I won a giveaway for a free set of eyelash extensions from The Lash Room (located in Kingsland, Auckland NZ). I knew about eyelash extensions but I never really had the time/money to spare to go and get them applied. I wasn't sure how they would look because false lashes always looked 'droopy' on me. I was really impressed with the results!
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| Extensions with no makeup. |
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| Extensions with makeup (no mascara). |
The Process: I was asked to lie on a bed and close my eyes, it was hard keeping my eyes still at first, but you do get used to it. There is absolutely no pain involved and it is almost a tickling sensation. It is very relaxing, you do not have to do a thing. It is best to arrive with no eye makeup on but they can (and will) remove your eye makeup if needed. We opted for a diva set which is up to about 60 individual lashes per eye. They were just a little bit longer than my natural eyelashes. It took around an hour but good conversation made time fly. The lash technician that I had, (Courtenay) was super lovely and made my first experience really enjoyable. From what I could tell, she was separating my natural eyelashes and attaching an extension per eyelash with a special longer-term lash glue. At the end she trimmed them to a natural shape and also brushed them out.
Aftercare: Do not get the lashes wet for the first day or two to make sure the adhesive sets well. Refrain from touching your lashes and playing with them. The less you do, the longer they will last. Most places will give you an eyelash brush with an after-care card with guidelines (The Lash Room does). The brush comes in handy for brushing out the lashes from time to time to keep them in their right shape. The main concern is makeup removal and application, you can definitely wear mascara with the lashes if you would like to, however, it's recommended to apply the mascara from mid-lengths to tips and not from the roots as it can effect the adhesive that was used during the application. Eyeshadow is fine to use too, just be gentle with removal (as with mascara removal) as you do not want to tug too much and risk pulling one of the lashes off (your natural eyelash may come off with it). You will also want to use an oil-free makeup remover to not effect the adhesive. The Lash Room suggest using a small amount of Johnson's Baby Shampoo to gently massage into the lash line, paying special attention to 'gunk' and removing it as quickly as possible. This will help towards longevity and keeping your natural lashes healthy. Getting them refilled around 3 weeks after your first application will keep them full and looking at their best. Again, depending on how well you maintain them you may only need to do this once every so often, however the natural process of eyelashes shedding make it impossible for them to stay perfect forever! If you are getting them re-filled within the month , it is usually cheaper than getting a new set applied.
Removal: The lashes will usually fall off on their own when your natural lashes shed, you can get them removed if you desire, however, I strongly advise against trying to remove them yourself! This can damage your natural lashes and you may be left with none!
Removal: The lashes will usually fall off on their own when your natural lashes shed, you can get them removed if you desire, however, I strongly advise against trying to remove them yourself! This can damage your natural lashes and you may be left with none!
Pros: You do not need to wear mascara as the lashes are dark and full, lots of different volumes and lengths you can choose from to suit your style and preference. It cuts makeup application time. Permanent glamour! You do not need to bother with false temporary lashes. They look much much more natural and you do not have to worry about them shifting like with glue-ons!
Cons: As they grow out they do start to look a bit 'patchy' but this all really depends on how well you look after them. Personally, I'm hay-fever and allergy prone, so I do get the temptation to rub my eyes sometimes and this was something I couldn't control at night when I was asleep. It caused the lashes to tangle and they would sometimes poke at my eye and irritate me. You should sleep on your back because there is the chance of denting the lashes however, I'm a side sleeper and I didn't really see any effects of it on the lashes.
Price: In New Zealand the prices vary from $50-$120 depending on longevity and how many individual lashes are applied.
All in all I was really impressed with them! They looked and felt very natural. I was really happy at how long they lasted and the boost of confidence I got from them. I didn't feel the need to wear makeup throughout the day as I usually would have, as the lashes are glamorous enough. I will definitely be getting them done again sometime in the future!
Thanks The Lash Room!
