Lash extensions usually last about three to four weeks before a set starts to look sparse, because each extension falls out with the natural lash it is bonded to. To keep a set looking full, most clients book a refill every 2 to 3 weeks. Without any refill, the last extensions shed over roughly six to eight weeks.
The Natural Lash Growth Cycle
How long a set lasts is set by your own lashes, not by an expiry date on the glue. Every natural lash goes through three phases: a growth phase, a short transition phase, and a resting phase, after which it falls out and a new lash starts growing in its place. A review of eyelash research in the Journal of Optometry puts the growth phase at four to ten weeks, and the full life of a single lash at four to eleven months.
- Growth (anagen). The lash is actively growing. New lashes coming through in this phase have no extension on them yet, which is one reason a set looks less even over time.
- Transition (catagen). Growth stops and the lash starts to loosen from its root. This phase is short.
- Rest (telogen). The lash sits in place until it sheds and a new one pushes through. Extensions on lashes in this phase are the next ones to fall.
Your lashes are all at different points in that cycle, so a few fall out every day. The American Academy of Ophthalmology notes it is normal to lose between one and five eyelashes a day. An extension is bonded to one natural lash, so when that lash sheds, the extension goes with it. That is why a set thins gradually rather than all at once, however well it was applied.
What Your Set Looks Like Week by Week
Everyone sheds at a slightly different pace, so treat this as a guide rather than a rule.
| Time since your appointment | What you will usually see | What we suggest |
|---|---|---|
| Days 1 to 2 | The set is at its fullest while the bond settles. | Keep lashes dry for 24 hours, and skip steam and saunas for 48 hours. |
| Week 1 | A few extensions have shed with their natural lashes. Hardly noticeable. | Cleanse and brush daily. A 1 week refill suits anyone who wants the set kept at its best. |
| Week 2 | Small gaps appear, and new lashes are growing in without extensions. | Book a 2 week refill, the rhythm our refill memberships are built around. |
| Week 3 | Gaps are easier to see, and the remaining extensions have grown out from the lash line. | Book a 3 week refill, the last refill on our menu. |
| Week 4 and later | The set looks noticeably thin. | A new set usually gives a better result than a refill. |
| Weeks 6 to 8 | The last extensions shed with their natural lashes. | Have any leftovers removed in studio rather than pulling them. |
How Often to Book a Refill
Most clients book a refill, also called an infill or fill, every 2 to 3 weeks. At a refill we take off extensions that have grown out, then add new ones to the lashes that have grown in, so the set looks full again without starting from scratch. That is why a fill, rather than a full new set, is the usual way to keep extensions going: it is shorter and costs less.
- Refill prices: a Natural Classic set is $119 new, with refills at $69 after 1 week, $79 after 2 weeks and $89 after 3 weeks. Every style has its own 1, 2 and 3 week refill price on our lash services price list.
- Refilling every 2 weeks: our lash refill memberships bundle five 2 weekly refills for your style at 20% off.
- Past 3 weeks: our refill menu stops at 3 weeks. As a rough guide, if around half of your set has already shed, a new set gives a better and longer lasting result than a refill. If you are not sure which to book, message us first and we will help you choose.
Classic vs Hybrid vs Volume: Which Lasts Longer?
Every style is bonded to your natural lashes the same way, and no style stops a natural lash from shedding on its own schedule. So a classic set and a volume set lose extensions at the same rate. What changes is how soon the gaps show.
Classic Lashes
One extension on each natural lash. When a lash sheds, you lose exactly one extension, and on a light, natural set those gaps can show a little sooner.
Hybrid Lashes
A mix of single extensions and fine fans. The fans add coverage, which helps hide the first few gaps.
Volume Lashes
Fans of very fine extensions on each natural lash. A denser set has more coverage to start with, so a few lost lashes are less obvious. Each shed lash still takes its whole fan with it, so volume sets need refills on the same 2 to 3 week rhythm.
| Style | How it is built | New set | 1 week refill | 2 week refill | 3 week refill |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Natural Classic | One extension on each natural lash | $119 | $69 | $79 | $89 |
| Light Hybrid | Classic lashes with some fine fans mixed in | $149 | $89 | $99 | $109 |
| Wet Look | Defined, textured, glossy finish | $159 | $99 | $109 | $119 |
| Full Hybrid | More fans through the set | $169 | $99 | $109 | $119 |
| Wispy | Longer and shorter lashes for soft texture | $179 | $109 | $119 | $129 |
| Light Russian Volume | Fans of very fine extensions | $189 | $109 | $119 | $129 |
| Full Mega Volume Russian | The fullest volume on our menu | $219 | $119 | $129 | $139 |
The First 48 Hours
The bond between each extension and your natural lash is at its most delicate in the first couple of days, so this is when good habits count most.
- Keep your lashes dry for the first 24 hours: no washing over the eyes, no swimming and no workout hard enough to make you sweat.
- Skip saunas, steam rooms and very hot showers for 48 hours.
- Leave mascara off the extensions, and keep oily creams away from the eye area.
- Sleep on your back where you can, so the fresh set is not pressed into the pillow.
What Affects How Long Lash Extensions Last
Your Skin and Natural Oils
Oil breaks down lash adhesive. If your skin or eyelids tend to be oily, the bond can soften sooner, so gentle daily cleansing matters even more. Clean lashes also give the next refill a better base to work on.
Sleep Position and Friction
Sleeping face down or always on the same side presses and bends the lashes against the pillow. That friction is a common reason one eye sheds faster than the other.
Cleansers, Makeup and Mascara
Oil based cleansers, makeup removers and eye creams weaken the bond, and waterproof mascara needs an oily remover to come off. Use oil free products around the eyes and an oil free cleanser made for lash extensions, such as the Lash Cleanse Shampoo we use in studio. If you want mascara, choose a water based one made for extensions.
Heat, Humidity, Swimming and Holidays
Steam, saunas, humid weather, chlorine and salt water can all weaken the bond over time. If you are going away, time a refill just before you leave rather than partway through the trip, since a fresh refill holds up better than a set that is already a few weeks old. After a swim, rinse your lashes with fresh water and brush them through once dry.
Rubbing, Picking and Lash Curlers
The American Academy of Ophthalmology warns that rubbing, tugging or pulling can break natural lashes and even damage the lash follicle. Lash curlers are not needed with extensions, and picking at a loose extension can take your natural lash with it.
Daily Aftercare Dos and Don'ts
Do
- Cleanse your lashes every day with a lash safe foam cleanser.
- Brush them through with a clean spoolie once dry.
- Pat your lashes dry after washing, never rub.
- Use oil free makeup removers and eye creams.
- Book refills every 2 to 3 weeks.
Don't
- Rub, pull or pick at your lashes.
- Use oil based products near your eyes.
- Wear waterproof mascara or use a lash curler.
- Use saunas or steam rooms in the first 48 hours.
- Remove extensions yourself. Book a removal instead.
Lash Extensions in Hampton
Looking for lash extensions in Hampton or nearby Bayside suburbs such as Brighton, Sandringham or Hampton East? Our studio is at 591 Hampton Street, Hampton, open Monday to Saturday. Every set starts with a consultation about the look you want and a check of your natural lashes, and we finish with aftercare advice for your style.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are my lash extensions falling out after 3 days?
A few extensions falling out in the first days is normal. Some of your natural lashes were already near the end of their cycle and shed on schedule, taking their extensions with them. Losing a lot at once is more often down to water or steam in the first 24 to 48 hours, oil based products, or rubbing. If a noticeable amount has come out in the first few days, contact us so we can take a look.
Do eyelash extensions ruin your natural lashes?
Applied well, with extensions suited to the strength of your own lashes, they should not. The American Academy of Ophthalmology lists infection, an allergic reaction to the glue and lash loss as the main risks, and warns that rubbing or pulling can break natural lashes. Never pull extensions off yourself; book a removal instead. If you have sensitive eyes or have reacted to lash glue before, tell us when you book.
Can I shower, wash my face or swim with lash extensions?
Yes, after the first 24 hours. Keep your lashes dry for the first day, and skip saunas, steam rooms and very hot showers for 48 hours. After that, wash them with an oil free lash cleanser, pat dry and brush through. After swimming in a pool or the sea, rinse your lashes with fresh water.
How often should I get lash fills?
Every 2 to 3 weeks for most people. We offer 1, 2 and 3 week refills for every style. After 3 weeks, or once around half of the set has shed, a new set usually works better than a refill.
What should I do if one eye sheds faster than the other?
This is common, and it is usually the side you sleep on or the eye you rub most. Try to sleep on your back, keep your hands away from that eye, and mention it at your next refill so we can check the set.
How long do lash extensions last without a refill?
A set usually looks thin after about 3 to 4 weeks, and the last extensions shed with their natural lashes over around 6 to 8 weeks. If a few are left hanging on, book an extension removal rather than pulling them out.
Sources
- American Academy of Ophthalmology, Eyelash Extension Facts and Safety.
- American Academy of Ophthalmology, Why Are My Eyelashes Falling Out?
- Aumond S, Bitton E. The eyelash follicle features and anomalies: A review. Journal of Optometry, 2018.