Your wedding day is about one thing and one thing only: dressing up like a goddamn queen and owning yourself. You’ve got the ultimate dress, the biggest, best hair, and a face that’ll make jaws drop. But when you get teary at the altar, your mascara streams down your face. Now you’ve gone from princess to panda, and there’ll be photos and Instagram stories to prove it.

Ladies, this is why eyelash extensions have become the ultimate accessory for the bride who knows what’s good. Brides.com reckons they’re just as important as getting your mani-pedi and spray tan, and they’re totally right. For budding brides, friends-of-brides, or just lash fanatics, we’ve created a guide for what you need to know about getting eyelash extensions for your wedding day.

WHY YOU SHOULD CONSIDER EYELASH EXTENSIONS FOR YOUR BIG DAY

So why should you put down the mascara and go for eyelash extensions on your wedding day? Other than making you look like Bambi, here are some other pluses:

1. LONG LASTING

Eyelash extensions can last up to six weeks, so you’ll have long lusty lashes way after wedding night is over. Take those bedroom eyes with you on your honeymoon, and enjoy a holiday without a morning eye makeup routine. (Warning: Hubby may get a shock when you come home and start spending hours in the bathroom again).

2. NO MID-WEDDING-PARTY MAINTENANCE

Your big day is already full of so much stress, the last thing you want to be thinking about is, ‘Is my mascara running? Has my eyeliner streaked?’. Lash extensions give you picture-perfect eye makeup that doesn’t need fixing every couple of hours, giving you one less thing to worry about and more time to hit the dancefloor.

3. SURGERY WITHOUT SURGERY

It’s always the little things that make a huge difference, and lashes are one of those things. Wedding eyelash extensions will enhance your facial features, giving you bigger, bolder eyes and distracting from fine lines and other imperfections that you’d rather not focus on when you’re trying to look like a flawless princess.

4. CRY AWAY

We mentioned it in the beginning, but it’s gotta be said again. The last thing you want to do in your beautiful wedding dress looks like a panda or an emo, and everyone knows that crying with mascara on is likely to lead you that way. As long as you put your lash extensions in a couple of days before the wedding, you’re free to cry away while keeping your face perfect.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE GETTING WEDDING EYELASH EXTENSIONS

• KNOW YOUR OPTIONS

There are different types of lashes available, from cluster lashes to individual lashes. Cluster lashes don’t last as long but give you that gorgeous, doll-like Kendall Jenner look. Individual lashes last a lot longer and give a more natural, fuller lash effect.
Would you like a tint with that?
This option is pretty much a must-have for ladies with blonde or light-coloured lashes. An eyelash tint will darken your lashes to make sure they match the shade of your extensions. This’ll make your eyes even bolder and fuller.

• HALF OR A FULL SET

Lash extensions are available in half or full sets. If you’re going for a glamorous look, a full set will give you thick, bold lashes. For ladies who want a more natural and toned down look, a half set will do the job perfectly.

• DO A DRESS REHEARSAL

Just like a fake tan, you don’t really want to walk into the salon the day before your wedding and hope for the best. The same goes for lash extensions. Go in for a set of wedding eyelash extensions a month or two before your big day to try out the set you’ll be wearing on your wedding day. This’ll give you a chance to make sure things look exactly the way you want.

• RETHINK YOUR MAKEUP BAG

While you’ve got your wedding eyelash extensions in, you can put your mascara away (unless you want to wear it on your lower lashes). If you have any oil-based creams or eyeliners, you’ll also have to leave them aside as they can shorten the lifespan of your lashes. If there are any must-have cleansers or make-up removers, find an alternative so you’re not left in a panic!