Getting gorgeous lash extensions is just the first part – the rest is all about keeping them and that involves knowing how to make eyelash extensions last a seriously long time.
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Of course, you already know eyelash extensions – like most things – aren’t forever. Even the sturdiest of them will eventually break off, be pulled off, or fall off with your natural lashes. And unlike your real lashes, they don’t grow back.
This is why it’s kind of important to take care of them to make sure that even if they don’t last forever, they last a really, really long time. After all, quality, well-done lash extensions can get expensive, and you want to get the most out of your money. So, here are some handy tips and tricks to keep those gorgeous extensions just the way they are for as long as humanly possible!
How long do eyelash extensions last anyway?
Lash extensions are individually glued to your real lashes, and the glue is permanent unless you intentionally use a glue dissolver to remove them. This means that, as long as they don’t break on their own, you can get up to 6 to 8 weeks out of your lash extensions until they fall out with your real lashes in their natural growth cycle.
Of course, any given lash will not be on the same cycle as any other given lash, meaning some will fall out sooner than others. For example, the lashes that were at the beginning stages of growth when you got eyelash extensions are going to last much longer than the lashes that were near the end phase and already on their way to falling out.
This is why, if you want to keep your lash extensions full, long, and looking like the first day you got them, it’s recommended that you get a touch-up every 2 to 4 weeks to replenish the lashes naturally lost.
How to sleep with eyelash extensions?
You already know that it’s important to be gentle with your lash extensions. Of course, this doesn’t mean you have to baby them constantly but there are a few things to keep in mind so that you don’t unwittingly rough up your lash extensions, especially during those hours when you’re unconscious.
For starters, try not to sleep on your stomach after getting lash extensions. If possible, try to sleep on your back, as this is the safest way to make sure no harm comes to your extensions in your sleep.
Sleeping on your side is also okay, but if you do, you’ll have to be careful that you put your head on the edge of the pillow, so your lashes aren’t touching the pillow or the bed itself. Getting sleeping positions right can be tricky but it’s one of the most surefire ways to make sure you’re not rubbing your new lashes to extinction during the night.
How to wash your face with eyelash extensions?
For 24 to 48 hours after you’ve gotten your lash extensions, you don’t want to expose them to any water or heat so avoid washing or steaming your lashes for the first 48 hours.
But once that time has passed and the glue is set, you’re good to take give your lashes daily cleansing. Just take a few precautions…
- Avoid washing your lashes with hot water. It’s a good idea to avoid using hot water to wash your facial skin anyway since it can wash off natural oils that keep your face hydrated and it goes double for lash extensions since it can weaken the glue. So go for lukewarm water.
- Skip the oil. When applying or removing makeup, make sure you’re using all oil-free products on your face. Oils can weaken the glue holding your extensions to your lashes and eventually make them fall off faster with repeated use.
- Be gentle. Especially important is to make sure your eye makeup remover is oil-free, and that you are very gentle when removing makeup from the eye area. Take it slow, and don’t rub too hard, and try to avoid the eyelashes themselves (alter all, if you’re listening to us and not using mascara – see below, there will be nothing to remove from them).
- Avoid glycol like you owe it money. Glycol loosens the glue on lash extensions and it’s found in a ton of makeup removers and facial cleansers so make sure you check all labels carefully for the presence of glycol before using it near your lashes.
- Pat, don’t rub. When you get out of a shower or bath or finish washing your face, very gently pat your face dry with a towel, being conscious of the eye area. Alas, the days of diving face first into plush towels are gone – at least while you have those pretty extensions on!
Mascara with eyelash extensions?
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Sure, you can…but it’ll shorten the lifespan of your extensions. Honesty, wearing mascara a few times is mostly okay but if you want to keep your lash extensions in tip-top shape for as long as possible – ditch the mascara.
Plus, you don’t really need it anyway; lash extensions give you a nice full look all on their own.
But if you really want to be lash greedy (we totally understand), skip the mascara and instead go for a coating sealant designed to prolong the life of your eyelash extensions. This will give you a dramatic shine and make them last longer at the same time.
If you truly miss the dark, dramatic effect of mascara, there are black coating sealants available that provide the desired look and keep your extensions protected from harm. Black Diamond’s Coating Sealant is perfect – providing a clear, shiny finish with a hint of black.
Can you brush your lash extensions?
Not only can you brush – you should brush your lash extensions. Not a vigorous combing, mind you – just a tidy combing in order to keep them all properly aligned and looking great.
Some lash extension salons will provide the cutest, tiniest little eyelash brush that you can do the regular maintenance with but if they don’t, you can simply use an old mascara brush that’s been thoroughly cleaned of all mascara or get yourself an eyelash brush.
Don’t touch!
This might seem like a no-brainer, but you’d be surprised how many people don’t heed this particular piece of advice: don’t rub, pick, or scratch your eyes! You’ll risk damaging the extensions.
It’s not a very healthy habit in the first place, as rubbing your eyes can damage tiny blood vessels in the eyelids or the eyes themselves, but if you’re wearing eyelash extensions, you have even more reason to avoid the habit: it’ll ruin your beautiful investment if you’re not careful.
If your eyes get itchy, an easy trick is to pull – don’t rub. Place a finger at the outer corner of your eye and gently pull outwards – the pressure will help relieve the itch, no rubbing necessary.
Go for a good lash serum
Finally, one thing you can do to help keep your extensions last a long time is something that’s actually designed to benefit your real lashes: a lash serum. When you consider that your extensions are individually attached to your real eyelashes, this shouldn’t come as a surprise; if you’re taking good care of the lashes your extensions are attached to, they’re less likely to fall out and take the expensive extensions with them.
Plus, by strengthening and stimulating your natural lashes to grow longer and thicker – you may not need to get extensions! So consider picking up an eyelash serum and applying regularly to keep them healthy, sturdy, and naturally beautiful.
I like that you suggested making sure to have your lash extensions touched up every 2 to 4 weeks to keep your lash extension full and long. My sister is interested in lash extensions, but she wants to know first the things that she needs to consider in order to keep them in its natural glow to make her feel beautiful. I will make sure to share your blog with her so she can remember all your tips on keeping her eyelash extension in good condition for a long time. Thanks!
Those are great tips and I wish I knew them before. Not only had I found a bad specialist, but also I badly cared of eyelashes after. The result?.. Ruined eyelashes of my own!.. I restored them only lately, with the help of Cherish Lash serum, and they became longer than before the procedure) Good if there are good specialists somewhere!!
Thank you for mentioning that in order to protect eyelash extensions when sleeping, the person needs to make sure that they do not sleep on their stomach. This is going to be hard for me since I have been sleeping like that since I was very young. Hopefully, I can train myself to sleep on my back or on my sides before I get eyelash extensions next month.