A first set of lash extensions takes about two hours, and you spend nearly all of it lying down
with your eyes closed. Nothing sharp happens and nothing should sting. The part that decides whether
you love the result is the ten minutes at the start, when we talk about how much you actually want
people to notice.
Before You Arrive
Come with clean, bare lashes if you can. Mascara, oil based cleanser and eye cream all leave a
film that stops the adhesive holding, so we will clean your lashes anyway, but arriving without
makeup gives us more time for the set itself.
- Skip mascara on the day, especially anything waterproof.
- Leave contact lenses at home and bring your glasses.
- Have a coffee before, not during. Two hours is a long time to sit still if you are restless.
- Bring a photo of a look you like, even a rough one. It is far more useful than a description.
If you have never had extensions and you are unsure whether they suit you, message us first on
WhatsApp or call
+971 54 233 3898 and describe your natural lashes and your routine.
We would rather talk you into a lighter set you keep wearing than a heavy one you take off after a
fortnight.
The Consultation, and Why It Matters More Than the Style Name
Style names travel badly. Two people can ask for the same thing and want completely different
results. So instead of starting from a name, we look at three things: how long and strong your own
lashes are, how open your eye shape is, and how much upkeep you realistically want.
Your own lashes set the limit. Each extension is attached to one natural lash, so the number of
extensions is capped by the number of healthy natural lashes you have, and the weight is capped by
how strong each one is. A fine natural lash carries a fine extension. That is not a compromise, it
is what keeps your own lashes comfortable.
Eye shape changes where length should sit. Longer extensions towards the outer corner open up a
rounder eye. Keeping the length more even suits an almond shape. If your eyes are deep set, a
slightly stronger curl reads better than extra length.
Upkeep is the honest conversation. A denser set looks fuller and needs more frequent infills,
because gaps show up sooner against a full line. If you travel often or you are in and out of the
pool, a lighter set is usually the more comfortable choice. Our comparison of
classic, Russian and mega
volume sets goes through the differences in plain language, and if you decide extensions are
more than you want right now, a
lash lift with brow lamination is
the lower maintenance route.
What Does the Appointment Actually Feel Like?
You lie on a treatment bed with a small pad placed under each lower lash line to keep your lower
lashes out of the way. Your eyes stay closed throughout. The technician separates one natural lash
at a time with fine tweezers and attaches an extension a fraction of a millimetre from the skin,
never on it.
You should feel nothing beyond the pads resting on your skin. If you feel any stinging, burning
or watering, say so straight away rather than waiting for a break. It usually means an eye has
opened a little and the adhesive vapour has reached it, and it is easily sorted at the time.
Most clients doze. Some listen to something. What you cannot do is check your phone, so plan the
appointment for a window when nobody needs you for two hours.
The First 48 Hours and the Weeks After
Adhesive keeps setting after you leave, so the first two days are the ones that matter.
- Keep them dry for 24 hours. No shower over your face, no steam room, no swimming.
- Sleep on your back for the first night or two if you can. A face down sleeper loses lashes on
one side sooner. - Use an oil free cleanser from now on. Oil is what breaks the bond down fastest.
- Brush them gently with the spoolie we give you, once a day, and do not use a lash curler.
After that, expect to lose a few every week. That is your own lash cycle, not a fault, because
each extension leaves when the natural lash it sits on sheds. Most clients come in for infills every
two to three weeks, and a set kept up with infills can carry on for months. Never pull one off. If
one turns awkward or twists, book in and we will remove it properly. You can see the full range on
our lashes page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will lash extensions damage my natural lashes?
Applied one to one and at a weight your own lashes can carry, they should not. Problems come from
extensions that are too heavy, from several natural lashes being stuck together, and from pulling
them off at home. Tell your technician if anything feels tight or heavy, and let a professional do
any removal.
How long does a first appointment take?
Around two hours for a full first set, including the consultation and cleaning your lashes.
Denser sets take longer. Infills are much shorter, usually under an hour, which is why keeping to a
regular infill rhythm is easier than starting again from bare lashes each time.
Can I wear makeup with extensions?
Yes, with two changes. Switch to an oil free cleanser and an oil free remover, and leave mascara
off the extensions, since it is difficult to remove without tugging. Eyeliner is fine if you keep it
away from the lash base. Most clients find they wear less eye makeup than before.
What if I do not like them?
Tell us at the appointment rather than after. While you are still in the chair we can adjust
length, curl and density, and if the set feels too much once you see it, we can take some out. If
you get home and change your mind, come back for professional removal instead of picking at them.
Para Ella is a ladies only salon at Azizi Riviera 9, Shop 4, Meydan One Street, Al Merkadh, Nad Al Sheba 1, Dubai, open daily 10 am to midnight. To book a time that suits you, call or message +971 54 233 3898, or use the booking page.
Beauty treatments are cosmetic services and this content is general information, not medical advice. If you have a skin, nail or scalp condition, diabetes or known sensitivities, please consult your doctor and tell our team before booking.
Sources
Eyelash extension facts and safety, American Academy of Ophthalmology
10 skin care secrets for healthier looking skin, American Academy of Dermatology
Rama writes the beauty guides for Para Ella Hair and Nails Ladies Salon in Meydan, Dubai. Para Ella means ‘for her’. The salon was built on a single idea: every woman deserves a beautiful space to feel completely herself. It is ladies-only, with no exceptions, and it sits at Azizi Riviera 9, Shop 4 on Meydan One Street. It opens daily from 10 am to midnight, so appointments fit around work and family rather than the other way round. Her writing covers the questions clients actually ask at the salon: which treatment suits which hair type, how to keep colour looking fresh in Dubai’s climate, what to expect at a first appointment, and how to look after the result at home. The salon works with Wella professional colour and Guinot Paris facials, and serves professionals, mothers, residents and visitors across the city.