Despite being a beauty writer and a lover of all things makeup, I prefer to keep most of my beauty looks very basic. Not that I’m incapable of pulling off a snatched full-faced look; I just think I look a lot better wearing less. My current everyday makeup routine consists of a tinted moisturizer, a matte shadow for my brows, bronzer and mascara. Doesn’t get any simpler than that, right? Well, it can. You’d be surprised to learn that I’ve recently added mascara back into my life after an eight-month hiatus due to my addiction to eyelash extensions.
Eyelash extensions are a surefire way to transform super-short or straight lashes to voluminous Bambi-esque lashes, all without the hassle of serums, falsies, curlers, clumps and all the other drama that comes with using mascara. They’re a real confidence booster. You’ll always look selfie-ready and possibly relate (just a little bit) to how Beyoncé© x Nicki Minaj feel all the time. All in all, this lash enhancement shortens the time of your makeup routine.
So why did I stop? The decision wasn’t easy. In fact, I was introduced to eyelash extensions in 2013 and I’ve been in an on-again/off again relationship with them ever since. Everyone always talks about how life-changing they are (which they are), but nobody ever mentions the cons of it. Maybe if someone warned me about them, I wouldn’t have been sucked into this addictive spiral. So based on my experiences, here’s what you should know before committing to eyelash extensions.
Applying eye makeup will never be the same.
Yes, you can still wear makeup(!) with lash extensions, but because you have these delicate, fluffy lashes semi-permanently glued to your natural ones, you’ll have to be extra careful when applying eyeshadow. Eyeliner is a little bit tricky, too. It’s best to apply liner at the corner of the eye to lower the chances of tugging off a lash or two.
You have to clean your extensions.
Be super careful when cleaning your extensions around the eye area to avoid weakening the precious fibres. You’ll need to use oil-free makeup removers and cleansers, and while you’re at it, stock up on Q-tips and makeup wipes. Also, brush your lashes with a spoolie every night and day to clean up makeup buildup and debris.
No more long, steamy showers.
After getting a brand new set or an eyelash fill, it’s recommended to wait 24 hours (or 48 hours if you have super oily skin) to get your extensions wet. You’ll want to plan ahead and make sure the 24 hours after your appointment is synchronized with the day you wash your hair. And when you do shower, make sure to face away from the shower head, as the steam and warm water may affect the strength of the extension adhesive.
Get used to sleeping on your back.
Sleeping will turn into a game Russian roulette, especially if you’re prone to toss and turn in your sleep. You’ll have to say goodbye to the luxury of sleeping on your side and stomach if you want to maintain the look of your lashes. One bad turn, could leave one eye lashless and your eyelash artist really pissed off.
It’s not cheap.
You’ll find yourself torn between getting your nails or your eyelashes done if you can’t afford to do both. (A new set of eyelash extensions will set you back between $93 to $325!) Refills are usually 40 to 50 percent of the cost of the original price, but you’ll want to go in for a fill between two to four weeks to really maintain a full look.
It’s super addictive.
It’s definitely not a cheap procedure, but once you’ve had them, they’re nearly impossible to give up. After your second fill, they will start to become addictive. You’ll begin to panic at the sight of an uneven ratio of lashes on each eye and might even be tempted to call your lash artist after two weeks.
Saying goodbye isn’t easy.
If you plan on taking a break or giving up eyelash extensions entirely, you’re going to notice that your natural lashes aren’t as long or strong as they used to be. Don’t freak out! This lash serum will help nourish and speed up your lash growth in no time.
StimuLashFusion Intensive Night Conditioning Lash Enhancer Treatment, $99
This intensive night serum helps restore the look of strong, healthy lashes within six weeks. With the soft applicator brush, apply a thin line along the upper lashline, like you would a liquid eyeliner. Apply it daily before bedtime. And while your lashes may never reach extension-like lengths, there’s always falsies!
Thanks for pointing out that we should sleep on our back when we have eyelash extensions. As you said, this is to keep the way it looks because one wrong position can damage them. I will keep that in mind since I sleep on my left side, but I badly want extensions since I will attend a formal event this coming weekend. It would be great if I will be able to wear it for a long time.