With eyelash extensions, single synthetic lashes are bonded onto the customer’s existing natural eyelash. The procedure is carried out by a fully trained technician and lasts approximately 45 minutes to one hour. In this time, dozens of individual eyelashes of differing lengths and thicknesses are applied to a customer’s natural eyelashes.
Although the eyelashes are synthetic, they look and feel 100% natural. They will cause your eyelashes to look darker and more voluminous in appearance – they add thickness and length to your natural eyelashes, instantly lifting the eyes. The eyelashes are extremely light and feel comfortable to wear.
While you do need to avoid getting them wet during the first 24 hours, after that you can shower or swim without worry.
WARNING: Before getting lash extensions, inquire about the type of bonding agent used by your chosen beauty salon or spa. Ensure that the bonding agent used is suitable for cosmetic procedures and will not cause an allergic reaction. Ask your chosen clinic about the steps that they take to ensure that the bonding agent does not enter the eyes. When conducted safely, the procedure presents no risk of damage to the natural eyelash and if at any time you decide that you no longer desire your synthetic eyelashes, you can request that they are removed by a technician.
Costs of eye lash extensions
A few different cost factors go into getting eyelash extensions: both the time and money involved in the process. No matter how high the quality of the lash extensions or how skilled the aesthetician who applies them, semi-permanent false eyelashes are going to fall out with your natural eyelashes, so constant (every few weeks), re-application is necessary, and you’ll have to make another appointment at the cosmetologist if you want to keep your dramatic lashes.
Costs of the procedure
Like beauty salons and spas, the price for any procedures vary widely, depending upon the expertise level of the cosmetologists, the reputation of the salon, and other factors that may or may not have an impact on how well your extensions are applied.
The cost for the initial procedure can range from $100-$300 – to compensate the aesthetician for his or her time, as well as the products used. There are several different brands of synthetic eyelashes, and some of the cost will be from the wholesale price of these lashes, though not a significant amount.
The beautician should have the training necessary to know which color, shape, and thickness of eyelash extensions will look best on you, though he or she may consult your opinion to decide between a few final options. Some extensions are meant to look completely natural, and some look like you’re just wearing some mascara, and some are very glamorous and bold.
The touch-up visits should happen every two to three weeks for as long as you want to be wearing eyelash extensions, and these appointments can cost almost as much as the first application, or significantly less, depending on where you go, but expect to pay anywhere between $50-$250. If you’re going to a new place, be sure to mention it’s just a touch up, which should be cheaper because it won’t take as long.
Cost in time
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The procedure for getting semi-permanent lashes applied takes about an hour. It’s not painful or uncomfortable, but you’ll have to keep your eyes closed for almost an hour to prevent any of the chemicals from running into your eyes. Many women just take a nap, because there’s not much else to do, so take into account that you won’t be able to do anything productive, so this is a lost hour.
Cost of applying lashes yourself, at home
Eyelash extensions kits cost about $50 and can go as high as $100 for a few applications worth of lash extenders. There’s a lot to mess up on when you’re doing this yourself though, because you’ll have to try to keep your eyes open and unblinking for long periods of time. It will be almost impossible if you can’t close each eye independently, so that one eye’s lashes can set while you apply the artificial lashes to it. You would probably be better off paying a salon to apply your lashes for the first few times, paying careful attention, before you try to put on your on extensions at home.
Eyelash extensions vs. fake eyelashes
- Lash extensions are designed to last for the duration of your natural eyelash’s life, though they should be kept away from extreme temperatures, long-term submersion in water, and harsh chemicals.
- Eyelash extensions are much more natural looking than fake eyelashes.
- The lashes add length and dimension to your own lashes so your eyes have a larger, softer look to them.
- You can use any type of water based mascara with the lashes to help enhance your look. You can also use your standard eye makeup products such as eyeliner, shadow and brow liner products when wearing the lashes.
FAQs for Eyelash Extensions
I’ve gotten a lot of similar questions about getting eyelash extensions over the past few months, so I thought I would take the time to answer all the major questions I’ve been getting. Eyelash lengthening is a relatively new cosmetic procedure, so a lot of people still don’t really understand what it entails. If you have any more questions about any type of eyelash-related beauty treatments, please let me know in the comments and I will answer them as quickly as possible!
Are eyelash extensions permanent? Or, how long do the lash extensions last?
Sadly, by their very design, the extensions aren’t permanent, because your own eyelashes aren’t permanent! The synthetic lashes are attached to your own lashes, meaning they fall out when your real lash does. Eyelashes have an average lifespan of around 3-4 weeks, so you’ll need to go in for touch-ups about every three weeks to fill in the lost lashes. You can decrease the chances of your lashes falling out by being gentle around your eyes, wearing little to no mascara, and avoid harsh chemicals around your eyes.
I’m looking for truly permanent eyelash extensions. How do I get them?
You’re talking about lash implants, which is an actual surgical procedure that will transplant some hair follicles from your head onto your upper lash line. Some hairs won’t survive the process, so you’ll have to wait for them to grow in, and they will still behave like head hair – you’ll have to trim them from becoming too long, curl them upwards so they don’t fall straight down into your eyes, etc. This is a serious procedure that can create a ton of hassle, and really, only people like burn victims who have permanently lost their own eyelashes should look into this cosmetic surgery.
I can’t afford continually paying for eyelash extensions, but I hate my eyelashes! They’re too thin/short/pale/sparse/ugly.
You actually have quite a few ways to enhance the appearance of your eyelashes without committing the continual time and money to get an eyelash extension applied. Eyelash extensions cost around $100-$200 for the initial application, and $30-$75 for bi-weekly touch-ups.
If your lashes are blond, eyelash tinting while dye your lashes and produce an immediately more dramatic look that will last a couple of months, plus it’s cheap. On other women, their biggest lash problem is eyelashes that stick straight outward – girls of Asian and Native American descent often have this problem. Eyelash perming, which is exactly what it sounds like, while create a semi-permanent upward curl in your eyelashes that has a big impact on how big and center-of-attention your eyes appear. For products like Lash Allure MD, you will see results, as long as you apply the serum regularly.
Can I just buy the extensions and apply the lashes myself?
Well, yes, but with a few caveats. I would really recommend you and a friend take turns applying them on each other, and you really should see it done at least once before you try to start attaching eyelashes to yourself. The chemicals that prep your lashes and also the glue itself can run into your eyes and become very painful, so you really want to be able to have your eyelashes closed the whole time, which is why I suggest using a friend.
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I used to get my eyelashes done twice a month – it wouldn’t be so bad if the initial procedure was all you needed, but paying $117 every two weeks adds up over a couple years.