False eyelashes have undeniably been improved to create a more natural, fuller looking lash effect in recent years so there’s been a growing trend in brides wondering whether they should make the jump to ‘falsies’ and risk having overly synthetic-looking lashes on the day. For years, the other option was to just work your natural lashes with a brilliant ‘volumising’, lengthening mascara – like Benefit’s Roller Lash Curling and Lifting Mascara.
However, a new contender has entered the ring of the fashion and beauty world; the eyelash extension – helping you to master the bridal vintage glamour look.
These brilliant fake lashes are nothing like the falsies you can pick up in a box in your local branch of Boots. They add volume and length without looking at all artificial and what’s more, they last for weeks, so you’ll be able to go make-up free on your honeymoon. A flick of blusher and bronzer and some lippie and you’re away! What more could you want for fuss-free packing?
Eyelash extensions, or falsies, make your eyes look more open, brighter and can also be altered to suit whatever look you are aiming for. If you want a natural look and just want to create the illusion of a slightly fuller lash then this is easily done, but there’s a whole array of different styles you can try out before your day. This is probably most easily done using glue-on false eyelashes, as you can quickly try a wide selection of different styles without investing a lot of money. You then know exactly what to ask for when you go to the salon to have your eyelash extensions fitted.
If you’re a sassy blonde and you’re worried about blending black eyelash extensions in with your natural fair eyelashes, then you could always have a tint pre-fitting to make sure that extensions blend in seamlessly with your own eyelashes. Another pre-fitting idea is to treat your lashes every night with a lash oil or serum to help strengthen them. A product like Elizabeth Arden’s Prevage Clinical Lash and Brow Enhancing Serum claims to help your lashes become longer, stronger and fuller in just 2 weeks, but at £90 a pop it is quite an investment.
The new kid on the block for eyelash strengthening is somewhat reminiscent of those teenage days, when you would rub Vaseline into your eyelashes to make them look glossy and defined. Castor oil is significantly cheaper than the £90 Prevage Clinical Lash and Brow enhancing serum and is definitely worth experimenting with at under £10 a bottle.
A full set of eyelash extensions can take up to 1.5 hours to apply – 2 hours if you want a more glamorous look. They also require up to 30 minutes of maintenance every day in order to ensure that they last for their full life span of 2 weeks.
If you’re feeling nervous about getting them done, you could always go with your mum, or MIL – so that both of you look as stunning as you want to on your wedding day. It’ll also make sure that your MOB’s look is finished to perfection!
But don’t forget that once you’ve had them fitted you can’t get them wet for 24 hours; so don’t plan on hitting the spa the same day if you’re looking to spend the day getting pampered together!
So whilst fake eyelashes are a lot cheaper, eyelash extensions last up to 2 weeks (sometimes longer) and tend to look more natural than the traditional set of falsies, because they are individually glued to your own eyelashes. While they are costly, the overall look is often considered to be worth the extra £s and definitely worth the time spent on the couch waiting for them to be attached! Whatever you decide to do, glue-on falsies, investing in a lengthening mascara or eyelash extensions, we’re sure you’ll be a gorgeous bride!
