Home / Blog · · By Olivia Berry
Extensions are not a one-and-done service. Once you have a set, the question is how to keep it looking good, and the answer is fills. Here is how I think about them and how often I ask my clients to come in.
What a fill is
Your natural lashes grow and shed all the time, and each extension is attached to a natural lash. When a lash sheds, its extension goes with it. After a couple of weeks, the set looks thinner, and the extensions that remain sit further from your lash line as your lashes grow. A fill replaces the extensions that are gone and refreshes the ones that have grown out, so the set goes back to its shape without starting from scratch.
It helps to think of a fill like a haircut or a color touch-up. You do not start over each time. You maintain what is there, and the appointment is shorter than the original because the foundation is already in place.
My timing: every 2-3 weeks
I ask for fills every 2-3 weeks. That is the window where most sets still have enough extensions to build on. Coming in on a regular schedule keeps your set even and keeps each visit shorter and less expensive than a full set.
The three kinds of fill
- Mini Fill, $75, about 45 minutes. A shorter visit for a set that still has most of its lashes.
- Classic Fill, $100, about 1 hour. Maintenance for a classic set.
- Mixed Fill, $150, about 1 hour 30 minutes. Maintenance for a mixed set, which has more going on.
Which one you need depends on the state of your set when you arrive. If you are not sure, book the fill that matches your set and I will let you know if a different one makes more sense.
What happens if you wait too long
If it has been more than 4 weeks since your last fill, or if fewer than half of your extensions remain, a fill will not give the result you want, and you will need a new full set instead. It is not a penalty. There is simply not enough of the old set left to build on. The same goes for lashes done by another artist: I will need to remove them and start with a new full set.
Tips to get more from each fill
Your fill lasts longer when you look after the set between visits. I cover this in detail in how to make lash extensions last, but the basics are: keep your lashes clean with an oil-free cleanser, brush them daily, skip mascara and curlers, and keep your hands away from them.
Another thing that helps is booking your next fill before you leave, while you know what your schedule looks like. Standing appointments are easy to move, but a calendar with no fill on it is easy to forget until the set is past the fill window. If you travel or have an event coming up, tell me in advance so we can time your fill so the set looks its best on the day.
How to arrive
Come with clean lashes and no eye makeup, and avoid oils around your eyes that day. It helps the new extensions bond and keeps the visit smooth. If you wear contacts, bring your glasses or case so you are comfortable lying down with your eyes closed.
When to take a break
You can pause any time. If you want to take a break from extensions, I can take them off in a quick removal visit for $30. You can start again later with a new full set. Read what removal involves in what to expect at lash extension removal.
Book your next fill
If you are due, you can book online through Square. If you are not sure whether you are inside the fill window, send me a message and we will work it out. I am in Bothell, by appointment only.
If you are ever unsure whether your set is due, look at it in natural light. If you can see noticeable gaps, or the extensions have grown out far from your lash line, you are likely due or close to it. Send me a message with a photo and I can tell you which fill to book, or whether a full set makes more sense.