How Old Do You Have to Be to Get Lash Extensions?

If you’re a minor who wants to get lash extensions, I’ll share a checklist of the most important things you need to know before your first appointment.

I’ll also discuss the pros and cons of getting lashes as a teen.

Legal Requirements in Canada, US, and UK.

Because there are no legal requirements when it comes to a minimum age for getting lash extensions, salons have to decide on a minor policy.

At Divine Lashes, we align ourselves with industry standards and do not offer our services to minors below the age of 16. For minors between the ages of 16 and 18, we require a signed parental consent form.

Why it Matters

Every lash salon should have a minor policy in place.

No exception here.

There are 4 main reasons why:

1. Potential risks: Although rare, there are risks of allergic reactions, infections and damaging the natural lashes.
2. Ethical reasons: At one point, where do you draw the line? 15, 13, 10? Societal pressure on minors to look a certain way or maintain certain beauty standards can have severe repercussions on them.
3. Legal liability: Lash technicians can be held responsible if something goes wrong during the service and the minor suffered damages.
4. Insurance coverage: Some insurance companies might have specific exclusions when servicing minors.

Cons of Getting Eyelash Extensions as a Minor

1- School Policies

Most schools have some sort of dress code policy. Sometimes, they’ll address whether fake eyelashes are allowed.

Make sure to review them before booking your first appointment.

2- Cost

Let’s be real, lash extensions aren’t cheap.

I surveyed 150+ lash salons to find that the average cost for a full set of classic lashes is $164 while a refill costs $71.

Assuming you get a refill every 3 weeks, it quickly adds up.

The problem is… lashes are extremely addictive!

Once you start, you might not be able to stop. 😉

3- Maintenance

If you want to maximize the retention of your extensions, you’ll have to follow a few aftercare rules.

They aren’t terribly restrictive.

But, they do require a bit of discipline.

For instance, you should cleanse your lashes daily with a lash shampoo.

Sleeping on your back is better.

And avoiding any oil-based products on your face is required.

Checklist for Minors

If you’re under 18 and have decided to go ahead with getting eyelash extensions, here’s your checklist before booking your first appointment:

1. Get your parents on board. They’ll need to sign a consent form.
2. Make sure your parents can stay with you during the appointment, since parental presence is mandatory.
3. Disclose your allergies and medical issues. Most lash studios require the completion of a client intake form.
4. Do a patch test first. A patch test is when your lash tech applies a few extensions to one eye to make sure you’re not allergic to the lash adhesive (the most common culprit).
5. Commit to aftercare. Make sure you’re O.K. with the time aftercare will take. It’s important if you want to keep your extensions beautiful until your next refill appointment.
6. Choose your style wisely. I always recommend minors to first opt for a more subtle and natural look. As such, our natural classic set is our most popular.
7. Find a good lash tech. Like everything in life, there are good and not-so-good lash techs. Do your research, and if you don’t feel 100% comfortable during the initial consultation, it’s O.K. to go for a second opinion somewhere else.

Why We Care

In my opinion, minors should have the opportunity to enhance their natural beauty with eyelash extensions if they desire.

It’s an overall very safe and non-invasive beauty procedure with minimal risks involved.

Once that’s decided with your parents, I find that for most teens, a classic set is your best bet.

It’s very natural looking, adds length, and is very tasteful.😍

— Asako