What eyelash extensions are and which type suits you best

What are eyelash extensions and how do they differ from false lashes?

Extensions are individual fibres fixed, one at a time, onto each natural lash with an adhesive made for the eye area. A strip false lash is a whole band glued onto the eyelid and taken off the same night.

That difference changes everything. Because the extension is attached to the hair and leaves the skin free, your eyelid can breathe, you can shower and sleep in them, and they fall out on their own when your lash does. That is why they are called semi-permanent: they last as long as your own lash cycle.

• Extension: lash by lash, on the hair, lasts for weeks.
• Strip lash: one band, on the eyelid, lasts a day.
• Mascara: colours and thickens, comes off with make-up remover.

How individual lash extensions are applied

Application is done with your eyes closed and two fine tweezers: one separates a single natural lash and the other places the extension on top. This step is called isolation, and it stops two of your lashes from sticking together.

1. We cleanse the lashes to remove oil and make-up residue.
2. We protect the lower lashes with a gel pad.
3. We isolate each lash and bond the extension 1-2 mm from the skin.
4. We follow the agreed map: lengths, curl and thickness for each zone of the eye.

At Migami we first design the look with you in front of the mirror. We look at your eye shape, the strength of your lashes and the effect you want, and only then choose the technique. If it is your first time, see how to go about getting your lashes ready beforehand.

Materials: what eyelash extensions are made of

Almost all professional extensions are made from PBT (polybutylene terephthalate), a light synthetic fibre that keeps its curl through water and heat. The names «silk» or «mink» you see in catalogues usually describe the finish, glossier or more matte. All of them are synthetic fibre.

• Classic finish: deep black with some shine, the most defined.
• «Silk» finish: semi-matte and flexible, very natural up close.
• «Mink» finish: the finest and lightest, designed for fans.

If you want to know each fibre in more detail, we cover it in our guide to eyelash extension materials.

Thickness and curl: what shapes the result

Extension thickness is measured in millimetres and runs from 0.05 mm to 0.20 mm. Fine ones (0.05-0.07 mm) are used to build volume fans; 0.10-0.15 mm ones are used for classic lashes. The thicker the fibre, the heavier it is, so thickness is chosen according to the strength of your natural lash.

Curl is shown by a letter. Each one lifts the eye differently:

• J: almost straight, for a very subtle result.
• B: soft curl, similar to a lash curled with tongs.
• C: medium curl, the most requested because it opens the eye without overdoing it.
• D: very curly, a strong mascara effect.
• L: straight base and lifted tip, useful for hooded or almond-shaped eyes.

Before doing the whole eye we test the curl on a few lashes. That way you see the real effect and we adjust it if needed.

What types of eyelash extensions are there?

Types of eyelash extensions differ in how many fibres go on each natural lash and how the lengths are spread. This table sums up the techniques we offer at the salon:

Classic lashes: the 1D technique

With classic lashes, a single extension is placed on each natural lash. It is the original technique: it lengthens and curls without adding more hairs than you already have, so from a distance it still looks like your own eyes.

It works very well if you have plenty of natural lashes and want to skip mascara. If your lashes are few or fine, 1D falls short and volume is the better option. You can see prices and what the appointment involves on our page about eyelash extensions in Andorra.

2D-3D volume, Russian volume and hybrid

Volume places a small fan of 2 to 5 very fine fibres, joined at the base, on each natural lash. Because they are so fine, five of them weigh about the same as one thick classic extension, which is why the lash can carry them.

• 2D-3D: 2 or 3 fibres per fan, medium density.
• Russian volume 5D: up to 5 fibres, fans made by hand on the spot.
• Hybrid: alternates 1D lashes with fans for a textured finish.

A handmade fan fits the gap around each lash better than a pre-made one. We explain it step by step on Russian volume lashes in Andorra.

Anime lashes: defined spikes and manga style

Anime lashes group extensions into defined spikes, separated by lighter areas, so the eyes look like a manga character's. Long spikes are combined with filler fans and the appointment runs to about two and a half hours.

This is our speciality and the reason behind the name Migami. Each design is drawn to fit your eye: more spikes, fewer spikes, spikes only at the outer corner. There are photos and details on anime lashes.

How long they last and when you need an infill

Extensions look good for 3 to 6 weeks, because every day a few of your lashes fall out naturally and take their extension with them. A lash's full cycle lasts several weeks, so the gaps appear gradually.

To keep the density you book an infill. At Migami, if you come back within 18 days of your last appointment for the same service, you pay the maintenance rate: for example, €58.90 for Natural Effect 1D. You can find every rate on Migami prices.