Are Eyelash Extensions Worth It?

This past month, I decided to try out eyelash extensions for myself to see what all the fuss was about. I’ve broken my eyelash experience down so you can decide if this beauty enhancement is worth it for you!

I was initially hesitant to even get extensions because my lashes are already pretty long. Why mess up a good thing? Curiosity certainly killed this cat, because I caved and booked an appointment.

I was a little nervous at the thought of someone brandishing a sharp tool close to my eyes. However, I was reassured by my beautician’s professionalism. (And my eyes were closed the whole time!)

All I had to do was lay down while she taped down my bottom lashes so they wouldn't get tangled with my top lashes. The process took two hours, and voila! I had a new set of long, luscious lashes. I didn’t experience any allergic reactions, which can happen. My eyes did feel a little dry for a few hours after, but the feeling soon went away. 

Luckily, the lashes never felt heavy to me, which is a common complaint a lot of people have. I also wear glasses every day and the lashes never touched my glasses, which was another concern of mine.

The lash technician recommended getting them refilled every two weeks, but mine lasted about a month until they started falling out and looking messy. (Because let’s be honest—what college girl can really pay for consistent lash refills?)

PSA: If you can avoid it, try not to take them out yourself. I made this mistake! This runs a risk of pulling out your natural lashes. Imagine going from voluminous lashes to, well, none. Let time do its thing, and they’ll fall out naturally.

When it came to washing my face, nothing really changed. The technician recommended staying away from oil-based products around the eyes, which wear down the glue. She also said to avoid using mascara. But mascara is my holy grail product, so I was a little worried about ditching it. I found I didn’t really need it with the extensions anyway. They provide the length, color and volume that mascara typically provides.

Getting eyelash extensions is quite out of character for me, so I was worried what people would say when they saw them. Shocker—no one noticed (with the exception of a few close friends). The lashes were way more natural than I expected, which I loved (although this may be disappointing for others).

Unfortunately, the process is quite expensive, especially for something which needs refilling every two weeks. Eyelash extensions usually range from $80 to $120, depending on your area. 

Even though I enjoyed them when I had them (they made me feel so glamorous), I most likely won’t be getting them done again. Overall, I think they’re too expensive for what you get. Not to mention the hypothetical cost of maintaining them!

I think extensions can be really fun for special occasions, or if you have the money to spend. Even though eyelash extensions are not something I normally splurge on, it was definitely a learning experience. Tag us at @theedgemag on Instagram if you decide to try them out for yourself!