WHAT ARE EYELASH EXTENSIONS?

Eyelash extensions are small synthetic hairs that resemble eyelashes. They are mostly made from a synthetic material. This synthetic material is made from a plastic fibre called PBT, Polybutylene Terephthalate. PBT is a type of polyester, that is heated, moulded into the desired lash shape and set as it cools.

In the past, eyelash extensions were also made from mink (yes, the animal). These types of lashes are outdated and not used anymore, but the name Mink Lashes has stuck around. Some businesses will brand themselves as selling Mink lashes, but 99.9% of the time, they are just regular PBT lashes. Be aware of any salons charging more for ‘Mink’ or ‘Silk’ lashes—it’s just a marketing ploy!

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SILK AND MINK?

Synthetic Silk and Synthetic Mink are made from the same exact material, PBT (Polybutylene Terephthalate). Just like in any material, there are always different grades of quality in the PBT fibres. One usually has more of a taper, which creates a lighter & softer feel, while the other has less of a taper creating a deeper bolder look with a stronger curl. Some fibres may have a shiny gloss, while others have a more dull, matte finish. Depending on the brands used by your lash tech, every brand of eyelashes looks different. Cheaper lashes tend to have a shinier appearance. Either way, a synthetic lash called “SILK OR MINK” is made of the same exact material. So any salon charging more for ‘mink’ when actually using synthetic are ripping you off.

HOW DO YOU APPLY THEM?

Applying eyelash extensions is a very intricate and detailed skill that takes months to perfect. Using two fine pointed tweezers, one hand isolates a natural lash ready to apply the extension while the second hand takes an eyelash extension, dips it in glue, and places it onto the natural lash. For classic lash extensions (1:1), one eyelash extension is applied to one natural lash. For volume lashes, instead of one eyelash extension, several lashes (from 2 to 8) will be picked and created into a fan using tweezers, dipped in glue, and applied.

HOW LONG DO THEY LAST?

This can depend on various factors including the glue used by your eyelash technician, their application technique, and the aftercare advice they provide. Your responsibility is significant; adhering strictly to aftercare advice helps extend the lifespan of your lashes. Generally, fills are required every 2-3 weeks since you lose 42-63 lashes in that time (the average person has 90-190 lashes per eye). If you choose not to do a refill, the lashes will gradually fall out over several weeks. It really depends on the individual.

AFTERCARE?

Explore my complete aftercare guide! You can easily find it in the navigation bar or footer.