Of course, we wish that everyone chose an Xtreme Lashes Stylist for their eyelash extensions but we always hate to hear of anyone receiving a bad eyelash extension application, no matter who they choose. The image above was shared with us by Xtreme Lashes Poland and is of a woman who came to see them after having a very poor quality lash application from an unqualified person, NOT an Xtreme Lashes Stylist.

We always stress that training is immensely important when choosing a stylist for your lashes and we strongly suggest that you always ask to see proof of training before allowing anyone to work on you. Not everyone receives this advice in time, though. If you have an unfortunate experience with eyelash extensions (or cluster lashes) applied by an unqualified person, here are a few things you should (and shouldn’t) do:

• First and foremost, do NOT attempt to remove the extensions yourself. Professional quality lash adhesives are strong-bonding (if that is even what was used) and designed to hold tight. Attempts to remove any extensions yourself will often result in the removal of many of your own lashes as well.

• Find a professionally trained lash stylist for removal. We don’t advise returning to a location that performed a poor quality application for removal. If care was not taken during an application, it is highly questionable that it would be taken during removal.

• Consult with the professional lash stylist about the condition of your lashes. If your natural lashes are damaged after the extension removal due to excessive adhesive use, you may need to apply a lash conditioner for several weeks in order to strengthen and fortify your weakened lashes.

• You can have new eyelash extensions applied correctly, but only when your professional lash stylist advises it is okay to do so. You may need to wait for a period of time if your lashes were damaged to allow them to strengthen and regrow.

Remember that properly applied eyelash extensions should never look like those pictured above. Eyelash extensions should never be painful and they should look like your own lashes, just longer and thicker. You should always be able to completely separate each of your extended lashes and not have large sections adhered together.

Here is how lash extensions SHOULD look:

While runway beauty is often a bit over-the-top for your every day look, this trend can be scaled back to achieve the same idea, without the excess. To channel your inner Brook Shields:

• CONDITION: Start using an eyebrow conditioner now if you have thin, over-plucked or sparse brows. Within a few weeks, you should start seeing visibly thicker and fuller brows to give you a nice base for shaping and definition. Check out Tyra Banks’ TypeF.com for feedback from beauty experts on the best brow conditioners, including Amplifeye from Xtreme Lashes.

• SHAPE: Opting for bushier brows doesn’t mean you should toss aside the tweezers entirely. Even a fuller look requires a bit of shaping to keep from looking unkempt. Remove any stray hairs growing outside the main area of the brows, while keeping the fullness and shaping the edges and arch. For a general guide to achieving a well-shaped brow, take a look at this Brow Basics Guide.

• DEFINE: Color is the final and key component that truly turns “so-so” brows into bold “wows”. Following the natural shape of your brow, fill in with a long lasting brow color that complements your hair coloring. Apply your color with short, light strokes, building up to achieve the desired amount of drama. Blend with a brow brush to ensure a smooth finish and tada – you are now rocking the real world version of this runway trend!

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One commonly asked question regarding AMPLIFeye is, “Why would I want to purchase AMPLIFeye in addition to wearing  lash extensions?”  The answer is simple.  Developed to be synergistic with Xtreme Lashes Eyelash Extensions, AMPLIFeye’s oil-free formula results in longer, thicker and fuller natural lashes.  Stronger and more plentiful natural lashes create a superior foundation for eyelash extension application.

Created to benefit those with natural lashes as well as those devoted to their Xtreme Lashes lash extensions, Amplifeye fortifies, nourishes and rejuvenates your lashes and brows without the risk of harmful, drug-related side effects.

Take a look at a collection of some of the fantastic feedback AMPLIFeye has received from users around the world since its debut a year ago: http://storify.com/xtremelashes/amplifeye-lash-and-brow-fortifier-reviews

Here are a  few application tips to maximize the benefits of this amazing enhancement product!

Because of the unique delivery system it is crucial that the eye be completely cleansed and dried prior to applying AMPLIFeye. Properly cleansing and removing residual makeup, dirt and natural oils will allow this highly concentrated formula of fortifying peptides and botanical extracts get to the root of thin, short and sparse lashes and brows, rejuvenating the hair follicle and resulting in healthier lashes and brows.

AMPLIFeye should be applied nightly.  For more rapid results apply sparingly every morning as well.  Allow the area to dry completely prior to makeup application to avoid smearing make-up.

Remember that you should wait 48 hours after lash applications if using AMPLIFeye with eyelash extensions!

If you plan to be the hostess for your family’s Thanksgiving festivities like I do, eyelash extensions may be one of the things you want to add to your list of ‘things to be thankful for’ that day.

Here’s just a few of the reasons why I’ll be thankful to have eyelash extensions on Thanksgiving Day:

1. I have 10 million things to worry about during Thanksgiving week to prepare for the invasion of family and friends – thanks to my eyelash extensions, doing eye makeup won’t be one of them.
2. On the day of Thanksgiving I’ll probably be up before the roosters crow, leaving me to carry around a bit of undesirable extra baggage under my eyes. With amazing eyelash extensions in place, this little luggage will go unnoticed.
3. I’ll be running around like a crazy woman all day, trying to get every dish prepared and somehow on the table at the same time for the big meal. No time for touch-ups to look my best, but thanks to my lovely lashes I won’t need them.
4. Many members of my family only see me on major holidays (like Thanksgiving), and to be frank, I’m not getting any younger. I can do without any comments about looking older this year and thanks to my eye-opening lash extensions, I shouldn’t be hearing them.
5. Last, but not least, should the stress of cooking for and entertaining a party of 25 at my home happen to reduce me to tears at some point during my Thanksgiving preparations, I will not be in any danger of looking like a raccoon. Mascara meltdowns are forever banished thanks to my eyelash extensions.

It’s a busy time of year for both you and your Lash Stylist. Here are a few suggestions to help you make the most of your time and beauty during the seasonal rush:

• If you haven’t already, book your eyelash extension appointments now! Your stylist’s schedule fills up fast this time of year, and you don’t want to be left without lashes before a big event!
• Stay tuned in for special offers! Sign up for email notifications from your stylist and find out if they’re on Facebook or Twitter to follow them. You just might snag a deal on your eyelash extension aftercare products or get great gift ideas for a friend!
• Maximize your time when you’re out and about! Since you’re already there, browse through the cosmetics and products your stylist offers for sale. You could check a few gift recipients off your list without having to leave the salon.

“If you’re battling breast cancer, I say do whatever you can to make yourself feel beautiful. Due to mastectomies and hair loss from chemotherapy so many women lose a part of themselves, a part of their femininity that made them feel gorgeous. So do whatever it takes to get that back — whether it’s buying a stunning head scarf, wearing bright red lipstick, getting a much-needed manicure or treating yourself to Xtreme Lashes lash extensions. Reward yourself for being the strong woman that you are!
- Submitted by Tina Smithers, October 17, 2011

Yes, cancer patients can use AMPLIF•eye to help nourish and fortify lash follicles and speed up the hair regeneration process. Best results may be seen while in remission, after cancer treatments are over. With physician’s approval, AMPLIF•eye may be used while undergoing treatments to nourish and fortify the follicles.

This month’s Featured Lash Stylist, Jane Fichtner, shared with us that she used AMPLIF•eye to fortify her lashes while undergoing radiation treatment for breast cancer. Now in remission, Jane says, “I used AMPLIF•eye the entire time and because of it, my lashes didn’t suffer one bit.”

The loss of lashes and brows is a side-effect that is sometimes unexpected for cancer treatment patients and it can have a negative impact on their self-esteem. If you have a client who is unable to enhance the loss of their lashes yet with eyelash extensions, consider recommending a nourishing fortifier like AMPLIF•eye to help accelerate the return of fuller and healthier lashes and brows.

A full set of eyelash extensions takes anywhere from 90 to 150 minutes to apply. It’s a big chunk of time, right? Why does it take so long?

Xtreme Lashes considers a full set of eyelash extensions to be 70 extensions or more PER EYE.  To apply each one of these 70+ extensions, your lash stylist will take a set tweezers and separate your natural lashes until they find one – just one – teeny, tiny lash. Then, they’ll hold that lash apart from all your other lashes while they use their other hand to apply one single lash extension to it. They’ll do this 70 times on EACH eye – a total of 140 times!

When you think about it, it’s actually quite amazing that they get as speedy as they do. Many experienced lash stylists can have you in and out (and looking fabulous) in under 2 hours with your full lash set!

Still 2 hours is a big chunk of time to set aside, even when you’ll be asleep for most of it. Thankfully, if you plan to maintain your eyelash extensions and you come in regularly for relash appointments, you only have to commit to the 2 hour appointment once. Relash appointments are typically less than an hour and sometimes as little as 30 minutes.

We know time is valuable to everyone and you’ll want to make the most of yours! Here are a few things you can do to ensure everything stays on schedule for your full set and relash appointments:

Keep it clean! Be sure to arrive with no makeup or lotions anywhere around the eye area. No mascara, no eyeliner, not even foundation around the eyes. The area surrounding and on the eyes must be completely clean so if your stylist has to spend time removing cosmetics be prepared to spend more time there or receive less lashes during your application.

Skip the java! If caffeine makes you jittery, it can make your eyes twitch. This makes the intricate application of eyelash extensions more difficult and thus more time consuming for your lash stylist.

Take care of business! If you need a sip of water, have to visit the “facilities” or send off a last minute communication, get it done before your appointment time. If your lash stylist is booked after you, delays at the start of your appointment will probably mean you receive less lashes during your application.

Escape the outside world! Turn off your cell phone before your appointment. Phone calls and text messages can ruin your relaxation vibe and add time to your visit (or lessen your lash count).