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But no trend is quite as polarizing as eyelash extensions.
But as with any new beauty service, lash extensions quickly revealed their drawbacks.
Stocksy
But is it worth it to wake up with a flawless set of semi-permanent lashes every day?
We asked the experts.
What Are Lash Extensions?
@gouldhallie
They create dramatically fuller, longer, darker lashes in one 45-minute appointment.
The lash is only applied to an existing lash, not to the skin.
Estheticians are specifically trained in skin-oriented treatments, likefacials,microdermabrasion, chemical peels, andyou guessed iteyelash services.
@hollyrhue
Ideally, visiting a licensed esthetician at a studio that focuses on lash services is your safest bet.
The Benefits
The Drawbacks
Will Your Natural Eyelashes Grow Back After Extensions?
This is where things get a bit hairy.
@faith_xue
Lash extensions alone will not ruin your lashes, Richardson explains.
Thats why visiting a properly licensed esthetician is crucial when it comes to lash extensions.
Keep in mind though, eyelashes arehairand unless you have a pre-existing condition or circumstance, hair grows back.
Which means your eyelashes will grow back.
How Long Do They Last?
As with the hair on your head, eyelashes follow a natural cycle of shedding and regrowth.
Perform thorough research of the salon, as well as the esthetician performing the service.
I was in love with them.
However, the bliss lasted for about two weeks.
After that, the lashes began to crisscross and look sparse.
I’d brush them, keep them dry, and do everything in my power to maintain them.
Once they were gone, I was relieved, but my eyelashes looked bald.
I still dream about them sometimes, though, so who knows?
Maybe I’ll dip my toe back in the fluttery lash pond again at some point.
But mascara is pretty much non-negotiable for me.
So when eyelash extensions first started getting popular, I didnt take a breath before booking an appointment.
I first got lash extensions back in 2013 because I saw a deal for them on Groupon.
By the end of that time, my natural lashes had turned into little stubs.
Hybrid extensions combine individual and volume extensions, providing more volume and length than the standard variety.
In other words, you have options when selecting extension types.
But if you worry about the commitment and time required for upkeep, there are a few alternatives.
The Takeaway
Lash extensions work, plain and simple.
American Academy of Ophthalmology.Eyelash extension facts and safety.
Updated February 23, 2018.
Aumond S, Bitton E.The eyelash follicle features and anomalies: a review.J Optom.
2019;8(2):96-103.
