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Disclaimer: While this post aims to provide informative insights, it’s important to note that I am not a doctor, dermatologist, or medical esthetician. For personalized skincare advice, it’s always best to consult a licensed medical professional, ensuring you make informed decisions about your skincare routine.
I first got a full set of eyelash extensions a few months before my wedding. Once they were on, I instantly fell in love.
They were so full, dark, and perfectly curled ALL the time. I didn’t have to do anything except go back for a 1.5-hour fill every two weeks.
I woke up with perfect lashes, got out of the shower with perfect lashes, and could sit in the hot tub without worrying about running mascara.
I could wake up late, quickly run out of the house, and still feel pretty and feminine because my eyelashes were still perfect.
The doubts
However, I did worry about the long-term health of my eyelashes. I always wondered how much damage I was causing, even though I was reassured that it was okay since I had them applied properly.
They were also pretty darn expensive.
I was paying $140 each month for my fills, which was actually pretty cheap for my area.
The final issue was that the lash glue was starting to irritate my eyes for days after application.
Eventually, after investing in my eyelashes for a year and a half, I decided to cut that expense from our budget.
Life after eyelash extensions
When I finally decided to have my eyelash extensions removed, I cried.
I was so scared that I was going to feel ugly without them.
I already had an eyelash serum ready to use. I had seen how long my friend Suzie’s lashes had gotten from using a lash serum, so I was hopeful that it would work well and help me be more satisfied with my natural lashes.
The only problem was that I would have to wait 2-3 months for noticeable results. And I wasn’t looking forward to waiting that long, especially after having the voluminous lash extensions.
But I had already made up my mind.
So, three weeks after my last fill, I removed what was left of my lash extensions by loosening them up with coconut oil, and I cried.
I looked in the mirror, and my face felt so bare. My real lashes were shorter than I remembered, probably because they had been falling out much faster with the extensions on.
I put on some mascara (Buxom lash) and was horrified at how little it did to improve what I was staring at.
I felt like I had made a horrible, terrible mistake and was wondering if I should book a $300 full-set lash application ASAP.
And that’s when I remembered that I had ordered a confidence-saving product in preparation for this exact moment.
Magnetic lashes to the rescue
Shortly after my last lash fill, I had stumbled upon a company called One Two Cosmetics.
They offered reusable false lashes that stay on with magnets. No glue. Nothing permanent. You can use them when and how you want.
It’s a pretty brilliant product.
So, back to standing in front of the mirror with my ragged and patchy lashes…
I put on my magnetic lashes and instantly felt so much relief.
My lashes were NOT up to par after taking the extensions out, but I could pop these lash strips on in an instant and have fuller, longer lashes.
How they work
Magnetic lashes come as little falsie strips with a tiny magnet at the base.
You apply mascara to your own lashes first (if you want to), then put one strip on top of your lashes and a second strip underneath. The magnets snap together and hold the two strips firmly, hugging your natural lashes.
One Two Cosmetics had a few different options:
- Original for daily wear
- Bold for a longer and fuller dramatic look
- Accent to lift the very outer corners of your lash line
- Filler to fill in any gaps
A box came with eight lash strips, so you had backups if you lost some. They wore out over time and eventually needed to be replaced, but compared to the cost of extensions, they were very affordable.
My take on them
The magnets were stronger than I expected, so it took a couple of tries to get the hang of putting them on, but they were easy to get used to.
After a few minutes, I didn’t notice that I had them on. They were comfortable.
I used the Original lashes, which were light and fluttery but still made my eyes pop.
The strips didn’t cover the full lash line, only the outer half on each side. It was enough to provide extra volume and length while still looking natural, but coming from the extensions, I did wish they offered volume over more of my eye.
So far, the strips never fell off while wearing them because they stayed put well. However, I almost lost one the first time I tried to apply them because I dropped a strip and had difficulty finding it on the floor.
As quickly as I fell in love with my extensions once upon a time, I fell in love with my magnetic lashes. I am genuinely grateful that they were invented.
They were my ultimate secret tool for transitioning off the eyelash extensions without losing my mind.
Where to find magnetic lashes now
One Two Cosmetics has since gone out of business, so I can’t send you there anymore.
I also stopped using magnetic lashes myself. My natural lashes eventually got to a point I’m genuinely happy with, and I’ll cover exactly what got me there in the next post.
But if you’re in that early transition window and need something to get you through, here’s where I’d start today:
Magnetic lashes with eyeliner. Lashes that use magnetic eyeliner instead of a lower strip have gotten a lot better since I first used them. The liner acts as the bottom magnet, which means one less strip to deal with.
Nano grip lashes. If I were starting fresh today, I’d honestly look at nano grip lashes first, specifically Moxie Lash. The technology is supposed to adhere straight to the lid without magnets or glue. I haven’t tested them personally, but eliminating the magnet-sandwich entirely sounds like a real quality-of-life improvement over what I used.
What’s next
My next post covers how I actually restored my natural lashes after the extensions. The short version: GrandeLash serum, Nutrafol Vegan, and lash lift and tint appointments. Of all my regular med spa services, the lift and tint is the one I’d never cut. I’ll link that post here once it’s up.
Have you ever had your eyelash extensions removed? Or do you still have extensions? Share your own eyelash journey in the comments!
