELASH GLUE AND GLUE REMOVER SAFE?

A: Yes, in the right hands and having your extensions applied by someone who has been correctly trained it is safe. Beware of untrained people who claim they have been professionally trained with years experience. Elizabeth specialises in eyelash extensions and takes great care to ensure that the adhesive and adhesive remover does not come in contact with the skin or eyes. The glue used is a high quality fast drying glue which does not give a clumped look. As the glue is being used around the delicate eye area it is important to only have eyelash extensions applied by a trained and qualified eyelash extensionist.

 
Q: ARE EYELASH EXTENSIONS SUITABLE FOR EVERYONE?
 
A: Anyone of any age can have eyelash extensions applied as long as there is a natural lash to glue the extension onto. Ladies who have undergone chemotherapy and their lashes are starting to grow back also love eyelash extensions. Celebrities such as Britany Spears, Lindsay Lohan, Hillary Duff, Paris Hilton, Tyra Banks, Eva Longoria and Victoria Beckham all wear eyelash extensions. Because the eyelash extensions are so natural anyone could be wearing them and you wouldn't know. They are also suitable for people who wear contact lenses and glasses. Elizabeth has applied eyelash extensions to clients as young as 15 years old and as mature as 83 years old.