All About Eyelash Extensions for Women Over 50
Have you heard about eyelash extensions? Are you thinking of getting them? They are rising in popularity and it’s now easier and easier to find eyelash technicians who perform eyelash extensions.
Last year I started getting eyelash extensions after meeting a new friend who I thought had great-looking eyelashes. She was a woman my age, and I ponied up the courage to ask her why her eyelashes were so perfect all the time. She replied, “Eyelash extensions!”
I had already heard about eyelash extensions before but, to me, it seemed like an arduous and inaccessible procedure to go through. After a few conversations with my perfect-lashed friend, I decided to book an appointment with her eyelash technician and try it out for myself.
What Are Eyelash Extensions?
Eyelash extensions are synthetic lashes that are glued individually to your existing natural lashes. Yes, it’s a procedure that’s as long as it sounds. My first initial appointment took almost two hours and the following appointments, called fill-ins, were about an hour each (every two to three weeks).
Extensions are typically made of silk, mink, or synthetic fiber and each type varies in cost.
My Personal Experience with Eyelash Extensions
I decided to get eyelash extensions from a nearby certified technician – the same one as my perfect-lashed friend. The place was clean and had soft music playing. I told her what I wanted, and she showed me pictures of different types of extensions. I opted for a very natural look with a natural curve. In silk.
She determined the numbers, and I lay down and closed my eyes. She placed a pad on the undereye area to hold down the bottom lashes and proceeded to wash my top lashes.
The eyelash extensions are tediously placed on each of your existing lashes. The more lashes you have, the longer it takes. There is no pain – I think I even fell asleep for a short while.
When she was finished, she gently brushed the eyelashes and placed a small fan to dry them for about 10 minutes. She gave me a mirror to check my new fluttery eyelashes out. I absolutely loved the look!
The technician instructed me of the aftercare, which consists of keeping the eyelashes completely dry for 24 hours and then regular cleanings with a specialized cleaning product or baby shampoo.
I started going regularly, about every two or three weeks, to fill in the lashes that had fallen off. This happens regularly. These appointments are never more than an hour, depending on how many lashes she needed to replace.
After a few months, I realized that my lashes were thinning out. The technician noticed also. She hardly had any new lashes to put the extensions on. The golden rule of eyelash extensions is that you need to have natural lashes to attach the extensions to. No lashes, no extensions. I removed the remaining few extensions and waited for new lashes to grow. It wasn’t a pleasant transition, to say the least.
My friend, on the other hand, has been getting extensions and fill-ins for years without any breaks. She is in her 50s, like me.
Pros and Cons of Eyelash Extensions
Pros
They Look Natural
I absolutely love the look of my eyes with extensions. I make sure to ask for a natural look and curve.
No More Mascara
This one was a big pro for me. I have been wearing mascara every single day since I was a teenager. That’s a lot of mascara!
You Wake Up Like That!
I love the freedom of waking up and having a very minimal makeup regimen when I have eyelash extensions. Definitely love what I see in the mirror first thing in the morning!
They Feel Light, Compared to Layers of Mascara or Falsies
Unlike mascara which can feel clumpy or false eyelashes that can feel heavy, extensions feel light and breezy.
Cons
Expensive
They are not cheap and it’s a constant dip in your wallet to upkeep the look.
Time-Consuming
The first appointment can last up to two hours – depending on your technician. The subsequent appointments are typically about an hour long.
Reduce Natural Lashes
The extensions (and glue) can cause weakness in your natural lashes, and they can fall out with the extensions. At least that was my experience.
Risk of Infection or Irritation
Any procedure that involves tweezers, glue, and a stranger’s hands near your eyes opens the door to possible bacteria or viruses. Also, some women may be sensitive to the adhesive and get irritation.
Would I get eyelash extensions again? Yes. I do love the look of the extensions and If I am to get them again, I will make sure the lash technician is knowledgeable about older women’s lashes.
If eyelash extensions are not for you but you still want full lashes, read 13 BEST MASCARAS FOR OLDER WOMEN and 7 BEST NATURAL MASCARAS FOR OLDER WOMEN.
Let’s Have a Conversation:
Do you have eyelash extensions and love them? Have you ever gotten them and hated them? Will be getting eyelash extensions? I would love to hear about it in the comments below.
I’m 60 and have had extensions for over a year . I love them , I unfortunately made a huge mistake by changing technicians, I always went to Fablash , Karen McCullam , the absolute best , only reason I changed was I was out of town , long story , the other technician no names mentioned put on too much glue and the irritation was so bad I lost a lot of my own lashes . Today I’m going back to Fablash, hoping she can make them look great again. Karen really knows her stuff ….
I’m 54 and I’m afraid of getting it but at the same time would love to have the experience
I am a licensed lash extension artist in FL with 7 certificates in lash extensions. I do all types of lashes and am certified in classic, hybrid, volume and mega volume. I agree with everything in your article BUT the thinning of your natural lashes. In my experience this happens for one reason and that is because the lash or lash fans used are most likely too heavy for the natural lash. When a lash extension is too heavy for the natural lash it will weigh it down, break it off, impede growth and worse. However, due to our lash growth cycle every single person loses 2-5 lashes per eye per day! That’s just natural shedding with or without lash extensions. So when you see your natural lash shedding with the extension attached its most likely from your natural lash shedding naturally. As a matter a fact most lash extensions that do come off after application are attached to your natural lashes. As long as you don’t see more then 2-5 per eye per day then you are in the normal zone of lash loss. This is the reason we need to do a fill every 2-3 weeks so we can remove grown out extensions and replace them as well as put lashes on your natural lashes that have grown since your last appointment. I will say, it can be a lot of maintenance but an hour every 2 weeks is well worth waking up and looking flawless every day! Just do your home work and find a reputable lash artist in your area that is licensed and certified.
I used to always get the lash extensions but it was so costly. I discovered doing my own lashes. I purchased the product KISS and I just started practicing but its so much less expensive and I love them.
We lose 3-5 eyelashes per day per eye.
The natural lash growth cycle takes 90
days from infancy to adult lashes.
We have 2 big lash sheds and hair sheds a year in the Fall & Springs, do to changes in weather and orher factors.
In addition to natural and seasonal lash shedding, there is a correlation between hormones (especially in menopausal and perimenopausal women) and hair/lash shedding.
That said, lash extensions come in different diameters or weights if you will.
A good lash extension technician/artist will not put too weight on natural lashes and recognize the stage of individual lash growth.
Adhesive can be drying, that’s what glue does, it dries. However, there are ways to keep your natural lashes hydrated and in as good of shape as possible.
Mascara (especially waterproof) and other eye products can be drying to natural lashes as well.
There are pros and cons to most of our beauty enhancements.
I agree that lash extensions can be an expense as they can be an on-going commitment and need to be filled in every 2-3 weeks. And in my opinion, good lashes aren’t cheap and cheap lashes aren’t good!
Kimberly
licensed esthetician and lash artist/tech