Lash Extensions vs. Lash Lifts
As of 4th September 2024, Licensed Cosmetologists in the State of New York may now resume brow and lash tinting services.
What is the difference between lash extensions and a keratin lash lift? I get this question A lot.
If you're looking for darker, fuller, fluffier brows, chances are you've taken a dive and fallen down the rabbit hole that is Lashes... Lash Extensions, Lash Lifts aka Lash Bomb, are both great options for doing all of the things. But what is right for you?
A few things to consider are budget and maintenance. How much money can you spend and how much time can you devote to the application, care and maintenance.
Below I address these burning questions based off what are frequently asked of me, but if I fail to address any of yours please feel free to reach out.
LASH EXTENSIONS
are individual false extension hairs that are glued to your natural lashes with extension glue. Your natural lash has a growth cycle of 4-11 months. So when your natural lashes fall out the lash extensions fall out with it. You can have a classic set of extensions which is one individual strand per natural lash you can have volume lashes which are fans of multiple lashes glued to each strand or you can have a hybrid which is a combination of both maintenance is really however much falls out it used to be that lash extensions were every two weeks but now they’ve changed the glue formulas and they can last anywhere from 3 to 8 weeks if they don't last the entire growth cycle.
So that being said, you’re looking at fills anywhere from 3-6 weeks after your initial appointment to replace what’s fallen out. Plus a good lash shampoo and cleansing brush.
Your initial appointment can take 2-3 hours, with fills 1-2 hours depending on the amount of extensions applied.
AFTERCARE
Avoid water and steam for 24-48 hours after your appointment finishes. This includes; cooking and cleaning, using the sauna or bath, etc.
Avoid pulling, picking and tugging your lashes.
Avoid Oily products on your eye area.
Avoid Mascara on the extensions
Clean 2-3X a week or daily if you wear makeup using a lash shampoo to keep your lashes safe from bacteria. Do not let them stay dirty.
Brush your lashes once a day using the brush we give you to prevent them from getting tangled and messy,
^ KERATIN LASH LIFT ^
Lash bomb Lash Lift is an innovative method of giving the illusion the natural lashes are longer and have more volume using formulations and products made in the UK. It is a vitamin enriched treatment that lifts and curls the natural lashes, giving the illusion the lashes are longer because they are stretched listed and more visible due to the ingredients making the lashes darker.
They take approximately 45-60 minutes each appointment. Lash Lifts also lasts 6 to 8 weeks and no fill is required just a repeat of the procedure whenever you feel your curl left and/or color are no longer there.
Lash Lifts are great for:
Full and/or long lashes, want them to be curled and darker.
Overly curly lashes. It actually relaxes the lash making them less curled and more lifted depending on the lash forms we use.
Lash Extensions have more options for style as different lengths and thicknesses can be applied in a variety of patterns.
^ Classic Lashes ^
Single strands of extensions applied to your individual lashes and can also be applied in shorter to longer graduating length, or they can all be the same length. The fullness depends on how much existing natural lash you have.
^ Volume Lashes ^
Fans of multiple strands of extensions applied to the individual natural lash strands. When you see 3D, 4D, 5D, etc, mentioned in pics you see online, that is the number of strands of extensions per fan.
^ Hybrid Lashes ^
A combination of Classic Lash and Volume Fans are applied to the natural lashes.
^ Fox Eye Lashes ^
L shaped extensions that are shorter on the inner corners of the eye gradually increasing in length to the outer corner of the eyes giving the appearance of a 🦊 foxes eyes.
SAFETY ALERT
In full transparency I have to say that volume lashes done very very heavy, or lash extensions with no break after a few months are damaging to the natural lashes and the eyelid. Breaks should be taken for a week or so every 3-4 months. We offer safe removal as well if at any point you feel you need a break.
I’ve heard from colleagues that work in the plastic surgery industry that younger women are requiring eyelid lifts as a result of having extremely heavy and dramatic lash extensions. So that is some thing I will never do. I am a strong believer in not compromising the integrity of the skin, lashes or hair so I will always be less aggressive when it comes to treatments of all kinds.
© Genn Shaughnessy for the Backstage Stylist
