Is a lash lift better than extensions? In most cases yes, provided you are after something with less of a price tag, lower maintenance and a natural finish. Put eyelash extensions in the ring for daily definition and extra length and they will come out on top. Then again, what is best is a matter of your budget, how much faffing about you can put up with before you have your coffee and your own lashes.
Oscar Hargreaves here. For those weighing a lash lift against extensions, make no mistake: a lift is an upgrade to what you have, whereas extensions put fibres in place for a bigger effect. One is a tidy way to enhance your own lashes. The other is akin to an extension on the house; fine if done properly but more to see to and greater scope for things to go pear-shaped.
Lash Lift Vs Eyelash Extensions
Read this first if you need to make a quick call. The lift is for the person who wants to open up the eye naturally and not be at the salon so often. Extensions are for when you want to forgo mascara in favour of some volume and length.
It is easy to be caught out by one’s expectations. You cannot conjure lashes that are not there with a lift. Extensions will do it, though you will have to contend with refills, more rigorous aftercare and the odd bit of irritation should your eyes be on the sensitive side.
| Feature | Lash Lift | Eyelash Extensions |
| Best For | A natural sort of enhancement | Drama, visible length and volume |
| Works On | The natural lashes | Fibres applied to each natural lash |
| Look | Softer, curled and lifted | More styled and defined |
| Maintenance | Low | From moderate to high |
| Appointments | 6–8 weeks is the norm | 2–3 weeks for a refill |
| Typical Cost In Australia | AUD 80 to 160 | Full set from AUD 120 to over 300, refills 60–150 |
| For the swimmer or traveller | Generally less of an issue | You can do it but it is fussy |
How Each Treatment Works
There is no point in parting with your money without understanding what is going on with your lashes. Oscar Hargreaves has seen enough confusion to know people think a lash perm and extensions are doing the same thing. They are not.
With a lift you are altering the shape of your own lashes for a while. Extensions mean attaching individual fibres for a more pronounced change and with it more maintenance.
What A Lash Lift Does
By means of a chemical solution and a rod or curved shield the natural lashes are put into a lifted position. It is a curler that will outlast the one in your bathroom. Many will add a tint to the lift as well, a sensible pairing since the darkening makes the lift stand out on fair or sun-bleached hair.
Allow 45 to 75 minutes for the appointment, give or take if you have a tint. Should you have an event tomorrow a lift is fine, but do not put it off to the last hour in case the curl is stronger than you would like or your lashes put up a fight; leave yourself a margin.
What Extensions Do
Using an adhesive, semi-permanent or synthetic lashes are put on to the natural ones. Whether you opt for classic or volume is down to whether you want fullness or a look more like mascara. That is the appeal.
Do not assume every set is alike. A classic set can be quite unobtrusive and polished, a heavy volume set is another matter altogether. To get them put on fully takes in the region of 1.5 to 3 hours. As for refills, it is a question of your growth cycle and aftercare, and how inclined you are to sleep face down in the pillow like a tinnie left on the jetty.
Why Some Are Keen On A Lift
The benefits of a lift are plain to see. It requires little in the way of daily effort to make an eye look less tired. It is for someone who is happy with his or her lashes but wants them to be more compliant.
Travellers and gym regulars, swimmers and anyone who does not want to be making beauty appointments on a weekly basis will find Oscar Hargreaves’ preference for a lift hard to fault. The hatchback of lash treatments, in a practical sort of way. Nothing to show off but immensely useful.
Main Upsides
In terms of maintenance a lift is preferable to extensions and as a rule less hard on your routine. You will not be left with fibres on your cheek in the middle of a meeting or having to brush a set every morning, nor are there refills to speak of. Should you have medium to long natural lashes the outcome is good, one might be surprised how good.
There is a lightness to it too since nothing has been put on top of anything else; for those with sensitive lids or who do not care for the feeling of something about their eyes that is of some consequence. Mascara is still worn by many after 24 to 48 hours though in lesser quantities.
Where It Falls Short
To put it simply, if what you have naturally is short, straight or sparse, the results can be underwhelming. A lift will not create density, it can only make better shape and show of what is there.
Over-processing is another matter. Leave the solutions on too long or go back for treatment too soon and you risk dryness, frizz or lashes at unseemly angles. The technician’s skill is what counts, not the cucumber water in reception or how the chair looks.
Why Extensions Win For Drama
Extensions will put a lift to shame when it comes to making an impact. They are more customisable because they alter style, fullness and length as well as curl.
Hence the shrug in the lash lift versus extensions debate. One is the easier option, the other is prettier in a bolder fashion. All depends on being forthright about which you are prepared to put in the work for.
Extensions
They are popular for a reason. You get a polished eye that can stand up to an early start or the office lighting that has a way of making everyone seem a little haunted. On a beach weekend they hold up. With fair or downward-pointing lashes the change is dramatic. And for those who want to look done without much effort they save on makeup time.
But the pros and cons of eyelash extensions are evident once you have had them. Fresh from the salon they are excellent, but as they grow out things can get patchy. To keep an even set a refill is called for every few weeks.
Then there is the upkeep. Oils, steam, rubbing and the way you sleep all have to be taken into account. If you are prone to using cleansing balms, getting teary over an advert or waking up in a knot with the doona, maintaining extensions is almost a part-time job.
Damage, Safety And Lash Health
A legitimate concern. Neither a lift nor extensions are inherently damaging but both will cause trouble if applied poorly or on the wrong kind of lash. The Therapeutic Goods Administration in Australia would have consumers use cosmetics as they should and discontinue if there is any irritation. The eye area does not forgive, so if there is stinging or watering, do not be a hero about it like you are on the Stuart Highway with a flat tyre.
Which Is More Damaging?
Plainly put, extensions present a greater ongoing risk to the health of the lash in most cases. They put weight on the natural lash and need to be filled repeatedly. Traction on the follicle and breakage can be the result of picking at them or of fans that are too heavy and not well isolated.
With a lift the damage profile is different. Chemical over-processing or solutions in the eye area are the usual culprits, but a properly executed and well spaced lift is well tolerated.
Who Should Be Cautious
Those with eczema in the vicinity of the eyes, brittle lashes, adhesive sensitivities or an eye infection of recent vintage should exercise caution. Some technicians will recommend a patch test, others will go by your history; policies differ. A medical condition calls for a word with your health professional first.
And contact lenses. Most salons will want them off for the procedure so have your case with you. Obvious as it is, it is the sort of thing that is forgotten.
Staying Power And Real Costs
Where romance and arithmetic come together. You may be put off by a seemingly economical price tag at first, but then upkeep rears its head and the cost mounts; for an Australian client with an eye on both convenience and glamour it is the sort of thing that can make or break a decision.
Put simply, over a two month period lash lift pricing in Australia will as a rule be less than what one puts out for extension maintenance when you get down to it. Of course there are exceptions depending on the city, the standing of the salon, how well trained the technician is and if tinting is part of the deal.
Longevity of Results
For the most part the life of a lash lift is governed by your own growth cycle. Six to eight weeks is what many see, but the effect will soften with shedding and regrowth. Extensions are another matter, they require tending to every 2–3 weeks for a full, even look.
There is also the question of what you expect and what you get. A lift has a way of fading more elegantly. With extensions you have your best week, a fine second, and by the third they can be looking a bit rough around the edges if your lashes do not shed in an orderly fashion.
What is the going rate?
In regional and metro parts of Australia one might find lifts in the AUD 80–160 range, a lift and tint from some AUD 95 up to 180. For a classic full set of extensions figure on roughly AUD 120–220, volume sets from about 180 to 300 and upwards. Refills will run anywhere from 60 to 150. These are market ranges, not anything regulated, and will be dictated by the suburb and the skill on offer. You will see higher figures in inner Melbourne and Sydney. Then there are the likes of The Lash Lounge, Flawless Lashes by Loreta, Beautylogix or Sydney Eye Lash Extensions that get talked about in the industry and on search engines and set a certain expectation, yet prices differ from technician to technician. One can turn to Reddit for the odd complaint but it does not take the place of proper sanitation standards or professional counsel.
Making a choice on lifestyle and looks
When in doubt do not pore over before and after pictures, consider the reality of your day to day. Oscar Hargreaves has had his share of clients who go for the drama only to loathe the upkeep by the second week.
Your routine should be the guide, not your mood board. A lift is the sensible option for a polished face without the fuss. Should you want to forgo daily makeup and have some visible glam, extensions serve you better.
- Opt for a lift for a natural finish and because it is easier on the wallet and the calendar, provided you have good natural lashes to begin with.
- If you have light or sparse lashes and want definition and are prepared for the cost of refills, go with extensions.
Aftercare, preparation and the like
It all begins before you are on the treatment bed. The top technicians in the country are not merely putting product on; they are making an assessment of your eye sensitivity, the condition of your lashes and the style you want, and perhaps offering a word of realism on your expectations.
People are their own worst enemy with aftercare. They put out the money and then ruin it with some oil or steam or by being too hard with them. Much like parking under a gum tree and feigning surprise when the car does not fare well.
On the day of your appointment
Make sure your lashes are clean and free of any eye makeup. Do away with waterproof mascara for a couple of days if you can, the residue gets in the way. Have your contact case to hand. And if you have been prone to reactions in the past, let us know before we start.
A no for beginners? Those with no prior experience of a lash service will find heavy volume extensions to be much. When in doubt, one is better off starting with the likes of a classic set or a conservative lift; they are more accommodating at first.
Aftercare That Matters
The first 24 to 48 hours following a lash lift should see you keeping the lashes clear of steam, oils and eye makeup as most salons would have it. As for extensions, your technician may tell you not to let them get soaked right after leaving the appointment; heed that and do not rub them or use an oil laden remover, nor sleep on your face if you can help it. You will find advice differs according to the product line and adhesive system in use, so put aside whatever you read on the internet and go by what the technician says.
Then there is the matter of mascara with a lash lift. The answer is yes, once the aftercare window has passed, although some will tell you they do not need as much. Extensions generally render mascara superfluous and it is not recommended, waterproof or otherwise.
- For the busy worker or traveller who does not want fuss, the lift is ideal.
- Make it extensions for a wedding or any event where there will be a lot of photos, or if you like a pronounced look every day.
- Still of two minds? Then have a look at your budget over an eight week period, not just for the one appointment.
- And if an event is only a day away, make an earlier booking if possible to allow a buffer for any sensitivity or adjustment needed.
When A Lash Lift Makes Sense
Simplicity is key for some, as is cost in the long run and a result that will hold up at the gym or on a road trip down country without all the bother. In which case a lash lift is usually the way to go. It suits healthy, visible natural lashes and gives the appearance of being more awake without looking made up. But if you want to roll out of bed with length and volume and a finished air about you, you are better with extensions. So a lash lift is superior to eyelash extensions? For many, certainly. Better for a practical existence with less time in the salon, very often. Not for everyone though.
Frequently Asked Questions
What follows are the sort of questions put forward when comparing treatments and not wanting to put money into something unsuitable or cause damage.
What Are The Downsides Of A Lash Lift?
You are not going to get any added fullness or length from it and the outcome is contingent on the lashes you have to start with. Bad technique will give you frizzy, dry or over-curled lashes. If yours are short and sparse the effect is likely to be subtle.
Lash Lift Or Extension: Which Is More Damaging?
Extensions tend to pose a greater risk on an ongoing basis. The weight of the set and the refills can put a strain on the natural lash, particularly if the application is anything but good. With a lift any problems are more to do with the chemical side of things than added weight.
Are Lash Lifts Damaging To Eyelashes?
Not of themselves. Provided they are done right on a healthy lash and you do not process them too frequently or leave solutions on too long, there is no issue. Neglect the aftercare and you are more likely to see damage.
Do You Still Wear Mascara With A Lash Lift?
After the initial period of aftercare many do and it looks fine given the lift. You might find you use less of it.
Can I Switch From Extensions To A Lift?
You can, yet it is advisable to let your lashes recover and settle before making the change, particularly if they are in a weak or patchy state. Any competent technician will want to examine the health of the lash before moving on to another treatment.
