How To Maintain Your Eyelash Extensions For Longevity

Want those stunning lashes to last for weeks?

Professional eyelash extensions are an investment, and we want to make sure you know how to care for them properly.

Did you know the eyelash extension market size is set to be USD 2.31 Billion by 2028? Clearly, everyone wants those gorgeous lashes.

The issue is that:

Most people don’t know how to properly care for their extensions. This means they fall out faster, start looking messy, and overspend on refills.

The good news is that caring for your eyelash extensions is simple.

In This Blog Post You’ll Learn:

Why Professional Eyelash Extensions Require Special Care
The First 48 Hours: The Most Important Period
Daily Maintenance Habits For Maximum Longevity
Products You Should Stay Away From
How Often You Really Need Touch-Ups

Why Professional Eyelash Extensions Require Special Care

Professional lashes are applied with a semi-permanent adhesive, which creates a strong bond between each extension and your natural lash. This adhesive requires special care to ensure it retains its strength for as long as possible.

Think of it this way…

The adhesive is the foundation of the entire extension process. If it breaks down quickly, your extensions will fall out. If you can take good care of it, your lashes will stay full and gorgeous for as long as possible.

What most people don’t realize is that:

Refills are recommended to maintain the condition of your eyelash extensions and keep them looking their best. You should get them every 2 to 4 weeks, depending on how well you care for them.

The First 48 Hours: The Most Important Period

The first two days after getting your extensions are the most critical period.

Why?

Because the adhesive has to be allowed time to cure and form a strong, lasting bond with your natural lashes.

Here is what you need to do:

You need to keep them completely dry for at least 24-48 hours. This means no water, no steam, and no humidity. This is the number one rule that determines how long your extensions will last.

Avoid touching or rubbing your eyes. The adhesive is still setting, and friction can cause the extensions to shift or fall out.

Skip all eye makeup in this period. Mascara, eyeliner, and eyeshadow will only interfere with the bonding process.

Avoid oil-based products around the eye area. Oil is the single worst ingredient for lash adhesive.

Stay away from saunas, steam rooms, and hot showers. Heat and humidity break down the glue prematurely.

Daily Maintenance Habits For Maximum Longevity

Want to know the secret to beautiful, long-lasting extensions?

It’s all about your daily care habits.

Clean Them Regularly

This may surprise you but…

You need to wash your lash extensions. It is a common misconception that you should avoid any contact with water. This is simply not true.

Use a gentle, oil-free lash cleanser.

These are special formulations that will remove dirt, oil, and makeup from your lash extensions without damaging the adhesive.

Clean them at least once a day. Twice a day if you wear heavy makeup or exercise.

Apply the cleanser with a soft brush. Gently work it through your lashes, from root to tip. Then rinse with lukewarm water.

Pat them dry with a clean towel. Do not rub. Simply blot away the excess water.

Brush Them Every Morning

Use a clean spoolie brush to gently comb through your lashes each morning.

This will help keep them separated and prevent tangling. It will also maintain the shape and keep them from looking messy.

However, don’t overdo it…

Excessive brushing can stress your natural lashes and cause the extensions to fall out. A quick brush through in the morning is enough.

Sleep On Your Back

Your sleeping position is more important than you may realize.

Try to sleep on your back so that your lashes are not crushed against your pillow.

You can take this a step further by switching to a silk or satin pillowcase. This causes less friction and helps your extensions last longer.

Products to Avoid

The biggest mistakes are often made when it comes to choosing the right products.

Oil-Based Products Are Your Worst Enemy

Oil destroys the lash adhesive faster than anything else. You need to stay away from all oil-based products in the eye area.

This includes:

Oil-based makeup removers
Moisturizers with oil
Cleansers containing oil
Eye creams with oil
Waterproof mascara (requires oil-based removers)

Read all product labels before you use anything near your eyes.

Skip the Mascara

You paid for those extensions to avoid mascara, right?

Don’t use it. Mascara puts extra weight on your extensions and makes them more difficult to clean. It also causes clumping and tangling.

If you absolutely must use mascara, only apply it to the tips of your extensions. Never put it at the base of your natural lash line.

Stay Away From Cotton

Cotton balls and cotton pads are one of the worst things you can use on lash extensions.

The cotton fibers get caught in your lashes, and it creates a fuzzy mess. Opt for lint-free applicators or soft brushes instead.

Lifestyle Changes for Maximum Longevity

Certain habits can drastically shorten the lifespan of your extensions.

Heat and Steam

Try to minimize your exposure to extreme heat and steam. Saunas, steam rooms, and very hot showers can all weaken the adhesive bond.

If you enjoy a hot shower, just avoid getting your face directly in the spray.

Swimming and Exercise

You can swim with lash extensions, but you need to take precautions.

Rinse your lashes with fresh water after swimming in a pool or the ocean. Chlorine and salt water can damage the adhesive over time.

After a heavy workout, gently clean your lashes to remove sweat and oil buildup.

Stop Rubbing Your Eyes

The number one cause of eyelash extensions falling out is eye rubbing.

Every time you touch your eyes or play with your lashes, you run the risk of pulling them out. Keep your hands away from your face.

How Often You Really Need Touch-Ups

With proper care, lash extensions can last you 4-6 weeks.

However, most people opt to have them refilled every 2-3 weeks. Why? Because our natural lashes are constantly shedding (we lose 1-5 lashes per day on average) and the extensions will go with them.

Regular refill appointments ensure your lashes always look full and fresh. During a refill appointment, your lash technician will do the following:

Remove any grown-out extensions
Clean your lash line
Apply new extensions to fill in gaps
Check for any potential issues

The truth is that:

The better you maintain your extensions, the less you will need to spend on refills. The better you maintain your extensions, the more you will have remaining at each appointment. This means the refill process takes less time and costs less money.

Conclusion

Proper care of professional eyelash extensions isn’t difficult. You need to build simple daily habits that will protect the adhesive bond between your extensions and your natural lashes.

Keep the following rules in mind:

Keep them dry for the first 48 hours
Clean them daily with an oil-free cleanser
Brush them gently every morning
Avoid all oil-based products
Sleep on your back whenever possible
Get regular refills every 2-3 weeks

Lash extensions are an investment, and by taking proper care of them you will maximize their lifespan. You will save money on regular refills, and enjoy beautiful lashes for weeks at a time.

Begin incorporating these maintenance tips into your routine today and see how much longer your extensions last. Your wallet (and your lashes) will thank you.