Beauty Sleuth #17: Define magnetism!
If you are on Instagram, then you’ve probably seen the demonstration video of a new product out there: magnetic false lashes! Wow! Now that’s innovation. Let’s break this down – what are your choices for lashes these days, what are the pros and cons of each, and which is the right choice for you?
This post will go through the range of improving your own lashes through the use of a lash growing serum; to using temporary, i.e. just-for-the-day, false lashes, including the new magnetic lashes; to obtaining lash extensions, which are temporary as well, but last for weeks.
Lashes Are “Alive”
There are three phases of the lash cycle: growing, shedding and dormant. Your lashes naturally fall out (the “shedding” phase) following their normal life cycle. In addition, even just rubbing your eyelashes can make them weaker, let alone taking off your eye makeup, crimping the lashes, applying false lashes or extensions etc., so go easy on those lashes, so that each lash can at least make it through its full life (between 4 to 8 weeks.)
Lash “Growers”
Yup, these work. The lash grower/serum market would not be a multi-hundred million dollar cosmetic category if they didn’t. There are multiple competitors on the market. Whether you were born with sparse lashes, or you are aging (your lashes get both thinner, losing density, and straighter as you age), this is actually something that you CAN improve! #benjaminbutton
Typically, there are one to three active ingredients that make the difference in these formulas. Most of the products work by prolonging the growth cycles of your eyelashes, making them longer, thicker and darker over time. Noticeable results usually occur after six weeks, with full results after 14 weeks. I noticed results in 4 weeks. It depends where in the growth cycle your lashes are when you start to use the product. You need to use the product every day until your lashes are the length you want them, and then you can go on maintenance mode, and take it down to a few times a week. If you stop using these products, your lashes will gradually reduce back to where you started.
Are there side effects? Apparently less than 2% of patients with light colored eyes see some darkening of their irises when using those with an ingredient called prostoglandin. I have green/hazel eyes and did not have that side effect when I used a brand that contained prostoglandin. I don’t use that brand anymore however. Some patients see a darkening of the skin on the part of the eyelid where the product is applied - I saw a little bit of this with one brand, but it went away when I stopped using the product every day.
I have used three different brands over the last 5 years. Latisse, Rivitalash, and Rodan+ Fields LashBoost. They all work. Latisse is available only by prescription (dermatologist or eye doctors carry it) which I found to be very inconvenient and it was more difficult to apply than other brands because the applicator brush is separate from the serum and stiff. Plus the applicator is disposed of each time, which does not make for a good carbon foot print! Revitalash worked too but the applicator brush is very small. I found that the R+F LashBoost enhanced my lashes the best and it is approved for brows as well so I don’t have to buy an additional brow growth product (yes those work too!). The products are not inexpensive, but if you divide the cost of the tube over the number of days you will use it, it’s not a lot of money for a whole lot of bang! Especially if you don’t like to wear mascara.
Imitation Lashes
These bad boys have been around for decades! False lashes come in singles, bursts, demi-strips, and full strips. They can come with a clear lashline or a black lashline; they may be super curly or straighter, long or short. In sum, you have a ton of options. You can purchase false lashes at the local drugstore or beauty supply shop, but you can also get them at “lash bars” (brick and mortar establishments that sell higher end lashes). Many types are also available for purchase online. Depending on the what the lashes are made of, the price can really range, but typically a set costs $5 at most and can be reused a few times if you take them off with care. False lashes of this kind are applied with lash glue. Just like there are a lot of lash brands out there, so too are there a lot of lash glue brands. Glue can dry to black or to clear - it’s personal preference.
In my opinion, it’s much easier to apply a full strip than a half strip, which is easier than a burst, which is still easier than singles!! Note bene, one is not born with the skill of “applying false lashes”. There is no “23 and me” gene that is going to help here! Just good ole’ practice. I like to put a mirror down flat on my counter and look down into it to apply. False lashes glue to your natural lashes NOT your skin above your lashes. I know, I know…who knew? They attach right at the base of your natural lashes. So don’t be glueing them to your eyelid! Rookie mistake! I offer a quick lesson on applying false lashes and have many a client take me up on it. It’s a learned skill! Take glued on false lashes off with makeup remover on a gauze pad. Hold the pad on the lashes for 10 seconds so the glue dissolves, then the lashes should come right off and be reusable.
Magnetic Lashes, whah?
These are an absolutely brilliant idea! Wow! Innovation! There are two little strips of false lashes that sandwich your natural lash, and magnetically click together. But alas, the execution of this product isn’t quite “all that” yet. Sliced bread still has a thing or two on these babies. There must be a manufacturing obstacle, but the problem is that the strips are straight. They don’t curve like “traditional false lashes” (is that an oxymoron?). This means they don’t sit right against the lash base. You can’t really tell from a few feet away (so these are great for performers who have to wear false lashes all the time) but close up, it’s obvious (so not good for brides who are getting close up photos for example). See my photos below. I reached out to the distributor twice asking about the reasons behind the “straight lash”, but have not heard back. You can get a half strip, a half-bold strip, and small “bursts” and singles of magnetic lashes from this distributor as well.
That brings me to my second comment: man, these things are difficult to apply! The marketing videos all over Instagram make it look very, very easy, but if you read the comments, you will see many purchasers struggle to apply the product. I did too! It’s NOT easy! It takes a lot of practice AND if you have large fingers or your hands shake, it’s going to be truly difficult. There is a 60 day money back guarantee however.
These lashes can be reused of course, and they are considerably more expensive than glued on false lashes ($150 to $200).
Lash Extensions
Lash Extensions are like hair extensions. They are individual lashes glued on to your current lashes. But unlike day long temporary lashes, the glue used allows them to stay on for weeks. There are many different glue manufacturers and formulas. There are also many different manufacturers of the lashes themselves.
Each lash is individually glued on to a single natural lash = painstaking process. Getting the lashes on takes another person to put them on you. And it takes at least an hour, probably two, depending on the “technician” and how many you desire. It’s a good time to meditate! No working on your phone etc., your eyes will be closed.
Pros are that lash extensions last more than just a day, plus they are totally customizable in terms of length and fullness. The cost is commensurate with the number of lashes you get and how long it takes the operator to apply. ($150 - $200 for a full set is common). Plus your morning routine is faster, as you do not apply primer or mascara to lash extensions, so there’s that!
There are some cons to lash extensions. They are not great for your natural lashes just like hair extensions damage your natural hair. The weight of the false lash will eventually straighten your natural lash. Extensions also fall out in a haphazard manner so what looked great week one, can look pretty crazy week three (the bonded pair of fake and real lashes will fall off together, naturally), thus you need to return to the salon to have them “touched up” every three weeks. Your return appointment won’t take as long as the original since you won’t need to replace every lash.
To keep your lash extensions looking great, you will need to “comb” them out each morning, and they do best on people who sleep on their backs because there is less of a chance to crush them while sleeping. You will also want to gently wash your eyelid once or twice a week to keep dead skin buildup from your lashes.
Some people recommend using a lash growth serum with lash extensions so that your own lashes are less negatively effected by the glue and keeping a false lash attached for a long period of time. Personally, I agree with this. However, most lash serums have not been tested to determine if they effect the adhesive of the extension, perhaps shortening its life. Check with your technician.
Done
There you have it! A primer on the current options in the lash industry. No matter what you choose, keep batting those lashes and if you see me around, give me a wink!
