Individual Lashes vs. Lash Extensions: What's The Best For You?

Lashes: Can We Live Without Them?

We have all done it before.

Picture this. Think about the times you were getting ready to go out with your girls for the night.

You are all playing around, having fun and getting ready for a night you will never forget. Let the good times roll, right?

Well, then you have that one friend who introduces you to something you never knew you needed, lashes.

As you all apply your makeup for the night, you notice that one of your friends applies false lashes to top off her look.

You start asking her all kinds of questions.

Where did you get them?

How do you put them on your eyes?

Are they expensive?

Can you feel them?

Do you sleep in them or take them off?

She answers as many questions as you can come up with at the time.

As soon as she is done placing them gently on her eyelid, you cannot help but wonder how lashes extensions would look on you.

A few days later you are in the beauty supply store. You pick up a pair of false strip lashes for the first time and decide that now is the time to learn.

From that point forward, you never look back. You can never complete a look without lashes to top it off.

Some months pass by, and at this point, you are wearing lashes for every occasion possible, even if you are walking to the grocery store.

Your eyes pop out more, and you become a little friendlier just because you know you look good. You even look at yourself in the mirror more, because your lashes are the bomb.

Some days pass, and you decide to hang out with a friend. This one is the same friend who introduced you to lashes in the first place.

Only this time, something is different about her lashes. It looks as if they are coming straight out of her eyelids. You can’t see any lifting or indication that they aren’t her real lashes.

But, you know her lashes are naturally just as short as yours. So, you start plaguing her with questions again.

Are those strips? How did you make them look so real?

What are you doing to them? To every answer, she says, “I get individual lashes now.

These lashes look more natural than strips.

But sometimes, I will get eyelash extensions when I can afford them. They both look more natural than strips. You should try them!”

That is when you continue your research, and it is what brought you here today.

False Lashes: Individuals vs. Extensions

Maybe, you have heard of both of these types of lashes before. After all, eyelashes are a considerable wave now, and there are so many ways to apply them to make them look a real as possible.

Personally, lashes are my life. I have worn primarily every type you can name whether it is strips lashes, extensions or individuals.

Today, I want to discuss the two lashes that are my absolute go to, which are individuals and extensions.

These are the type of lashes I wear most of the time, but I noticed while wearing them that many people get them confused with each other.

Many women who would see my lashes and compliment them always call them something else than what they are.

If I am wearing extensions, people will ask me if they are individuals and from that point the questions of, “what’s the difference?” always pops up.

I’m here to tell you that these two types of lashes have some similarities and significant differences.

Not only do I wear all kinds of lashes, but I also put them on my friends, and I was certified to do eyelash extensions a while ago.

So, I think I qualify in educating you beautiful people on what the difference is. Once you know, then you can assess which type is best for you, your lifestyle and your overall preference.

Individual Eyelashes: Pros and Cons

Let’s start by discussing what eyelash individuals are because in a lot of ways they are similar to strips.

Many people mistake these for eyelash extensions, because of the name itself. Individuals look like cut up eyelash strips.

They come in a pack just like eyelash strips do, and they have about three to five lashes to a piece.

You apply these similarly to the way you would apply stripped eyelashes.

They require you to have false lash glue to stick them on and a little bit of patience.

When you open the pack, you use them based on what you want your eyelashes to look like on your face.

If you want more volume in the corner of your eye, then you could apply most of the strips on that side of your eyelid.

If you want them to be even all the way across then, you could spread them around your eye for even distribution. It just depends on your preference.

This process may take some time to apply and get used to, so the time it takes to do this can range depending on the person doing them.

I would say about five to twenty minutes is a reasonable range for beginners.

Pros:

No Time to Apply

They take virtually no time to apply to your eye. It just takes some practice and some patience.

Take the time to learn how to use the glue to the lash correctly and then try to wear them out on your eyes.

In no time, you will be applying all of your friends’ lashes too! This method will become second nature to you.

Money isn’t an Issue

The lashes are inexpensive, and you can find them at basically any beauty supply store.

Look where you would see the strip lashes, and they should be in the same area. If you can’t find them, ask a store clerk.

Try the next store if you realize that the place you are at does not sell them.

Customization

You can arrange them on your eye to make them look any way you want.

If you don’t want too much, then use fewer lashes and save them for later.

If you are going for a cat eye look, then go for it!

Endless Styles

There are so many styles to choose from, so the possibilities are virtually endless. Try everything you can, because why not?

Cons:

Wet Glue

If the glue isn’t applied the right way, they could come off throughout the day. Make sure the glue is dry before you go about your day. You don’t want to find lashes in your lunch.

Wasting Eyelashes

You may spend a lot of lashes, in the process of applying them (applying too many, not enough, accidentally tearing a few lashes up, etc.)

Sticky Solutions

They can stick to your eyes if you decide to sleep in them (be careful).

Take Your Time

You may have to take the time to apply them to your eyes every single day to keep them looking fresh and new.

Eyelashes Extensions: Pros and Cons

Eyelash extensions are my absolute favorite way to obtain natural looking lashes. Don’t get me wrong. I love other methods.

But, personally, extensions are my favorite. Let me tell you what these entail.

There are three types of lash extensions: synthetic, silk and mink like the 3D Mink 25MM Lashes.

The lashes are applied one at a time using a specially formulated, semi-permanent glue.

The glue is permanent, but if you apply it on your eyelashes, then it will not irritate the eye or damage the natural lash underneath. That is where it gets interesting.

Using a full set of lashes takes about two hours, and it I recommend that you maintain them year-round with touch-ups every two to four weeks.

The type of lashes you can get depend on the condition of your natural lashes. Lash experts can only go a certain length or thickness on specific lashes because everyone’s lashes are different.

For example, if your natural lashes are on the shorter, thinner side, you won’t be able to get a crazy, dramatic Beyoncé’ look, because it won’t last and it may even irritate you.

It’s not recommended to wear mascara with them (you honestly don’t need it), but if you want to put the mascara on the tip of the extension then only.

Also, you can’t get them wet for about 48 hours, or you could risk losing a lot of lashes in two days.

Your lashes shed like regular hair, so that is the reason it’s recommended to get them touched up.

Go to a lash technician that knows what they are doing!

Pros:

Natural Beauty

There are many benefits of 3D lashes.

They look incredibly natural when applied correctly.

You shouldn’t be able to decipher where your eyelash ends and where the extensions begin, so quickly. They need to look as if they are coming out of your eyes.

Long Lasting

They can last almost up to three weeks with proper care.

Ask your lash technician on details of how to properly care for the lashes.

Customization

You can customize them to your liking (natural, cat eye, etc.).

Be sure that your natural lashes can handle the look you are going for your lashes. Your lash technician should be able to tell you this.

Cons:

Time-Consuming

They take two hours to apply. It may not work out for you if you have a busy schedule. If you want these, make sure you set aside the time to get them.

Get a Good Lash Technician

Not every lash technician is a professional. Make sure you look at their past work first! If the lashes look fake, find another one.

There are so many lash technicians who claim to do a good job, but then you end up looking scary. Don't put yourself in that situation.

Natural Lashes Condition

You may not be able to get the lashes you want depending on your natural lashes current condition.

Don't fret. Some things are just not meant to be. You do not want to risk your health for the same of looking different.

Some things are not worth the trouble! Get what you can, and stunt!

Costly

The service can be expensive (ranging from $40-$200). Phew! That’s a lot. The refill appointments are much better.

They can range from $40-$75, every two to three weeks depending on the lash technician.

Don’t Get Them Wet

You can’t get them wet for a few days, so washing your face could be a challenge. Steam from the shower is also the enemy.

Swimming may be a no-go for a few days as well. Invest in an eyelash extension sealant.

Sticky Glue

If the technician isn’t careful, they could get glue in your eye. Yes, the glue hurts (I’ve had it in my eye before).

Also, it could close your eyes shut. Lash technicians use a unique solution to remove the glue.

Do Not Pull on The Lashes

You must get them professionally removed. If you start pulling on them, you could be pulling out your natural lash in the process.

Makeup Choices are Limited

Some makeup choices may not work for you (eyeliner, mascara, etc.). This fact is because removing it is the issue.

But honestly, I wouldn't mind, I look gorgeous with these 3D Thinline Lashes. 

The eyelash extensions cannot handle oil-based makeup removers.

What is best for you?

Now is the time to break down the pros and cons to decide which process of eyelashes is best for you.

It is essential to know every detail that comes with each method. Otherwise, you could be blinded by unforeseen consequences that you had no idea of at the time.

Nothing is worse than going into something new and not knowing the territory. Talk to local makeup artists, salon stylists and lash technicians.

Although I gave you as much information as I could, they could help you in the decision process by telling you something I didn’t already mention here.

Compile a list of questions you have about both types of lashes.

Although individuals are something you can apply at home by yourself, it doesn’t hurt to ask.

What types of lashes are you going for your face?

Use this guide to match lashes to eye shape.

Have you tried individuals or extensions before?

What was your experience like when getting them?

Which lashes are best for your lifestyle? Leave a comment!