After admiring my friend’s gorgeous eyelash extensions a few months ago, I decided to bite the bullet and try them myself. As someone who doesn’t wear a lot of make-up, and doesn’t have a lot of time, I figured it would a cool way to make me look a little more awake and pulled together without having to add any actual time to my routine. Lazy much, Kristen? Yes, yes I am. 

And so, I scheduled an appointment at the same MedSpa in our little town, and after a couple of hours with my eyes closed and my phone tucked away in my bag (seriously, worth the money just for that), I had beautiful long lashes that I love.

If you’ve been wondering about whether eyelash extensions are worth the money (and the time), here’s a quick FAQ with my honest answers. Hope these help you make your decision. Keep in mind that I’m not an eyelash extension expert, but rather someone who researched them before she got them done, and asked a ton of questions while it was all happening.

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Look at that before and after! 

How much do eyelash extensions cost?

The initial set of eyelashes cost $250 for upper lashes. Yes, that is expensive. Very expensive. I’ve heard varying reports from people who say that’s cheaper than what they’ve paid, but I imagine it depends on where you’re located and who is doing them. I went to a reputable medical spa that is owned and operated by nurses.

After my initial visit, it costs me $65. I go every two weeks and I could probably go three weeks since I’ve adapted the way I sleep (read down) to keep them in tact.

How long does it take?

The first visit you should expect to be laying on your back with your eyes closed for at least two hours. The follow-up visits last about an hour. You have to lay very still with your eyes closed. I actually find it to be super relaxing, and a nice treat to not be able to check any gadgets.

Does it hurt?

I have a pretty high pain tolerance, but even so, it doesn’t hurt at all. Like negative hurting. You will have a pad taped under your eyes, which can feel a little awkward at first. But the actual application is painless.

How long do they last?

So, my first set of lashes only lasted about a week, and that was because I continued to sleep pretty heavily on my side, squishing my eyes and therefore knocking some of the lashes out. Since then, I’ve figured out a way to sleep on my side but not mess with my eyeballs, and they’ve been lasting for over two weeks.

It really depends on the person, though, so it’s hard for me to say what will happen in your circumstance. If you rub your eyes a lot, or do things that involve lots of wind and rain, you might need refills more frequently.

Can you wear eye make-up?

Yes, you can still wear eye make-up, but definitely avoid anything that has oil. You will probably find that you don’t need as much eye make-up, because the lashes really do so much to open up and brighten your face. You shouldn’t wear mascara, except on your lower lashes if you so choose.

And you will want to make sure that any make-up removal products you use are oil free.

Can you shower with them?

Yes, you can absolutely shower with them on. You do want to be careful when you’re washing your face. Since they’re glued on, you don’t want to scrub your face with a washcloth or sponge. I just use my usual face cleanser, and then gently toss water on my face.

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Do they damage your eyelashes?

So, this was one of the reasons I avoided getting lashes, because I heard about some people complaining they damaged their eyelashes. I can’t really say that at this point because I still have them on. I don’t see any breakage, and when they do fall off, I don’t see my own lashes fall off with them; just the eyelash extensions.

I also have pretty full, long lashes (though if you look at the before and after photo, it sure doesn’t feel like it), so that could also be something to consider. If your lashes are very thin and sparse, you might want to talk to your esthetician.

Can you get an allergic reaction to them?

I have heard reports of people having allergic reactions to the glue, which can happen after a period of time. Since I’m pretty sensitive to beauty products, I started asking for the sensitive glue, and I haven’t had any issues. I’m also a contact wearer, and I haven’t had any problems with that either.

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Bottom line

Overall, they’ve been super easy to maintain, albeit expensive, so keep that in mind if you’re thinking about making the investment. However, unlike manicures and pedicures (which I don’t really get that often), I do feel like this improves my overall everyday look and makes me feel a little younger and more put together without having to put a face of make-up on. Plus, I get lots of compliments on something other than my cute kids.