How long eyelash extensions last and when your infill is due

How long do eyelash extensions really last?

A set of extensions lasts between 3 and 6 weeks on your eye and looks full for the first 2 or 3. Each extension is bonded to a single natural lash, 1-2 mm from the lid, so it falls out the day that lash reaches the end of its cycle.

A natural lash lives for 60 to 90 days: it grows, rests and sheds on its own. Each eye has lashes in all those phases at once, and losing 1 to 5 a day is normal. Without extensions you don't notice; with them you do, because what falls is a longer, darker hair.

So the set never falls out all at once. It gradually loses density and, around the fourth week, gaps appear along with new lashes that have no extension.

How long each technique lasts: classic, volume and anime

All techniques last about the same because they depend on the same lash cycle; the figures in the table are a guide, and what changes is how visible the shedding is. A volume fan that drops leaves a more noticeable gap than a single classic extension.

With the anime style the spikes form a pattern, so a couple of gaps already break the effect: best not to stretch the infill. If you are torn between techniques, our eyelash extensions in Andorra page explains each one and the result it gives.

How often should you get an infill?

Ideally every 15 to 18 days, within the infill window. By then between half and two thirds of the design is usually still there, and the lash artist only has to fill in.

An infill involves three steps:

1. The lashes are cleansed to remove oil and make-up residue.
2. Extensions that have grown out too far and sit twisted or away from the lid are removed.
3. New extensions are applied to the young lashes that have grown since your last appointment.

If more than 4 weeks go by, so little of the set is left that a full set is usually needed. That means longer on the bed and the standard price.

Lash infills at Migami: the 18-day rule

If you come back within 18 days of your last appointment for the same service, you pay the infill price. After that the standard price applies, because the work is closer to a new set.

An example with Natural Effect 1D: the full set costs €74.90 and the infill €58.90. You can book your brows in the same appointment. All other prices are on our Migami prices page.

The easiest thing is to leave the salon with your infill already booked: you can book your infill before day 18 from your account. Moving an appointment is free with at least 16 hours' notice.

Why are my extensions falling out so fast?

Almost always because of oil or friction. The adhesive bonds to a clean lash, and anything that softens it or pulls on it shortens the life of the set.

• Oil-based make-up removers: they dissolve the adhesive. Use oil-free products around the eyes.
• Water and steam in the first 24 hours: a sauna, steam room or very hot shower stops the adhesive from curing fully.
• Rubbing your eyes: it pulls extensions out and sometimes the natural lash with them.
• Sleeping face down: the pillow crushes and bends the extensions every night.
• Mascara on extensions: it weighs them down, sticks them together and means rubbing to take it off.
• Oily eyelids: sebum acts just like an oil; washing them often makes up for it.

The daily routine to make them last longer is set out step by step in our guide to eyelash extension aftercare.

How to make them last until week six

Wash them every day or every other day with an oil-free foaming cleanser and brush them with a clean spoolie. A clean, dry lash holds the extension far better. If you haven't booked yet, get your lashes ready beforehand and the set will start off better.

For the first 24 hours, keep them away from water and steam. After that, let them air-dry or use a cool hairdryer, without rubbing them with a towel.

The other half of the work happens on the bed. At Migami each lash is isolated one by one before the extension goes on, so none is stuck to its neighbour: two bonded lashes grow at different rates and pull on each other. Thickness and length are chosen for what your lash can carry, because an extension that is too heavy falls out sooner and strains the hair.

What to do if you want to stop wearing extensions

You can let them fall out on their own over 3 to 6 weeks or have them removed in a 30-minute appointment for €19.90. Pulling them off at home tugs on your natural lash and leaves gaps that take weeks to recover.

Removal uses a product that dissolves the adhesive, so the extension slides off without pulling. We explain it in detail in how to remove eyelash extensions without damaging your lashes.