There are so many reasons to consider getting lash extensions. First of all, they last for quite a while and don’t take nearly as much maintenance as people believe them to. Because they can eliminate your need for eye makeup (to a degree), they can also save money and even be healthier for you. Then, there’s the self-confidence boost that needs to be taken into account.

However, just deciding to get a lash extension is not enough. It’s just as important that you figure out how to pick the right ones for you. It’s also important that you learn about all the options out there so that you can make the right choice.

Other than this, it’s important that you hear about some dos and don’ts of lash extensions, as well as that you figure out the best routine for their maintenance. With that in mind and without further ado, here’s the ultimate guide on how you can have captivating lash extensions.

1.      Figure out your eye type

Before we start talking about the extensions, it’s important that you understand your eye type. For this, you need to be a bit more specific and descriptive. For instance, you need to learn how to recognize whether you have:

• Round eyes
• Almond eyes
• Hooded eyes
• Monolid eyes

Other than just the shape, you also need to understand things like the orientation of your eyes:

• Wide-set
• Close-set
• Deep-set

Even the color of your eyes may affect which lashes suit you the most. So, if you’re just looking at images of extensions online and you’re willing to do some research, start by identifying your eye type, and whenever you see an image of extensions that look nice, try to identify the eye on the image. If it’s not your type, chances are that it might not work the same in your scenario.

Everything matters, and even the color of your eyes may determine the outcome.

Lastly, it’s important that you understand that the health of your eyes comes first. If you have allergies or sensitivities, you need to be extra careful with the way you proceed with this. It’s also important that you reevaluate your tolerance for upkeep. Here, the place where you plan to do your lash extensions matters just as much.

Once you have these few issues out of the way, it might be time to focus on the lashes and the extension types.

2.      Choose the right length

The first thing you need to understand is that the wrong eyelash extension may end up hurting your natural lashes. On top of this, everyone’s eyes and lashes are different, which is why you risk picking an option that doesn’t suit you.

Keep in mind that the length of the lash also affects its weight. If they are too heavy, they will put too much pressure on your follicles. This will hamper follicles in their effort to grow healthy, natural lashes.

The problem is that these extensions come as big as 18 mm, and your natural lashes could be considerably smaller. So, what you’re aiming at is to get an estimate of your lash and pick an extension that is 5mm longer (at most, while going for 3mm longer may be better) than your natural lash.

One of the ways to reduce the weight of the lash is to pick a thinner diameter. This will allow you to go for a longer lash without putting too much pressure on your follicles and natural lashes.

3.      Extension volume

The next thing you need to pick is the right extension volume. The way this works is fairly simple – you add more than one extension to the end of a single lash. While one lash is a standard extension, you can go for as much as 6.

Previously, we talked about weight. While this sounds intimidating, these lashes are both shorter and thinner than regular lashes. Therefore, you get to create a more voluminous look for the same added weight.

Now, 6 or 8 lashes are likely the most voluminous that you will encounter outside of mega volumes. Some salons go for extensions as extreme as 10 to 20 lashes, which might just be pushing it too far. Still, if the team is skilled, the lashes are quality and lightweight, and you have strong enough natural lashes, you might just be able to take it.

4.      Curl type

The curve of the extension being employed is referred to informally by the term “curl type,” which is a colloquial term. The B-type curl is considered to have the most natural appearance, with the C-type and D-type curls following closely behind. It’s safe to say that the C-type is the most common, while the D-curl is perfect for creating a striking appearance.

Now, while natural-looking curls sound like a good idea, sometimes the very point of extensions is to be noticeable or different. This is what CC-type curls, L-type curls, and L+ curls are there for. These curls lift upwards in a way that could by no means be achieved without extensions.

Needless to say, the natural composition of your lashes is also important. For instance, the most extreme extension curls work best for those with lashes naturally pointing downward and straight. On the other hand, those who already have curly lashes and just want to further emphasize the curvature would probably do best with a D-type curl.

5.      Talk to your lash stylist

Previously, we’ve used the term dramatic and it’s possible that we need to clarify the terminology a bit. You see, your eyelashes are on a scale from natural to dramatic looking. If we’re completely honest, here, the term dramatic mostly stands for – most people can tell they’re extensions right away.

With that being said, you get to choose how dramatic you’re going for. Still, it’s probably for the best to just ask a professional. You see, a professional lash stylist knows by heart (and from experience) everything that we’ve covered so far. So, think of them as a sort of consultant. Just tell them what you want and ask them if that’s going to work. Even if they are against the idea, they’ll offer an alternative that you might end up being more satisfied with.

Just think about it, they’re relying on recommendations and return customers. They also make money on refills. The last thing they want is to just accommodate your every idea, see you disappointed in the result and lose a client after you abandon the idea of having extensions ever again.

To make the long story short, know what’s your goal and be honest about it to your lash stylist. Then, take their advice seriously into consideration.

6.      Learn about extension maintenance

The next thing you need to focus on is eyelash extension maintenance. Cleaning and brushing your lashes daily are the easiest life to extend their life. With a daily routine, you can keep them voluminous and shiny for a lot longer, which means that you maximize the ROI of your extension job. Just don’t wash them in the first 24 hours. Before that, they’re susceptible to water, steam, etc. After that, they become virtually waterproof.

Showing restraint is an obscure piece of advice, but it’s not as simple as it sounds. You need to avoid touching them too much in the first few hours but this is when showing restraint is the hardest. The more you touch them, the more you’ll strain the root of the hair.

Oil is also somewhat of a risk factor. So, if you have oily skin, it might be a good idea to try an oil-control moisturizer.

It’s also important that you learn what kind of behavior to avoid. Using oily products on your face or using baby wipes to take the makeup off your extensions will damage them. No, this doesn’t mean that they’re not durable or that your lash stylist didn’t do a good job. You need to understand what you’re dealing with to get the most value out of it.

7.      Extension mites

Now, this sounds scary, but there’s a way to prevent extension mites. Most commonly, this happens because you’re not removing your makeup before bed. Even if you do remove it, you need to do it thoroughly. Sharing makeup and brushes, as well as towels, sheets, and pillowcases, may also cause this.

The thing is that while staying clear of those is fairly simple, about half of people who use eyelash extensions have extension mites. So, if you’re constantly feeling like you have something in your eye, develop a chronic redness around the lash area, and start rapidly losing lashes, this might just be the reason why.

In conclusion

In the end, picking the right extension type for your eyes is fairly simple, but it’s even simpler to just take professional advice for it. Keep in mind that how you take care of them might just determine how long they last and how happy you are with their looks. Most importantly, do your research to learn exactly what you’re getting into. This way, you’ll be ready for everything else, as well.