Lash extensions are one of the hottest trends in the beauty industry today, and it’s easy to see why – who wouldn’t love waking up every morning looking effortlessly glamorous without a drop of makeup on? If you’ve been considering taking the plunge into extensions and making them a part of your regular salon visits or monthly beauty budget, take a moment to weigh the pros and cons before you take out your credit card.

Natural lash extensions have a variety of benefits, including convenience, ease, and effortless glamor – however, if you’re on a tight budget or have sensitive skin, they may not be the best choice for you.

Here are a few important things to consider as you make your decision:

Pro: Save Time During Your Everyday Makeup Routine

One of the most exciting things about getting lash extensions is the ability to wake up every day knowing you don’t have to worry about taking extra time on your eye makeup. Even if you go without eyeliner and shadow, you’ll still look naturally glamorous.

And gone are the days of dealing with sticky lash glue and annoying lash strips every time you want a bolder look for a night out – with extensions, you’ll never have to worry about that again!

Keep in mind that you will need to set aside at least a couple of hours for the initial application process and about an hour for each fill.

Con: More Expensive

While it can be a hassle to buy mascara and lash extensions every month, it may still end up being cheaper than shelling out for lash extensions. Generally speaking, getting lash extensions from a tech will cost you at least $100 to $300 for your initial set and $50 to $60 for each fill, which you’ll need to get done every two to four weeks depending on lash growth.

DIY lash extensions are significantly cheaper, so if you’re willing to take the time to do them yourself, you’ve found yourself a winner and a happy medium between traditional single-use lash strips and mascara.

Pro: You Can Completely Customize and Level Up Your Look

If you’ve been getting tired of your usual makeup routine, lash extensions are the perfect way to treat yourself to an upgrade. Whether you’re looking to enhance your natural beauty or step up to a more glamorous look, lash extensions are the perfect investment for you.

Lash extensions come in so many shapes, sizes and materials, so you shouldn’t have an issue finding the perfect look based on your personal taste, comfort level and style preferences. The three types of materials for lash extensions are mink, silk and synthetic. Mink and silk lashes are easier to customize in a more natural way, while synthetic lashes are typically the material of choice for those who like a bolder look. “Faux mink” lashes are a fairly popular option as well, and is often the go-to choice for vegans or people who are allergic to animal furs (specifically cats).

You can also consult a professional to help you figure out the right lash depending on how thick, full or curly you want it to be. If you’re going for a certain look, like wider eyes or cat eyes, a professional can help you achieve this as well.

Con: The glue can potentially irritate your skin

Even though extensions are applied to your natural lashes and not directly to your skin (contrary to popular belief), the glue still contains chemicals that can potentially irritate your eyes and skin. Even hypoallergenic glues can irritate your eye and cause discomfort by weighing down on them heavily or adding unnecessary pressure to your sensitive follicles.

If you’re getting them done with a technician, be sure to ask them to use latex- and formaldehyde-free glues. If you’re doing them yourself, don’t start the application process without patch-testing the glue on your hand to make sure it doesn’t cause allergic irritation. 

Even if you’re not allergic to anything and have never had any issues with glue in the past, it’s important to monitor your lashes closely and stop using them or have them removed as soon as you notice any unusual watering, irritation or discomfort.  

Pro: They’re Virtually Waterproof

Even though you’ll need to avoid wetting your lashes for about the first 48 hours after having them applied, from that point on you should be able to swim, bathe, sweat, cry and shower without ever having to go through the pain of mascara running down your face. Getting shower ready with a full set of beautiful eyelash extensions can be nerve-wracking, but it doesn’t have to be! Following these simple guidelines can help ensure a shower process that will leave your lashes looking glamorous. Avoid using a shower head with strong jets of water and make sure the shower temperature stays lukewarm, meanwhile taking special care to avoid oil-based cleansers near your eyes. With these precautions in mind, showering with eyelash extensions is totally worry-free, just as easy as that.

With that in mind, they will last longer the drier you keep them, but that doesn’t mean you should avoid wetting your face altogether.

All in all, if you’re willing and able to make the investment, you most likely won’t regret opting for natural lash extensions. As long as you do your research ahead of time and find the best tech or brand, you’re ready to make the jump into beautiful, effortless lashes.