Eyelash Extensions: Should You Get Them?

Eyelash Extensions are something perfect to get if you want to wake up with perfect looking lashes every morning. However, there are some pros and cons to getting Eyelash Extensions. This article will answer the question of weather you should get them or not. 

To start, Eyelash Extensions are a cosmetic application used to enhance the length, curl, fullness, and thickness of natural eyelashes. The extensions may be made from several materials including mink, silk, synthetic, human or horsehair.  The main way of applying these extensions is by using a adhesive to apply them to the natural lash from the base of the natural eyelash itself. It is important to note that eyelash extensions never make contact with the eyelid. They last for about six to eight weeks. They either will naturally fall out themselves and that is when you know you need to get new ones. 

Pro: Eyelash Extensions will not ruin your real lashes.

Whenever I thought about getting eyelash extensions, I got nervous that they were going to ruin my actual lashes. However, when doing research,  there isn’t a ton of evidence that shows whether eyelash extensions actually affect your natural lash length or health long-term. There is, however, a teeny-tiny risk of developing traction alopecia. What this means is your natural lashes can fall out as a result of the constant weight of repeated eyelash extensions. But this honestly isn’t a super common thing, it only ever happens when your extensions are poorly put on or you don’t go to a clean place to get them done. This is why it’s always important to do your research. I love a groupon as much as the next girl does but in this case it may just be better to pay full price at a reputable salon so you aren’t taking any risks. Make sure your technician is taking all of the important sanitary precautions such as washing hands and wearing a mask (especially right now with everything going on. 

Pro: The lashes themselves aren’t dangerous

Going back to what I said before, it is important to do your research. Eyelash extensions are only ever dangerous if your technician isn’t using proper materials. Something super important to note is before you go to your appointment, ask the salon about the ingredients in the lash adhesive they use. If they dont answer the question or the ingredients are harmful, cancel your appointment. It is  best to choose a salon that uses glues made with butyl cyanoacrylate and octyl cyanoacrylate instead of formaldehyde. Formaldehyde is a toxic chemical known to irritate the eyes and cause redness and swelling. While places that use glue that contain formaldehyde may be cheaper, it is not worth taking the risk irritating your eyes and possibly causing permanent damage. 

The Cost:

The cost of eyelash extensions mainly depends on where you live. In general terms, they can range anywhere from $100-$400. You also need to factor in a tip, which is usually a lot of money as well. Keeping up with eyelash extensions are something that is also costly, which you need to keep in mind. The longer you go between fill-ins, the more lashes you’ll need to replace and the more it will cost you. If you end up waiting to long your technician might just want to give you a brand-new set of extensions rather than a fill-in, which will end up being even more expensive. You may think that waiting longer ends up getting your money’s worth but it ends up being more costly in the end. 

Sizing:

This is something that I wasn’t completely aware of, but if the eyelash extensions you get are to big for your eyes, it can do serious damage to your natural lashes. The type of lashes you can get all depends on the length and strength of your natural lashes. Wearing lashes that are too long or too thick for your lashes can actually cause damage in the long run, so you need to make sure your extensions aren’t too much longer or thicker than your natural lashes. Don’t worry if you don’t know what size your eyes can handle, your lash technician will know what they are doing because they are professionals. 

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Cons- Going to places that charge less:

You may think that you are getting a great deal, but in reality you are just doing damage to your natural eyelashes. There are all these places that say they do lash extensions for $65, but typically, what you’re getting is a cluster. A cluster is essentially a bunch of lashes that have been pre-glued together and they’re incredibly heavy. They’ll completely destroy your natural lashes. You will end up going to another place and spending more money to fix them. 

Cons- Getting them to often:

Studies show that it’s a good idea to only get extensions sporadically, like before a wedding or special occasion, as opposed to consistently. Studies also show that its only a good idea to get these extensions consistently if you have naturally sparse or light eyelashes. If you are young and have full lashes, the eyelash extensions over time will end up slowly destroying your natural ones. It’s not the eyelash extensions themselves that cause an issue, as they are designed to be lightweight and safe for the eyes. Instead, like we talked about before it’s the glue that can cause could potentially hurt your eyes.

To answer the question of whether or not eyelash extensions are worth it, I would say both yes and no. It really just depends on the person. If you are willing to spend the time doing your research and are willing to not be cheap, then yes they are worth it. However if you want to get them done by looking for different groupons and deals, I would advise against them. If you want lashes for cheap, I would recommend gluing them on yourself or investing in magnetic lashes. However, like I said if you are willing to properly invest in eyelash extensions they are definitely worth getting.