Lash Lift vs. Lash Extensions: Deciding on Your Perfect Look

A great set of lashes and mascara can make or break the impact of your look. Getting your eyelashes professionally done is a popular choice for a little confidence boost that ensures you look your best daily. The eyelash services a beauty technician often provides can be sorted into two primary types: a lash lift or lash extensions. Though they sound similar, both services utilise different methods and have stunning-but-varying results. Lash lift vs. lash extensions: Deciding on your perfect look isn’t always easy.  If you want lash extensions or a lash lift in London, review the differences between the services and their pros and cons for your lifestyle and desired look.

What is a Lash Lift?

A lash lift is a perm treatment that enhances the appearance of your natural lashes. Many salons also offer the choice of tinting your eyelashes during the treatment for a more tailored look. For six to eight weeks after the service, you’ll wake up with eyelashes that look as if you already did your perfect mascara routine, depending on your natural lash growth cycle and how well you take care of them.

There are a few different types of lash lift treatments, but the most stunning one yet is an LVL lash lift. The LVL represents length, volume, and lift—the three things the bonding treatment does to give you natural-looking LVL lashes. With an added colour tint, you could forego mascara in your everyday makeup routine or add just a bit to make the lashes pop even more.

What are Lash Extensions?

Lash extensions are little lash-like hairs that a technician glues to your natural lashes with specially-made glue. They are made from mink, silk, or synthetic hair, often resulting in more dramatic lashes than LVL lashes. Extensions are commonly considered a semi-permanent lash service as extensions are designed to stay attached to your natural lash until it falls out. There are numerous styles of lash extensions, and a skilled technician can blend different types of lash hairs and techniques to give you an artful look that is as minimal or dramatic as you desire.

Which Service Should You Choose?

Deciding between an LVL lash lift or lash extensions can be tricky and influenced by factors such as your budget, lifestyle, and desired level of aftercare. Here are some advantages and disadvantages of each service that are important to keep in mind when choosing which one may be best for you.

Lash Lift Pros and Cons

Lifting your eyelashes with a bonding treatment offers many benefits. LVL lashes look like more polished versions of your natural lashes, giving your lashes and face a soft but well-put-together look. A lash lift service typically takes about an hour to complete, including the time for a colour-boosting tint, making this a fabulous choice for those with jam-packed schedules.

Additionally, the aftercare is minimal after an LVL lash lift. Like a hair perm, you must avoid getting your lashes wet for the first 48 hours after your service. Beyond the first two days, as long as you avoid rubbing your eyes too much and using oil-based makeup removers on your eyes, your LVL lashes will look beautiful for six to eight weeks!

The main downsides to lash lift services depend on your natural eyelashes. A lash lift procedure cannot create volume or length for naturally short or sparse lashes. It can only enhance the appearance of the existing hairs. Furthermore, the chemicals used to achieve the LVL effects can be very harsh and damage your natural lashes if left on too long or if you don’t wait long enough between services.

If you prefer a quick, affordable, and low-maintenance service, an LVL lash lift is an excellent choice if your natural lashes aren’t too short or spread apart.

Lash Extension Pros and Cons

Lash extensions offer tremendous benefits for those who struggle with sparse or short natural lashes. With the help of a skilled lash technician, you can achieve a natural-looking volume or go all out with a gorgeous set of extensions that resemble flawless falsies, no matter the condition of your natural lashes.

Furthermore, lash extensions are a fantastic way to have flawless lashes that compliment your face and help you achieve a flawless, no-makeup look without eye makeup! With various styles and techniques, lash extensions are a surefire way to boost your confidence and elevate your makeup instantly.

Extensions shed with your natural lash cycle, so you can typically go three to four weeks without needing fill-ins. However, this can vary greatly depending on how well you care for them. If you want to keep your extensions in the best condition possible so they can last as long as possible between services, regular cleaning and brushing at least every two or three days is a must.

Other significant downsides of lash extensions include how long the service can last and how much it can cost. Depending on the style you’re going for, the service can last up to two hours and can cost anywhere from £100 to £200.

However, it is important to remember that any beauty service is an investment and lash extensions can save you from spending hundreds on lash strips in the long run. At the end of the day, lash extensions are a fabulous option for those who don’t mind regularly cleaning and brushing their lashes for some extra volume and glamour.

Discover Your Perfect Lashes Here

If you seek enchanting lash extensions or a realistic LVL lash lift in London, look no further than our beautiful studio at Designer Lashes of London.

Our owner, Janette Vince, is an award-winning lash technician with over ten years of experience providing premium lash services to her clients. Every session emphasises the importance of healthy techniques that don’t damage your natural lashes and cultivating the perfect lashes for your eye shape and face.

Schedule an appointment with us and uncover the power of magnificent eyelash treatments.