Eyelash fillers are part of the eyelash maintenance routine. All of us in the industry are familiar with the term, but there are still some questions artists (especially beginners) may have. How much should we charge for a refill? When is the right time to do it? What is the safest or fastest way to do it?
Requests for top-ups tend to happen a lot. We’re sure you’ve encountered a customer or two who keep coming back for refills instead of getting a full set. Why; Because getting a refill is cheaper! How do we educate customers who do this that it’s time for a full set, not a refill?
Our team of lash experts have put together some answers for you, so keep reading to find out how you can handle these situations.
When do you need eyelash extension fillers?
Once your client has a full set of eyelash extensions, they should come in periodically for refills. Eyelash extension fillers are simply new lashes that are placed on top of natural lashes as the old ones are about to fall out.
Ideally, your customer should come every two to four weeksbut longer waiting times may mean longer treatment time as more lashes will need to be filled.
Generally, it is best to perform a refill service when the client has at least 40% of the eyelash extensions from the full set. In this case, you will remove the overgrown, twisted, weak glued eyelash extensions and replace them with new ones. However, some lash artists find it easier to remove all remaining lashes and start a new set at the cost of a refill.
In any case, this is what you should do every time you start a fill:
- Arrange the eyelash extensions that are still on the client’s eyes
- Remove lashes that are overgrown and ready to fall out due to the natural growth cycle
- Remove any weak lashes that bind
- Correct any visible hollows between the lashes and eyelash extensions
What causes eyelash extensions to fall out?
Factors that can affect how often your client comes in for eyelash fillers may include:
Naturally grown eyelashes
Photo Rights: _artistrylux
Does your client know that, with or without eyelash extensions, most of us we shed 70-80 of our natural eyelashes every two weeks? Make sure you tell your clients that they need a refill every two weeks to ensure their lash line stays gorgeous and full.
Read more: Eyelash: the myths or the facts
Client’s eyelash aftercare routine
The bond between the client’s natural eyelashes and the eyelash extension weakens over time due to oil or other impurities. Normally after about three to four weeks, the bond starts to become unstable. This weakening of the bond depends on your client’s eyelash care habits. If they are not careful, it can happen much faster. Here are some factors that can affect premature eyelash loss:
- How much makeup is used on the eyelashes.
- What kind of products (like oily make-up remover!) are the extensions exposed to?
- How the client sleeps, i.e. back or face or side where the pillow rubs the eyes.
- How does the client wash her face, i.e. rub her face/eyes?
- If the eyelashes are exposed to heat or water etc.
I see Nourishing eyelash shampoo
Wrong application
As lash artists, of course we don’t want to admit it, but clumsy application can cause lashes to fall out. For example, eyelashes may fall out because:
Read more: Checklist for long-lasting eyelash extensions
Step by step: how to remove and fill in eyelash extensions
- Remove ingrown eyelash extensions using tweezers or removers.
- Clean lashes thoroughly using eyelash shampoo and remove all oil and skin/makeup residue.
- prime the lashes.
- Apply new eyelashes.
Methods of partial eyelash removal before refilling
Eyelash removal with tweezers
Using tweezers to remove eyelash extensions is generally not recommended as they can be too strong and can result in bent or damaged natural lashes. Only use this method when removing a few eyelash extensions or when you have very little glue in the bonding area.
Banana peels
Using two sets of tweezers, grab a natural lash with one tweezer and an extension with the other, then gently separate vertically in two directions. This way, the natural lashes will not be pulled.
For voluminous lashes
The banana peel method is more difficult to use if your client has volume extensions. For volume extension, use wide leg tweezers like the RV-1 and squeeze the attached part of the eyelash extension. Gently break the glue and guide your eyelash extensions to fall off more easily.
Eyelash extension removal
Some lash artists don’t like to use eyelash extension remover for partial removal as it can take longer than using tweezers. However, Using eyelash remover is much safer and less damaging way to do it. Here are two methods that can help make partial removal easier:
- Isolate and hold adjacent lashes and apply eyelash remover. Wait 2-3 minutes and clean the remover
- Use a cotton ball or tape to isolate and hold ingrown lashes. This way, you don’t have to hold the lashes with tweezers and you can work to remove many lashes at once.
Method 1: using a cotton ball to separate the overgrown eyelashes
Method 2: using a tape to pull the overgrown eyelashes
Why do some lashes fall out so much after a few weeks?
Have you noticed that some of your client’s eyelash extensions stick out a lot more than others? Those overgrown lashes can really ruin the overall design! We’re here to tell you why this happens and how to prevent it.
The reason behind this is because you are putting on natural lashes that are in their fast growth phase. The early pubescent stage of natural eyelashes (those often less than 3 mm or 0.1 inch long) grow much faster than eyelashes in the latter stage of the growth cycle.
To prevent this from happening, either do not apply eyelash extensions to these tiny lashes or apply an extension 1-2mm shorter than the neighboring eyelash extensions.
How much should I charge for an eyelash refill?
Each salon has its own price list and filling policy. According to our research, most salons charge 50% of the total price for a fill if the client comes within 2-3 weeks, but we’ve also seen salons charge for each recent lash addition or for the duration of the treatment.
Can I constantly fill in the lashes instead of doing a full set?
This is a debatable question, but we as a brand that cares about long-term lash health have come to the conclusion that removing the set completely after two fill services is the healthiest way to do it.
If you’re constantly refilling the kit, it’s inevitable that some dirt, oil or product residue will remain between the lashes. Also, even the healthiest natural eyelash needs some room to breathe from time to time.
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