If you have recently discovered DIY lashes, also known as cluster lashes, you might have found there is a wide spectrum of prices from really low, to even really high! You might be looking to determine how much are DIY lash extensions and how to tell which ones are reasonably priced. While there are a number of factors you should consider when choosing your DIY lash extensions, we understand that the cost of DIY lash extensions is an important factor to consider.
We want to dive into DIY lash extensions cost and what to look for when choosing a DIY lash brand, so let’s begin!
The Pricing Problem With Professional Lashes
DIY lashes actually got really popular after the pandemic, and even more so in the last few years. A big reason is many women who got professional lashes pre-pandemic couldn’t see their lash artists anymore but still wanted the luxury look of lashes from home. It was during this time a boom of DIY lash brands emerged.
Trust us when we say we’re HUGE fans of professional lash extensions. Our CEO and founder, Michelle Nguyen, has been a professional lash artist and esthetician since 2008! During her time as a lash artist she saw clients come and go – and there are many reasons why her clients would give up their lashes:
Price: Since we’re talking about price, let’s start there. Professional lash extensions can be EXPENSIVE. Our own CEO charged $365 for a full set of lashes, and $90 for her two-week fills. That can break the budget.
Time: a lash appointment can take anywhere from one hour to 3 hours! Many busy women simply do not have the time for professional lash extensions.
Allergy: the big one. And truly, the reason TAD Beauty exists!!! Allergies to cyanoacrylate are not that uncommon, and that is the key ingredient in professional lash glue. Even worse, contact dermatitis can happen over time. Michelle wore lash extensions for 15 years before developing her allergy to lash glue. And it can happen to anyone!
While we are focused on price today, the reality is that those of us who love professional lash extensions aren’t always the ideal client for them, and we need an alternative solution.
Factors Influencing DIY Lash Extensions Prices
Our goal today is to talk about how much are DIY lash extensions, so let’s get back to cluster lashes, with so many brands, and such a wide range of prices, what actually factors into the cost of DIY lash extensions? And how do you know which ones to pick? We have gone in depth on good vs bad DIY lashes, and we won’t be doing that here today, but we are going to call out things that actually impact prices.
Materials and Quality
First material – almost all DIY lashes, false lashes, and even professional lash extensions are made from PBT fiber, which is just a polyester fiber or plastic. PBT in itself has different variations of quality:
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Konex - low quality - tends to be really shiny, less flexible
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S Fiber Black - high quality - tends to be matte, softer and feels more like hair
When we set out on our journey to make DIY lashes, we realized that we couldn’t achieve the Microstructure we wanted with PBT fiber, which led us to take a different approach to lashes. TAD segment DIY lashes are actually 3D lashes that are printed with a 3D printer. Our material is not PBT, but a unique compound material invented specifically for DIY lashes.
The material used to make not only the lashes, but the lash glue, lash tweezers, and all supporting supplies will factor into how much are DIY lash extensions.
DIY Lash Kit Components
When looking at how much DIY lash kits cost, it’s important to look at everything included besides the lashes, and then also how many pairs of lashes are in the kit. For example, here at TAD we have our Legacy Kit ($149.99) and our Starter Kit ($69.99). Our Starter Kit includes 2 pairs of lashes, adhesive, tweezers, and sealant. Our higher priced kit includes that, plus 5 pairs of lashes, plus 10 additional items for aftercare, application, travel, and even a mirror.
We always recommend you read the full product description to see what you’re actually paying for when purchasing a cluster lash kit.
Brand Reputation and Innovation
We tend to see the lowest price DIY lashes come from companies with little to no brand reputation, they can be found on Amazon or TikTok Shop, and they often do drop shipping from overseas. While these products seem similar to what a brand like TAD has, in reality it is lower quality material with no customer service support.
Established brands will have strong customer service offerings, real websites, and a team that you can count on for help, which of course will play into the DIY lash extensions cost. We are firm believers that the DIY lash brands you should support are all working to push the industry forward with higher quality lashes, higher quality adhesives, and truly testing innovative ideas to give beauty lovers around the world a better experience when it comes to lashes.
When it comes to choosing a lash brand to support, cheaper is not always better.
Frequency of Use and Longevity
Lastly is longevity and use of the lashes. Most DIY cluster lashes are not meant to be worn multiple times. Cluster lashes are single use because you are applying extended wear adhesive directly to the lash segment during application.
How long do DIY lash extensions last is a common question we’re asked and you should be looking for a lash system that will last you a week. Anything longer than 7 days can actually be damaging to your natural lashes. As our natural lashes grow, the segments will grow out with them, and you’ll need to replace the set.
How Much Are DIY Lash Extensions?
So how much are DIY lash extensions actually? Let’s talk about the range of DIY lash extensions cost:
- Premium Brands: Some start at $25 per pair, targeting luxury buyers.
- Affordable Options: Affordable brands offer $11 per pair but sacrifice some quality.
- Low-Cost Alternatives: Sub-$5 pairs often result in inferior products.
And with TAD Beauty, we have a few solutions, with the more you buy, the more you save!
- 5 Pairs are $49.99, or $10 per pair
- 2 Pairs are $24.99, or $12 per pair
With each TAD lash set lasting up to 7 days. As we have said, there’s a range with the cost of DIY lash extensions. And when comparing DIY lashes there’s many factors to consider.
Why DIY Lashes Are Worth Every Penny
Now that you understand how much are DIY lash extensions, we’re going to go into the reasons we LOVE DIY lashes and why we know they are a great option for most – if not all!! – women!
Long-Term Savings Compared to Salon Lashes
If we revisit professional lash extension services, you are paying a premium not only for the lashes, but for the lash artists' time, supplies, salon overhead – you name it! It all plays into the cost of professional lash extensions. Now lash prices vary by area, city, and even lash artists’ experience, but let’s generalize here:
Monthly Breakdown of Professional Lash Extensions:
- $300 – Initial lash appointment
- $100 – Lash Fill appointment
- Total: $400 for 4 weeks
The Cost of DIY Lash Extensions with TAD:
- $49.99 – 5 sets of lashes (5 weeks of use)
- $25 – Adhesive (3 months of use; $8.33/month)
- Total: $58.32 for 5 weeks; $46.66 for 4 weeks
That’s some serious savings when you look at DIY lash extensions cost vs. professional lash extension cost. And once you understand application and how to take care of DIY eyelash extensions you’re going to achieve extended wear that looks good everyday, even without fills!
Flexibility and Convenience
One of the things we love about at home lash extensions is you can do it on your own time – you might put your lashes on Monday, take them off Friday, and enjoy rubbing your eyes all weekend long! Once you get the hang of applying DIY lash extensions, you can apply in ten minutes or less, which takes off the pressure of keeping your lashes on for longer than you might want. Truly, DIY lashes are EASY, and you can fully control wearing them when and how you want.
Customizable Styles Without Extra Charges
A downfall to professional lash extensions is once you have them on, it’s difficult to remove without an appointment. If you don’t love the style your lash artist gave you, you have to wait for your next appointment to adjust your style. For example if you get a classic lash set but you want extra glam, you’re stuck with it until that next fill, and even then you might see an increase in price to go from Classic to Volume lash extensions.
With DIY lashes, you’re able to customize your lashes when you want – so if it’s a cleaner look for the work week and extra glam for the weekend, no problem!
Get the Best Bang For Your Buck at TAD Beauty!
Here at TAD Beauty we are doing something revolutionary – our 3D printed lashes allow us to not only have a material that can withstand bending bent, slept on, or smashed. And our unique Microstructure results in the most comfortable cluster lashes you’ve ever tried.
On top of that, our lashes are the only lashes made in the USA. We make our lashes right here, and many of the core components of our system are made in the USA including our Adhesive, Pristine Seal, Prep Pads, and Cleanser, underscoring our commitment to quality and supporting local craftsmanship. As Michelle says, “The American Dream is Made in America.”
When we were determining how much are DIY lash extensions at TAD going to cost, we wanted to ensure that even with the highest quality products on the market, we wanted to make sure that they were well priced for those that love lashes. Our DIY lash extensions cost $10 per pair on average.
Final Words on the Cost of DIY Lashes
If you are looking into the world of DIY lashes and cost of DIY lash extensions is at the top of mind, we hope this guide helped explain how much are DIY lash extensions, what plays into the price of DIY lash extensions, and what you should be looking for when starting your lash journey.