Why I’ve Given Up on Eyelash Extensions and You Should Too

Once upon a time, I, like many women, got caught up in the eyelash extension trend. I loved how they made my eyes look and that feeling of confidence I gained. But eventually, I realized they were more trouble than worth it.

I know that many of you may think this is a silly topic to discuss but trust me, it is something that I have given a lot of thought to.

This blog post will share my story and explain why I stopped getting eyelash extensions.

You must be curious, so let’s start!

My Eyelash Extensions Journey

I started using lash extensions about one year ago. I had seen them on Instagram and thought they looked gorgeous, so I figured if other people could do it, why can’t I? So I went to a salon and had them done.

The first time was definitely a learning experience. The extensions took a long time to apply and were very delicate. But when they were done, I loved them. They made my eyes look so big and attractive for five full weeks, which impressed me!

Then I went back for more and more sessions, and the extensions kept improving. I loved how they made me look and feel. Most importantly, I felt more confident with them on.

But then, one day, I noticed that my natural lashes started falling out. Horrified, I went to my lash artist, who confirmed that my extensions were indeed causing this issue. She told me that I needed to take a break from them.

I was heartbroken, to say the least, but I knew that she was right. I didn’t want to risk losing all my natural lashes. So, reluctantly, I stopped getting lash extensions. It was hard at first, but now I’m glad I made the decision. My natural lashes are healthy and strong, and that’s all that matters.

After a talk with my eyelash technician, I went home, did a bit more research, and found out more about the negative side of extensions, so in the following sections, I want to share my findings with you.

Sad Truth About Eyelash Extensions

Although my fear of losing natural lashes was the primary reason I decided to take a break from lash extensions, a few other things made me never want to apply them again.

When I did a little research, I realized that there are some disadvantages of eyelash extensions that confirmed my suspicions.

So let’s start in order.

Reason #1: Long-term damage

I used to be one of those girls who couldn’t live without her eyelash extensions. But then I started to hear some scary things about falsies like they could cause long-term damage to your natural lashes. I didn’t want to believe it, but I decided to do some research. And what I found scared me.

Apparently, eyelash extensions ruin your lashes because of how they are applied. The glue used in the process can pull on and damage your natural lashes, causing them to fall out prematurely and take a long time to grow back.

According to experts, your lashes should recover after six weeks. But I should tell you that it’s been a few months since I stopped getting eyelash extensions, and my natural lashes are still not back to their original state. I mean, I can see the progress, but it’s going to take a while for them to recover from the damage that was done.

Reason #2: Maintenance

I’m not going to lie to you: maintaining eyelash extensions is a pain. You need to get them redone every two weeks; if you don’t, they start to look bad. Not to mention that you must be careful about what products you use and how you clean them. It’s a lot of work.

And even worse, if you don’t take care of them properly, you might end up with ruined lashes. So if you’re considering getting eyelash extensions, just be warned: they’re not as low-maintenance as you might think. You must regularly brush them with the special mascara wand, remove the makeup with non-oil products and be super careful with whatever you do around them.

You can get the best insight into how the maintenance process actually looks by watching this LivBay LashLash video. You’ll see there’s much more than just removing your makeup – cleaning, brushing, and even drying are included in this process.

After one year of being loyal to this treatment, I just got tired of this hustle and the risk that poor maintenance can bring.

Reason #3: Risk of infections

And if you’re worried that eyelash extensions may cause an infection, you’re right! Been there – done that (unfortunately).

Not only did I end up with blepharitis a couple of months ago, but I also had to deal with the pain, the redness, and the constant itching. It was awful. My lash technician said it was uncommon, but it could happen if you wore eye lenses, which I do. Before I started to wear lenses, I had glasses and hadn’t experienced that problem. That was the first time that made me say, ‘lash extensions hurt!’.

However, I would say that I was the main culprit in this situation because I was not careful enough and gentle with my eyes, which resulted in this infection. My doctor told me that blepharitis could cause serious eyelid problems and even eyelash loss (that info terrified me).

The other problem is conjunctivitis which comes with irritation, itching, and blurred vision if you don’t treat it on time.

So, when we sum it all up, lash extensions are a bit of a gamble when it comes to your eye health.

P.S. In a recent article, I wrote about the warning signs indicating it’s time to remove eyelash extensions, so I definitely recommend taking a look.

Reason #4: Cost

The fourth reason that made me give up was the cost. Let’s admit it – eyelash extensions are not cheap. They can cost upwards of $100 per month, which is a lot of money for something that is essentially just cosmetic. 

And that’s just for the initial set. If you want to keep them looking good, you have to go back for touch-ups every few weeks, which can cost even more money.

I finally gave up on my eyelash extensions when I realized I was spending more than $1500 per year on something that wasn’t even necessary. When I think about it now, I understand I could have been spending a lot of money on more important things. And so I decided to go natural. It’s been a few months now, and I don’t regret my decision.

Reason #5: Difficulty finding a good eyelash technician

As you know, I’ve been getting eyelash extensions for more than one year, and I’ve pretty much tried it all. I’ve gone to the cheap places, the high-end places, and everywhere in between. And I have to say, it’s been a bit of a roller coaster ride.

One of the biggest pain points has been finding a good technician. It seems like every time I find someone I think is good, they end up moving or quitting or something. I’ve changed technicians so many times that I’ve lost count and finally found one amazing girl and been going there for a while.

But then, one day, I went in for my appointment, and she wasn’t there. Another technician did my lashes, and they looked terrible. They were all crooked and uneven, and it was all done in a rush. I was so disappointed.

It turns out there are specific qualifications they should have, like a cosmetology or esthetician license, at least two years of experience in the industry, patience, and finally – good communication skills to understand clients’ needs.

And speaking of communication, the YouTuber Tiana Love shared her bad experience with a lash technician who was too careless.

Basically, Tiana says the technician wasn’t focused, spoke with other people during her treatment, and even mentioned that she’s paying people to give her positive reviews, which doesn’t sound like a good thing, right?

Do lashes recover after you stop getting eyelash extensions?

So you’ve decided to stop getting eyelash extensions. Maybe you’re tired of the upkeep or just ready for a change. But as you’re reading through all the reasons why it’s time to say goodbye to your falsies, you might be wondering: do lashes recover after you stop getting them?

The answer is yes, but it might take some time. Depending on how long you’ve been getting lash extensions, it can take a few weeks to a few months for your lashes to regain their natural strength and thickness. You’ll see positive progress in about six weeks, but according to Lashologist, give your lashes at least two months of a break to allow them to regrow and recover.

However, there are things you can do to help speed up the process, and I’ll share those with you later. For now, you can be happy to know there’s a big chance for your lashes to regain their strength.

5 Healthier Alternatives to Eyelash Extensions

After reading all this, you must wonder whether there are healthier alternatives to eyelash extensions. Luckily, there are!

In this section, I’ll share five of the best options out there. From natural serums to makeup tricks, there are plenty of solutions to get the look you want without damaging your lashes.

Option #1: Eyelash serums

You might want to try an eyelash serum as the first option after you stop getting eyelash extensions. Eyelash serums can help grow your natural lashes, and there are a variety of different formulas that can achieve this effect. For example, some serums contain biotin or keratin, which can help promote lash growth.

However, remember that one of the most common side effects of using an eyelash serum is irritation and redness around the eyes. This can be especially problematic if you have sensitive skin or are allergic to any ingredients in the serum.

I’ve personally used 4 LONG LASHES by Oceanic eyelash serum, and I can attest that it works! My lashes have become noticeably longer and thicker after just one month of using the serum.

On the other side, my friend has been impressed with the results she got from Dr. Lara Devgan’s lash serum.

Her lashes look amazing, and I can tell they are definitely longer and fuller.

Option #2: False lashes

False eyelashes are another great alternative to eyelash extensions because they’re much healthier for your lash line and still give you the effect you’re looking for. Also, there are tons of different styles to choose from, so you can find the perfect look that would suit you.

However, removing false lashes can be just as difficult as putting them on. If you’re not careful, you can end up tearing your lashes out along with the falsies.

I’ve tried a few different brands of false lashes, and my first favorite is Ardell Demi Wispies.

They’re light and fluttery, making my eyes look bright and awake. I also love that I can wear them over and over again – they’re much more cost-effective than lash extensions. Plus, they’re super easy to apply. Just pop them on, and you’re good to go!

Furthermore, I also adore Eylure Naturals extensions.

They are light and natural-looking and stay in place all day long. Most importantly, I never have to worry about them falling off or looking fake. These falsies give me the beautiful, full lashes I crave without any negative side effects.

Option #3: Eyeliner

After  I stopped getting eyelash extensions, I felt I didn’t want to put extra weight on my natural lashes, and that’s completely understandable. That’s when the eyeliner comes to the rescue! 

I know it sounds crazy, but bear with me. Eyeliner can actually help your eyelashes look fuller. Just apply it along your lash line, and voila! Instant fullness.

For instance, look at this girl without eyeliner:

As we can see, her lashes look thin and invisible. And now, look at this:

As we can see, the eyeliner helps the eyelashes visually look fuller and more voluminous, which is exactly our goal.

If you need advice regarding choosing the best product, I recommend this Maybelline pencil eyeliner because it goes on smoothly and lasts all day.

However, keep in mind that the eyeliner is a bit demanding to apply, and it will take time and practice to get it perfect. But don’t give up!

Option #4: Magnetic lashes

Shortly after I stopped getting eyelash extensions, I heard about magnetic lashes and was very intrigued. I dug deeper and found  they were a great alternative to eyelash extensions.

Unlike extensions, which can damage your natural lashes, magnetic lashes are gentle and won’t cause any harm. They are also super easy to use. All you have to do is put the magnets on your lashes, and they will automatically adhere. Plus, they are way less expensive.

The only negative side I would like to point out is that the magnetized strips can feel a bit heavy on your eyelids, especially if you’re not used to wearing falsies, and it’s a bit challenging to find the ones that look natural.

I’ve tried a few different brands of magnetic lashes, and my favorite is Ardell Magnetic Lashes Accents:

I have experience with different sizes and styles of these magnetic lashes, and I can confirm that they are really high-quality and stay in place all day.

Option #5: Lash lift

Finally, I’ve tried just about every method out there to get longer, fuller eyelashes. I’ve tested falsies, serums, and lash extensions. But nothing has ever worked as well as a lash lift in my case.

A lash lift is a treatment that curls and lifts your natural lashes, making them look longer and fuller. It’s a much healthier alternative to lash extensions. Plus, it lasts 6-8 weeks, much longer than any other method I’ve tried. And it’s not too expensive either – it only costs about $50.

Here you can see how the lash lift works:

However, lash lifts require some upkeep – you have to be careful not to get them wet for the first 24 hours after the treatment. And if you have sensitive eyes, you may experience irritation after the treatment. 

Overall, though, I think lash lifts are a great alternative to lash extensions, and I would definitely recommend them to anyone looking for longer, fuller lashes.

How to Take Care of Your Natural Lashes After You Remove the Extensions?

Okay, you finally stopped getting eyelash extensions and decided to give your natural lashes a chance to breathe, but you’re unsure how to bring them back to life. Don’t worry; I got you covered again!

While the removal process is fairly simple, it’s important to know how to take care of your natural lashes afterward, and the following sections will discover some tips on how to do just that.

Tip #1: Cleanse your lashes

Once all the extensions are removed, it’s time to cleanse your lashes with a gentle cleanser and lukewarm water to remove any dirt, build-up, or residue left behind.

According to lash experts from LASH ENVY Beauty, you can also use baby shampoo or micellar water.

Tip #2: Condition your lashes

After cleansing, apply a conditioner to your lashes to keep them healthy and hydrated. You can use a store-bought conditioner or make your own at home with natural ingredients like coconut oil or olive oil. 

Also, an eyelash extensions stylist Andra Ciulei Marin recommends using the lash serum to help lashes grow strong and long again. She also points out that you should avoid rubbing and putting too much pressure on your eyelids after removal.

Tip #3: Avoid rubbing or pulling

It’s important to avoid rubbing or pulling on your lashes, as this can cause them to break or fall out prematurely. If you need to remove something from your eye, be gentle and use a cotton swab rather than your fingers.

Also, don’t forget that short stubby lashes after extensions might be your enemies, but that’s normal. Just let time do its part of the work in the recovery process.

Over to You

Finally – are eyelash extensions worth it? That’s a tough question to answer. On the one hand, they can be expensive and require a lot of upkeep. On the other hand, they can give you the perfect lashes you’ve always wanted.

Here are some things to consider if you’re thinking about getting eyelash extensions:

• They require a lot of maintenance. You have to be careful about how you clean, sleep or touch them. Otherwise, they will start to look messy and unkempt.
• It is expensive. Depending on where you go and what type of lash extensions you get, they can range from $100 to $400.
• Lash extensions can damage your natural lashes. If they’re not applied correctly or if you don’t take care of them properly, they can cause your natural lashes to fall out.

Ultimately, it’s up to you to decide if eyelash extensions are worth it. I hope this article about why I stopped getting eyelash extensions has helped you make an informed decision.

Until next time, I invite you to read previous beauty and fashion articles on my blog.