Knowing how to prepare for eyelash extensions comes down to three things: stop oils and oily serums 3 days before, arrive with no mascara, no curler and no contact lenses, and tell us about any allergies. With clean, dry lashes the adhesive bonds properly and your set lasts more weeks.
- Oils, oily serums and bi-phase make-up removers: stop them 72 hours before your appointment.
- On the day, come with bare eyes: no make-up, no mascara and no curler.
- Contact lenses: take them out before you start and bring your glasses; you will spend about 2 hours with your eyes closed.
- If you have had a lash lift, wait at least 4 weeks before getting extensions.
- Tell us about allergies, irritation or any eye treatment before we begin.
On this page
- Why do you need to prepare your lashes before extensions?
- What to do 3 days before your appointment
- Can I use an eyelash curler or have a lash lift before extensions?
- The night before: an oil-free cleanse
- On the day: no make-up, no mascara and no rush
- Can I wear contact lenses to my eyelash extension appointment?
- Allergies and sensitive eyes: what to tell us first
- What to expect at your first eyelash extension appointment at Migami
- After your appointment: the first 24 hours
Why do you need to prepare your lashes before extensions?
Lash extension adhesive only bonds well to a lash that is clean, dry and free of grease. Any trace of oil, cream or mascara forms a layer between your lash and the extension, and the bond lets go within a few days.
Your natural lashes follow a cycle of roughly 4 to 8 weeks: they grow, rest and fall out. Extensions are applied one by one onto those lashes, so the state they are in when you arrive decides how long your set holds. If you want to know what goes into the adhesive and why grease affects it, our guide to eyelash extension glues explains it.
What to do 3 days before your appointment
Three days before, stop using anything oily around your eyes. Oil takes time to leave the lash completely, and it is what shortens the life of extensions most.
- Castor or coconut oil on your lashes: stop it 72 hours before.
- Oil-based growth serums: leave them off for the same 3 days.
- Bi-phase make-up removers (the two-layer ones, water and oil): switch to a water-based one.
- Waterproof mascara: avoid it these days, as it leaves residue that water alone will not remove.
- Rich eye cream: apply it well away from the lash line.
Avoid trying a new product on your eyelids that week: if it irritates, the appointment gets complicated.
Can I use an eyelash curler or have a lash lift before extensions?
Best to skip the curler in the days before. It puts an angle in the lash, and the extension, which is straight with its own curl, sits less well on that bend.
A lash lift works in a similar way. The lifting solution changes the shape and porosity of the hair and leaves the lash very curled. If you have had one, wait at least 4 weeks before extensions. A lash lift lasts 6 to 8 weeks, so sometimes it pays to wait until it has dropped completely.
The night before: an oil-free cleanse
The night before, wash your eye area well with a water-based cleanser or a lash shampoo. Apply it with a soft brush or your fingertips, from root to tip, and rinse with lukewarm water.
Pat dry without rubbing. That night, keep night cream and oil off your eyelids. If you sleep with an eye mask, make sure it does not press on your eyes.
Now you know how to arrive prepared: choose your effect and book an appointment in Andorra la Vella.
On the day: no make-up, no mascara and no rush
On the day of your appointment, come with no eye make-up: no mascara, eyeshadow or eyeliner. The rest of your face is up to you, as long as moisturiser stays off your eyelids.
- Wash your eyes in the morning with your water-based cleanser.
- Skip the curler and false lashes.
- Have a relaxed breakfast: you will be lying down for a while and it helps to arrive calm.
- Go to the loo before we start; the appointment takes around 2 hours lying down.
- If you have long hair, bring a hair tie or a clip.
If you arrive wearing eye make-up, we will cleanse the area before we start, but that time comes out of your appointment.
Can I wear contact lenses to my eyelash extension appointment?
You can come wearing contact lenses, but you take them out before lying down. During application your eyes stay closed for about 2 hours, and adhesive fumes can irritate the eye if a lens is in.
Bring your case, solution and glasses. Once we finish, wait a while before putting them back in and take care not to touch your freshly applied extensions.
Allergies and sensitive eyes: what to tell us first
Let us know before your appointment if you have ever reacted to a lash adhesive, a lash tint or any product containing acrylates. Eyelash extension adhesive is a cyanoacrylate, from the acrylate family, so a previous allergy matters.
We also need to know if you have conjunctivitis, a stye, recent eye surgery or are using eye drops. In those cases the sensible thing is to wait until your eye has recovered before having extensions. If you suffer from strong seasonal allergies, pick dates outside your worst weeks: watery eyes make bonding harder.
What to expect at your first eyelash extension appointment at Migami
Your first appointment starts with a short chat in front of the mirror. We look at your natural lashes (length, thickness, how many you have) and the shape of your eye, and decide on the effect together: natural classic lashes, volume or anime style.
| Stage | What happens | What you do |
|---|---|---|
| Design | We choose the effect, length and curl (the curl is how much the extension lifts: J is softer, C or D more pronounced) | Tell us the look you want |
| Preparation | We cleanse your lashes and protect the lower ones with a pad | You lie down and close your eyes |
| Application | We isolate each lash and attach its extension, one by one | You rest with your eyes closed |
| Check | We brush through, make sure no lashes are stuck together and explain aftercare | You open your eyes and see the result in the mirror |
Allow around 2 hours in total, or 2 and a half hours for anime style. You will find us at Av. Meritxell 9 in Andorra la Vella, 3rd floor, door 7. If you are still unsure which effect suits you, our page on eyelash extensions in Andorra lists every option with its price. If you are choosing between several places, there are 8 things to check in a salon before you book.
After your appointment: the first 24 hours
For the first 24 hours keep your lashes dry: the adhesive finishes curing during that time. After that you can wash them with your water-based cleanser.
The daily routine, brushing and what to avoid are covered in our guide to eyelash extension aftercare. If you come back within 18 days of your appointment, you pay the infill rate.
What people ask us
How many days before eyelash extensions should I stop using castor oil?
Castor oil is best stopped at least 3 days before your eyelash extension appointment. It is a heavy oil that stays on the lash even after washing, and any residue stops the adhesive from bonding properly. If you use it to strengthen your lashes, go back to it only once your extensions have been removed, never with your set on.
Can I wear make-up to my eyelash extension appointment?
Make-up on the rest of your face is fine, but your eyes need to be clean: no mascara, eyeshadow or eyeliner. If you arrive with eye make-up on, the lash artist has to remove it and degrease the area before starting, and that time comes off the application. The easiest option is to wash your eyes in the morning and leave them alone.
How long after a lash lift can I get eyelash extensions?
After a lash lift you should wait at least 4 weeks before getting eyelash extensions. The lift leaves the lash very curled and with a more porous surface, so the extension bonds less well and looks untidy. As a lash lift lasts 6 to 8 weeks, many clients prefer to wait until it has dropped completely.
Can I get eyelash extensions if I have sensitive eyes?
Eyelash extensions are possible with sensitive eyes, provided there is no allergy to the adhesive and no active infection. Tell us before we start: we work with your eyes closed and stop if you feel any discomfort. If you have ever reacted to a lash adhesive or to acrylates, mention it when you book and we will decide together whether it is a good idea.
How long does a first eyelash extension appointment take?
A first eyelash extension appointment takes about 2 hours for a natural or volume effect, and around 2 and a half hours for anime style. It includes the design chat, preparing the lashes, applying each extension one by one and a final check. Arrive with time to spare so the work never has to be rushed.
Published on · By Denia Lemus, Migami (Andorra la Vella)