Eyelash extensions are very popular in my neck of the woods. Basically, if you want longer lashes and you’re too impatient for Latisse, then you get eyelash extensions.
I contemplated Latisse for about 2 minutes. Impatient, much?
My Before Photo
I must really have grown as a person if I’m posting a picture of me without make-up and with my gray hairs showing. Either that or I’m desperate for a blog post. Let’s just say that I’ve grown as a person, shall we?
I would say my natural lashes are average. I don’t have to curl them, so that’s a plus.
The Process
After a brief discussion about the lash length you desire (I went for medium), tape is applied to your eyes.
A single eyelash extension is applied to each individual eyelash. The technician uses a blower to help dry the adhesive and you keep your eyes closed until the end.
My eyelash extensions took one hour. I was comfortable except for a slight burning feeling occasionally. That went away quickly and my eyes were not red afterwards.
Do’s and Don’ts
Do make sure that your technician is a licensed cosmetologist or esthetician.
Do ask what adhesive they use (should not be formaldehyde) with surgical glue being the preferred method.
Do ask to see your choice in sizes (they vary considerably) and consider a (free) consultation before committing
Don’t go to anyone who offers you cluster eyelashes. Eyelash extensions are a single lash applied to each individual eyelash
Don’t get your lashes wet for 24 hours.
Don’t try to remove them yourself. You can damage/break your own lashes. Always have them professionally removed.
After Photos:
I think the best way to show the effect of eyelash extensions is without make-up. Because everyone looks amazing with make-up, right?
The Pros of Eyelash Extensions:
- You have amazing eyelashes
- You don’t have to wear mascara (ever) which also means you don’t have to remove mascara and deal with Raccoon eyes when you don’t do it properly.
- Even when you’re not made up you look a bit more pulled together.
- Your eyelashes look the same all day, no matter what. Sweating at the gym? No problem! Fresh out of the pool? Ditto.
The Cons of Eyelash Extensions:
- They’re certainly not free. There is an expense involved and although the price can vary, it certainly costs more than 10 tubes of mascara.
- Your eyes feel heavy the first couple hours of putting them on.
- Your eyes become a bit more high maintenance. Washing your face is different experience, you have to be gentle around the eye area and the lashes feel a little stiff. No rubbing your eyes!
The Road Warrior’s Opinion
My husband was initially not really a fan of the lashes. However on the 2nd day he told me he did like that I looked more pulled together even when I did nothing. I think that might have not been a compliment.
By day three he was liked them more. One might say they were growing on him! Ha! However I was also making more of an effort in the looking more pulled together department, so that might have swayed him too.
My Final opinion:
When you do wear make-up with these lashes you look AMAZING. Some women use mascara on the bottom lashes. I skip it altogether now. After a week I’m used to the small things that bothered me initially (washing my face differently, being more cautious with my eyes). They shorten my time getting ready and help me to feel more put together. While I don’t think they are something I’d keep up with year round (I’m thinking of taking summers off), I’m really enjoying having them now and I’m looking forward to my touch up session.
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Karin, I am so afraid of getting these. I have heard horror stories and one of my teachers, Megan, had to pull them off one by one. Let me know how you like them and how long they last. I love the look of lashes on top but not on bottom. And you do look amazing. My husband would love them. He likes me to be as girly as possible!
Suzanne, I have heard horror stories too. You really need to be choosey about where you go and how long they the technician has been doing lashes. The lady I go to ONLY does lashes and has done it for 5 years at a very reputable place. She also uses surgical glue and you should NEVER remove them yourself.
Next time you come train me I’m taking you to her!
Fantastic review! They’re beautiful! Now *I* have eyelash envy 🙂
Even with mascara, my lashes are very puny. I am entirely too lazy to mess with false lashes… But these, WOW. They look great! My concern with Latisse is that I would be sensitive to it and my concern with the extensions is that I would rub them off somehow. Oi veh. They do look so very lovely!
random eye question: do you prefer waxing for eyebrows or threading? or is there some other method that my secluded self does not know about?
Marsha–Can you believe that I tweeze? Total old school. I haven’t tried threading or waxing even. Maybe you need to write a post about that for me to check out?
As for the eye lash extensions they aren’t that easy to rub off. I think you’d be okay.
; 0 )
My sister prefers threading since it is more precise, but she says it hurts. So chicken me says, No thank you! But since I don’t have extra eyebrows to waste with a bad wax job, maybe I should try the threading.
Can you believe I have a ton of draft blog posts? I don’t know why I don’t just publish them.. they are often only half finished. I can be such a quitter sometimes… or too much of a perfectionist.
Okay, I’ll keep an eye out for your post on threading! ; 0 )
Tons of my friends here in SoCal do them, too. I’ve been thinking about doing it, too!
Hi! Visiting from Nicole’s.
You look amazing. I did hair extensions once but was allergic to the silicone glue. I don’t know what this would do to me, but I do love the look.
Karin,
they look great on you, I am quite tempted… I also have to tell you, and this is NOT supposed to be an offense, you look so much younger with zero make up. Take it as a compliment, please!
XX Katrin
Great post, you mentioned to make sure that your technician is a licensed cosmetologist or esthetician, rather you should make sure that your technician is also a certified eyelash extensions technician. I understand that each state has different rules and regulations, so some eyelash techs need their esthie or cosmo license as a prerequisite for getting certified as an eyelash extensions tech. Even if they say that they have this certificate it doesn’t mean you can trust them with your lashes yet! Make sure they have a good amount of experience. You can find one through a referral or ask them to show you some of their previous work.
Asking what kind of adhesive they use is a valid question- Ideally, medical grade glue is best for your health but since they are designed to break down it’s not so ideal for eyelash extensions, your extensions will start falling off after 10 days or so. Formaldehyde is not an ingredient in the glue, but its a result of the ingredients synthesizing when put together. There are companies which say that their glue’s are formaldehyde free which is not wrong but not true either there’s always going to be a little trace of it. If you are really scared but still want to get some extensions, work together with your tech and try a patch test. Have 5-10 extensions applied on the corner of your eye and see if you are sensitive to the glue or not. Normally, the allergic reaction occurs within the first 48 hours. It takes up to 48 hours for the glue to “dry” naturally, and during that process it omits a fume- which some people are allergic to.