Long, thick, and curled-up lashes are something that a lot of women aspire to have. Today there are many different methods to achieve this look, but the most popular, and by far most effective, are certainly lash extensions.
Many people can’t imagine their life without lashes. But then again, many first-timers are reluctant to get them. So let’s go through the pros and cons of lash extensions and help you decide if it’s something you want!
What Are Lash Extensions Exactly?
Lash extensions are semi-permanent fibers, that are applied to your natural lashes with specialized lash adhesive, to enhance their length, volume, and color.
This treatment is fairly simple and consists of a consultation with your technician where you will decide on a lash look and the application process that can last between 1 and 2 hours.
After the procedure, you will leave the salon with voluminous lashes that last up to 8 weeks in some cases, depending on your natural lash growth cycle.
Image source: Instagram @farnushfathi_lashes
Pros and Cons of Lash Extensions
Other than giving you a sky-high lash look, lash extensions also have their own set of advantages and disadvantages.
If you too want to achieve long-lasting wow effect lashes using this method, it’s crucial to know what to expect before deciding to book your appointment. Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of lash extensions:
The Pros
Let’s start with the pros because there definitely are many. These are all the reasons why you should choose this method instead of other ones, and the positive result that it can give you.
Variety of Lash Styles
One of the pros of lash extensions is that there is a variety of styles to choose from, that differ in length and volume, as well as shape and curl. This way, everyone can find a style that suits their taste as well as their individual eye shape and size.
The most popular technique is classic lashes, where one extension is applied to one of your natural lashes. But if your lashes need more volume or more curl, there is a technique to achieve that as well.
You can choose between classic, volume, or hybrid, but the best idea is to consult your lash tech about which style would suit your eyes best and create a unique look just for you.
Some of the most popular ones that you might have heard of are cat eye lashes and squirrel eyelash extensions, but it’s best to research all of the styles, and that way you’ll know exactly what you like best.
They Work For All Eye Shapes
As mentioned above, there is a style of lash extensions for every eye shape and size. That being said, sometimes clients request a specific style that ends up not looking quite like the reference picture they used.
That’s why it’s important that you go to a skilled lash tech who has knowledge about different eye shapes and the styles that suit them best, and of course, to listen to their advice if you want a good result.
For example, if you have small eyes, don’t be discouraged because there are plenty of ways a lash specialist can adjust the extensions to your eye in order to get the best look possible.
The same goes for hooded eyes, there are lash styles that you should avoid, such as too much volume or wispies, but there are still plenty of styles and curls that you can do, and end up with a great result.
They Won’t Damage Your Natural Lashes
Yes, you read that right – if done properly, lash extensions won’t damage your natural lashes.
Keep in mind that there are things that need to be done on your side for that to not happen, such as proper maintenance and aftercare, but the majority of it is also the lash tech’s job to make sure that everything is done properly.
Still, there are some unforeseen things that could happen that are not anyone’s fault, such as your eyes having a bad reaction to the extensions or something similar. If that happens don’t worry, lash extension allergy could easily be treated (more on this topic below).
They Save Time
There’s already a ton of beauty maintenance that women do that takes a lot of time and energy, but if you get your lash extensions done, they’ll be one thing less to worry about.
Unlike mascara or false lashes that you have to apply every day, lash extensions will last you from 6-8 weeks, with an occasional infill.
During that time you can enjoy an all-natural look enhanced with beautiful lashes, or apply makeup and feel free to skip the lash step.
So if you want to have long, full lashes for a longer time while still keeping your routine simple and saving time, then eyelash extensions are the right choice for you.
Image source: Instagram @flora.lashlabpro
The Cons
As great as lash extensions are, they have their own cons that you should be aware of. The good thing is that a lot of them can be either avoided or fixed, so don’t let these discourage you, just keep them in mind when making your decision.
You Could Get an Allergic Reaction
An allergy after a lash extension treatment usually occurs because you are allergic to the glue, or to be precise, the ingredient called cyanoacrylate that’s found in it.
It usually manifests like any other allergic reaction, with symptoms such as redness, irritation, swelling, or watery eyes.
If you get some of these symptoms, which will most likely occur a few days after the treatment, the only way to get rid of them is to remove the cause. That means booking a lash removal appointment as soon as possible.
Although the allergic reaction can happen again if you keep doing your lashes the same way, if your lash tech makes sure to use hypoallergenic adhesive, and other steps to prevent a reaction, you could be able to still get your desired lash look.
If you are experiencing itchy eyelids, or maybe painful, or red eyes, you can read our blogs to discover the possible causes and fixes.
Image source: Instagram @alyssamcguigan
If Done Poorly They Can Cause Damage
There are a lot of things that could go wrong during your lash appointment that cause damage to your natural lashes, while also not delivering a very attractive result.
It takes a skilled lash tech to know how to do all the steps properly, and what never to do because a few small mistakes can end up causing a bigger problem.
This is the reason why you shouldn’t try to save too much money on a not-so-reliable technician and do a lot of research before booking an appointment.
But it’s not just the lash tech who can damage your lashes – if you don’t follow up with proper aftercare or cleanse them the way you should that could also lead to a bad result.
Another thing to keep in mind if you do your lash fills consistently, is to take a break from time to time to let your natural lashes rest.
You Can Get an Infection
In an effort to protect your lashes, you can end up not cleansing them the way you normally would, and therefore not remove the dirt or bacteria that gets trapped in your lash extensions, giving them easy access to your eye.
You can also block the oil glands at the base of the eyelash which help protect your eye.
One of the functions of the oil is to prevent the evaporation of your tears. When oil production is out of balance, your tears dry too quickly, leading to dry eyes.
Symptoms of dry eye include irritation, itching, burning, redness, tearing, and you may have a feeling as if something is in your eye, or if you have blocked follicles, you could also experience photosensitivity, swollen eyes, plus discharge.
So if your eyes are crusty upon waking up, and you feel some of these symptoms, it’s time to visit an ophthalmologist.
They Can Be Pricey
The price of lash extensions depends on a few different things such as your location, the popularity of the artist, and what kind of extensions you choose. Based on that you will spend between $100-$300 for one treatment.
After that, if you choose to keep doing the treatment, know that the price of a lash extension refill is anywhere from $50 to $150.
So whether this is too much money or not is a personal opinion and depends on your budget. If you’re not sure about it, we can suggest that you try it out, and see if this is an investment worth your money or not.
Alternative Treatments
If after reading about the pros and cons of lash extensions you’re not sure whether you should go for it or not, don’t worry, there are other very effective and popular options that you could opt for instead:
Lash Extension VS. False Lashes
These two ways of lash-enhancing are very different, mainly because one is more permanent than the other. But after you’ve read the pros and cons of extensions, it might be good to compare them with other options you have.
So unlike lash extensions that last for over a month, false lashes need to be taken off at the end of every day. This might be good if you only want more dramatic lashes on some days, and not every day.
They can also be cleaned and reused several times especially if you get the more quality ones (which are still not expensive) so they are still very much worth your money.
If you want an at-home method that is more long-lasting, then check out our DIY lash extension guide before you get yourself a pair of falsies.
We’ve compared these two options in more depth here, so make sure you read our guide before forming a decision.
Lash Extensions VS. Lash Lift
A lash lift is on the other hand a method that doesn’t apply any lashes on top of your own. This makes it perfect for those who are into more natural beauty enhancement treatments and don’t want any extra hassle after the treatment.
But because it’s a method that uses only your own lashes, a lash lift can give an effect that’s only as dramatic as your lashes allow it to be. So those who have very short or thin lashes might still not be happy with the result.
If you like how a lash lift sounds but you’re more of a DIY kind of person, there is a way to improvise a lash lift at home, and without any equipment, so check that out.
Image source: Instagram @lashlifting_luana
Final Thoughts
Lash extensions are a very good option for those struggling to put on makeup in the morning or just want a waterproof, makeup-free solution for enhancing their lashes.
Potential risks and side effects can be avoided or treated, and are not too common. But there are also other methods like lash lifts that are just as good, it only depends on your personal taste and what kind of look you want to achieve.
