Answer: it depends. Lash lifts and lash extensions offer different looks and different levels of maintenance. Choosing the treatment that's best for you is entirely dependent on what you want out of your lashes. Let's break it down:
Lash Lift
What is it? A semi-permanent eyelash treatment — sometimes referred to as a lash perm — that shapes and curls the natural lashes into place.
How long does it last? About four to six weeks.
What's maintenance like? The conditioning serum provided by your lash artist must be applied every night. If that runs out, castor oil can be used instead. This increases the longevity of your lash lift.
Are there any products I need to avoid? Nope. All skincare and makeup products are fair game with a lash lift, as long as proper aftercare steps are taken on a nightly basis.
Does it damage the natural lashes? If it's not done properly, yes. If it's done by an experienced professional and is done in moderation however, damage shouldn't necessarily be a concern. At the end of the day, a lash lift is performed using a strong chemical, and like any hair treatment, it's not the absolute best thing for the health of the hair. But if it's done well and there's four to six weeks in between sessions, it won't do you any harm.
Who's the ideal candidate? The ideal lash lift candidate is someone who has either straight or downward facing eyelashes.
Lash Extensions
What are they? A semi-permanent eyelash treatment in which synthetic extensions are placed on each lash to enhance the density, length, and curl of the natural lashes.
How long do they last? About two to three weeks.
What's maintenance like? The lashes must be washed every night using a lash cleanser. They must also be brushed from the top using a spoolie provided by your lash artist at least twice a day.
Are there any products I need to avoid? Mascara and any products formulated with oils must be avoided in order to keep the integrity of the bonds between the natural lashes and the extensions intact.
Does it damage the natural lashes? If it's not done properly, yes. If it's done by an experienced professional however, damage doesn't occur.
Who's the ideal candidate? Anyone with healthy lashes, whether they're short, long, thick, or thin. Someone with significant lash damage should not be on a lash table until their lashes have healed over the course of four to eight weeks.