I have had times when my eyelash extensions have fallen out way too soon, get stuck together, or just wear out. This sucks, I know! So, in this post, I’ll describe how I, through many years of trial and error, make my eyelash extensions last as long as possible.
How to make eyelash extensions last longer? Here are our top 7 tips:
- Let the Glue Cure for 48 Hours
- Minimize Fumes from Eyelash Extension Glue
- Avoid Water and Moisture
- Avoid Oil-base Products Around the Eyes
- Avoid Pencil Eyeliners
- Use a Water-based Eye Gel
- Use a Mascara Specifically Designed for Eyelash Extensions
In this article, we’re going to discuss how to make eyelash extensions last longer. This includes how to perform post-care instructions and what is the best eye makeup remover for eyelash extensions.
This post is part of the eyelash extension series, including Do Lash Extensions Ruin Your Eyelashes? , also How to Wash Your Face with Eyelash Extensions? and How to Clean Your Eyelash Extensions? 6 Easy Tips.
Read on to learn how to get the most out of your extensions!
Also, for an excellent water-based eye gel, take a look at our top pick, the ORIGANI Erda Eye Gel Concentrate for Dark Circles Around Eyes 30 ML :
Click here to see it on Amazon.
How to Make Eyelash Extensions Last Longer? 7 Tips
1. Let the Glue Cure for 48 Hours
The first thing we’re going to address is the main enemies of eyelash extension glue. There are many things that continually break down the glue, make the glue clumpy, or your eyelash extensions clumpy.
The biggest one is water or moisture, the second one is oil, and the third one is lint dirt and or environmental pollutants. Every one of these things creates problems with your extensions and will wear them out faster.
The first 48 hours after application are the most crucial, and the reason is that the adhesive glue actually needs that full 48 hour curing time – so that means the glue needs to cure onto your lashes.
It’s very similar to licking an envelope, pressing it down onto the other side of the envelope, and then holding it over steam.
What’s going to happen is because that adhesive hasn’t cured onto the paper, it will start to peel away from the paper and break open the seal. So you have to allow that glue to completely cure onto your lash during that 48 hours.
It is crucial that you do not expose your eyelash extensions to moisture and humidity, and of course, to oil as well.
2. Minimize Fumes from Eyelash Extension Glue
The main ingredient in the eyelash extension adhesive is cyanoacrylates, which is basically an acrylic resin. Cyanoacrylates are most commonly known as Krazy Glue, Super Glue, or Dermabond. The exact scientific term is butyl cyanoacrylates and octal cyanoacrylates. You will find these in many eyelash extension types of glue.
If you have reacted to Dermabond, Krazy Glue, or Super Glue, then they may not be the right option for you. Now, the downside of this glue is that your eyes may be sensitive to the fumes.
If your eyes start to water during or after the service, then your eyelash extensions may not last as long because they’re already getting wet even before the glue has dried.
If this happens, don’t be surprised; it is not the eyelash extension technician’s fault. It’s something that you or the eyelash extension technician can’t control. Just know that if you are sensitive to the fumes, then this can happen.
Another interesting thing is that sometimes when a client first comes in, and they’re exposed to the fumes, they may have no reaction. Then once they come back and get a fill with the same glue, they may react and can get more sensitive that day.
Just keep in mind that there may be times that you are sensitive to the fumes, and sometimes that you may not be sensitive. So, it is highly advised to keep your eyelash extensions as dry as possible.
It is also important to avoid any moisture at all in the first 48 hours, especially if your eyes watered during or after the service.
3. Avoid Water and Moisture
The next tip to make your eyelash extensions last is, as mentioned earlier, to avoid water and moisture. That includes showering, so that may imply that you have to take a sponge bath.
What we usually advise on the phone, even before the client comes in, is that they take a shower beforehand and avoid putting any lotion or product on their face or near their eyes.
Also, as mentioned earlier, try to minimize the fumes from the glue as that can make your eyes water. And skip sad movies so that you don’t tear up.
4. Avoid Oil-base Products Around the Eyes
Avoid using a lot of oil-based products around the eye. That includes eye makeup removers that contain an oily residue, concealers, eye shadow primers, cream eye shadows, and pencils.
Pencil tends to have wax in it – which can create those black clumps that look like clumpy mascara over time. It can be hard to get them off as it actually sticks onto the glue and makes your eyelashes start to stick together.
If you have eyelash extensions and had them for a while, you know exactly what I am talking about.
5. Avoid Pencil Eyeliners
If you are planning to use eyeliner, you can still use one. But it’s best to avoid the pencil ones. The best one to use is liquid eyeliner. It’s better if you can apply it thinly and accurately.
I recommend a product called “blink blink,” it is water-resistant and nearly waterproof, but it’s not that difficult to remove.
With this product, you can just take a simple Q-tip, make sure that there’s no lint in there, you can even use water or oil-free eye makeup remover, and just rub until it comes off.
6. Use a Water-based Eye Gel
If you’re not sure if liquid eyeliner works well with eyelash extensions and if you are someone who likes to use eye cream, I recommend that you use an eye gel – a water-based eye gel – such as the FineVine Anti Aging Eye Gel:
Click here to see it on Amazon.
A good sign that it is water-based is that when you look at the eye gel, you can see through it. If it’s an eye cream, it is likely to have oil.
How you would apply it is right underneath the eye, but when you are applying an eye gel with eyelash extensions, it’s advisable to do it just above the cheekbone and above the brow line.
With the heat, the product is going to migrate just a little bit anyway, so you wouldn’t want to apply it right underneath your eye because it is going to get into your lash line, and it’s best to avoid that area entirely.
7. Use a Mascara Specifically Designed for Eyelash Extensions
For people who want to wear mascara, if you are going to wear eyelash extensions, you can avoid mascara altogether. But some of you are still going to want to apply mascara on the lower lashes.
The thing with most regular mascara formulations is they are designed to stay on your lashes because your natural lashes have oils on them to keep them soft and supple. They have formulations to be smear-proof, smudge-proof, and flake-proof.
Despite having oils on your lashes, you can apply them on eyelash extensions that have glue in them, and they may form these clumps on your eyelashes that are very difficult to remove.
It’s important to use a mascara specifically designed for eyelash extension because it is formulated to be easily removable, and that includes your lower lashes.
The reason why you have your top lashes and your lower lashes is that when you close your eyes, your top lashes interlock with the lower lashes.
That is why when you’re getting the surface done, the eyelash extension technician tapes down your lower lashes to separate them from your top lashes when your eyes are closed.
That is also the reason why if you put regular mascara on your lower lashes, you will see the underside of your eyelash extensions become clumpy, and they start to stick together eventually.
400X Pure Silk Fiber Lash Mascara is an eyelash extension mascara that I prefer out of many I’ve tried:
Click here to see it on Amazon.
There are about three different types of mascaras for eyelash extension, and based on my clients, this one is the least likely to smudge, smear, and come off. You can put this on the tips of your eyelash extensions as well as on your lower lashes.
Conclusion – How to Make Eyelash Extensions Last Longer
To recap, how to make eyelash extensions last longer? Here are our top 7 tips:
- Let the Glue Cure for 48 Hours
- Minimize Fumes from Eyelash Extension Glue
- Avoid Water and Moisture
- Avoid Oil-Base Products Around the Eyes
- Avoid Pencil Eyeliners
- Use a Water-Based Eye Gel
- Use a Mascara Specifically Designed for Eyelash Extensions
It is really important to take good care of your lashes. We had a client who came in for a fill. In the beginning, I actually recommended that she get her extensions removed first because they were so dirty and clumped together that the fills were not even going to last.
However, she insisted on putting on some of the lashes. So I did as she requested, but I did tell her that if she were to come back, we are going to have to remove them.
She came back soon after, and her lashes were stuck together. I could see a line just a little bit above the lash line where there are all these dark black clumps that I have described. When she looked up, underneath her eyelash extensions were also completely stuck together.
The tips I listed above are to prevent you from getting these black clumps over time.
She revealed to us that she had been using regular mascara on her eyelash extensions, as well as a pencil eyeliner – without taking care of them – which explains a lot about the appearance of those eyelash extensions.
Related Questions
How do you take care of eyelash extensions? Never rub or pull on the lashes. When you need to clean the lashes, use a mascara wand to clean them by gently brushing them. Never use any oil-based skin care products or creams as the oil will wear down the lashes.
How long should you keep eyelash extensions on for? Lash extensions can often be on for 6 to 8 weeks. This is similar to a normal growth cycle for natural eyelashes. However, everyone is different, so the length of time you can keep them on will vary by person. The better care you take, the longer they will last.
Can I get my eyelash extensions wet? Avoid getting your lashes wet while the glue is curing. Once the glue has set, it is okay if they get wet. However, ensure to never dry them off with a towel, including rubbing or pulling them. Gently blow-dry or air dry them after they have got wet.
