Hollywood Volume: The Ultimate Guide to Lash Extensions

One of the hottest beauty trends today is eyelash extensions. Although the history of this ritual dates back nearly 100 years to the Hollywood makeup artist and founder of the world-renowned brand Max Factor, who first used false lashes for actresses, it is only in the last decade that lash extensions have become more effective and long-lasting. What do you need to know about this popular procedure to achieve long, thick lashes with a perfect curl without harming your health?

Lash Extensions vs. False Lashes

Unlike false lashes, which are glued on with special adhesive and typically removed along with your makeup, lash extensions last much longer. In addition to the Hollywood effect, which gives your eyes expressiveness and attractiveness, lash extensions are also practical. If you, like most women, have short, straight lashes that even the most expensive luxury mascara can’t handle, you’ll especially appreciate the transformation a good lash artist can provide.

Benefits of Lash Extensions

Modern technologies allow you to forgo mascara altogether, as lash extensions give you an effect like that seen in photoshopped advertisements. This is especially convenient during harsh winters when even the most resilient makeup can smudge under the assault of cold winds.

Drawbacks of the Procedure

As with any enhancement of what nature has given us, regular maintenance is required to maintain the results. However, you can choose to stop the maintenance at any time and return to your natural lashes. Now, let’s delve a bit deeper into each of the technologies and the rules for wearing extended lashes.

Classic Lash Extensions

Classic lash extensions provide double or even triple the volume of your lashes with a perfect curl. This is achieved by attaching artificial lashes to the base of your natural lashes with a special adhesive. For your first time, ask the lash artist to use smaller lashes, size 7 or 8 (like false lashes, they come in different sizes). Anything larger can look too dramatic and may not be suitable for everyday wear. As for the shape, you can choose between cluster lash extensions, where the lashes are concentrated more at the outer edge of the eye, or individual lash extensions, where an even number of lashes are added across the width of the eye.

2D Lash Extensions

The most dramatic lash extensions are 2D, where two artificial lashes are attached to each natural lash. This results in a super theatrical look, so be cautious when choosing this type of lash extension.

Longevity of Lash Extensions

Depending on how carefully you treat your new lashes, they can last an average of 3-4 weeks.

Caring for Your Lash Extensions

The main enemies of artificial lashes are excessive moisture and rubbing your eyes. However, this doesn’t mean you should be afraid to wash your face properly with lash extensions. Just be a bit more careful when cleaning the area around your eyes. As for swimming pools, you’ll likely have to avoid them. This can be too harsh a test for non-natural lashes.

Drawbacks of the Technology

If you’re lucky with your lash artist and the lashes are attached perfectly, you’ll experience almost no discomfort. Unpleasant sensations may arise when they start to fall out naturally, leaving gaps. But worse than that, lash extensions can harm the health of your natural lashes, weakening and damaging them over time.

This technology is not recommended for those with sensitive eyes, a predisposition to conjunctivitis, or those who have recently undergone vision correction surgery. Pregnancy and breastfeeding can also be contraindications for lash extensions.

Lash Lamination

This lash extension technology doesn’t provide as dramatic a wow effect as adding artificial lashes, but it does have a health benefit. Lash lamination involves filling your natural lashes with beneficial components and minerals that lengthen them naturally. If you prefer any beauty enhancement to look as natural as possible, this is the option for you. After lamination, your lashes will look long and won’t require decorative cosmetics, except for a special nourishing mascara that lash artists usually offer to maximize the effect. Although your lashes continue to grow on their own after lamination, correction is still required over time, typically every 1-2 months.

Drawbacks of the Technology

Since this procedure is more health-oriented than decorative, you won’t get as dramatic a Hollywood effect as with classic lash extensions. Essentially, you’ll have your own lashes, just longer and more curled, which you can further emphasize with decorative mascara. However, they won’t get tangled during sleep like artificial lashes.

The contraindications for lamination are the same as for lash extensions: pregnancy, chronic eye diseases, allergic reactions to the components of the mixture. And, of course, lamination makes no sense to do on extended lashes.

Conclusion

Whichever technology you choose, don’t forget to comb your new lashes with a special dry brush every morning. This way, they will always look fresh and well-groomed.