Craving for those perfectly defined, lusciously long, dramatic, and dreamy eyelashes but exhausted with the mess of painting the eyelashes with a dozen coats of mascara and curling them with the sluggish curlers? Tired of applying the falsies and fixing them the whole day and feeling even sadder when removing them at the end of the day? Worry not, the perfect solution to your problems is Lash extensions! Yes, you got it right! You can get semi-permanent lashes that last for more than a month and get rid of the fuss of applying falsies and pouring mascara tanks over your eyelashes every day to get your dream look.

Eyes and eyelashes are very sensitive to deal with, so you cannot just wake up one day and rush into a lash boutique to get your lashes done, rather you have to consider a myriad of facts to jump to any conclusion and to take the final decision. Take into account the following points before a lash extension appointment:

1. Choose a competent Lash stylist:

The cities are crowded with innumerable lash boutiques, but you need to do your research and find yourself a reliable professional who knows his work the best. Find a certified and licensed stylist for this service. Lash extensions are expensive so don’t compromise your eyelashes for a few dollars, you might end up ruining your natural lashes.

2. Understand the choices and the process:

Three types of lash extensions are there in the market; synthetic, silk, and mink. Mink eyelashes are the most expensive one and give the fullest look. The size availability in lash extension ranges from 6mm to 17mm. Lash extension is customizable, which means you can talk to your stylist and get the desired look, ranging from subtle and natural to wild and fierce one. The lashes are applied using a usually harmless glue. The eyelashes cannot carry much weight so you should go for the lashes whose weight is bearable for your natural eyelashes. Lash extensions last for six to eight weeks and you should not try to pull off your lashes by yourself because it can damage the natural ones. Consult your stylist if you want to get them removed. Normally they fall off by themselves after a specific period.

3. Consider the sensitivity of your eyes:

Generally, the lash glues are considered harmless. But for sensitive eyes, this might not be the case. They might be irritated by the fumes of lash glue, so you should consider the allergies and sensitivities and consult with your stylist about it. Moreover, you can get a test patch before the actual application so that the reaction of the glue can be observed. Relax if you are worried about your natural eyelashes getting ruined, they won’t be harmed if the lash extension is carried out properly but remember not to rub your eyes or pull off the lashes as it can injure your eye as well as natural lashes.
After you’ve selected the stylist and the boutique, the type and the style of extensions, and taken the appointment, it is necessary to get prepared for the lash extension as well as to take precautionary measures after the lashes have been applied. Below mentioned are some important points to be taken into consideration before an appointment:

Arrive a little early so that you can get comfortable with the environment of the boutique.
Take a good sleep the night before lashes extension so that the eyes are relaxed during the application.
Inform the lash technician about any kind of known eye condition like infections before the appointment as the process cannot be entertained in this condition.
Take an oral or ophthalmic antihistamine before the appointment to minimize the chances of allergy.
Do not consume caffeine or any other stimulant before the lash extension appointment as it can cause difficulty in relaxing and becoming still during the extension application.
Remove all of the eye makeup before the appointment as it can be time-consuming if the stylist removes it.
Eliminate the excess oil around the eyes using a mild cleanser as the presence of residual oil prevents the sticking of adhesives to natural lashes.
Avoid using oil-based makeup removers as oil acts like kryptonite to lash glues.
Do not apply sunblock or any moisturizer as it can hinder the proper adhesion of the lashes.
Avoid wearing mascara to your appointment as clean and fresh lashes are required for the process.
Do not use waterproof mascara for two to three days before the appointment. Waterproof mascara does not come off easily so it might leave residues that would prevent the lash extensions from sticking properly to the natural eyelashes.
Don’t curl your lashes to your appointment as extensions are more efficiently applied to straight eyelashes rather than curled ones.
Wash your face properly before your appointment as contact with water and steam should be eliminated on the first day of extension application so that the lashes glue sets properly with the natural lashes.
Take shower before the appointment so that you can spend a day or two without taking shower after lashes application.
Remove contact lenses before the appointment, the eyes are required to be in a relaxed state for lash application.
Any kind of facial treatment like cleansing, steam, or massage should be scheduled 48 hours before the application of the lashes to eliminate the presence of any oil on the face.
If you use lash tint on your eyelashes, cut off its application 48 hours before the lash extensions as the chemicals present in the tint become an obstacle in the forming of a bond between lashes and natural eyelashes.
The application process takes about 90 to 120 minutes and you’re required to keep your eyes close during the process, so, come prepared to take a little nap and enjoy the relaxation period.
Turn your phone off or put it on airplane mode before the lash extension session begins, as a call can distract you and you might open your eyes accidentally.
Bring soothing music that helps you relax throughout the session.
Wear comfortable clothes for the appointment.
Avoid wearing a large earring or such accessories which can be disturbing.
Avoid wearing your hair in a bun or ponytail.

The aforementioned directions need to be followed before going for an appointment as ignorance can result in disastrous results including wastage of money and even greater damage to the eye or eyelashes.