If you’ve got a big event coming up for which you want to look your best, you may be tempted to double-down on your lashes in order to have maximum volume. But can you wear fake lashes on top of eyelash extensions?
You shouldn’t need to wear fake eyelashes on top of eyelash extensions. Doing so may cause damage to both your natural lashes and your extensions, and is also a waste of your time and money.
If you head to a reputable eyelash technician, then you can discuss customizing your eyelash extensions to achieve the look that you’re going for in terms of body, volume, and length.
That way, you won’t ever feel the need to wear fake eyelashes on top of eyelash extensions.
What Is The Difference Between Fake Eyelashes And Eyelash Extensions?
Eyelash extensions and fake eyelashes can be confused quite often, but they’re by no means the same thing.
Fake eyelashes – also known as false eyelashes – typically strip or magnetic lashes.
They can be bought at a drugstore, and are applied using an adhesive (in the case of strip lashes) or magnets (in the case of magnetic lashes).
Fake eyelashes are a temporary fix. Although you can re-use fake eyelashes a few times, they’re best removed at the end of every use, for the safety of your eyes.
If you’re just looking to add a little drama to your eyes for a one-time event, then fake eyelashes are a more affordable option than eyelash extensions.
Eyelash extensions, however, are applied by a professional lash technician. They are also applied using a particular adhesive but can be customized according to your preference of length, volume, and curl.
Extensions are more permanent than fake eyelashes, and the application process is more expensive as you are paying a professional for their time and expertise.
They will last around six to eight weeks, depending on how well you take care of them.
You’ll likely need to attend an in-fill appointment for your eyelash extensions after two or three weeks, in order to fill in any gaps that may have appeared in the extensions.
6 Reasons To Avoid Fake Eyelashes On Top Of Eyelash Extensions
1. The adhesive will interfere with your lash extensions
Adhesive will interfere with eyelash extensions – also very tacky and difficult to remove, which may end up in tugging and pulling or even rubbing of the eyes.
The extensions may become damaged in the process
2. You may damage your natural lashes and eyelash extensions
You’ll probably find the process of applying fake eyelashes on top of eyelash extensions relatively straightforward. It’s the removal process that can be tricky.
When you’re removing your fake eyelashes, you’ll almost definitely end up tugging or pulling on your eyelash extensions, no matter how careful you are.
The glue of fake eyelashes is designed to be as tacky as possible. It will therefore end up bonding to your extensions on application, which will mean that you need to rip the extensions out in order to remove the fake eyelashes and clean the adhesive from your eyelids.
This tugging motion will also impact your natural lashes, too, so you’ll be causing premature shedding of your extensions and ripping gaps in your natural lash line.
3. The adhesive is tough to remove
As suggested above, the glue for fake eyelashes is designed to be as sticky as possible. The result is that it can be extremely challenging to remove.
You usually have to rely on oil-based products in order to do so, but these will wreak havoc on your eyelash extensions.
You have to use a degree of force to do so, which may also involve rubbing your eyes.
This is an absolute no-no for eyelash extensions, so you’ll have to decide between removing the fake eyelash adhesive safely, or tugging out your extensions.
Neither situation is ideal, so it’s best to avoid getting yourself into it in the first place.
4. It’s a waste of money
You’ve already paid for beautiful eyelash extensions – and you’ve spent the time in the appointment, too.
If you put fake eyelashes on top of your extensions, you’re risking damage to both the extensions and your natural lashes, but you’re therefore also wasting your valuable money and time.
Also, if you experience shedding as a result of wearing the falsies, you may need to pay for an in-fill appointment.
This will definitely be the case if you have to tug or pull at your fake eyelashes in order to remove them from your extensions, as you’ll create gaps in the extensions that will need addressing.
5. May weigh down extensions
When you head to a lash technician, they will have carefully worked out the right balance between your need for extensions, and ensuring that your natural lashes will still be able to support their added weight.
Adding fake eyelashes on top of eyelash extensions will add extra weight to your natural lashes.
Between the extensions and the falsies, you may find your eyelid feels extremely heavy and unpleasant.
Not only this, but the fake eyelashes will impact the body and volume of your extensions as a result of their weight.
Your lashes may drop down over your eye as a result, which might impair your vision, or result in you getting more pesky lashes stuck in your actual eyes.
You may experience extra sensitivity in your eyes as a result, well as premature shedding and breakage of lashes.
6. Falsies look unnatural
Let’s be honest, if you wear fake eyelashes on top of your eyelash extensions, it’s going to look a little over the top.
That may be the look that you’re going for, but if you’re going for a slightly more elevated but still natural finish, then falsies are best avoided.
They’re also never going to look as good as your eyelash extensions will – particularly if you’ve invested in extensions that are customized for your preference of curl, length, and volume.
What Happens If You Put False Eyelashes Over Your Extensions?
If you do decide to apply fake eyelashes on top of your eyelash extensions, it’s your prerogative.
You are risking damage to both your natural lashes and extensions and may cause some premature shedding as a result.
However, if you go for falsies when wearing extensions, take care to ensure that the adhesive strip of your fake eyelashes is as close as possible to your lash line, and won’t interfere with your extensions.
You can always fill in any gaps with an eyeliner that’s safe for use with extensions.
Brushing out both the extensions and fake eyelashes with a clean mascara wand can also help them to blend together and create a more cohesive look.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
You can wear strip lashes on top of eyelash extensions, but it’s not a great idea. It might result in some damage and premature shedding of both your natural lashes and extensions, requiring an in-fill appointment.
Technically, you can wear magnetic lashes on top of eyelash extensions, but, like wearing fake or strip eyelashes on top of extensions, you’ll only be risking damage to your extensions and natural lashes, thereby wasting money on both.
Eyelash extensions shouldn’t cause any damage to your natural lashes, provided that you see a qualified professional. Always research your salon before attending, and you can ask your technician to customize your extensions to suit your facial features.
Just be sure that you only ever wear oil-free eye makeup when you have eyelash extensions in. Oil-based products will interfere with the extensions and may result in increased shedding as a result, as well as being tougher to remove.