Eyelash extensions?

[devonpow]

I just booked my first appointment for these..anyone had them done before? Are they truly the miracle either some say? I just want to look more refreshed even without make up

[kirstinb]

I just had them taken off after about 9 straight months. I liked not having to put on mascara, but I honestly think I look better without them. My eyelashes are blonde and thin so your extensions will only have that satisfying wow factor if you have decent lashes to begin, IMO. They also made my eyelids red all the time, so they looked a bit aged (could just be me though…I have sensitive skin). What I didn't like about them: you can't rub your eyes so taking off make up is difficult. As a result, you end up getting a layer of makeup crust stuck to the base of your lashes. But boy was it nice to skip mascara and go on vacation and swim without looking ghastly.

[majick143]

I've had them for a couple of months now:

Pros:
- They look amazing. I have decent lashes to begin but these make my eyes pop.
- No mascara!! Although I only have them on top so I wear extension friendly mascara on bottom.
When I want to really go all out with makeup, I just use a dark powder instead of eyeliner on top and press it into my lash line with an angled brush. My esthetician suggested doing this instead of liner which could be hard to remove. It works like a charm.
- Eventually I have come to like the look of my lashes without liner on top at all. I do wear extension friendly liner on the bottom though when I go out and that's really enough and I LOVE a smoky eye so this says something.

Cons:
-Sleeping make me nervous sometimes, Obviously you don't want to smash your face into the pillow so you have to figure that out. I've figured it out and it works pretty well. I just carefully brush them back into place in the morning.
- Removing makeup does change but it's not hard and I definitely DO NOT have a build up of makeup at the base of my lashes. Qtips are your friends. Also, when she 'cleans' them to fill them, she uses gentle cleanser on eye pads and if you have to really get in there, it's an option. I've never had to do that though. Simply a normal routine and using q tips right at my lash line has been very easy. I supposed this could be tricky if you are say.... a Kardashian but I don't wear that much makeup with them so it's not a problem.
- Can't really RUB your eyes, in all this time I've never done it except once in the shower recently I forgot and kind of rubbed a bit but they were fine. I don't think rubbing your eyes is a great habit though anyway, so there's that.
- Expensive..... at least if you find a good reputable place to have them done.


Definitely don't have red eye lids at all. My eyes have taken to them easily without any irritation or difficulty. Frankly I forget I have them unless I catch my reflection in a mirror or when I actually do my makeup.

Overall they've been an AWESOME experience for me. I will say though, it's alarming and depressing to see those suckers fall off in the sink because they're super noticeable. It's totally normal but it's still like, aw damn.

[Deleted]

Pretty much everything majick143 said.  (and thanks for the qtip advice... why I never thought of this, I have no clue lol)  And I LOLed about seeing them in the sink lol.  Everytime I wash my face and one comes off I want to have like a funeral for it as I let in go in the water lol.

I am pretty much obsessed with my lashes.  I use to wear a ton of eye make up and now I rarely wear anything more than a little shadow and mascara on my bottom lashes; this saves me at least 10-15 minutes in the morning, and not to mention all the money I use to spend on $20 tubes of mascara and $25 eye liners.

However, when I go out out, I do wear a little liner and sometimes put mascara on the tips on my lashes for a more dramatic look (you can only put mascara on the tips or else it will cause build up at the base of your extensions.)

Mine have never caused any redness or irritation - I believe that is a sign they aren't properly being applied.  Just make sure where ever you go, there are licensed - you are dealing with your eyes.

Here is a picture of the first time I got them done, and now I get fills every 3 weeks.

[DirtySouth]

I've been fascinated by these for a while. They look amazing, but don't they cost hundreds of dollars on a regular basis? Out of curiosity, for those who have them, what made you decide to do extensions rather than Latisse?

[Deleted]

Mar 24, 2015 9:44:53 GMT -5 DirtySouth said:

I've been fascinated by these for a while. They look amazing, but don't they cost hundreds of dollars on a regular basis? Out of curiosity, for those who have them, what made you decide to do extensions rather than Latisse?

I believe the price will vary depending on your location. I get mine done in an area that is known to be pricey, but only paid about $250 for a full classic set - I say "only" because they can be $500-600+ in some areas.  The price also varies on the type of set you get - a volume set where I go is around $500.  The maintenance is a fill every 3 weeks which runs me about $65 (for classic lashes) - sometimes $75 if I want her to work longer than an hour on them.

I did not even ponder Latisse knowing a side effect could be loss of vision.  But then again, if you go to someone who doesn't know what they are doing, extensions could cause loss of vision too if you got an infection.

[carylee07]

I love mine. I am not sure I could live without them. I got my first full set in December with fills every 3 weeks or so ever since then.

Majick hit all my points on the head.
No redness. I don't feel them at all.
No makeup residue on my lashes.
Though most days I not only skip the mascara, I skip shadow also.

I use a makeup wipe to remove anything on my lids. I just wrap it around my finger.

I'm paying $45-60 for a fill depending on how my lashes happen to do that round.

ETA: with and without comparison:

[majick143]

I considered Latisse as well DirtySouth, for the amount of money and the possible side effects, I figured I would give these a shot first and see how I liked them. The woman I go to has a space in one of the salons that rents out rooms to stylists etc. She has very little overhead and only does lashes so I am guessing she can price them well. The full set was $265 but I got lucky and she was running a special to rebuild her clientele after a medical leave. Since I went with the silk lashes and not the synthetic, they're a little more expensive and fills are $69. The synthetics were a little bit less for full set and fills but the fills were more frequent because the lashes are just a bit heavier and will make a lash fall out sooner than a silk extension would.

My thoughts were that I didn't do well with the extensions, I would try Latisse. I've heard really mixed reviews about Latisse and extensions both, I just happened upon the deal with this lash girl and figured I would go for it. It definitely stings to pay that price every time I have a fill but I LOVE them so much!

[Deleted]

I got them done back in January. I went in not knowing what the hell to expect. I thought lashes were lashes. got in there and she started asking me what type I wanted, what shape, how far out, how long. I just told her I wanted something natural looking. carylee07 and I even discussed how many she got because my person claimed that I got a full set with 30 per eye. I told my makeup artist friend after I had them done that the person that did my lashes said 30 per eye was a full set and my friend laughed saying that it's supposed to be 75. So since I had no idea what it was I was going for, we started in the middle of my lid, and move outward. We went with the L-shaped extensions because I wanted some curl to them because I hate my natural stick straight lashes. I liked the results okay but after after talking my friend migh try some place else next time. Or just go back to Latisse which costs just as much and I get just as good results without having to deal with all the maintenance of no oil based mascaras, face washes, makeup. The cost of Latisse was $100 for one little vile. After a month of daily use I saw longer lashes and then I was able to reduce the applications to every other day. So my vile was able to last me about three months.

[Deleted]

Mar 24, 2015 12:22:35 GMT -5 @natariru said:

I'm considering this. Does it damage your natural lash?

If they are applied correctly, no. They just shed with your natural lashes. 

[majick143]

Mar 24, 2015 12:27:45 GMT -5 ditzydi said:

I got them done back in January. I went in not knowing what the hell to expect. I thought lashes were lashes. got in there and she started asking me what type I wanted, what shape, how far out, how long. I just told her I wanted something natural looking. carylee07 and I even discussed how many she got because my person claimed that I got a full set with 30 per eye. I told my makeup artist friend after I had them done that the person that did my lashes said 30 per eye was a full set and my friend laughed saying that it's supposed to be 75. So since I had no idea what it was I was going for, we started in the middle of my lid, and move outward. We went with the L-shaped extensions because I wanted some curl to them because I hate my natural stick straight lashes. I liked the results okay but after after talking my friend migh try some place else next time. Or just go back to Latisse which costs just as much and I get just as good results without having to deal with all the maintenance of no oil based mascaras, face washes, makeup. The cost of Latisse was $100 for one little vile. After a month of daily use I saw longer lashes and then I was able to reduce the applications to every other day. So my vile was able to last me about three months.

Ditzy, this is really good information about Latisse! I'm definitely spending that on my lashes right now.  I think the main difference for me would probably be that there's no need for mascara with extensions.  I still might consider this later though.

@natariru, my lash girl said that there shouldn't be any damage to your own lashes as long as they're applied correctly with good products. Our lashes have a natural life cycle and fall out on their own after a certain amount of time and new ones take their place. Just be sure to find someone reputable.  My lady sat down with me before even touching my lashes to talk about the products she uses, why she uses them etc.  She showed her tools and made sure I was comfortable with everything before beginning, at first I was like, whatever..... but it showed me that she cared and wasn't just a cut rate place super glueing Ardell lashes to me. lol

[woowoo]

Mar 24, 2015 12:27:45 GMT -5 ditzydi said:

 Or just go back to Latisse which costs just as much and I get just as good results without having to deal with all the maintenance of no oil based mascaras, face washes, makeup. The cost of Latisse was $100 for one little vile. After a month of daily use I saw longer lashes and then I was able to reduce the applications to every other day. So my vile was able to last me about three months.

This was why I ended up on Latisse.  I did the extensions for about 3-4 months last year but not being able to rub my eyes was driving me CRAZY, especially because I was training for a triathlon and swimming 3x a week.  This last fall I tried Latisse and I'm really happy with it.  I also only apply it every other day, so it costs a lot less than the extensions, and I don't have to take the time to make/go to an appt. 

[carylee07]

Mar 24, 2015 12:22:35 GMT -5 @natariru said:

I'm considering this. Does it damage your natural lash?

Make sure they size your lashes based on your current lash size. The heavier your extensions are compared to your natural lashes, the more likely your lashes can get damaged since they're not strong enough to support a thicker lash. Also- I didn't realize lashes only have a 4-6 week lifecycle anyway so if (God forbid) you were to get a bad lash job, your natural lashes would grow back in fairly quickly.

[carylee07]

Does anyone have before and after pictures using Latisse? That would be a big selling point for me. My natural lashes are so thin and non existent. I can't imagine I would get the same exact results with Latisse as I do with extensions. But I've also never seen before and after pics. Yes I can google but I don't want to see gross "Latisse gone wrong" photos in the process!!! Plus I would like to see photos of people I actually "know."

[Deleted]

Mar 24, 2015 12:41:26 GMT -5 woowoo said:

Mar 24, 2015 12:27:45 GMT -5 ditzydi said:

 Or just go back to Latisse which costs just as much and I get just as good results without having to deal with all the maintenance of no oil based mascaras, face washes, makeup. The cost of Latisse was $100 for one little vile. After a month of daily use I saw longer lashes and then I was able to reduce the applications to every other day. So my vile was able to last me about three months.

This was why I ended up on Latisse.  I did the extensions for about 3-4 months last year but not being able to rub my eyes was driving me CRAZY, especially because I was training for a triathlon and swimming 3x a week.  This last fall I tried Latisse and I'm really happy with it.  I also only apply it every other day, so it costs a lot less than the extensions, and I don't have to take the time to make/go to an appt. 

Good point about the training. When I got mine done it was specifically for New Year's and I wasn't running a whole lot.  I did run a half about halfway through the life of them but the thing that bothered me was not being able to rub my eyes period and having to be so careful with them. And since they were so sensitive I was nervous about getting them wet.  So then it was hard for me to wash my face because I didn't want to get them wet.  So then I broke out more.  It was just a mess.  Ha.

[Deleted]

I use to wear a lot of eye make up so I guess I'm use to not being able to rub my eye, or rather figuring out a way to rub them and not smudge my makeup lol. And regarding cleaning them, I clean mine twice a day - morning and night. I just use my normal face wash and close my eyes and run my finger lightly in the direction of my lashes. Then I take my finger tip and lightly line my lash line. I also have several dry mascara wands in like my purse, work desk, makeup bag, and I brush them throughout the day to fluff them.

[majick143]

Mar 24, 2015 14:38:10 GMT -5 @blonde407 said:

I use to wear a lot of eye make up so I guess I'm use to not being able to rub my eye, or rather figuring out a way to rub them and not smudge my makeup lol. And regarding cleaning them, I clean mine twice a day - morning and night. I just use my normal face wash and close my eyes and run my finger lightly in the direction of my lashes. Then I take my finger tip and lightly line my lash line. I also have several dry mascara wands in like my purse, work desk, makeup bag, and I brush them throughout the day to fluff them.

I definitely second having the dry mascara wands! I have them all over too!

[shopgirl07]

I do Latisse. I would definitely do extensions if not for the cost.

Latisse is about $185 for the vial and it lasts a good long time, 4-6 months I think? I notice a difference pretty quick with Latisse, definitely within 2 weeks. Unless you have pretty long lashes already, Latisse will not deliver the same results as extensions. But, it's easy peasy and you don't have to worry about shedding, makeup, etc.

There's a woman who is amazing with extensions at my salon, but the initial application is $250 and 2 week fills are $50. I would definitely try them for an event, but for the time being I'm happy with Latisse for day to day.

[treedimensional]

Mar 24, 2015 12:27:45 GMT -5 ditzydi said:

....Latisse which costs just as much and I get just as good results without having to deal with all the maintenance of no oil based mascaras, face washes, makeup. The cost of Latisse was $100 for one little vile. After a month of daily use I saw longer lashes and then I was able to reduce the applications to every other day. So my vile was able to last me about three months.

Only three months? Really? A vile normally lasts me 9 or 10.

Latisse is commonly offered as a "BOGO" deal around here, with a full size and a smaller size as a bonus. The bundle is $120.

I got this deal LAST YEAR, in July, and I haven't even OPENED the small vial yet.

My lashes are maxed out so I just use it like once or twice a week for maintenance. As far as I can tell, extensions cost WAY more.

[Deleted]

Mar 24, 2015 19:28:16 GMT -5 treedimensional said:

Mar 24, 2015 12:27:45 GMT -5 ditzydi said:

....Latisse which costs just as much and I get just as good results without having to deal with all the maintenance of no oil based mascaras, face washes, makeup. The cost of Latisse was $100 for one little vile. After a month of daily use I saw longer lashes and then I was able to reduce the applications to every other day. So my vile was able to last me about three months.

Only three months? Really? A vile normally lasts me 9 or 10.

Latisse is commonly offered as a "BOGO" deal around here, with a full size and a smaller size as a bonus. The bundle is $120.

I got this deal LAST YEAR, in July, and I haven't even OPENED the small vial yet.

My lashes are maxed out so I just use it like once or twice a week for maintenance. As far as I can tell, extensions cost WAY more.

Huh. I've never heard of a bogo deal for latisse. But I still think for $100 per bile that lasts three months is still easier to swollow than the cost of extensions. I need to figure out how to make my vile last longer. I run out of the stupid little brushes way before I run out of the Latisse.

[frontbutt]

Mar 24, 2015 19:28:16 GMT -5 treedimensional said:

Mar 24, 2015 12:27:45 GMT -5 ditzydi said:

....Latisse which costs just as much and I get just as good results without having to deal with all the maintenance of no oil based mascaras, face washes, makeup. The cost of Latisse was $100 for one little vile. After a month of daily use I saw longer lashes and then I was able to reduce the applications to every other day. So my vile was able to last me about three months.

Only three months? Really? A vile normally lasts me 9 or 10.

Latisse is commonly offered as a "BOGO" deal around here, with a full size and a smaller size as a bonus. The bundle is $120.

I got this deal LAST YEAR, in July, and I haven't even OPENED the small vial yet.

My lashes are maxed out so I just use it like once or twice a week for maintenance. As far as I can tell, extensions cost WAY more.

Where do you get Latisse? Eye doctor? Dermatologist? I have no idea who to ask - do you think the doctor will give me the side eye if I request it?

[devonpow]

Thanks for the feedback everyone !

FYI on Latisse - I asked my eye dr about it. ( they sell it in her office) and she recommended against it for me because there have been cases of people with light colored eyes having them permanently darken to brown using Latisse ( I have hazel eyes).

[Deleted]

Mar 31, 2015 17:48:17 GMT -5 frontbutt said:

Mar 24, 2015 19:28:16 GMT -5 treedimensional said:

Only three months? Really? A vile normally lasts me 9 or 10.

Latisse is commonly offered as a "BOGO" deal around here, with a full size and a smaller size as a bonus. The bundle is $120.

I got this deal LAST YEAR, in July, and I haven't even OPENED the small vial yet.

My lashes are maxed out so I just use it like once or twice a week for maintenance. As far as I can tell, extensions cost WAY more.

Where do you get Latisse? Eye doctor? Dermatologist? I have no idea who to ask - do you think the doctor will give me the side eye if I request it?

Pretty much any doc can call it in. My OB called it in for me.

[treedimensional]

Mar 31, 2015 17:48:17 GMT -5 frontbutt said:

Mar 24, 2015 19:28:16 GMT -5 treedimensional said:

Where do you get Latisse? Eye doctor? Dermatologist? I have no idea who to ask - do you think the doctor will give me the side eye if I request it?

I always get it at a plastic surgeons offc. You can also google Latisse, and find a provider on the Latisse web page.