The Wardrobe Stylist

In recent years, lash growth has become a major focus in beauty, more so than ever before with the rise of falsies, extensions, lifts and lash booster serum.

//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js
//tags.t.tailtarget.com/tag/TT-10518-0/TailTarget/
//b.scorecardresearch.com/p?c1=8&c2=14880948&c3=3&c15=&cv=2.0&cj=1
All of these are great ways of improving your lashes. They give that dramatic look and each serve a purpose. I for one adore long lashes and love the effect when I see it with a full face of makeup. It adds such glam.

Let’s look at the pros and cons of each one and you decide which works best for you.

Lash Growth

You’ve likely looked at all the options available to you but may be unsure which to go with. It ultimately depends on your end goal, are you looking for instant, easy to manage, or long term lasting effect.

So here are some pros and cons to each method.

Lash Extension

While this is the most common, it isn’t necessarily a natural way for lash growth. It gives you the appearance of long lashes by incorporating individual lashes to your existing ones.

Lash Extensions Pros

Depending on the type of lashes you use, results can look natural.

You always look refreshed and awake, with your lashes opening up your eyes.

They last 4-8 weeks, depending on what you get. You really don’t have to worry about curling your lashes or wearing any mascara.

Length and curl of your lashes is up to your choosing, making them customizable your needs. Salons/technicians carry extension lengths from 6-17mm. For natural-looking ones, go for those that are 10-12mm.

//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js
//tags.t.tailtarget.com/tag/TT-10518-0/TailTarget/
//b.scorecardresearch.com/p?c1=8&c2=14880948&c3=3&c15=&cv=2.0&cj=1

Lash Extension Cons

Long process

If you get 75 or more lashes per eye, application can take 2-3 hours. You can’t distract yourself with say Instagram or Snapchat, or even talk on your phone nor text, not even read a book. Listen to music or a podcast is about the only thing you can do.

A half set of lashes is cheaper and won’t make you lose out on the dramatic effect. Start with that if you aren’t sure, it’s your first time, or you don’t want to sit in that chair for hours.

Lash glue reaction

Some get an allergic reaction from the lash glue as it may contain formaldehyde. Even glues that don’t have formaldehyde can produce formaldehyde as part of the chemical reaction when the adhesive is exposed to air. So if you have any eye or skin sensitivities, check with your lash technician to confirm that the lash glue is formaldehyde-free.

Hefty price tag

The more lashes, the more expensive it is. 75 lashes per eye will run you about $200 on average. A refill after 3 weeks is $50-$75 on average.

Short Shelf-life

This can be as much a pro (no applying mascara or curling lashes for three weeks) as it can be a con. If that’s too much money for your pocket, or your schedule is packed, consider lash extensions for special occasions such as a vacation or wedding.

Looking a Little Fake

Lash extensions can look natural, but extremely long or heavy ones can look fake. If you have them applied to your lower lashes, that fake-ness is amplified. Just be considerate of what looks good on you.

Also, if you’re hair and eyebrows are blonde/light brown, black lashes will not look natural on you.

Limitations on Eye Makeup Options

While you don’t need to wear mascara when you’ve got lash extensions, wearing eyeliner and eyeshadow is not ideal. Washing and rubbing your eyes to remove the makeup can be irritating. If you still want to go for it, opt a non-oily eye makeup remover.

Depends on Your lifestyle

If you regularly swim or workout intensely, exposure to water, sweat, and frequent showering/bathing will weaken the glue’s bond, thus shortening the lifespan of your lashes.

Professionally Removed

Removing lash extensions should be done professionally. Don’t attempt to do it yourself. It’s painful and will remove your natural lashes.

Extensions do fall out with the natural shedding of your lashes, but it’s a slow process and your lashes might start to look more ratchet and sparse.

Lash TLC

Extensions do require blow drying and come with their own special cleanser, sponge-tipped tool, and brush. After you bathe or showers, you’ll need to arrange your lashes  into a crisscross formation.

Lash Enhancement Serum

If you want to skip the lash extensions option, your lashes have become very brittle or you’ve developed sensitivities or infections from repeated extension application, or you simply want a fuller, longer, natural lash set, consider a lash enhancement serum. Nu Colour Nutriol Eyelash Treatment is my personal favourite.

It’s a clear eyelash strengthening gel that conditions and protects your lashes against breakage. It features the unique key ingredient Tricalgoxyl, which strengthens and maximises your lashes volume and thickness.

Wear it alone on lashes during the day to keep that natural look or put it on at night to condition and strengthen them. You can also apply them as a primer underneath the Nu Colour Curling Mascara to extend its wear.

Lash Serum Pros

Once the serum has done its magic on you, all you need is a light coat of mascara and a lash curler.

Longer lashes means you don’t have to sit hours lying down to get lashes applied to your eyes or trying to get those fake lashes glued onto your eyelids.

Lash serums will make your lashes grow naturally so there’s no doubt that the final result is one that will look like your own.

It works, and you can trust that it will. Not only that, there are no negative side effects and all you need is very little effort.

Lash Serum Cons

Applying lash serum can be tricky, as lashes as so close to the eye. Some product might get in your tear duct or waterline, provoking a feeling of irritation similar to getting makeup or shampoo in your eyes.

There are many brands out there selling their version of lash serum promising the world over. Many are also highly priced and aren’t that much better, giving you the same results as those that are half their price tag.

Go with a reputable brand such as Nu Colour Nutriol Eyelash Treatment.

Lash Lifts & Tints

A lash lift and tint are procedures to curl and colour eyelashes semi-permanently. Women usually opt for this option to avoid having to apply mascara on, although you still can if you wanted to.

It seeds up the makeup application process especially if you don’t have a lot of time in the morning. It’s also convenient for those that like the mascara effect but aren’t keen on putting on everyday.

The tint is added to darken the lashes as the tips are usually lighter and when lifted, your lashes will look longer with a lift.

Lift & Tint Pros

It gives you a beautiful, natural-looking eyelash curl and that helps open up your eyes. There is little after care aside from not washing your eyes or applying makeup on them for 24-48 hours so the perm can last.

It’s much easier to sport the no-makeup look without ACTUALLY wearing any, on your eyes at least.

The lift and tint last 6-8 weeks and the procedure from beginning to end is about 30 minutes, with no down time. It’s also very safe. The cost is usually anywhere between $75 and $105.

Lift & Tint Cons

You may get some irritation if you have ultra sensitive eyes for 24 hours or longer (short-term dry-eyes syndrome). Request a skin test to see whether you react or not. For those who have particular ocular health conditions, you may want to check with your healthcare provider first.

If your lashes are short, the lift procedure has minimal benefits for you. After the time has elapsed, some lashes may remain lifted while others will grow in their natural state, creating a little bit of a messy look.

While the no eye makeup time frame is short, for some it can be long to go without any for a day or 2.

If your technician is not a perfectionist, your lashes may seem more lifted on one eye than the other, but remember that the process can be repeated to rectify the situation.

Falsies

Many women at one point or another in their life, have worn false lashes, especially at special occasions to get that dramatic effect. There’s no harm to wanting long, luscious lashes to complete our look.

Falsies are great as an instant fix, but not all that easy to apply.

Falsies Pros

They sure are instant, readily available, glam and relatively inexpensive to achieve a glam look. They come in a variety of sizes, shapes, styles, all depending on your end goal.

Some are even reusable and can easily be removed without feeling like you’re gonna lose an eye.

Falsies Cons

While they are a quick fix, they aren’t that quick to put on. They require practice, patience and perfection. It isn’t the best solution for daily wear and are usually kept for special occasions because of their special application.

Some people may react to the glue, although it’s pretty safe to put on. Always test before you wear.

Our natural lashes will sway off dirt, sweat and dust off our precious eyes, but falsies will harbour these things. Best to wash your eyes properly after to ensure no infections or reaction occur.

The Gist of it

There you have it, the various ways you can either naturally, synthetically or fake-ly grow your lashes. It all depends on your objectives of whether you want longevity vs instantly. You’ve read all about the pros and cons for lash serums, lash extensions, lift & tint and falsies. Over to you now, which is the best option for you?
P.S. If you enjoyed this post, sign up to my newsletter to get the latest advice, tips, and giveaways right into your inbox!


(function(d, s, id) {
window.Wishpond = window.Wishpond || {};
Wishpond.merchantId = ‘867182’;
Wishpond.writeKey = ’59f0e9b51410′;
var js, wpjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];
if (d.getElementById(id)) return;
js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id;
js.src = “//cdn.wishpond.net/connect.js”;
wpjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, wpjs);
}(document, ‘script’, ‘wishpond-connect’));