Mascara will probably have served as your best friend for all these years but it’s time to say goodbye. Welcome lash lifts and lash extensions – your new allies – both semi-permanent fixes to flat lashes. If there’s one beauty trend that will never go out of fashion, it’s long, luscious lashes. A good set of lashes are a real game changer – they instantly make your eyes look SO much bigger.

Lash Extensions

Unfortunately, good quality eyelash extensions aren’t cheap; they can cost anywhere between (insert price) and (insert price), and they usually last anywhere between 2-4 weeks, depending on how you care for them. If you want them refilled once they begin to fall out (roughly 3 weeks later) it’ll cost around (insert price), or if you choose to get them removed, it will cost around (insert price).

Lash extensions are synthetic lashes glued individually to your natural lashes to enhance thickness, length and colour. The extensions are made up of synthetic-like mink, silk and even human hair. lashes are glued with your natural lashes instead of your lash line, giving you long lashes every girl dreams of. Unlike traditional fake lashes they don’t come in a strip or use any adhesive harmful glue.

Getting your lashes inserted takes around two hours and you have to keep your eyes closed the entire time. For most people, it’s basically a socially acceptable nap time. If you don’t fancy a nap, it’s the perfect time to catch up on a Ted Talk or do some meditation. The process itself doesn’t hurt but it is slightly uncomfortable at points.

If you want to keep your lashes for as long as possible, you need to show them some love. This means you need to brush them daily with a spoolie and don’t rub your eyes. Also, whenever you take your makeup off, be as gently as possible and try to use a makeup wipe or a cotton bud with a milk cleanser. Avoid oil-based cleansers, as the oil will loosen the glue and cause your lashes to fall off prematurely. Try not to sleep on your face either, as this will also result in premature fallout.  Eye lash extension will result in minimal falling out your natural lashes. It has no side effects. You have to be extra careful about lashes. After getting eyelash extension, it is necessary to prevent contact with water in the first 24 hours in order to set lashes properly.

Where can you get them done?

There are a multitude of salons that offer lash extensions, one of the most notable ones being Mint Beauty Solutions. Make sure you go to a reputable lash bar to avoid getting rashes on your eye because of dodgy glues.

Lash Lifts

Lash lifts are for people who want natural results, who have straight lashes and are looking for natural enhancement. Or those who are going on vacation and don’t want to think about makeup.

Here’s how lash lifts enhance your natural fringe:

Pads tuck lower lashes out of the way and a special gel helps lashes stick as they’re manually lifted. A series of lift and fix lotions are applied on top of your natural lashes to set the lashes upwards and lift your natural lashes from the root, so it gives a wide eyed, fluttery appearance. Lifted lashes are then tinted for an extra pop. The treatment takes anywhere for an hour to an hour and a half. There is no discomfort during it, it’s almost as if you’re in a spa-like environment. Your natural lashes aren’t damaged in the process of lash lifting either, so it’s a win-win.

Lash lifting is customised for each client, it’s very unique. I don’t believe in a one-size-fits-all ideology when it comes to lash lifting so as a result of this there are different sizes to the shield; it varies from small and it goes up to large and each shield produces a different lift, a different height and a different overall appearance,” says Sahar Razi, from GetLashed with Sahar.

The results of lash lifts can last anywhere from 6 to 8 weeks and can last anywhere from 10 to 12 weeks, it depends on your lash coarseness, length and eye shape. Lash lifts require no maintenance, that is what’s so beautiful about them and makes everything such a seamless process to undergo. The only thing is, you can’t get your lashes wet till 24 hours after the treatment, neither can you use any serums or lotions on the lashes for 2 days. After that, you’re free to do anything you want – the world is your oyster.

The lashes have a lot of flexibility in them. It feels like a really strong coat of mascara but it’s not gonna rub off and you’re not gonna get any mascara fall out. For the first week, your lashes look absolutely great. There’s no need for mascara or any other eye makeup for that matter, because the lashes speak for themselves. Into the second week, however, you’ll find yourself reaching for the spooly often to brush out the lashes, fan them out and to bring them back to their original position. And if you’re going out for the night or just want more of a dramatic look, you’ll need to lean back on your trusty mascara again.

Where can you get them done?

Karachites follow through with their beauty and fashion treatments, religiously. There are a sprinkling of lash bars and spas in Karachi that offer lash lifts, one of the more notable ones being Bellagio by Sadaf.

The battle – which one should you get?

If you’re looking for a more permanent solution and wanna add more volume and flutter, eye lash extensions are the way to go. The procedure does require maintenance after every few weeks if you wanna stay on top of your game and not have visible chunks of eyelashes (the faux ones – not real!)  popping out.

If you want a less expensive, less harmful alternate, opt for lash lifting. While both treatments aren’t quite as cost-effective as your fav mascara, lash lifting is definitely the less expensive option. Lash lifts are also low maintenance and unlike lash extensions, you won’t need to pay to have them topped up after a few weeksThe procedure not only is shorter but is also friendlier with your lashes. Lash extensions aren’t all that harmful either but they do cause your natural lashes to fall out a little. The only draw back (depends on the angle from which you’re looking at it) is that lash lifts only enhance your natural lashes – there isn’t a lot of room for alterations and tweaking, whereas lash extensions can change the look of your eye, and therefore your face, completely.