Our lash specialists answer the most frequently asked questions about Eyelash Extensions — including the different types, safety, aftercare, how long they last, how they compare to a lash lift, and more.
What are eyelash extensions?
Eyelash extensions are individual synthetic, silk or faux-mink fibres that are glued one by one onto your natural lashes to make them look longer, fuller and darker for several weeks.
From a professional beauty perspective, eyelash extensions are a semi-permanent alternative to mascara and strip lashes. A trained lash technician attaches each extension to a single natural lash, never to the skin of your eyelid, so the result looks like your own lashes, only fuller.
Are eyelash extensions permanent? No. Eyelash extensions are semi-permanent, and each one falls out naturally when the natural lash it’s attached to sheds.
How do eyelash extensions work?
Eyelash extensions work by bonding an extension, or a small fan of extensions, to one natural lash with a lash adhesive, so each extension grows out and sheds along with the lash it’s attached to.
The process involves:
- One natural lash being separated from the lashes around it
- An extension being dipped in lash adhesive
- The extension being placed on the natural lash, just above the eyelid
- The steps being repeated lash by lash until the set is complete
A full set is often around 80–100 extensions per eye. Because your natural lashes are always at different stages of growth, a set thins out gradually rather than falling out all at once.
What are the different types of eyelash extensions?
The main types of eyelash extensions are classic, hybrid and volume, and they differ in how many extensions go on each natural lash.
| Classic | Hybrid | Volume | |
| Extensions per lash | One extension on each natural lash | A mix of single extensions and fans | A fan of several fine extensions on each lash |
| The look | Natural, like a coat of mascara | Textured and fuller | Dense and dramatic |
| Best for | First-timers and everyday wear | People who want more than classic | A full, glamorous look |
Mega volume uses even more extensions on each natural lash for a bolder look, and Russian volume uses hand-made fans of ultra-fine extensions. Extensions also come in different materials, lengths and curls, which your lash technician chooses to suit your eyes and the look you want.
What are the benefits of eyelash extensions?
The main benefits of eyelash extensions are longer, fuller-looking lashes every day, without mascara or lash curling.
Eyelash extension benefits include:
- Longer, fuller lashes: extensions add length and volume that mascara can’t match.
- No daily mascara: your lashes look done from the moment you wake up.
- No lash curling: the curl is built into each extension.
- Time saved: getting ready takes less time each morning.
- A custom look: the type, length and curl can be tailored to your eyes.
- Nothing to smudge: there’s no mascara to run or wash off at the end of the day.
- A lift for straight lashes: curled extensions can make straight or downward-growing lashes look more open.
Eyelash extensions do need upkeep, though. Before you book a set, it’s worth knowing how long eyelash extensions last and how often you’ll need to top them up.
Are eyelash extensions worth it?
Eyelash extensions are worth it if you’d rather spend time at an infill appointment every 2–3 weeks than apply mascara every day.
They suit people who want a polished look with little daily effort. If you’re not keen on regular appointments, or you’d rather enhance your own lashes, a low-maintenance lash treatment may suit you better.
Who are eyelash extensions good for?
Eyelash extensions suit people with healthy natural lashes who want a longer, fuller look every day and can keep up with infills every few weeks.
Eyelash extensions may suit you if you:
- Want lashes that look done without mascara
- Have healthy natural lashes that can hold the weight of an extension
- Can commit to daily aftercare and regular infills
- Don’t have sensitive eyes or an allergy to lash glue
Very short, fine or sparse lashes may not hold extensions well. If that sounds like your lashes, a lash lift curls your own lashes from the root, with no glue or extensions.
Are eyelash extensions safe?
Yes, eyelash extensions can be safe when a trained, experienced technician applies them in a hygienic salon with eye-safe products, but they aren’t risk-free.
Ophthalmologists say eyelash extensions can be safe with precautions, according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology. The main risks are a reaction to the glue, infections of the eye or eyelid, and damage to your natural lashes, and they’re mostly linked to technique, hygiene and the products used.
So check that your lash technician:
- Is trained and experienced in eyelash extensions
- Works in a clean salon and cleans their tools between clients
- Can show you the glue’s ingredients and expiry date
- Offers a patch test before your first set
- Keeps fumes away from your eyes, for example with a fan
Training requirements for lash technicians vary, so it’s always worth asking about their training and experience before you book.
What are the side effects of eyelash extensions?
The most common side effects of eyelash extensions are itching, redness, stinging and watery eyes.
These side effects are common. In one survey of 205 women in Japan, about 1 in 4 women had a complication such as redness, discomfort, itching or swollen eyelids after getting eyelash extensions, according to a review by the Tear Film & Ocular Surface Society.
Temporary side effects may include:
- Itching or redness along the lash line
- Stinging or watering eyes during or just after the appointment
- Eyelids that feel heavy
Less common risks include:
- An allergic reaction to the glue
- Swollen eyelids
- Eye infections, such as styes or conjunctivitis
- Scratches on the surface of the eye
- Natural lashes breaking or falling out
- Dry, irritated eyes
If you have eye pain, swelling, discharge or any change in your vision, see a doctor or optometrist straight away.
Can you be allergic to eyelash extension glue?
Yes. You can be allergic to eyelash extension glue, which contains ingredients such as cyanoacrylate and, in some brands, formaldehyde, both known to trigger allergies.
Signs of a glue allergy include:
- Itchy, red or swollen eyelids
- Watery or burning eyes
- A rash along the lash line
An allergic reaction may not show up straight away. Symptoms can appear hours or days after your eyelash extensions are applied, which is why a patch test before your first set is so important.
Is it an allergy or just irritation? Brief stinging during the appointment that settles quickly is usually irritation from the glue’s fumes. Itching and swelling that build up over the following hours or days point to an allergy.
What should you do if you react to eyelash extensions?
If you react to eyelash extensions, see a doctor or optometrist, and have the extensions removed by a professional rather than pulling them off yourself.
Eye doctors advise that you don’t try to remove them yourself or treat the reaction on your own, because doing it incorrectly can damage your eyes or make the symptoms last longer.
Do eyelash extensions damage your natural lashes?
No, eyelash extensions shouldn’t damage your natural lashes when they’re the right weight and length and are applied and removed properly. However, heavy sets, poor technique and pulling at your lashes can cause breakage and lash loss.
Extensions that are too long or heavy, or glue that sticks several lashes together, put strain on the lash follicle. Over time, this can cause traction lash loss, which is sometimes permanent. Rubbing, tugging or pulling at your extensions can also break your natural lashes.
To protect your natural lashes:
- Choose lengths and weights that suit your own lashes
- Don’t rub, pick or pull at your extensions
- Keep up with your infills
- Have your extensions removed by a professional
Who should avoid eyelash extensions?
Eyelash extensions may not be suitable if you:
- Have an eye infection, a stye or inflamed eyelids (blepharitis)
- Have dry eye or another ongoing eye condition
- Are allergic to lash glue, cyanoacrylate, latex or adhesive tape
- Have had recent eye surgery, including laser eye surgery
- Have very short, sparse or fragile lashes
- Are having medical treatment that affects your eyes or lashes
Dry eye is worth taking seriously. In one small study of women with dry-eye complaints, removing their eyelash extensions improved dry eye symptoms and test results within four weeks.
If any of these apply to you, check with your doctor or optometrist before booking.
Can you get eyelash extensions while pregnant?
Eyelash extensions haven’t been studied in pregnancy, so it’s best to check with your doctor or midwife before booking.
The glue releases fumes while it sets, and some consumer guidance suggests thinking twice about eyelash extensions during pregnancy. A full set also means lying flat for 1–2 hours, which can become uncomfortable later in pregnancy.
To be safe, check with your doctor or midwife before booking.
How should you prepare for eyelash extensions?
To prepare for eyelash extensions, ask for a patch test before your first set, and arrive with clean lashes, no eye makeup and your contact lenses out.
Before your appointment:
- Ask for a patch test, usually a little glue on the inside of your wrist
- Tell your technician about any allergies, eye conditions, medications or pregnancy
- Decide on the look you’d like, and bring a photo if you have one
On the day:
- Skip mascara, eyeliner and lash curling
- Take out your contact lenses, and bring your glasses
- Avoid oily skincare around your eyes
What happens during an eyelash extension appointment?
An eyelash extension appointment follows five steps: a consultation, cleansing, protection, application and finishing.
Here’s what each step involves:
- Consultation: you and your lash technician choose the type, length and curl of your extensions.
- Cleansing: your lashes are cleaned of oil and makeup so the glue can grip.
- Protection: gel pads or tape hold your lower lashes down and away from your upper lashes.
- Application: with your eyes closed, your technician separates each natural lash and attaches the extensions.
- Finishing: your lashes are dried, brushed through and checked so none are stuck together.
How long does it take to get eyelash extensions?
A full set of eyelash extensions usually takes about 1–2 hours, depending on the type of set. Infills are quicker, usually around 30–75 minutes.
Do eyelash extensions hurt?
No. Eyelash extensions shouldn’t hurt, because your eyes stay closed throughout and the glue doesn’t touch your skin.
Many people find the appointment relaxing. If your eyes sting or water, fumes from the glue may be reaching them, so let your technician know.
How do you look after eyelash extensions?
Look after eyelash extensions by keeping them dry for the first 24–48 hours, cleaning them gently every day with an oil-free cleanser, and never rubbing or pulling at them.
Lash glue can take up to six hours to solidify, so the first day matters most.
First 24–48 hours:
- Keep your lashes dry
- Avoid steam, saunas, hot showers and hard workouts
- Don’t touch or rub your eyes
Ongoing care:
- Wash your lashes gently with an oil-free cleanser
- Brush them through every day with a clean spoolie
- Avoid oil-based makeup removers and creams around your eyes
- Skip the eyelash curler
- Sleep on your back, or use a silk pillowcase
How long do eyelash extensions last?
Eyelash extensions usually look full for about 2–4 weeks, and each extension lasts until the natural lash it’s attached to falls out.
Each natural lash grows and sheds on its own cycle, which lasts about 4–11 months in total. That’s why a few extensions fall out every day and your set slowly thins.
How long eyelash extensions last depends on:
- Your natural lash growth cycle
- How well you follow your aftercare
- How oily your skin is, and how often your lashes get wet or steamed
- The type and weight of your set
How long do eyelash extensions last the first time? About the same as any other set. How long they last depends on your lash cycle and aftercare, not on whether it’s your first set.
How often do you need eyelash extension infills?
Most people need eyelash extension infills every 2–3 weeks to replace the extensions that have fallen out with their natural lashes.
What’s the difference between an infill and a full set? An infill tops up the extensions you still have. If it’s been more than about 4 weeks, or fewer than around 40% of your extensions are left, most salons will book you in for a new full set instead.
Further Questions About Eyelash Extensions
What’s the difference between eyelash extensions and a lash lift?
Eyelash extensions add length and volume by gluing synthetic fibres onto your lashes, while a lash lift curls your own lashes from the root, with no extensions or glue.
| Eyelash extensions | Lash lift | |
| What it does | Adds length and volume | Lifts and curls your natural lashes |
| Glue or extensions | Yes | No |
| Appointment time | About 1–2 hours | About 45–60 minutes |
| How long it lasts | About 2–4 weeks before an infill | About 4–6 weeks of visible lift |
| Upkeep | Infills every 2–3 weeks | None between treatments |
| Best for | Added length and fullness | A natural, low-maintenance curl |
Consider eyelash extensions if you want added length and fullness, or a lash lift if you want a natural, low-maintenance curl. For darker-looking lashes as well, a lash lift can be paired with a lash tint.
What’s the difference between eyelash extensions and false lashes?
Eyelash extensions are glued to individual natural lashes and last for weeks, while false lashes come on a strip that sits on your eyelid and is removed the same day.
| Eyelash extensions | False lashes | |
| How they’re attached | One by one, to your natural lashes | As a strip, along your eyelid |
| Who applies them | A trained lash technician | Usually you, at home |
| How long they last | Several weeks, with infills | One day |
| Best for | An everyday, longer-lasting look | A one-off event |
Consider false lashes for a one-off event, or eyelash extensions if you want a look that lasts for weeks.
Can you wear mascara with eyelash extensions?
Mascara isn’t recommended with eyelash extensions, because it clumps them and is hard to remove without loosening the glue.
If you do wear mascara, avoid waterproof formulas, apply it lightly and remove it gently with an oil-free remover. Eyeliner and eyeshadow are fine if they’re oil-free and you take them off carefully.
Can you get eyelash extensions wet?
Yes. You can get eyelash extensions wet once the first 24–48 hours have passed and the glue has fully set.
Use lukewarm water, and avoid aiming the shower directly at your eyes. After washing or swimming, pat your lashes dry and brush them through.
Can you wear contact lenses with eyelash extensions?
Yes. Most people can wear contact lenses with eyelash extensions, but take your lenses out for the appointment.
Fumes from the glue can irritate your eyes while the extensions are applied. If your eyes often feel dry or irritated with contact lenses, check with your optometrist before booking.
How do you remove eyelash extensions safely?
The safest way to remove eyelash extensions is to have a lash technician dissolve the glue with a professional remover.
Never pull or tweeze extensions off, because your natural lashes will come out with them. If you’d rather wait, let them shed naturally with your lashes. Here are the best ways to remove eyelash extensions without damaging your natural lashes.
How much do eyelash extensions cost?
Eyelash extensions in New Zealand usually cost about $90–$250 for a full set, depending on the style, plus about $50–$140 for each infill every 2–3 weeks.
These are estimated prices based on lash salons in Christchurch and Auckland, and prices vary depending on where you go.
Typical prices:
- Classic full set: about $90–$155
- Hybrid full set: about $115–$180
- Volume full set: about $120–$250, with mega volume at the top end
- Infills (2–3 weeks): about $50–$100 for classic, and $75–$140 for hybrid or volume
- Professional removal: about $25–$40
Prices depend on the style, the number of extensions, the technician’s experience and how long it’s been since your last infill. A lash lift and tint costs about $115 and lasts around 4–6 weeks, with no infills in between.
Where can I get eyelash enhancements in Christchurch?
Looking for eyelash enhancements in Christchurch? At Lovoir Beauty Salon & Day Spa, our lash specialists offer eye and brow enhancements, including lash lifts and lash tints, for longer, darker-looking lashes without the upkeep of eyelash extensions.
Lash treatments are available at our beauty salon in Avonhead and our day spa at The Crossing. Book lash treatments to get started.
