Are Eyelash Extensions Worth It? A Comprehensive Guide

Are you considering getting eyelash extensions? Learn all about them from two experts - a dermatologist and a plastic surgeon - including finding the right artist, cost, risks and more.

Are Eyelash Extensions Worth It? A Comprehensive Guide

Are you considering getting eyelash extensions? Many customers love them because they save time during daily makeup and can achieve a personalized look. Plus, there's no need for eyeliners or masks. It's a safe and painless eyelash treatment done in two hours or less by certified eyelash artists. Strappy eyelashes don't damage your own eyelashes or hair follicles.

You apply the strips to the skin above the lash line, preventing the eyelashes themselves from all that glue and the constant weight of an added extension. When extensions first arrived on the mainstream market, it seemed like a relatively simple way to achieve faint, wavy eyelashes without the drawbacks of false masks or mascara. Other products may contain ingredients that can weaken the bond of eyelash extensions and cause them to come off prematurely. When it comes to safety, dermatologists compare eyelash extensions to acrylic nails; they're not necessarily good for you, but they're not likely to cause serious health problems.

You may decide that the aesthetics of the extensions outweigh the potential side effects (which commonly include irritation, infection and allergic reactions). However, you'll need to be more aware of the products you use on and around your eyelash line. With hybrid eyelash extensions, your technician can combine them and add a fan where you want more volume, and reduce it with simple ones. Eliminating the need to use mascara, eyelash extensions provide an instant renewal to your look and often eliminate the need to wear makeup entirely.

Wetting eyelashes used to be a major obstacle, but some current glue formulas allow exposure to water within 24 hours. If you're looking for a bold, defined lash line with or without eye makeup, eyelash extensions are definitely worth it. And try taking breaks where you let your natural lashes do their thing (and use a conditioning eyelash serum to get them back to health). Unlike strappy eyelashes, eyelash extensions are individually glued to natural hair, so they are highly customizable and look real. The result was great (I woke up with a strip full of eyelashes and went to work without putting on any makeup), but after a week I started to wake up with my pillowcase covered with eyelashes, extensions and my own natural eyelashes.

However, keep in mind that eyelashes are hair, and unless you have a pre-existing condition or circumstance, your hair grows back. Neither type of eyelash extension lasts longer than the other, but mink and silk lashes tend to look more natural, while synthetic lashes can be thicker and darker, making it more suitable for those who want a bolder look. If you're planning to get eyelash extensions, ask a licensed beautician to apply them to avoid these side effects. Next, two experts - a dermatologist and a plastic surgeon - will discuss everything you need to know about eyelash extensions: from finding the right artist to the cost, risks, and everything in between.

Estelle Bungart
Estelle Bungart

General travel fanatic. Unapologetic beer lover. Lifelong web scholar. Total web ninja. Friendly introvert. Award-winning pop culture fanatic.