5 WAYS TO GET LONGER WEAR OUT OF YOUR LASH EXTENSIONS

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Are you someone who time and time again feels like their fill appointment could not come soon enough? Does it take everything in you not to put mascara or false lashes on over your extensions because they are looking sparse? Or maybe you have a friend who seems to only get her lashes done every 3-4 weeks while you have to come back every two. Let’s face it – eyelash extensions are an investment and we want you to get the most that you can out of them! While there are some determinants of lash extension longevity that cannot be controlled (such as your personal lash growth cycle or the slickness/smoothness of your lashes), a big factor in lash extension retention is how much TLC you are giving them! Whether you’re a lash extension newbie or you’ve worn them for years, here are 5 tips to help you get the best and longest wear out of your lash extensions!

3 week retention – lash extensions by Devan M      

 

3 week retention – lash extensions by Becca A

 

1. Clean your lashes with a lash shampoo

This may sound like a broken record, but it has to be said! If clients express that their lashes are not lasting as long as they hoped, the first thing I always ask is if they are cleaning them and what they are cleaning them with. Using a lash specific foaming shampoo is your best bet for ensuring you are removing all the dirt, oil and makeup that can sit on your lash line and weaken the bond of the lash extension adhesive. Cleansers that are not specifically meant for lash extensions could contain ingredients that might potentially be detrimental to your extensions (not to mention harsh on your eyes!). Always be sure to clean your lashes everyday – especially if you are wearing makeup, sweating, or swimming! Most lash artists carry a lash shampoo in stock. We recommend using our in-house Baby Coral Lash Shampoo which is made of 99% Organic and Natural Ingredients that’s gentle enough for your eyes, but also super effective in removing eye makeup too! 

 

2. Go easy on the growth serums

If you’re like me and have natural lashes that are on the shorter, thinner and sparser side then you’ve probably been advised at some point by a lash artist to try a growth serum such as Eye Envy. While Eye Envy is great for making your lashes grow and supporting lash health, it should be used in moderation while wearing lash extensions. Growth serums work by speeding up your lash growth cycle and by result – your shedding cycle as well! This means that if you are using one daily while wearing extensions, you may notice that you are losing more lashes than usual. Additionally, you will likely have to come back much sooner for fills as you will have more “grown out” lashes (shown below) that will need to be removed and replaced during your fill appointment. We recommend slowing down usage to 1-2 times per week. We love Eye Envy – just in moderation when it comes to lash extensions 🙂 Read Everything you need to know about Eyenvy and Lash Growth serums here!

 

3. Switch it up! 

As much as we love long and dramatic lashes, if you want to make your lashes last longer try going with a slightly lighter set! Lash extensions come in many different lengths and diameters whether you’re doing classic, hybrid or volume. Talk with your artist about trying a lighter extension or going shorter. Shorter and lighter extensions put less weight on your natural lashes and are less likely to pop off as the natural lashes can better support them. 

Another option is to switch up the curl! Try switching to a lash extension that more closely matches with the curl of your natural lashes. For example, if you are someone with very straight natural lashes and are wearing a D curl (most dramatic curl), there will only be a small area of contact between the natural lash and the extension. Try switching to a C curl (moderate curl) extension to create a larger contact area and better bond with the natural lash. 

 

4. Trade in your eyeliner

It is no surprise that makeup will make your extensions fall out faster. Most makeup products have some form of oil in them whether it seems obvious or not. Mascara, pencil eyeliner, gel eyeliner, and cream eyeshadows are all big no-no’s with lash extensions. I remember when I first started wearing lashes I would apply pencil eyeliner on my top lash line every day and wonder why they fell out so soon! If you’re someone who just cannot go without eyeliner, talk to your lash artist about trying an “eyeliner effect” with your extensions! With the eyeliner effect, we place shorter extensions along the bottom layer of your lashes. By doing this, it creates density along the lash line mimicking the effects of eyeliner so you can go without!

Lash extensions by Emily B

 

5. Let us know!

Lastly and most importantly, if you feel like your lashes are not lasting as long as you wish make sure to bring it up with your artist the next time you’re in! They will be sure to help troubleshoot anything that might be causing your lashes to not hold as well as they could. They will talk through your routine with you to pinpoint any changes that you can implement to make your lashes last longer. I had a client once who was having retention issues and told me she would often go to hot yoga later in the day after her lash appointments! She wouldn’t have known this was detrimental to her lash extensions had she not brought it up with me. By talking it out with your artist you are sure to leave with some tips and tricks to try out at home to help get longer wear out of your lashes. Sometimes all it takes is a little trial and error to determine what works best for you and your lashes!

Have any questions about lash retention? Let us know so we can help you get the most out of your lash extensions!

 

I Ditched my Lash Extensions and tried a GEL Keratin Lash Lift for the First Time!

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I have been working at Keravie for close to a year now and have not strayed far from lash extensions and would label myself as a die-hard eyelash extension enthusiast. Even after working at the lash studio, the thought of getting a GEL Keratin Lash Lift never crossed my mind regardless of how many countless amazing lash lifts I have seen come and go.  I honestly never believed that I would transition from the extensions to the lift because I really loved the dramatic look and fullness that extensions brought to my very blonde, thin lashes. That being said, after being isolated for the last few months I had a change of heart. Seeing more people opting for a lash lift over extensions sparked my interest and my boss had mentioned that it would be a great time to give the more natural look a try for the summer and that is when I decided I would give the GEL Keratin Lash Lift a go. I started looking through an insane amount of before and after photos and decided that was going to be my new summer look!

I have never been fully satisfied with my natural eyelashes, which is why I would always opt for extensions. My natural lashes are quite straight if I don’t curl them (which I am not a fan of doing) and aren’t super long which is why they barely exist without any mascara. I can say I am a fan of the more long dramatic lashes but like I said I wanted to take the more natural looking route and see if my own lashes have what it takes. 

These are my natural lashes with mascara (as you can see they are pretty short and not curled)

 

What is a GEL Keratin Lash Lift and how is it different than a regular lash lift

The GEL Keratin Lash Lift is a new lifting technology that was created specifically for eyelashes and is a better alternative to a lash perm because of its premier results and safer solutions. 

I was actually quite surprised by the differences between the GEL Lash Lift and a regular lash lift/perm! One of the most prominent differences was between the formulas used to lift the eyelashes. Some lash perm/lift solutions contain ammonia or hair perming solutions within them and if you’re like me (care about your eyes) that’s a big heck no. Thankfully, I found that the GEL Lash Lift doesn’t contain those scary ingredients. It actually has keratin within the solution (hence the name) which actually helps protect your lashes while also nourishing and moisturizing them. Another reason that the GEL Lash Lift is superior to the regular lash lift/perm is because of the lifting technique itself. A regular lash lift will lift from the middle of the eyelash which leaves the lashes looking mediocre at best and not as dramatically lifted. In contrast, the GEL Lash Lift lifts from the base of the eyelash, providing a greater length and dramatic lift. 

Did that convince you that the GEL Lash Lift is superior? Because it sure did for me! Another fact I found while doing more research (for those still not convinced): the GEL Lash Lift uses a gentle Organic Lash Botox that is made specifically for eyelashes, giving you more peace of mind because it is mostly made from organic ingredients that include keratin, silk peptides, and botanicals that = a safer way to lift that creates better results. 

 

The process of the GEL Lash Lift 

The GEL Lash Lift was a relaxing experience and the total service only took an hour and a half which for me was perfect as I tend to get squirmish after laying down for too long. I really liked how quick the appointment went by and how much time I saved by getting the lift instead of extensions. 

  1. The service started off with a relaxing head massage with a towel and essential oils and let me tell you that was the perfect start to the treatment because it made me so relaxed
  2. A shield is placed on the eyelid; the size of this shield will determine how dramatic the lift is (the lash artist will recommend one depending on how dramatic you want your lashes and the length of your natural lashes) 
  3. Step 1: This solution was placed on the eyelashes to break down the bond of the eyelashes in order to rebuild them into a lifted state
  4. Step 2: The next solution is placed to rebuild the bond that holds it the lashes into the lift and into the shape desired 
  5. Step 3: The next step is tinting the lashes (which helped so much for my blonde lashes). The tint includes a lash botox to give nutrients to the lashes and keep them strong and moisturized
  6. Nourishing oil is brushed through the lashes to help nourish and bring back some moisture 
  7. GEL Keratin Mascara for a last coating to complete the look 

 

The results

Before and after: GEL Lash Lift

 

To say I am obsessed is an understatement. The lash lift turned out better than I could have imagined and I could not believe that those were my eyelashes (they looked like classic extensions).  My artist Megan used a medium shield on me and it worked out amazing. Even though my natural lashes are on the shorter side, I was in shock by how much they lifted.

My eyelashes with GEL Keratin Mascara 5 days after the lift 

 

Everything you need to know before you go 

Since this treatment uses your natural eyelashes, the longer and thicker your eyelashes are the better the results will be! That being said, I think the GEL Lash lift is a great option for anyone who wants to enhance the eyelashes they have and who are looking for a more natural day to day look! If you are someone who wants drama I suggest you stick with your extensions (unless you’re like me and just really need a break from them and want to try something new). 

Some of the perks of the GEL Lash lift is the shorter amount of time for the service, compared to a new set of extensions (depending on the style) you are saving anywhere from 1-2.5 hours. It’s already almost been a week for me and my lashes still look as lifted as they did when I got the treatment done. I have yet to wear mascara either, I find that the tint and the keratin mascara do the job just fine! 

 

Aftercare

Once you get your lift you will need to refrain from getting your lashes wet for 24 hours and also keep mascara/any other serums away for 72 hours. 

A godsend that I absolutely recommend getting (no really it will change your lash lift life) is the GEL Keratin Mascara, this baby will help keep your lashes lifted and luscious and give them a thicker look! This mascara is not like regular mascaras…it is a clear keratin based mascara that gives the appearance of thicker lashes while providing them with the nutrients they need. This mascara is a double threat because it can also be used on your brows too (which I can vouch for as I use it for both every night). This serum retails for $70 comes in a hefty 11mL bottle and lasts up to one year of use. You can buy it at any GEL-licensed retailers and also at our online shop here with free local shipping!