Ever wonder how the girl sitting next to you makes her eyes pop? Looking to get that same “Va-va-voom!?” Well, unless she’s been extremely genetically blessed, she’s probably wearing eyelash extensions. Lash extensions have been a hot craze for many years now, and there are few women who don’t rock them.
But let’s be honest, lash extensions are expensive. So it’s important that you know exactly what you’re getting before you invest. And one of the most common questions we receive is, “how long do eyelash extensions typically last?”
Types Of Lashes
Before we dive into how long extensions last, we should first say a little about the three different types of extensions. There are three different types of lash extensions:
- Synthetic lashes
At one point in time, synthetic lashes were the most popular type. Made from acrylic material, synthetic lashes are the firmest of all the lash types. This helps them to hold their curl.
Synthetic lashes are often used by younger clients who want a more dramatic lash look. You can vary exactly how dramatic you want synthetic lashes to look by applying more or less of them. But if you want a more natural look, you’ll probably want to try one of the next two lash types.
- Mink Lashes
On the opposite end of the spectrum of synthetic lashes are mink lashes. These lashes are extremely fine, soft, light, and silky, and provide the wearer with a more natural lash look. While some people wear real mink lashes, most are faux-mink and made from man-made fibers.
- Silk Lashes
Silk lashes fall somewhere in the middle of synthetic and mink. They are finer and more lightweight than synthetic lashes, but not as fine and lightweight as mink ones. Silk lashes look more natural than synthetic ones, but can also be applied to give a more dramatic look.
In addition, if you’re looking for dramatic lashes, synthetic lashes are the best option. If you’re looking for natural-looking lashes, mink lashes are the best option. If you’re looking for something natural-looking with a dramatic effect, silk is the best choice.
How Long Do Lash Extensions Typically Last?
In general, you should expect your lash extensions to last somewhere between 4-6 weeks depending on how well you care for them. With that being said, the type of lashes that you choose can also play a role.
Because synthetic lashes are the thickest and heaviest of all lash types, they generally have the least staying power. Synthetic lashes are also not recommended for those with thin or brittle natural lashes, as they can sometimes be too heavy, damaging the natural lash. If this happens, they can fall out faster than other lash types.
For brittle natural lashes, mink extensions are definitely the better option. These lashes are thin and lightweight, giving them more staying power – even for fine naturals.
The lightness of the extensions is also beneficial because they don’t drop or twist easily, and they hold a better grip on your lashes. For these reasons, mink lashes are generally the longest lasting of all extension types.
Again, silk lashes fall somewhere in the middle. They are more lightweight than synthetic lashes but not as lightweight as mink lashes. They’re staying power is therefore longer than synthetics, but not as long as minks.
The Role Of Your Lash Cycle
Though the type of lash that you use can definitely play a role in how long your extensions last, what plays an even bigger role in your natural lash cycle. When you get lash extensions, the extensions are applied to each individual lash. So when your lashes fall out, so will your extensions.
When your lashes fall out depends on how well you care for them, as well as the length of your natural lash cycle – and this can vary greatly from person to person. Some people have a natural cycle as long as eight weeks, while others can lose their lashes within two weeks.
If your lash cycle is shorter, so will the duration that your extensions last. If your natural lash cycle is longer, your extensions will last longer too.
How Can You Make Your Extensions Last Longer?
How you care for your lash extensions will also play a role in how long they last. To begin, it’s important that you follow the aftercare instructions given by your technician. More specifically, for the first 48 hours after treatment, it’s important that you don’t allow your lashes to come into contact with water.
Technicians attach the extensions with adhesive, by which its efficacy can be decreased with water contact. So for 48 hours after treatment, avoid steams, showers, swimming, and washing your face.
After that, caring for your extensions is pretty easy. Simply avoid touching or rubbing your eyes as much as possible, and avoid curlers and mascara.
Oil-based cleansers and moisturizers can also decrease the efficacy of adhesives, so you should avoid those after application too. If you follow these simple steps, you should be able to get the most out of your lash extensions.
Lash Extension Fills
When our lashes fall out, they don’t fall out all at once. One lash falls out here, one lash falls out there, and so on and so forth. In return, we can end up with gaps in our lashes. Again, how large the gaps are will depend on your natural lash cycle and how well you care for your extensions.
If you’re noticing significant gaps in your extensions, you can go back to your technician for a fill. Many people like to go to their technician for a fill every 2-3 weeks for routine maintenance and to prevent gaps from occurring. Lash extension fills are significantly less expensive than full sets.
Lash extensions are a great way to make your lashes pop. If you’re looking for a dramatic lash effect, synthetic lashes are a great option.
If you’re going for a more natural look, mink is where it’s at. Remember, however, that silk and mink lashes are lighter than synthetic lashes, and therefore tend to last longer.
Generally speaking, regardless of which type of lashes you use, you should expect them to last somewhere between 4-6 weeks. You can extend the lifespan of your lashes by following maintenance instructions given by your technician.