Are you curious about eyelash extensions? If so, keep reading! I am going to give you an honest, full review of my experience with lash extensions, as well as everything you should know before getting them.
BACKGROUND
My natural lashes are extremely light blonde. When I wore mascara, I would always curl my lashes first (with a heated curler), and then make sure I coated each eyelash completely with the mascara wand to cover all of the blonde.
Wearing mascara really helps to define my eyes, so I wore it almost every single day. For holidays, weddings, and other special events, I popped on a pair of glue-on false eyelashes because I loved the dramatic look that it gave my eyes.
So, if I loved the “roll out of bed and have amazing lashes” look, why not try lash extensions? I heard about lash extensions through some bloggers and influencers, and that’s when I really started to do some research.
RESEARCH
I can’t express how important it is to do some research. The key to getting a great set of extensions is finding a licensed esthetician who really knows what they’re doing. Research as many local places as you can and read all of their reviews.
I came across a salon called Lash Crush and could already tell that I wanted Romana to do my lashes. She’s a licensed esthetician who has been applying extensions for over seven years. All of the reviews raved about how professional and knowledgable she was about the entire process.
So, I booked an appointment for a classic full set.
THE PROCESS
There are so many different factors when it comes to determining how your extensions are going to look – length, curl type, etc. Give your esthetician as many details as you can explaining what you want your lashes to look like. For my first set, I wanted a more classic look, so Romana knew just what to use. Currently, I get volume lashes applied which gives my lashes more of a dramatic effect. But the classic set is perfect if you want a more natural look.
Now it’s time to get them applied. At Lash Crush, you sit in the most comfortable recliner, no joke! Getting a full set for the first time takes a couple of hours, but don’t worry, all of the fills that you get aren’t nearly as long. Two hours seems like a long time, but it honestly flies by, especially if you fall asleep. I have fallen asleep almost every time I go for a fill. It’s my time to just unwind and not have a care in the world.
Your lash esthetician will apply each lash individually onto your own natural lash while your eyes are closed. They use a safe, high-quality adhesive that will never damage your natural lashes. And there is no pain, either. Romana puts gel pads under your eyes to make the process even more comfortable.
THE UPKEEP
Once your lashes are on, it’s time for you to do your part to keep them maintained. The most important step is to not get your lashes wet for the first 24 hours. That means no swimming, no steam, no sweating, no mascara, nothing! This allows time for the adhesive to dry so that your lashes will last.
You will want to avoid exposing your lashes to any products that contain oil, including the makeup and skincare products that you apply near your eyes. Make sure to wash them regularly to keep them clean – I’ve found that using a baby shampoo is the most gentle way to do it.
A lot of people wonder if you can wear mascara on top of the extensions. Yes, you can, but you honestly will not need it. You are going to love the way your lashes look without any mascara. However, if you want to wear mascara, make sure you apply a water-based version, and never a waterproof mascara.
You will need to get your lashes filled every 2-4 weeks, depending on your lash cycle. Your extensions will fall out with your natural lash cycle, and everyone’s is different. I typically get mine filled every 3-4 weeks.
You won’t need to mess with your extensions much at all. The only time I touch them is when I am washing them or when I am brushing them with a clean spoolie brush to keep them separated. It is so easy!
SUMMARY
I have been getting extensions for over a year now, and I won’t be going back to my natural lashes anytime soon. I love being able to wake up with lashes that are already “done.” I usually don’t apply any other eye products during my makeup routine because the extensions fully define my eyes (if you are curious about my everyday makeup routine, click here). To me, that’s the best benefit – just put on my face makeup and I am ready to go.
In my opinion, the only cons with eyelash extensions are the cost and upkeep. Each salon has different prices, so take a look at the local salons near you and see what their pricing list looks like. And yes, you will need to get them filled every 2-4 weeks, but I always enjoy getting mine done. I look forward to sitting in Romana’s chair, falling asleep, and waking up with a beautiful set of lashes every time 🙂
Thank you for reading! I hope this was helpful if you are curious about lash extensions, or are thinking about getting your first set. Please do not hesitate to reach out to me with any questions you may have.
P.S. If you are in the Charleston area and get your lashes done at Lash Crush, mention my name (Kara Poore) and you will get 20% off a classic set!
