I always get asked a lot of questions about my eyelash extensions just during the course of doing my routine, everyday activities. This isn't meant to sound braggy at all - I absolutely love my extensions and am happy to tell as much to anyone who asks me about them. I've been getting them for about a year and a half now and absolutely love the look of them, and the difference they make to my everyday appearance and makeup routine. As much as I love having extra long and full natural looking lashes on a day to day basis, I will say that they do require a decent bit of upkeep and maintenance so be prepared if you ultimately do decide to give them a try.
How much do they cost?
This is probably the question I get asked the most, and I will say that the initial investment for a full set isn't cheap. At my lash studio a full set can run up to $150. After the initial set, getting them filled in regularly is significantly less costly. A fill in can run anywhere from $45-$85, depending on how many lashes you have that need to filled in. Which brings me to my next point - lash extension upkeep and maintenance. The better you are about cleaning your lashes regularly, washing your face properly, and not rubbing or tugging at the extension, the longer they'll last. And you'll save wayyyy more money on fill ins.
How do I keep them clean?
First things first, please please please don't wet your lashes for the first 24 hours after you get them done. Personally, I try not to get mine wet for the first 48 hours. Yes, I know that seems a bit extreme but mentally I've just tricked myself into thinking that my lashes will hold up better if I do things this way lol. After the initial 24 (or 48 hour if you're me) waiting period, I like to clean my lashes with this cleanser every few days to remove any buildup, dirt or gunk. I fill the cap with a little warm water, add a couple of pumps of the cleanser to it, apply to a silicone mascara wand, and then brush all over my lashes. Sometimes I'll (gently!) rub the base of the lash with my finger if they seem especially dirty. I then rinse the brush with water, and run the brush - this time with only warm water on it - through my lashes again to remove the soap. Sometimes, I'll follow this up with rubbing (again, gently!) warm water on my lashes with my finger if I feel it's needed. I then brush them again to shape the lashes, then let them air dry.
How do I make them last as long as possible?
Full disclaimer - I'm not the best at preserving my extensions. I have a bad habit of pulling them out when I'm stressed (please don't be like me and do this), that I've recently been able to get a handle on. If you don't do this though, making them last is pretty simple. Again, don't get them wet for 24 hours. During that time the glue is still bonding to the last. If water gets on it, it'll weaken the bond before it sets. Next, brush them daily. I feel like lots of people shy away from brushing them on a daily basis bc they think it'll make them fall out faster, but trust me, that's not the case. You should also keep any oils or things like that away from your lashes. This means washing your face very carefully. I take care to wash around my eyes, and don't rub my eyes ever when washing my face. I've heard that this drives some people a bit crazy, but it really doesn't bother me much at all, although I can see how this could take some getting used to.
Do they take out your real lashes?
During the times I've taken a break from my extensions, I have noticed that my lashes are shorter. I've heard of theories that say your lashes appear shorter when you remove your extensions, because you've gotten used to seeing yourself with long full lashes on a day to day basis. I'm not quite sure if I believe in that theory, but my lashes did grow back to their pre-lash extension length within a few weeks.
