I discovered eyelash extensions when I was 21 years old and living in London, enjoying my first graduate salary. I instantly fell in love with the confidence they gave me, and after my first set, I honestly couldn't imagine life without them!
However, after a few years of continuous use, disaster struck. I developed a severe allergy to the strong glue used by lash technicians and was forced to stop getting them done.
My self-confidence took a real hit as I struggled to get used to my face without them. While I had previously thought I had fairly long natural lashes, now I only saw them as short, stumpy, and patchy.
I searched high and low for an affordable alternative to eyelash extensions that wouldn't irritate my eyes and would look like my natural lashes—only better. It's safe to say, I tried nearly everything on the market before developing my own solution. So, let's review my tried-and-tested alternatives to lash extensions!
At-Home Lash Extensions - 10/10
Let's not keep the best for last and save you some time. At-Home Lash Extensions are the only alternative that have truly worked for me as a replacement for salon eyelash extensions.
Placing the lash clusters underneath the lash line, rather than on top as with traditional or magnetic strip lashes, means there's no visible band on your eyelid. The clusters blend in seamlessly to give that 'your lashes but better' look.
Unlike falsies and mascara, you can sleep in at-home eyelash extensions just as you would with salon extensions. This means you can wake up with perfect lashes, and with part of your morning get-ready routine already sorted!
Imogen Collective's At-Home Lash Extension Glue doesn't contain formaldehydes, an ingredient commonly responsible for allergies to salon-grade eyelash extension glue.* While it isn't as strong as salon lash glue, it holds lash clusters in place for up to 7 days of continuous wear - the ideal beauty hack for the "high maintenance to be low maintenance" girlies like me.
They're beginner-friendly, so you don't need to be a makeup expert or professional to apply and remove them yourself. Plus, they're much quicker to put on and take off, typically taking about 10-15 minutes depending on your experience level! Say goodbye to lengthy salon appointments and the hassle of booking appointments.
*Please note that everyone is different. I strongly recommend performing a patch test with the glue 24 hours before applying your first set of At-Home Lash Extensions, just as you would with other cosmetic products, to ensure you don't have any sensitivities or allergies.
Magnetic Strip Lashes - 3/10
No disrespect to the magnetic lash girlies, but these really didn't work for me. Essentially, you apply a black magnetic eyeliner that connects to the magnets on the lashes. Personally, I don't typically wear eyeliner on a daily basis; I reserve it more for evening or night-out makeup looks. One of the things I liked best about eyelash extensions is how good they look when wearing minimal or even no-makeup. So, magnetic lashes weren't the right fit for me.
I also found that the residue of the magnetic eyeliner was really difficult to get off the magnets on the lashes. So, I could only get a day or two of wear out of each set, and even then, they didn't have much sticking power. They definitely weren't suitable for wearing on a hot and humid day or at the pool, or at a festival or all-day event. Considering that sets of magnetic lashes typically cost around £35 each, this would be a costly - and unreliable! - alternative to eyelash extensions.
Lastly, like traditional falsies, you remove magnetic strip lashes when you take off your makeup. So, they don't pass the round-the-clock beauty test, and the process of reapplying them every morning was very time-consuming.
Traditional Strip Lashes or "Falsies" - 7/10
Like the Marmite of eye makeup, false lashes divide opinions—some love them, while others hate them. Personally, I lean towards loving them. As an alternative to eyelash extensions or DIY/At-Home Lash Extensions, they're definitely up there.
They come in a range of styles suitable for all occasions, spanning from simple, classic, and short designs to dramatic, winged, and long lashes. I could get 2-3 wears of out each set, and they're pretty cheap.
Not to mention that they're readily available on most high streets or even at supermarkets, making them easily accessible for purchase. Imogen Collective takes it one step further with their subscription service for At-Home Lash Extensions, ensuring you're never caught without lashes before or after the shops open and close.
The main downsides are, firstly, the visible lash band on the eyelid, making it challenging to wear them with a clean, natural makeup look or without any makeup at all. Secondly, you must remove them before bed, meaning you can't enjoy the confidence boost of your lashes all day and night.
Conclusion
In my personal experience, the main benefits of salon-applied eyelash extensions include the ability to wear them 24/7 without worrying about them falling off in various weather conditions like wind, rain, or humidity. They can be worn with or without makeup, always adding a put-together look. They're the ultimate lazy girl hack, cutting your everyday makeup routine in half, as they give the appearance of effort without much work. Plus, they look seamless and natural without any visible lash band.
So, there's only one winner for a true alternative to salon eyelash extensions and that is... *drum roll* At-Home Lash Extensions! You can get everything you need to get started with At-Home Eyelash Extensions today in this affordable and beginner-friendly kit, and simply top up your lashes with the Lash Refill Ribbons when you run out.