Do you wish to have long, lush eyelashes like your favorite celebrity? Eyelash extensions can instantly give you the desired look.
Long, thick eyelashes look absolutely stunning and accentuate the beauty of your eyes. The lavish lashes of celebrities like Beyonce, Liz Hurley or Nicole Kidman mesmerize all of us. However, you don’t have to wistfully look at their lashes, as you can now get your own set of lush eyelashes. Nope, we are not talking about those cheap fake eyelashes that look too artificial. We are referring to eyelash extensions, which are a rage amongst urban women. However, be prepared to burn holes in your pocket, as they cost you a fortune.
How Much Do Eyelash Extensions Cost
Eyelash extensions are not applied in strips like false eyelashes. They are glued to your natural lashes. As a result, you get more natural looking eyelashes. The procedure takes about one and a half hours to three hours. About 30 to 80 lashes are applied with the help of a cyanoacrylate adhesive (surgical grade). This adhesive softens up after drying and bonds with natural lashes.
Usually, synthetic nylon fibers are used as lashes. However, mink lashes are also available in the United States. These lashes are made from the hair of live mink. Mink skin is combed for loose hair which are collected. These hair are then sanitized and processed to give them a texture of an eyelash. The eyelash extensions that you get at salon are mostly synthetic fibers.
Although, black eyelashes are preferred by most women, they are also available in funky colors like brown, purple, green etc. Depending upon the care, you can expect these lashes to last for about 3 to 6 weeks. You can sleep with these lashes on. Activities like swimming can also be performed without the risk of lashes coming off. The life of these lashes greatly depends upon the life cycle of your hair. Your natural hair completes its life cycle within two months. Your eyelash extensions also fall off with your natural hair. As a result, you need to have touch up sessions every month to replace fallen eyelashes. Oil based cosmetics weaken the bond between adhesive and eyelash extension, thereby shortening the life of your extensions. Hence, avoid using oil based makeup products on your eyelashes.
Eyelash extensions are often preferred over fake eyelashes, as they last longer than fake lashes. Fake lashes last only for a day. Moreover, as eyelash extension is applied on your own eyelashes, you get a more natural look. Eyelash extensions are a semi-permanent way of getting thick, long eyelashes. They are particularly helpful for women who naturally have short, sparse eyelashes. Women with normal eyelashes can also use these extensions for a more dramatic effect.
The only flip side to using eyelash extensions is their hefty price. Their cost is about USD 150 to USD 500 for every set. Mink eyelashes are even more expensive. You also need to pay for the touch up sessions which can again cost you several dollars, depending upon the number of lashes replaced. When you lose your extensions, you again need to invest in a new set. This is why many women on budget shy away from eyelash extensions and go for fake eyelashes which only cost them USD 2 – USD 5.
Women who have been using eyelash extensions, are prone to develop allergies to the adhesive used to apply them. In that case, you may have to discontinue the use of eyelash extensions and look for safer alternatives.
If the high cost of eyelash extensions is not a problem for you, then this is indeed a great way of enhancing the beauty of your eyes.
