Extension Confessions From a Former Lash Tech

Lash extensions popped onto our radar as one of those hot new trends that has now become a staple in many beauty routines. I'm all about a healthy set of lash extensions but I cringe when I see beauty bloggers post about them without getting into what a SERIOUS commitment they are! There is some need to know information to mull over when considering lash extensions so if you are reading this, YOU NEED TO KNOW!

Money

If you are reading this, you probably have an idea of what it costs to get extensions in your town, and all the information I give is based off of my experience living and working in Raleigh NC. That being said, I've found that across the board you need to expect to shell out about $100 per hour you spend in the salon- and don't forget to tip!

Let's be honest, you can find lash extensions for as low as $50 in ANY town. Just keep in mind you are allowing someone to put literal glue on your eyelashes, with a VERY sharp tool or two, in a place that hopefully follows proper sterilization techniques. You have to invest the money if you want your lash extensions to be worth it. So lets add the $300-$500 per month for your in salon services (detailed under time commitment) with the $50-$100 of home care products you'll need to buy every 2-3 months (lash cleanser, sealant, mascara for extensions, makeup remover, lash brush, plus the inevitable lash growth serum you'll be purchasing once you give your lashes a break and discover they've gotten a good bit shorter...). Last but not least, add in the cost of gas, the cost of your time (see below) and the cost a tip every time you see your lash tech.

Time Commitment

I have to be honest here- as much as I love lash extensions, I don't regularly wear them because of the time commitment. As a former lash tech, I worked on getting my application times down to give the most efficient service as possible so I know that a quick application is possible but not realistic- you're going to spend a lot of time on the table thinking about other things you could be doing. But keep in mind here friend that in-salon appointments are not the only time you'll dedicate to lash care.I'm going to use MY experience as an aesthetician to give you a generalized expectation of how much time you'll spend on your new eye faux mink eye fringe:

In Salon:

initial appointment: 2-3 hours (if you are going for full drama, expect it to take 3.5-4 hours)

refills: 1-2 hours every 2 weeks

= 3-5 hours in salon on a monthly basis if done modestly

Out of Salon:

Many factors go into healthy lashes. Here are the ways you'll spend your time on lashes outside of the salon! I didn't bother giving any time estimates, as they will be wildly different for everyone.

*Choosing a tech- READ REVIEWS. Ask for a tour of the salon and make sure they have a satisfactory sanitation score. Check out the lash stylist's work before going into the appointment for two reasons- you'll get a gauge of the tech's work, and if you bring in a picture of their own set, they'll have the formula for that set. Taking this time to finding the right person is the most important part of your experience.

*Distance- take a moment to add up how much time you would spend round trip in the car to and from your lash appointment and add it to your in-salon time

*Day of appointment- You'll need to keep your lashes dry after extensions. No sweating, no water, no makeup; you'll have to plan your day around getting your lashes done, there's no way around it.

*Lash hygiene- I'll get into this in more detail later, but lets just say you'll be adding another step to your am/pm routine, and makeup removal is about to get a lot more intentional.

Home Care

I waited to write this part last because of how much variation there is in home care between lash brands, and now that I'm here I must apologize for the long winded post- it wasn't my intention but honey you NEED TO KNOW! When it comes to lash extensions, home care (as with skincare) will vary from brand to brand and each brands' own product line will work best with their lashes; I'm here to give you an expectation of the time and effort you'll be putting into keeping your lashes healthy while at home no matter what brand your tech uses.

*You'll need to keep your lashes dry after application (some brands for 8 hours, some for 48). This means no sweating, no washing, no water, no nothing around the eye area.

*Once the dry period is over, you'll need to wash your lashes morning and night every day.

*Brush your lashes throughout the day and always after washing.

*Avoid oil based products (makeup remover, eye creams, makeup) on the eye area.

*Only use mascara made specifically for lash extensions.

*Say goodbye to sleeping on your face. Your lashes WILL break off.

In Conclusion

The point of this post was not to scare you away from lash extensions- I love them! I used to apply them! But I'm not going to pretend that it doesn't take serious time and money, not to mention a new step in your am AND pm hygiene routine. When you see your favorite blogger with picture perfect eyelash extensions, remember that while extensions are absolutely fabulous, they're a major commitment that won't work for everyone's lifestyle. Choose wisely and happy lashing!!!