The world of eyelash extensions has blown up over the past two years. They have always been around, but the trend has trickled into younger generations that are giving eyelash extensions some major popularity. So what’s all the hype?

Eyelash extensions are usually silk or mink prosthetic eyelashes that are sewn, yes sewn, into your natural eyelashes. When you get extensions you can pick the length of them and how many you want on each eye, which will ultimately be a more or less dramatic look. It’s like having a great mascara day.. without mascara.

The process takes about an hour to an hour and a half where the patient lies back with their eyes closed while an esthetician goes to work on the patient’s lashes. For a “natural” long lash look, people usually get about 90 lashes sewn into each eye but can get up to 150 individual lashes sewn into each eye. Talk about tedious work!

It may be great waking up every morning and looking in the mirror with your long lashes, but these extensions are actually thinning out your natural lashes. The process of binding, or sewing the false lashes to your natural lashes slowly thins them out over time which leaves your eyes looking very bare when the extensions come off.

Extensions cost about $140 at retail price but can be purchased on websites such as Groupon for about $40-$60. They are not recommended for constant use, but rather for special occasions here and there.

Speaking from experience… eyelash extensions did thin out my eyelashes and I had to use a growth serum for about three months to get my natural lashes back. Not fun and not recommended!

Beauty really is pain and men will never understand.