Every once in a while in the beauty industry, a trend emerges that is so great, everyone you know starts to look different – and never looks back. Such was the case in the 1980′s with cool-toned makeup, in the 90′s with primer, and today with eyelashes. Whether through Latisse, over-the-counter eyelash growth treatments or false lashes, it seems hardly anyone is walking around with stubby lashes – and certainly no one is getting married or celebrating a huge photographed event without batting a full 1000.
That said, I recently emerged from Snowmageddon 2010 and headed on over to Allison Roth Studio, the only studio in Pittsburgh currently officially certified to feature XTreme Lashes, false eyelashes that stay on indefinitely, even through showering, swimming – you name it. The secret to XTreme Lashes seems to be its XL Fusion Eyelash Adhesive, which is a waterproof acrylate polymer also used in medical processes for wound closure. The creator of XTreme Lashes, Jo Mousselli, is a former registered nurse who seems to have gone through great lengths to ensure the safety of XL Fusion Eyelash Adhesive, as well as for the procedure itself – all Lash Stylists must take an XTreme Lashes training course to become licensed through XTreme Lashes.
Procedure
The entire procedure takes about 60-120 minutes. During the procedure, the lash stylist will apply each lash extension meticulously, one by one, for a total of 25 to 100 eyelash extensions per eye. Allison, my certified Lash Stylist, was extremely warm and accommodating, even going so far as to offer a drink, my choice of music, and a warm blanket. She also has a very warm and fun personality, which makes it so easy to ask questions and to tell her exactly what you want (or don’t want)! The process was easy – lay down, have eyelid taped, have eyelashes attached, fall asleep (optional) – and I opened my eyes to see a brand-new set of lashes! More information about the procedure is available through the XTreme Lashes website.
Cost
Perhaps the only reservation about XTreme Lashes is the cost, which costs slightly more than Latisse (currently $100/month). Because lashes grow (approximately 0.2 mm/month for most healthy individuals), the lash extensions must be “filled” every 2 to 3 weeks. At the Allison Roth Studio, the initial set is currently $225-400, with the lower price for 25-35 extensions (a “mini set”), and the higher, more impressive version as 75-100 extensions. Fills cost $45-95 after 2 weeks, and $85-175 after 3 weeks. (The lashes must be filled within 3 weeks, or else you end up having to purchase a whole new set.) Getting right down to it, filling your eyelashes every 2 weeks amounts to $121-144/month over the course of 1 year (filling every 3 weeks amounts to $115-138/month), which is pretty reasonable, particularly if you consider that Latisse ($100/month) takes 2-3 months to see the result, and that not everyone is a suitable candidate for Latisse to begin with (light eye color, history of glaucoma, etc.)
Surprising…
The greatest lesson I think I learned through the process was that regular eyelash extensions can damage your eyelashes. It turns out that not only can regular eyelash adhesive cause allergic reactions on the eyelids of some individuals, but the adhesive glue can also cause your eyelashes to break, as your eyelashes clump together and fall out when you try to separate them (with mascara or otherwise). I personally had tried regular store brand eyelash extensions a few weeks before visiting the Allison Roth Studio, and was promptly informed that some of my eyelashes were too broken and damaged for eyelash extensions (no full set for me)! Still, I hope that some of my readers are forewarned about what regular false eyelash use can do to your lashes.
Overall Opinions
It isn’t cheap, but XTreme Lashes has really made a huge difference in my look, and I feel it was well-worth the cost! The XTreme lash extensions are near-instant, do not seem to pose any risks, and are completely waterproof – a dream come true! Overall, I’m an enthusiastic new fan of XTreme Lashes, and I look forward to sticking with them for many years into the future. P.S. – I will post pictures after my damaged lashes grow in and I can upgrade!
I can’t wait to see them!!!
I am somewhat interested in this procedure, however I am was slightly confused by your article. Do you have to get a “fill” every two weeks indefinately?
Thanks for the info – I actually was not aware that there was a semi-permanent option out there before your article. I’ve already booked an appointment at a local salon. I found that the XtremeLash site didn’t have a completer list of salons, so I was able to Google many more.
The salon in my area (Connecticut) is offering a special of $245 for a full set, $65 fill. Another salon in my area was $375-425 for a full set + $45 fill. So the prices seem to be all over the place. There are also several competing lash companies, but based on my cursory view of training, XtremeLashes seemed to be the best.
ah…the deficient eyelash debate! xtreme lash seems like a really nice alternative to latisse, mascara, and false lashes,etc. and much more long lasting. sure we all want to look our best and don’t get me wrong, i love cosmetics and cosmeceuticals just as much as the next gal. but, really, think about it…apparently, even our eyelashes aren’t good enough just the way they are. breast implants, eyelashes, hair extensions, hey…never get old either! god, it’ll never end.
Was anything said about when you decide to stop? are you left with damage? I’m thinking long term, there must be some resultant breakage?
I’m picturing myself with no lashes for months….yikes
In response to your questions about damage, as long as you are seeing a certified Xtreme Lashes stylist, there will be NO damage.
Each Xtreme Lash is applied to only ONE natural lash. So, the natural lash will grow out as normal. What causes breakage is when untrained individuals do not apply the extensions correctly and many of the natural lashes are glued together, When one grows out, it will pull the others (that are clumped to it) with it. Also, the adhesive, when done correctly, does not touch the lid just the lash.
Touch ups are required as long as you want the look. The natural growth cycle of an eyelash is 4-6 weeks, so in about 2-3 weeks there will be roots as your natural lash is growing out.
Should you decide to remove them, your Xtreme Lashes professional will remove them with a special remover that will saturate each lash so it slips right off the natural lash… again no breakage. Your natural lashes will be in the same condition as they were before the Xtreme Lashes extensions.
Thanks again Futurederm for this very informative artical!
Perhaps some day when I win the lottery, I’ll try this. Until then, I’ll stick to my barely-there lashes. =(
hmmmm im a bit skeptical with this procedure i might just stick to my revitalash coz i already started to see an improvement to my lashes and with my eyebrow in just few weeks of using revitabrow and eyelash conditioner
Where can I get cost for this product?
check for the product cost here!
http://www.revitalash.com/revitalash-products
you will surely enjoy it..very much worth to your penny its so economical too each bottle will last up to 7mos imagine that! Cheers