14 Foolproof Ways To Make Your Eyelash Extensions Last Longer
Lash extensions are perhaps the best semi-permanent treatment that you can do to your face to look like you're wearing makeup when you're not. "First thing I tell clients is that lash extensions are very addicting and life-changing," celebrity lash expert Yris Palmer tells Who What Wear. "Once you start, you won't want to stop. Literally! They make your life so much easier; you feel put together with zero makeup on."
Since one (or multiple) gorgeous lashes are glued to each lash on your eye, you end up looking like you naturally have stunning, ultra-black, and very long lashes. And unlike a traditional strip lash — there is no annoying visible black line on your lid, so these lashes look like they have grown that way.
Of course, it would be too good to be true if something like this could last for months. Eyelash extensions "can last about four to six weeks, depending on how careful you are," Palmer adds. "Every person is different. It really depends on your lifestyle." If you want to ensure your set lasts as long as possible, here are some of the best tips!
Sleep on your back
Sleeping on your back is by far the best thing you can do to extend the life of your eyelash extensions. If you sleep on your side or your stomach, your lashes will likely rub against your pillow, and the friction can cause them to fall out. Of course, sleeping on your back has other benefits apart from extending the life of your extensions. According to Healthline, sleeping on your back helps your spine alignment, decreases headaches, reduces congestion, increases airflow, and prevents face wrinkles.
However, sleeping on your back is easier said than done. You can try sleeping with a pillow underneath your knees or lower back (whichever feels more comfortable) and surrounding yourself with extra pillows that will prevent you from rolling onto your side while you sleep. Of course, training yourself to sleep on your back if you're an avid side or stomach sleeper won't be easy, but every change starts with baby steps — and keeping your lashes healthy and intact will be worth it!
Use a silk pillowcase
Silk pillowcases are an investment, but if you take care of them, they can last you a lifetime. "Silk is hypoallergenic and does not contain chemicals," double-board-certified plastic surgeon Jaimie DeRosa, MD, tells Byrdie. "Unlike satin pillowcases, silk is tightly woven, which means that it will not retain dust, fungi, [and] bed mites, as well as pollen and mold."
If sleeping on your back is nearly impossible, a silk pillowcase can help you extend the life of your eyelash extensions. Since silk is super smooth, your lashes will gently glide over it, and the chance of any friction causing fallout or damage is minimal.
Besides your lashes living their best life, a silk pillowcase also reduces hair breakage, wrinkles, and breakouts. "If you want to own the highest quality pillowcase, then get one of mulberry silk," DeRosa adds. "This silk comes from mulberry trees, the leaves of which silkworms eat. It is the sturdiest and most durable silk, [and] also the softest, so it is ideal for intensely used items such as pillowcases."
Don't get them wet in the first 48 hours
One thing your eyelash technician will tell you is to avoid getting your eyelash extensions wet for 48 hours. This is because the water can interfere with the lash glue and cause it to become very brittle. However, this only applies to the first 48 hours — once they pass, you can get water on them.
Even though your lash extensions are fully cured after 48 hours, you should still be careful with them when they get wet. In particular, be mindful of how the water hits them when you're showering. The water pressure or force coming from the showerhead can drag the lashes down and damage them.
To avoid this, ensure you don't stand with your face under the showerhead directly. Once you are out of the shower, gently dry pat down your lashes with a towel and brush them with a clean spoolie. You can also (gently!) run your blow dryer on the lowest, coolest setting over your lashes from the bottom up to quickly dry them, so the water isn't sitting on the lashes for too long.
Don't use mascara (especially a waterproof one) and don't curl your lashes
"The best thing about getting eyelash extensions is that it eliminates the need to wear mascara," lash specialist Sapna Bedi tells Be Beautiful India. "Extensions are eyelashes that look naturally long, fluttery, and curled, which is why wearing mascara is a bit pointless."
However, if for some reason you still want to add mascara, be aware that it can shorten the life of your extensions, as removing the mascara can cause breakage. This especially applies to waterproof mascara, which you should avoid, as it generally takes a stronger makeup remover to get rid of it.
Apart from mascara, you should also stop using your lash curler. Since the process of curling your lashes with a mechanical curler can tug at them, chances are you will notice some fallen lashes on your curler once you take it off. Instead, gently brush your lashes upwards with a clean spoolie. Alternatively, you can use a heated eyelash curler, which doesn't involve pulling or bending the lashes.
Comb them daily
Often, people with eyelash extensions tend to be wary of brushing them since they fear that it will cause some lashes to fall out. However, eyelash extensions need to be brushed out regularly as that will keep them clean and neat.
Apart from clearing the lashes of any water after your shower, a spoolie will help remove any fabric, buildup, or dust particles from them. And if you have had eyelash extensions before, you know how messed up they can get while you sleep, so unless you want to look like a spider is sitting on your eye — brush them.
To ensure you prevent any infections, make sure you always use a clean spoolie. You can buy a pack of them or reuse one from an old mascara — just ensure that you've washed it well and disinfected it before use. And yes, some lash extensions might end up falling out, but that isn't because you brushed them; it's because they were loose to begin with.
Apply a lash serum specifically designed for extensions
A lot of lash technicians will tell you not to use a lash serum while you have extensions on since any oils in it can interfere with the glue and make it fall off. However, we advise that you check on the lash serum brand's website, as numerous serums can actually be used with extensions, and brands tend to point that out online.
The thing about lash serums is that they extend the life of your actual lash, and, well, since the extension is glued onto the lash, they can extend its life as well. "Lash serums are growth-enhancing formulas that stimulate lash growth," triple board-certified dermatopathologist Gretchen Frieling, MD, tells Byrdie. "When applied regularly, the lash serum extends the telogen phase of growth, lengthening the lash growth cycle. This will keep lashes thicker and stronger."
If you decide to keep applying a serum, ensure you're adding it gently to the roots of your lashes. You'll also want to make sure the serum has an oil-free formula and is preferably made with lash extensions in mind. Also, avoid applying the serum directly after your lash appointment, as that can disrupt the curing process of the glue.
Avoid oily skincare and makeup products around the eyes
When it comes to skincare, you need to be aware that any products containing oil could break down the lash extension glue. Of course, this doesn't mean you can't use any oils whatsoever on your face — just be mindful of where you're placing them.
Avoid the eye area, and when you're taking the oil off, use a cloth and work in sections instead of rubbing your face and potentially transferring it to your eyes. As far as safe cleanser choices go, most foaming formulas tend to be okay. Of course, even with those, avoid going over the eye area unless you need to.
Aside from oil-based skincare products, be aware that there tends to be oil in plenty of makeup as well. Check the ingredients list of your eyeliners, mascaras, and cream eyeshadows before you put them on, and if they do have oils in them, save those products for when the lashes naturally start falling out.
Don't touch them unless you have to
You can sleep on silk bedding and avoid oily products all you want, but if you're always touching your eyes, chances are you will loosen up that glue and rub your extensions off. "Treat your extensions with kid gloves. Any excessive pulling or rubbing can harm your extensions," celebrity makeup artist Ramy Gafni suggests (via Byrdie).
But of course, that's easier said than done, especially if you're not even aware that you're rubbing your eyes. With extensions, your eyes are going to itch at some point, and when that happens, just try to remember to be very gentle with them.
Our best advice is to grab your spoolie and brush through them — the bristles of the spoolie will gently scratch the base of your lashes, giving you that relief you're looking for. And if a lash ends up falling out, chances are it was already barely holding on.
Keep them clean
Even though you're not supposed to mess around with your extensions too much, that doesn't mean you shouldn't clean them every day. Regardless of whether you're wearing makeup or not, the lashes will get dirty throughout the day, and giving them a good cleaning before bed is crucial for preventing any infections.
If you want to go all out, you can get a cleanser meant for eyelash extensions — that way, you'll be sure that you can use it on them. Eyelash expert Natalie Piper tells PopSugar that daily cleaning of the extensions is crucial. "Not only will your lash extensions look fresher after a daily clean, but they will also last for longer."
However, you want to ensure you are using the correct products. As we've already established, oil-based products can break the adhesive down, so you'll want to avoid that at all costs. You can also use a classic foaming cleanser; just make sure no oils, of course, or glycerin are in the ingredients list. As far as the cleaning process goes, you can use a cleanser-soaked spoolie to gently brush through the lashes to clean every last fiber.
Use microfiber tissue instead of cotton pads and puffs
While you can gently dab your extensions dry with a towel, we recommend sticking to tissue paper as it is least likely to damage your extensions. Under no circumstances should you use cotton pads or puffs on your eyes, as the small fibers will only get stuck in your lashes and potentially cause them to fall out. Instead, you'll want to gently pat the eye area — not rub — and be mindful of avoiding any fiber-filled cloths.
If you can, it's even better to let the lashes dry on their own — just brush them out with a spoolie to help speed up the process. The less pressure you put on them, the longer the lash extensions will last, which is why you should skip any step that isn't necessary. However, if you're in a pinch and need to use any sort of cloth, reach for one that is lint-free and preferably made of microfiber materials.
Avoid swimming in salty or chlorinated water
After the initial 48 hours, it's totally safe to get your lashes wet — but if you're planning on spending a lot of time in a pool or seawater, be aware that your extensions can become weaker. "You can absolutely go swimming with eyelash extensions," Heather Elrod, the CEO of Amazing Lash Studio, tells Makeup.com. "Keep in mind that both chlorine and salt water can affect retention of eyelash extensions, so we recommend cleansing lashes immediately after you swim."
Of course, lash extensions are a popular choice for vacations when we want to look our best, but the idea of doing our makeup in 90-degree weather sounds like a nightmare. Eyelash extensions are perfect for giving you that fresh-faced look without makeup, and if you take care of them properly, they can last you your whole vacation. Apart from the water, be careful when applying sunscreen to the face, as the oils in it can cause the glue to loosen up.
Don't get eyelashes that are too heavy
Lash technicians are trained to do their job — and with that, they are also taught when to say no to a client. A good lash technician will tell you when something you want isn't possible or healthy, and they will give you other options. If you have weak, sparse, and brittle lashes, they might even say no to giving you lash extensions at all.
However, clients often ask for super thick sets of lashes, and since their lashes cannot carry that weight, they end up falling out a couple of days after the appointment. A technician with enough experience will be able to tell just how many individual fake lashes your natural lash can take.
If you do have eyelashes that are on the thinner and weaker side, using a serum with your extensions can help grow your lashes to new heights — and if your lashes get stronger, you might just be able to carry slightly heavier lashes next time.
Use a lash sealant
If you want to go the extra mile when it comes to making the most of your lash extensions, get a lash sealant that you will apply to them regularly. Once you clean your lashes and they are fully dry, apply a layer of a sealant that will help with the longevity of your extensions.
The sealants work their magic wonderfully, as one satisfied buyer for the Black Diamond Lash Coating Sealant noted on Amazon. "I needed them to definitely last the 2 weeks and not look crazy so I did my research on how to make them last and this kept coming up. I can honestly say I made it longer than a month before they started looking crazy. I just applied 48 hours after my initial appointment and then about once a week after." If you are someone who gets lash extensions regularly, investing in a sealant like this one is a great way to get the most out of them.
Get them filled regularly
No matter how carefully you treat your lashes, at some point, they are going to fall out, and the extensions are going to look sparse. Unless you're getting a set of lashes specifically for a one-time occasion, you will have to get refills. "Refills are a great way to extend the life of your lashes and are recommended every two to three weeks," lash tech Clementina Richardson tells Oprah Daily.
Salons will usually tell you when you can come for a refill (most often, they will give you a deadline of up to four weeks), and once that passes, they will charge you the price of a full set for doing your lashes. However, most of your extensions will have fallen out by then, so a full set will make sense.
If you do decide to get a refill, the lash technician will remove any lash extensions that have moved halfway up your lash, after which they will proceed to add new extensions to any of your natural lashes that don't have any on them.