If you want to change your hair it is best to seek out a hair consultation!
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Best Tips – Communication
Whether you need your hair to be healthier, happier or a different hair color; the faster you are understood by a hairstylist the quicker you can get from point A to point B.
Having healthy hair is definitely not out of reach for anyone. The technology of ingredients that are available to you today, for salon products are simply amazing.
You no longer really have to sacrifice wanting to achieve your “dream hair” if you find a hairstylist that is the “right” fit for you.
After all, it is your hair. You are the one that has to wear it, and feel good about how you look everyday.
Healthy Hair On Purpose
When you are at drugstore, and have question about an over the counter medicine….who do you go and ask to get an answer?
Most likely the Pharmacist.
Why is that?
I bet it is because you want to be sure that you are choosing the correct product, and because medicine is made up of chemicals…you do want to choose wisely.
Your Hair Type = One Size Does Not Fit All!
How many shampoos and conditioners have you tried, in your life time?
Have you made your choices by the pretty little marketing description, that is found on the back of the bottles? Have you ever experienced being disappointed, and so then you try buy even more shampoo?
Sound familiar?
The Professional Product “Prescription”
Heck….why would anyone spend $20+ on a bottle of shampoo? Is there really a difference.
Absolutely, and here is why:
Just as a Pharmacist can made recommendations that are based on the chemistry….so can a professional hairstylist. Hair products are all about chemistry.
It is just not that often that that is really discussed. It is more important how is works, versus how “pretty” is smells, and when you get both; well that is an absolute bonus!
When you experience an extremely thorough consultation, and work with a professional that is extremely passionate about all aspects about your hair, and ensuring that your hair is the healthiest…….that is the point of difference.
Having a hairstylist educate you on what your hair type actually is, and what are the best nourishing ingredients that your hair lacks…..is the key reason.
No longer will you have to aimlessly wander down a shampoo aisle, and hope that you find your “dream hair” in a bottle.
Shopping for a wig can get confusing, if you go it alone or simply try to shop online. It is not to say that you will not be able to find a wig, however; you will want to find one that is “just right”.
Tip #1 “Get Help Story”
One day, I entered a clothing store and the clerk asked, “May I help you?”
I first said, “No, thank you”, but then thought how I really did not always enjoy shopping because I have trouble find what I want…… So, next, I went to her and said, “yes, I do need help.”
What I learned was, is that sometimes it is better to work with someone that knows about a topic. She was able to pick out several outfits for me, and took my stress away.
Wig shopping is much like clothes shopping. It’s more than “ok” to have more than one wig, and in fact, once you experience one wig….you will only want to get another.
Hot tip:
You will have a “stress free”wig experience when you work with a wig consultant. Just like the clothing clerk helped myself with picking out the right colors to where, to her picking out the proper fit of clothing…..I can do the same for you with your hair (wig).
Tip #2 Don’t Wait
Will you be having to go for medical treatments? or Have to take medicine that will cause hair loss or alopecia?
Are you experiencing hair loss? This can be emotionally unsettling, however when you invest in just the right hairpiece, prothesis or hair replacement system……….no one will know.
Hottest Tip:
Do not wait to start wig shopping. If you start to shop while you still have your own natural hair, then when you are fitted and or “try on” styles, you will find that the emotional transitioning to wearing a wig can be a bit easier.
Tip #3 Have Fun!
Hot tip:
It is fun to have a new hairstyle. The beauty of being able to change your look so quickly, is that there no permanent commitment to length, shape or style!!
Have short hair one day………………& ………….long hair the next!
So, what do you do if you find that your own natural brows just are not as thick as you like?
Causes For Sparse Eyebrows
There are many reasons that can cause sparse brows:
Over plucking can lead to permanent hair loss
Being waxed to thin
Medication
Hair loss can just happen as we age
How can you fix your eyebrows?
Eyebrow extensions were used in the actual photo shown in this post.
Eyebrow extensions are individually applied extensions that replicate the look of natural hair.
The advantage of getting eyebrow extensions are that they can replace the hair that you may have lost or need to create the illusion of a real eyebrow!
Tips:
Eyebrow extensions can be used to fix, create or thicken your brows. They are applied with a special adhesive that can be applied to the skin or to your existing brow hair.
Realistic expectations about eyelash extensions begins with being educated about many things.
About your hair growth
About Aftercare
Today’s ads in magazines
A Little Bit Of Science
Providing eyelash extensions and receiving them require being educate about the “how, what & why” of “expectations”.
One of the most popular questions is how long will or should they last?
Did you know that your natural eyelash hair sheds? Yes!…it does.
Professionally, I feel this little bit of science will help set up your expectations to be realistic when it comes to getting eyelash extensions for the first time or answering questions about “durability or longevity” after wearing them for a while.
My eyelashes will shed?
Yes, and here is why:
You natural hair for your eyelashes and hair on your head, goes through a life cycle of growth. The cycles are anagen, catagen, and telogen.
What does this mean exactly and how does this affect the longevity of your eyelash extensions service?
Your extensions will be applied to one human hair or attachment site.
(The photo shown give you a close view of a what a classic eyelash extension application looks like. Your natural lash hair actually grows in rows.)
Each one of those “attachment sites” are at a different cycle of life. Everyone’s shed rate or growth rate will be different.
Are My Extensions “PERMANENT” ?
No. They are semi-permanent.
They are going to require maintenance at home and regular visits called either “fills” or “re-lashing” appointments to keep them looking fresh.
How Long Can My Extensions Be?
This is another popular question.
There are safety limits, as your extensionist, that will be predetermined by the natural length of your lash hair.
The artificial extensions come in a whole variety of lengths, thick, curvatures and colors! The customization of your service is endless.
Will My Extensions Always Look The Same?
The “same” is an objective perspective. Given that the natural canvas, your own lash hair, will always be going through its life cycle of growth and shedding….it really is challenging to give a definite answer to this question.
Your own natural lash hair does not stop growing when extensions are applied. If you eyelash hair grows it will be necessary to put a longer extension on it or them.
The look of your design may change over time, and this is perfectly normal.
The purpose of the “fill” appointments is to re-plenish the extensions that have shed with the lash hair that is was attached to.
A fill appointment requires that you have 50% of your extensions left when you come in.
What if I lose extensions days after getting a fill?
This is still “normal” and can happen.
Tips At Home:
Tip: Do your best to sleep on your back.
Why this is so important is that it can take up to 24 hours for the adhesive to completely cure.
Sleep on your stomach with you face more in the pillow? This is the worst for your extensions.
Be kind to your extensionsist because they cannot wake you up when you are at home to correct your head position.
First 24 hour RULE: DO NOT GET EXTENSIONS WET. No water, steam or excessive sweat can come on contact with the extensions for the first 24 hours during the curing time of the adhesive. This rule applies to each treatment.
Showering: Avoid direct water pressure on your face. It is ok to get your extensions wet, and you can even go swimming but take care of cleansing your face when you are in the shower.
Using a little common sense will save you stressing out about your extensions, and help with the longevity. For complete aftercare directions be sure to ask at your consultation or at our lash extension appointment.
Your aftercare will play a huge role with the longevity. You will need to take care of them just how you are instructed.
NO Crying: WITHIN first 24 hours If you are going to be attending an event that you may become emotional, be sure to schedule you appointment accordingly. You need to keep your extensions dry for the first 48 hours.
During & At Your Salon Appointment
You can expect to have all aspects explained to you and subsequently you will be reminding on the “how to” care of your extensions.
This type of luxury service is a “semi-permanent” cosmetic procedure that is extremely precise. Your natural lash hair is isolated with tweezers and the extensions are applied with surgical grade adhesive very close to your eyes.
How will you be prepped for your service?
Tip: It is best not to drink a lot of liquids before your extension service because once your treatment begins you will not be able to get up to use the restroom.
Preparation:
You will first have a extremely thorough consultation.
Your design and expectations will be discussed.
The necessary aftercare products & care will be gone over
Paperwork signed
Treatment Room Experience:
You will be relaxed and fully reclined on a massage table
Your lower eyelashes will be secured out of the way with soothing under eye gel patches.
Quiet music with be playing
Your natural lash hair will be prepped by being cleansed & primed
Your relaxation will now begin.
Can I talk during my treatment?
It is advised that you do not, and the reason being is that your facial area needs to remain still because of how precise this procedure is. It is extremely important that the focus remains on the extension service itself.
Is is ok or will I fall asleep?
It is very common that my clients fall asleep, however if you can just go to that “quiet/happy” place that happens before deep sleep, that will be the most helpful.
Sometimes, when we go into a REM sleep it can cause our body’s or head to jerk. This will make it extremely difficult to be able to facilitate the procedure and will cause repetitive head repositioning to provide the services.
Why will my head need to be moved during my service?
When you extensions are applied, the application will be applied to your lashes on one side or one lash and then the next application site will next being on the other eye. The step of going back and forth on each eye, will ensure that the adhesive dries in that isolated area.
Final Words
Realistic expectations about eyelash extensions are that you can expect that once you get eyelash extensions that you may never want to go back to your natural lashes.
You can expect to become quickly accustomed to how much the extensions will enhance the look of your eyes or the length of your lashes.
You may quickly forget what your natural lashes looked like, and will definitely be more conscious when they shed.
Also realize that if you are going to get eyelash extensions it is so important to not compare your lashes to those that you see in the magazines, etc. Many times the photographs are enhanced with Photo Shop or if not with that, then the companies will choose a model that has enough natural lash hair for three villages.
Your dietary habits or if there are any changes in medications that your are on can potentially affect your service. You will need to communicate this to your lash stylist.
Clear Communication
Having a fun relationship with your lash extensionist is key. (Bella Lash has a great ‘Lash Etiquette’ article)
This service is very artistic in nature and with your natural lash canvas constantly growing & shedding the “look” you want may be an ongoing experience.
Trust your lash extensionist. Experienced ones are hard to find.
Eyelash extensions have been gaining momentum for about 10 years now, but what is a bit unsettling is the need for “eyelash extension corrections”.
Are Eyelashes Safe?
Normally, the answer this popular question is yes. However, the answer is a BIG NO…when you get a poor application like the “before” photograph shown.
What is wrong with the before photo? Picture speak 1,000’s words.
What I can share with you is that way too adhesive/eyelash glue was used. This can or will cause irritation. Additionally, her natural lashes were stuck together.
If she was not mindful, and sought out an immediate removal then this poor application could of severely damaged her own natural lash hair.
Avoid a “sticky situation”
Insights From A Client
Beauty treatments are meant to be fun, relaxing and enhancing. My client was on vacation and had went to a “really good salon”.
Eyelash extensions is all about precision, and a professionally applied extensions should never be a rushed service.
Unfortunately, my clients first experience was not an Xtreme experience but an “extremely disappointing” experience.
Tips & Indicators of Experience
One professional tip that I can share with you would be to look on a eyelash directory for a certified lash stylist, in your area or go the distance if you find one.
Go to the website that you find
Look and see how much information that is listed
Does it answer many of your questions without having to call?
Look for ACTUAL PHOTOGRAPHS!!! This tip I cannot stress enough.
Just because a site has beautiful stock photographs and a reputable brand does not mean that you can expect to get a eyelash design that will look something like the stock photography.
Are they posting up to date photos?
Check that websites frequent posts on their:
Instagram
Facebook
Twitter
Google Plus page
The Loft Salon Studio Ann Marie Walts
2012 Advanced Certified in Design & Color Theory
2015 Advanced Certified in Volumation
Lash Stylist Of The Month Click Here To Read About Me 2301 Westfield Street
West Springfield, MA 01089 Will Travel By Appointment Salon Phone: (413) 734-6204
Protecting eyelash extensions is very important to understand how and why to properly take care of them.
Are They “Lashes” Or Extensions?
It has been my professional experience that you can quickly forget that your are actual wearing extensions. Extension for both eyelashes and or hair extensions require a little bit of aftercare to ensure the longevity of the service(s).
3D Volume Extensions
Classic 1:1 Extensions
What do I do after I my eyelash extensions?
The single most important aftercare responsibility that you will have will be to properly cleanse your lash line with only the recommended Xtreme Lashes® products.
Why Xtreme’s® Makeup Remover Is A Must
It is sometimes misunderstood……
As a serious professional lash extensionist , most recently I called Xtreme Lashes® and asked that they add “lash extension cleanser” to their fantastic product that is their “Eye Makeup Remover”.
Client says, “I do not wear makeup…..& I do not need it…”
It has been my experience that some clients do not wear makeup and do not see the value or need to purchase this item that is truly meant to clean your lash line.
Properly Cleaning Eyelash Extensions
Protecting and caring for your extensions will save you money in the long run because premature extension loss is usually caused by improper aftercare.
Close Up Look At Extension Attachment & Why Cleansing Is A Must
Avoid Oil Buildup or Blepharitis
Your eye lash extensions are adhered with surgical grade adhesive to your natural eyelash hair.
Your natural eyelash hair is attached to a hair follicle and there are glands that secret oils. To much oil build up from not cleaning your eyelash extensions, can result in blepharitis.
“Meibomian glands are glands that are arranged vertically within the eyelid near the lashes. The force of an eyelid blink causes oil to be excreted onto the posterior lid margin. The oil is the “staying power” of the tears that helps prevent rapid tear evaporation. In a patient with Meibomian gland dysfunction MGD), vision is affected because there is too much or too little oil in the tear film.”
Are Eyelash Extensions Safe To Wear?
Yes, with a precise & professional application and followed up with responsible at home aftercare. You can experience wearing Xtreme Lashes® Extensions for a very long time.
Cutting curly hair or finding a stylist who can cut curly hair can sometimes be challenging. It is my professional experience, that curly hair cannot be cut the same as straight hair.
Hair color for long hair takes time. Corrective hair color for long hair needs to be done with care. If you are contemplating changing your hair color, it is important to work with a hair colorist that has a strong background in hair color.
Maybe this is stating the obvious, however, the fact of the matter is that my business consists of correction work ; in general.
Maybe you are reading this and have long hair? If you hair is long naturally, without hair extensions, that is awesome! I completely understand how long that it has taken for your hair to be as long, as it may be.
Few Facts About Long Hair
On average, hair has the ability to grow about 1/2 inches a month and or 6 inches a year. As the hair gets long or longer, the porosity (condition/health) of the length can change from simply being older, and the damage from heat styling products.
Long hair needs to be handled with attention and care when you choose to get it colored. The new growth (hair at the scalp) will automatically respond differently to hair color, than your mid shaft and ends.
There is much more that goes into coloring longer hair than you might think. Your professional customized hair color will have really even results because we have hair color chemicals that, simply, are not available at the drugstores.
Contact Ann Marie
Ann Marie Walts will respond to your inquiry shortly.
Everyone is so busy these days, and we sometimes by the time we remember to call to book an appointment, it might be midnight. Does that sound familiar?
Our online booking is easy to use, and I recommend that you bookmark the link. This way you can add it to your home screen on your phone, if you like.
*One recommendation to mobile device users— If you have some troubles using the mobile version, then look at the bottom of your screen and click the “Desktop or Full Version” link. My booking company is always improving their stuff, however, it has been my experience that I prefer to suggest the “desktop version” because I find that it will show you everything.
Call me with any questions, and please know that if you get my voicemail that I do respond promptly. I just may be in the middle of a private appointment makeover or corrective service.
Last minute appointments?
Sometimes I may have an opening due to a cancellation. Feel free to check here.
