It seems like there’s a new beauty trend every few months. A person can walk into a beautician’s salon and leave with a whole new look! Lips can be plumped, wrinkles can be erased with a few injections, and unwanted fat can be removed in an outpatient visit. There isn’t a part of the body that can’t be enhanced in some way, including your eyelashes.
Eyelash extensions go a step above the typical false lashes that can be found at most drugstores. They can last up to weeks, giving a person the look of full, romantic lashes 24 hours a day. Styles vary from a natural look that fills out the lashes to a full, bushy Kim Kardashian-esque fashion. The process is painless but can be rather time-consuming.
A first-time appointment typically lasts one-and-a-half to two hours. During the procedure, the lashes are applied one at a time with a tiny tweezer-like tool while the eye is taped slightly shut. The materials of the lash depend on your price point, synthetic being the cheapest and mink being the most expensive.
To most people, eyelash extensions sound like a miracle. Full lashes can make your eyes pop and help refresh a tired look. Mascara won’t need to be used either, and a lot of women report that with eyelash extensions they’re more inclined to do a natural face instead of a full face of make-up. But are they worth it in the long run?
Costly Up Keep
Eyelash extensions can get high up in price. Depending on what material of lash is picked, expect to drop at least $200 for a first session. From there a person will need touch-ups every two-to-three weeks if they intend to keep them on for a long period of time. Lashes naturally shed, and the extensions will shed right along with them. This will cause unsightly gaps in the lash line, and any replacement lashes will cost at least $100. Places that boast lower cost lashes tend to have lower-quality products, which can create more problems down the road.
Toxic Glue
When extensions are applied, they’re done so using glue, which is a chemical that contains formaldehyde. This chemical can cause irritation and an allergic reaction in some people. It can range from something like a light burning but can get as bad as swelling in the eye. There’s also the risk that bacteria and fungi that can get trapped under the eyelash extensions. This can create redness and pain around the eye itself. Before any procedure is done, a spot test with the glue should be done to check for any allergic reaction.
Dry Eyes and Dust
Eyelashes are intended to keep dust and particles away and out of the eyes. Naturally, they are about one-third of the width of an eye. When the lashes are thicker and fuller, they create a fan-like effect. With each blink, airflow is increased and can dry out the surface of the eye faster. When lashes are also denser, they trap dust and debris, even fungi and bacteria. Irritation to the conjunctiva (the thin membrane that covers part of the surface area of the eye) has been reported as well. This could be due to the lashes themselves or the glue that’s used to apply them.
The process of getting eyelash extensions may seem like a cure-all for your morning routine. You can roll out of bed with perfect lashes, cutting down on precious prep time on your way out the door. Instead of applying mascara or drugstore falsies, they’re already done! It’d be one less thing to worry about! But weigh these 3 reasons why eyelash extensions might not be worth it. Are five-to-10 minutes of saved-time worth a possible eye infection or thousands of dollars in upkeep?
