Today lets spill all the beans on eyelash extensions! The good, the bad, and the ugly. Haha, but really eyelash extensions have been all the rage for the past few years and after having them on for over 5 months I can definitely see why!
If you have been living under a rock (kidding, kinda) let me break down what eyelash extensions are! Like you might think, they’re pretty similar to hair extensions. Your lash tech adds on individual fake lashes into your already existing lash line, and they are attached to your own lashes with glue. There are so many different styles and lengths to choose from, and you can really create the exact look you want! Whether you’re just wanting them to enhance your own lashes, or you want a more dramatic bold look you can get it all.
There’s a lot of debate, and talk about whether they’re worth the money or if they ruin your natural lashes.
I am by no means an expert, and obviously, I am not a lash tech nor a doctor, but I figured I could share my personal experiences! So if you’ve been thinking about getting lash extensions for a little while, hopefully, this list can help guide you! Also, one of my best friends published a review on her experience with lash extensions as well so you can read her post here!
THE GOOD AND BAD OF EYELASH EXTENSIONS
THE GOOD
CONVENIENCE. Well, the obvious – you are ALWAYS halfway ready. It’s kind of crazy how much adding extensions to your lashes can really step up your look!
TIME. Once I got eyelash extensions my makeup routine was cut in half! I am someone with naturally short, and straight lashes so my lash routine took a solid 20+ minutes typically. Between curling them, and applying a million different primers and mascaras it definitely took up a bunch of time. Pre extensions I did wear fake lashes 80% of the time, which I could apply in less than 5 minutes, but they’re still not as easy as lash extensions! Because of the hassle of cleaning them, I stopped wearing eyeliner and eyeshadow while I had lash extensions, so my makeup routine was basically just foundation, concealer, bronzer, and highlighter! I could be completely ready in 10 minutes.
THE BAD
MONEY. Depending on where you go your initial full set can cost anywhere from $80-$300. Where you live is a big factor, and who you go to! My first set was $80, but the tech who did it was terrible and almost all the extensions fell out the first week. So, I had to go BACK in and pay for a whole new set AGAIN! So I dropped close to $200 (with tip) within a week. OUCH. Then most techs recommend coming in for a refill anywhere from 2-4 weeks. So, that’s anywhere from $60-$200 about every month, or twice a month! It is not cheap to be a girl!
TIME. Getting a re-fil every two to four weeks is super time-consuming. I went to Amazing Lash when I had extensions and re-fills were always around 45 minutes! Which if you’re only going in once a month, isn’t too bad! BUT I did have a lot of friends that their re-fils would take almost two hours!? Who has time for that… and who wants to lay down on an uncomfortable bed for that long?! No thank you.
Let me note that the rules revolving around a re-fill are super inconvenient too! You cannot sweat, or get them wet for 24-48 hours. So basically you have to schedule around your re-fill of when you will shower, wash your face, workout, etc.
INBETWEEN FILLS. This is probably the #1 factor on why I decided to get rid of my extensions. Lash extensions are gorgeous and full for anywhere from one to two weeks depending on your own lashes. Mine probably stayed looking really good for about one and half weeks, and then after that they all start to fall out in random spots. After that, the convenience factor just isn’t there. You’re spending more time putting mascara on them to make them look filled in, and just overall messing with them. It starts to get frustrating because you’d rather just have your natural lashes at this point because then you at least have a full lash line!
MAINTENANCE. It’s recommended to clean your lashes every day, and brush them out a few times a day. Ask me how well I kept up with that… oops. I probably brushed them once or twice A WEEK. If even that much. Also, cleaning them is just a hassle! I probably only cleaned them once a month.
AVOIDING YOUR EYES. Ask anyone with lash extensions and they’ll agree this is the worst part! While having lash extensions on, you are encouraged to not rub your eyes, and to avoid getting them wet as much as you can. Water breaks down the glue, and you will end up having more lashes fall out faster! Try washing your face without rubbing your eyes – it’s so much harder than you initially think!
FAQ
WHERE DID I GO IN HOUSTON? I went to Amazing Lash off of Bunker Hill! I got the longest length and the “gorgeous” style.
DID THEY RUIN YOUR NATURAL LASHES? This all depends per person I think! For me, they weren’t as bad as I was expecting. Thankfully, I still had a pretty full lash line! My natural lashes were extremely short, so initially, when I took my extensions off I felt pretty naked. But, I just started using Lash Boost and they grew back to normal after a few weeks!
CAN YOU WEAR MASCARA WITH THEM? It is recommended not to wear mascara with your extensions. I wouldn’t do it unless you really had to, because you are going to end up pulling your extensions out when you try to take the mascara off! I only ever did when I was in between a fill to make them look more full and bold.
CAN YOU GET THEM WET? Technically, lash extensions are waterproof but it is recommended to keep them away from water as much as you can! After you get a refill (or your first set) you have to keep them away from water for 24-48 hours to let the glue set.
DID THEY EVER HURT OR IRRITATE YOUR EYES? Depending on my lash tech, sometimes the application process did hurt. Not extremely painful, but more like a few tugs here and there. When it comes to irritation this is a common thing, and I have followed a handful of girls who ended up allergic to the glue and it really irritated their eyes! Mine were ever irritated after the first set, and it was just a mild irritation that lasted for a few minutes after the process!
If you have any other questions about lash extensions feel free to leave them in a comment below!
SHOP THE POST
Great post! You’ve really laid out the pros and cons of eyelash extensions clearly. Your honest take on the costs, maintenance, and convenience factors is super helpful for anyone considering them. Thanks for sharing your experience and tips!
What about lice? There has been a storm of New ophthalmologist long false eyelash patients across the country with LICE AND THE CRUD FROM LICE DROPPINGS ON THEIR EYELASHES, DROPPING IN THEIR EYES.! I’m fearful of trying these lengthy lashes. Although my natural eyelashes are short they look natural. I haven’t yet seen Anyone with the fake long lashes that look natural.
I am a 64 yr old blonde with matching blond eyebrows and eyelashes, which means they are practically invisible. With lash extensions I feel like I can get away with absolutely no other make up. And when I do use Eyeliner, and mascara on my lower lashes, it doesn’t take very much to have a big effect. As far as brushing them I’ve been encouraged to do that only when absolutely necessary and then only from mid lash out, keeping the brush away from where the lash extensions are attached. One of my lash techs encouraged just using a clean finger tip to reposition the lashes enough to straighten them up a bit. The biggest problem I’m still working on is the way I sleep. The side that I sleep on those lashes get disorganized sooner. I am trying to practiss keeping my pillow Away from my lashes, but who knows what the heck goes on when I’m sleeping. The comments from the experience lash techs and artist Seem very interesting and probably very helpful.
-Cynthia, there is a hypoallergenic glue available now. Ask for that.
-Kathleen, I had heard of the oil issue but not the hairspray problem, good to know, thanks!
-Robin, I plan to ask about the sealer that you recommend. Thanks! I agree that one of the best things about extensions is not having to use mascara and not having to wash it off. If I ever stop using extensions I will have to learn how to put on natural looking False lashes.
-Crystal, Good to know that water is not the problem. Thanks! Maybe because I’m a nurse I feel it’s important to clean your face including lashes every day, except for that 24 hours after a refill. I have worried about the steam in the bathroom especially when I wash my hair, and during that process I get my lashes wet quite often. I’ve started using less hot water for bathing and a dry washcloth to gently dab lashes dry from underneath while I’m in the shower. The most experienced lash technician that I’ve used strongly recommended drying my lash extensions after bathing, as in with a fan or blow dryer on low and cool.
Anyone have comments on Lashify???
I am thinking of trying lashes for a fuller look! My concern is the glue. I have Never worn them and now That I have a new short short Hague style, my desire is to try them. I will be sixty three on Christmas and I am still fabulously beautiful and interesting and love looking mature!
My mascara regime consists of using four different mascaras including primer!
Any suggestions on for me before trying?
I would love to have them but I am one if the persons that had a bad reaction to the glue or something. Is there any otger adhesives for us to use?
I have been an eyelash extension artist for over 7 years and totally agree with the first two comments. One of the most important products to keep away from your eyes is oil. Whether i
t’s essential oil or anything containing petroleum, it breaks down the adhesive weakening the bond. Also, you have to cover your eyes when using hairspray. Alcohol in hairspray will ruin the lashes and make them stick together.
I am a certified eyelash specialist. My clients can go about a month with their eyelashes. I send them home with a sealer that has a mascara looking brush which cleans the debris off and seals in the glue each time you use it. NO mascara can be used so if your doing that in between your fills that would be why they are missing. Every tech is different but eyelash extensions is definitely a blessing for cutting down your time on the morning and looking gorgeous when you wake up. All this social media saying how horrible eyelash extensions are is ridiculous. Most women glob mascara on and when you remove that it literally takes your natural eyelashes with it.
As someone who works at a lash salon, I can assure you that water is not bad for your lashes. Cleaning your lashes is encouraged because it keeps your natural oils off the glue. It’s the oil that breaks down adhesive, not water.