Silk/ Mink Lash Extensions Aftercare & FAQ

Silk or mink lash extensions have become ever more popular in the last 3-5 years. New techniques, such as Russian volume, allow even more variations of style and fullness to the lash line. The lash extensions are very different than the typical cluster or flare individual lashes. Cluster or flare (also called tab) lashes are a group of 6-12 or so false lashes, grouped in a cluster, typically with a knot at the base to hold the together (knotless flares are glued together at the base). When applied, this cluster of 6-12 lashes spans several of your natural lashes.

When your lashes naturally shed (4-12 week lash cycle) with cluster or flare lashes, they are often still attached to natural lashes that are still firmly attached to your lash line. However, the weight of the cluster can begin to pull at those natural lashes, potentially damaging the follicle or pulling healthy natural lashes out. Using unapproved products for the eye, such as hair bonding glue, can greatly worsen these effects and cause excessive balding of the lash line.

Pictured below are examples of what can happen when using glues NOT approved for the lash line! Healthy natural lashes being pulled out by the root! This can also happen with any properly done set of cluster or flare lashes if you do not have them properly removed when they start to loosen!

Silk or mink lash extensions however, are applied one single false lash to one single natural lash for the Classic technique. The Russian volume technique is done by applying several micro fine lashes to one single natural lash. The important difference here is that since the natural lash is singled out for the lash extensions process, as your lashes naturally shed according to your lash growth cycle, they can freely fall out without affecting any other natural lash. This MAJOR difference results in fuller, healthier natural lashes as there is no potential to weigh down your hair follicles on your lash line (unless your lash tech gives you a lash too thick for your own natural lash!)

Another benefit of silk or mink lash extensions is the almost infinite customization options! Even within the realm of Classics, you have a variety of lash options, with different lengths, curls, and diameters. With the Russian volume technique, you can stack 2 lashes onto a single lash (2D), or maybe 3 lashes on a single natural lash (3D). I've seen all the way  to even a 7D lash set!!!

J- curl is closest to the majority of actual lashes for the most natural looking set of extensions. B-curl mimics the look of using a lash curler. A C-curl is most popular amongst my own clients, and creates the look of permed lashes. D-curls create doll like lashes and are typically used for special occasions or for people with extremely curly natural lashes.

3-5 mm are typically used for lower lash extensions, which don't tend to last as long as upper extensions. 6-8 mm are typically used for the inner and/or outer corners of the eyes and 9-12 mm are typically used for the center of the lid. Some clients opt for longer lashes on the outer corner for a cat eye effect, but the 13-20 mm can be too much for many people's natural lash and is best used as a special occasion lash instead of for everyday wear unless you already have fairly long thick lashes to begin with.

.15 and .20 are the most popular thicknesses for lash extensions in my experience. Very few people have lashes strong enough to hold .25 or greater lashes without causing potential damage to their natural lashes.

.05 - .12 are the thicknesses used for Russian volume lashes. The lighter, thinner lash allows for the use of multiple lashes on your natural lash without weighing it down.

AFTERCARE

The eyelash cycle is approximately four to twelve weeks.  Do not be alarmed if some of your lashes fall out quickly (they most likely were at the end of their cycle).  The majority of extensions will stay through a complete cycle if you follow these guidelines:

Your natural eyelashes should not get wet for a minimum of two hours;  48 hours would be ideal to allow the adhesive properly to bond to a dry eyelash (soggy eyelashes do not make for a good adhesion).  A dry washcloth can be rolled up and placed over your brows when you shower to protect your extensions from becoming totally saturated.

Do not use regular or waterproof mascara.  Most brands of mascara contain chemical properties and oils that will break down the adhesive.  Removing mascara from your lashes can cause the extensions to fall off prematurely as well.  If you want to further enhance your lash extensions, we have a specially formulated eyelash extension mascara that is ideal for coating your extensions.  Certain waterproof eyeliner can have the same effect. Ask your lash stylist for more information.

Take special care around the eye area when cleansing your face. Gently cleanse the eye area and do not scrub or tug your eyes.  Avoid any type of oil-based product around the eyes.  Again, the oils will break down the adhesive and cause the extensions to fall off prematurely.  Resuming with normal activities is ok (i.e. - face washing).  When possible, it is best to wait up to 12 hours.

Never use a clamp-style eyelash curler on your extensions.  This can permanently damage not only the extensions, but your natural eyelashes as well.  Eyelash combs/spoolies are great for grooming your lashes every morning and a new spoolie is provided to each client with a new set of extensions.

By avoiding extreme variation of heat, humidity, and cold weather (i.e. – hot showers, saunas, zero degree weather), your extensions can last longer.  Normal activities like swimming, can resume after the lash glue has set.

Be sure to schedule a fill appointment every 2 to 3 weeks for timely touch-ups.  This will keep your lashes looking full and natural, indefinitely.  Fills in the first week are complimentary.

Do not attempt to remove the extensions yourself.  Have them removed by a licensed esthetician.

Contour Body Wrap Client Info/ FAQ

Q: What is a contour body wrap?A: It's a FULL body, wrap where you are wrapped neck to ankle in warm mineral solution soaked compression bandages. For more info, check out this post I wrote detailing exactly what they are!

Q: Is this another retail product I have to take home and do myself? A: Of course not! Contour body wraps are a specialty service I was fortunate enough to learn in esthetics school. You must be properly trained to avoid damage to the lymphatic system!

Q: Do I need to shower before my wrap? A: Yes, you will want to shower as close to right before your wrap as possible. You are advised not to shower for at least 12-24 hours after your wrap to ensure that your skin continues to absorb the mineral solution.

Q: Should I eat or not eat before my wrap? A: You won't want to eat anything if at all for an hour or two before your wrap to avoid upset stomach due to the pressure on your abdomen from the compression bandages.

Q: Will I be nude for my body wrap? A: You will not be fully nude at all during your wrap, but you will need to strip down to bra/underwear to be wrapped. Cotton undergarments are recommended to allow the mineral solution to properly reach your skin.

Q: Should I bring anything to my appointment? A: You will want to bring a change of undergarments so you are not going home in damp underwear! Water or tea is available upon your request. If you are not booking any add ons such as lashes, facial waxing, and/or a facial during the hour you are in your wrap, you may want to bring a book or mobile device to pass the time.

Q: Will I lose weight during my wrap? A: You very well may lose weight, but what you are almost guaranteed to shed is a total of 3-25+ inches total, taken from various measurements on your body. Most people lose 2-3+ inches from their belly button and 1-2+ inches from their jeans waist (where a typical pair of pants sits at the waist). And yes, in just one hour. If you don't have many inches to lose, you can still benefit from the detox and contour portions of the procedure.

Q: How long will my appointment take in total? A: For new wrap clients, you will need to fill out a bit of intake paperwork before being measured. You sit in the wrap for an hour, and an extra half hour is added to your appointment to allow time for you to change, be measure, and be wrapped. (Total 1 & 1/2 hours)

Q: Do I need to do anything special after my wrap? A: The main thing you need to do after you wrap is drink a gallon or so of water in the 24 hours following your wrap. This is critical to help flush toxins from your system.

Q: How often can I be wrapped? A: You can receive several wraps back-to-back; up to 4-6 in just one day! If you want the body wrap to do all the work for you, ask your technician if they have any wrap packages where you receive bulk discounts on your wraps. If you are actively working at a weight loss goal and want to speed up your progress and help prevent some of the loose skin, weekly to bi weekly wraps are for you. If you have already achieved your weight loss goals and are just looking for a regular detox to help maintain your shape, you may want to be wrapped only once every month or two.

Q: Are their any health conditions that should not be wrapped? A: Clients with circulation problems, excessively low or high blood pressure, diabetes, or clients who are pregnant should avoid these types of wraps.

Q: How long will my results last? A: Now this part has a lot to do with you! Healthy diet and lifestyle choices as well as a simple but effective twice a week workout can make all the difference in maintaining results from your wraps. Couch potatoes may only see results for a few weeks to a month, but with a 4-6 wrap series of contour body wraps, you can see results up to a year!

Don't forget, getting a body wrap and continue to eat unhealthy and not exercise is like going to the dentist and not brushing or flossing! You just can't expect your teeth to stay white and clean.

Book YOUR appointment now by clicking HERE and scroll to the second to last category- Body Treatments

Q: What's with this 'body wrap' craze I keep hearing about?

A: Body wraps have been a popular spa treatment for centuries now, dating back to ancient Greek and Roman times. They were popularized again in mainstream media during the late 80s and early 90s, and in the last year or so have experienced yet another revival. Today, there are many different type of body wraps available on the market. Some body wraps are purely for the treatment and beautification of the skin, while others help to detox and slim. Many body wraps of the beautification type are paired with a scrub prior to being wrapped in order to allow maximum absorption of the product. The scrub can be anything from a salt or sugar based scrub, to an exfoliant with jojoba beads or mild enzymes to eat away dead skin. These treatment type of body wraps involve a moisturizing product that is then applied to the skin, and the client's entire body is wrapped in linen cloths or plastic film (please read below for health warning about plastic film wraps) and lightly cocooned within blankets or heated tents. After about an hour, the wraps are removed and the excess product is toweled or rinsed off.

After the removal of the body wrap, clients will experience very soft, deeply moisturized skin. Treatments for the skin can be customized by your skincare professional, much like a facial to achieve specific results. Hydrating as well as anti aging or skin tightening benefits are among popular body wraps that are suitable for most anyone when using linen cloths.

To get the most out out your relaxing treatment style body wrap, you can always add on a hand, scalp and/ or foot massage while your wrap is on. This would also be the perfect time to add on a facial so that you face will be as exfoliated and refreshed as the rest of your body. Some spas also have collagen eye, lip, and face treatments or paraffin available, and most all of these add ons work great for your detox body wraps as well!

When you move into using the plastic film to wrap the body, as well as the contour body wraps, you begin to limit the number of people who are able to receive the service. Clients with circulation problems, excessively low or high blood pressure, diabetes, or clients who are pregnant should avoid these types of wraps.

While detoxification body wraps also help to tighten any loose skin from previous weight loss, their main attribute is how the detox process typically helps shed unwanted pounds or inches in the form of said toxins. They are great to help jump start a new weight loss program (Hello, New Year's Resolutions!!), as well as to boost an existing workout regime. Contour body wraps are also considered one of the "secrets of the Hollywood stars" because of their frequent use immediately prior to awards shows and appearances.

Detox body wraps usually start and end with getting your measurements taken so you can see just how many inches you've lost in just an hour. Then, if using a film style detox body wrap, you will be dry brushed before a wrap solution/lotion is applied to the skin, then wrapped from neck to wrists/ankle in plastic film. If receiving a contour body wrap, you may or may not omit the dry brush step as the added compression from the mineral solution soaked contour wrap bandages help the product to penetrate. Both wraps leave hands and feet exposed, so at this time your technician will either perform your hand or foot massage if requested, or place your extremities in plastic bags to collect any solution drainage from your wrap. You will now be loosely wrapped in larger plastic sheeting or cocooned in a few sheets to maintain a warm temperature to help your mineral detox wrap solution work it's magic. After being unwrapped and remeasured, your wrap is complete!

To get the most relaxing experience out of your detox body wrap you can definitely try one of the aforementioned add ons, but to get the overall most efficient detox, you will have to also put in a bit of work at home. Most detoxification style body wraps require you to drink at least a gallon of water in the 24 hours following your wrap, and you are advised to shower right before your appointment with no lotions or creams on the skin. You also want to allow the remnants of the mineral wrap solution to continue to absorb into the skin, so showering after your wrap should wait at LEAST 12 hours, as long as 20-24 hours if possible.

And while you can get several of most detox body wraps back to back, there is plenty you can do to help maintain your inch loss at home. Healthy diet and lifestyle choices as well as a simple but effective bi weekly workout can make all the difference in maintaining results from your wraps.

If you want the body wrap to do all the work for you, ask your technician if they have any wrap packages where you receive 25-30 wraps per month- and yes, that means just about DAILY. If you are actively working at a weight loss goal and want to speed up your progress and help prevent some of the loose skin, weekly to bi weekly wraps are for you. If you have already achieved your weight loss goals and are just looking for a regular detox to help maintain your shape, you may want to be wrapped only once every month or two.

I do mobile contour wrap parties from time to time, and here is a client who let me take before and after photos to share. This was her result in just ONE HOUR!! My clients have all had about 6-22 inches lost total, with an average of 2-3 of those inches being eliminated on the belly button line and 1-2 inches gone from the jeans waist (where your jeans/ pants sit on the hip).

Now, with all this being said, please keep in mind, a real body wrap involves wrapping your ENTIRE body, not just one small section. Having just one body part wrapped using contour body wraps greatly reduces the toxins that are eliminated, which greatly reduces any overall effects. A popular MLM business that sells plastic patches that only cover the front half or a small part of one section of the body also cannot match the results from a true full body contour wrap (so if you tried that and liked it, you'll LOVE the real thing). Go out and #getwrapppedlikeamummy ladies!

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Book YOUR appointment now by clicking HERE and scroll to the second to last category- Body Treatments

Fitness Class Descriptions & FAQ

Important to remember:

1. Do NOT use or wear any lotions or oils prior to pole classes.
2. Even though our pole classes are competitively priced, you get ALL the attention to yourself (unless you take advantage of #3). Yes, that means 1 on 1, PERSONAL classes.
3. All pole classes (except boot camp) are bring a friend and get a half hour extension on your lesson! Groups of 3 or more, contact for pricing info.

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Pole Fitness: Beginner Tricks // 1 Hour You'll start with a quick warm up and end with a cool down stretch. In between, you'll learn basic spins and build muscle in your arms and core to prepare for inverted tricks in Intermediate level. You will also learn basic grips and transitions to improve overall flow. After a few sessions, you will have started to build strength to begin your ascent to the top of the pole!

Pole Fitness: Intermediate Tricks // 1 Hour Once you've mastered the Beginner Tricks and a solid climb, you're ready to fly as an Intermediate aerialist! You will learn more difficult spins and begin to explore inverted tricks in Intermediate level. You'll also learn more grips and transitions to improve overall flow. You will also have the opportunity to spice up Beginner level tricks by performing them with one or no hands!

Pole Fitness: Advanced Tricks // 1 Hour After Beginner and Intermediate moves have become a piece of cake, it's time to start learning tricks pole dreams are made of. You will learn advanced inverted tricks & impressive drops and combos. LOADS of upper body strength and flexibility is required for optimal performance. And of course, Intermediate level tricks will get a reboot with hands free and one handed variations. 

Pole Fitness Boot Camp // 45 Minutes Enjoy a fun, yet intensive, high cardio workout featuring specialty bodyweight exercises using the pole, as well as light weights and kettlebells. Boot Camp is a great way to condition for Intermediate and Advanced Pole Tricks as you build muscle in your arms, legs, and core. Don't fear, a 15 - minute cool down is included in your session.

Sexy Pole // 1 Hour 18+ ONLY. Explore your sensual side and start putting together moves you've mastered in 'Pole Tricks' to create a one of a kind routine, or just work on your flow. Focus is on transitions, floorwork, and bringing your inner confidence and body positivity shine all while having fun! If you've never taken a Pole Tricks class, you will learn 3-5 basic spins along with flow work. 

Yoga-ilates // 30 Minutes A fun crossover of yoga and pilates, this class is great to help stretch out your muscles and improve flexibility. You will perform a variety of standing as well as seated stretches that will also help improve circulation, posture, and enhance muscular coordination. Your choice of music can lead you down the path of serenity and relaxation, or it can energize you with upbeat melodies.

Sexy Flexy // 30 Minutes 18+ ONLY. A sultry twist on our standard Yoga-ilates class! Enjoy the same health benefits as the original while bringing the same inner confidence and body positivity as Sexy Pole. This class will use yoga and Pilates poses and transform them into sensual floorwork exercises.

"Pick One" Boot Camp // 30 Minutes Choose your target for the day- will it be abs, arms, or core?! Start with a short cardio circuit to get your blood pumping, before moving into bodyweight exercises chosen to challenge the day's focus area. Light weights and kettle bells are also a possibility in this class, but if you want pole, you are better off scheduling a Pole Fit Boot Camp instead. Finish off with a cool down stretch and schedule the next session to keep all muscle groups in rotation.

"Overachiever" Boot Camp // 45 Minutes Why choose one muscle group when you can target them all?! Begin with a quick cardio circuit to warm up, then move into exercises that target the whole body. Light weights, kettlebells, and bodyweight exercise help fight flab in this class before your cool down stretch.

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Q: What do I need to bring to class? A: Bottled water is provided, but you are welcome to bring your own as well! Also a yoga mat or towel for stretching and an "I Can Do Anything" attitude!

Q: What should I wear for class? A: Typical gym wear like leggings or shorts and a t-shirt, or tank top will do. Intermediate and Advanced level polers should have a bit of skin exposed on the arms and legs to help with grip. Try to wear clothes that are breathable and made of soft material, like cotton. Do NOT wear jewelry and clothes that have buttons, or zippers, which can pinch your skin and/or scratch the pole. Avoid wearing bras with metal or plastic clasps. Sports bras are recommended. Do NOT wear any lotions or oils the day of class.

Q: Is there a weight limit on the pole? A: Our studio uses X Pole brand pole," The Worldwide Leader in Pole and Aerial Fitness, is the #1 Manufacturer of Professional Dance Poles and is the Official Pole of Pole Fitness." which has a 300 lb weight limit.

Q: Do you do on-location classes or parties? A: Yes! By verifying the brand pole you have at home, you can even avoid a set-up fee! If you (or your venue) don't have a pole of your own, we can bring one to the party for you, provided the room has a ceiling height of 7' 4" to 9'. Contact 313.389.6469 or Ashlie@ALaurenArtistry.com for more information.

Q: I want to buy a pole for my home, what brand do you recommend? A: Well, X Pole of course! You can order one HERE! Chrome is the most popular and standard for industry competitions, but there are other finishes such as brass and titanium gold that help give you a bit more grip.