What's the Eyelash Extensions? - BEYELIAN FREE ONLINE COURSE 001

What are lash extensions?

Eyelash extensions are used to enhance the length, curliness, fullness, and thickness of natural eyelashes.

The extensions may be made from several materials including mink and synthetic.

The main method of applying the extensions is by using an adhesive glue to individually stick the extensions to the eyelash line.

Like long-wearing false eyelashes, lash extensions are designed to lift and enhance the shape of the eye—think of it as contouring but for peepers.

And, as a bonus, once you have them applied, we really don't need to worry about slapping on eyeliner or eye makeup, as the work of getting a dramatic lash line has already been done for us.

Understanding our natural lashes

Each person typically has about 150 to 200 natural hair lashes per eye on the upper eyelids and between 75 to 100 on the lower eyelids with the average natural eyelash length being around 8-10 mm long (about 3/8 of an inch or less).

How long does it take eyelashes to grow?

Like all of the hairs on your body, there are three phases to the eyelash growth cycle: Anagen, Catagen, and Telogen.

Typically, the whole cycle averages about 60 days. When your natural lash falls out there is one waiting to take its place.

Consider the following if you feel you may be losing too many lashes.  

Depending on your lash growth cycle, you can lose anywhere from 1 to 5 natural lashes per day.  

Let us average the loss of natural lashes to 3 per day on one eye.

If you lose 3 lashes per day, you will lose 21 per week, 42 in 2 weeks, and up to 63 lashes in a 3-week period on one eye alone.  

Again, this is (more or less) lash loss based on your natural lash cycle.

Anagen (Active Growth Phase)

The Anagen phase is where the hair is still attached to the dermal papilla/blood supply.

In this phase, the lashes are in active growth and it lasts between 30-45 days.

About 35%-40% of the upper lashes and about 15% of the lower lashes are in the anagen phase at any one time.

Each lash will grow to a specific length and then stop.

Catagen (Transition) Phase

The second phase is the catagen (transitional phase) where the eyelash stops growing and the follicle shrinks (lasts about 2-3 weeks).

If a lash falls out or is plucked out during this phase the lash will not grow back immediately because the follicle needs to complete the catagen phase before it can move on to the next phase.

Telogen (Resting) Phase

The third phase is the telogen (which is the resting phase).

This phase can last up to 90 days before the eyelashes fall out, and a new lash begins to grow.

Materials of Eyelash Extensions: Synthetic & Mink

As mentioned at the beginning, the extensions may be made from mink or synthetic.

Synthetic is a kind of black PBT, PolyButylene Terephthalate, it is like polyester, is durable and can stand high temperatures and a variety of solvents (facial cream or cleaners). They are very soft and lightweight, just like your own lashes. It is also an environmentally friendly material. 

Mink originally meant real mink hair eyelash extensions. Due to its disadvantages, now it is rarely used now.

In recent years, mink and silk become popular in eyelash extensions.

Actually, both of them are synthetic.

Yes, right, now when we are talking about mink, it means synthetic mink or faux mink instead of real mink hair.

What is the difference between synthetic mink and synthetic silk?

Mink: 2/3 of the lash is tapered, lightweight; semi-matte finish, providing a soft natural finish.

Silk: 1/3 of the lash is tapered, heavier than faux mink lash; semi-gloss finish, providing a dark full finish.

How do we choose the right curl, length, and thickness?

Lashes come in a variety of lengths, diameters, and curl sizes.

First of all, you will generally only use .15- .25 when doing classic lashes.

Second, you will generally only use .03- .10 when doing volume lashes.

Then, always follow these two rules of thumb:

Rule1: Chose a length no more than 2-3 mm longer than the client's natural lash.

Rule2: Match the diameter to the client’s natural lash (going only slightly thicker for a more dramatic look).

*Why go only 2-3 mm longer than the client's natural lash and match the diameter?

There are lengths up to 20mm and diameters as thick as .30mm!

If your client’s natural lashes are 10mm long and .10 mm thick and you throw on 20mm/.20mm lashes, they will not last and they could possibly even be too heavy!

Lashes that are too heavy will cause strain on the lash follicle and could result in sparse regrowth.

Types and style of lashes

Classic lashes are a 1:1 ratio of one extension applied to one natural lash.

Hybrid lashes are classic lashes and volume fan lashes mixed together.

Volume lashes are 2-6 thin eyelash extensions that make a fan shape to allow for a look of full fluffy lashes.

Mega volume lashes are 10 or more super-thin eyelash extensions.

Pre-made fans are ready-made volume eyelash extensions.

How to differentiate the quality of actual eyelash extensions?

• NON-STICK: Lashes won’t stick together when removed them out.
• STABLE CURL: The Curl can last for a long time and there is obviously waterproof.
• NO SPACE: The number of lashes and lash pattern placed on paper strips is aligned with no gaps.
• EASILY REMOVABLE: The paper strip layer is easily removable from the basis.
• CRUELTY-FREE: Have no animal testing.