Eyelash extensions can be amazing! They can really transform the shape of your eye depending on how they're applied and most of the time, no one can tell that they're not your real lashes. At least, that's the point anyway. When your technician is finished applying your lashes, they should look like you grew them, if not, don't waste your money - buy the strip lashes!
Eyelash extensions are expensive and it takes a lot of time to get them done. Sometimes it can take a technician up to two hours to apply them. The good news is that it's a pretty relaxing experience. The place that I went to in San Francisco used to give me a glass of champagne. I actually looked forward to my $150+ "unwinding" session.
Choose the right technician. This person should be a licensed cosmetologist and/or esthetician.
The material is important. Choosing your material is a little overwhelming but really you can't go wrong here. Just make sure you choose the right weight for your lashes. You don't want to choose anything too heavy because that will 100% give it away. Your choices are: Faux Mink, Faux Fox, Silk, Real Mink, and last but not least, Real Human Hair. I like Faux Mink because it's cheaper and the thought of someone else's human hair next to my eyeballs scares me.
Safety Advice I Pulled From Living Healthy
Most extensions are applied with a substance that contains acrylates, an ingredient typically found in denture gel and nail lacquers that can be harsh for people with sensitive eyes or skin since they’re derived from acrylic. According to Rosalind C. Vo, MD, of the Cornea and External Disease Department of the UCLA Stein Eye Institute, “Acrylate is the main ingredient of corneal glue. We use this for patients with corneal perforation from injuries or ulcers, but otherwise it’s not the best [substance] to get in your eye.”
But perhaps more worrisome is the adhesive’s formaldehyde, which can be toxic. “When considering its use for eyelash extensions, the glue should not contain detectable levels of formaldehyde or benzoic acid,” says Vo. “During application of the eyelashes, the glue can cause blepharitis–inflammation of the eyelid, or an allergic conjunctivitis.” Be sure to ask your esthetician about the ingredients in the adhesive they are using. “Adhesives that have no detectable levels of formaldehyde are safe to use if they do not get into the eye,” she says.
Long story short, ASK your technician if they're using glue containing formaldehyde. ASK about their safety procedures. They should happily go over these things with you.
I wore eyelash extensions for a couple of years and then took a break after my wedding. I did have breakage but I grew my lashes back with growing serums. I'm wearing a few extensions here and there now, only because I like how dramatic they look when I apply mascara. And since I'm in front of the camera a lot these days, it's important for me to do a little more with my eyes. I'm not a fan of eyeshadow, so the lashes are all I have.
Some GREAT alternatives to eyelash extensions are these new magnetic lashes. Have you heard of them? I'll review them soon so stay tuned.
I'm also loving the R+F lash boost as well. See my full write-up here.
Check out this google search on bad eyelash extensions, it's scary!
