As a lash artist, your job doesn't end once the lashes have been applied - aftercare routine is just as integral to maintaining their quality and longevity. Teaching clients about proper care ensures they maximize their investment for an incredible long-lasting look while protecting both natural and extended lashes from potential damage. In this blog we'll walk through how best to provide aftercare for clients with extensions - complete with helpful advice to keep those flawless lashes looking their best!
Keep Lashes Dry for 24-48 Hours after Applying Mascara
As part of your recommendation to clients, one key piece of advice to provide them with is to keep their lashes dry for at least 24 to 48 hours post application. At this stage, their glue may still be curing and bonding together. Being exposed to moisture could interfere with this process and compromise its hold, potentially weakening it altogether.
Why it Matters:
The adhesive used to attach eyelash extensions needs time to set. If clients get their lashes wet too soon, their extensions to come undone prematurely or shift, leading to an unnatural and irregular look.
Tips for Clients: It is wise to advise clients to avoid getting their lashes wet by forgoing facial washes, hot showers and swimming for at least 24-48 hours post application.
If they need to wash their face, suggest they use a gentle cleanser while avoiding the eye area.
Clean Your Lashes Regularly
After 24-48 hours pass, it is essential to keep lashes clean to avoid the build-up of oils, makeup and dirt. Lashes may accumulate oils from skin oils, eye makeup and environmental influences which could result in irritation or premature lash shedding.
Why It Is Important: Cleansing eyelash extensions removes debris and oils that could break down adhesive bonds, leading to loss. In addition, regular cleansing keeps bacteria at bay along the lash line prevents infections or irritation.
How to Clean Your Lashes:
Choose a Lash Cleanser: For maximum results, we recommend using a gentle, oil-free lash cleanser specifically designed for extensions. This type of cleaner breaks down makeup and oils without damaging the lashes or adhesive.
Brush Lashes Daily: Recommend that clients use a clean spoolie brush daily to gently comb through their lashes with an eyelash comb to maintain a neat appearance, avoid tangling, and ensure extensions remain aligned. This will not only prevent them from looking disorganized but also help keep extensions aligned properly.
Gently Clean Lashes: Instruct clients to apply the lash cleanser with either a soft applicator or their fingertips and gently cleanse their lashes without pulling or tugging at extensions.
Avoid oil-based products.
Oil-based products should always be avoided for lash extensions. From makeup removers and cleansers to skin-care items, oils can compromise the adhesive bonds that hold extensions on securely and loosen them over time.
Why This Matters:
Oil can weaken adhesive, leading to faster lash loss and necessitating more frequent fills. Furthermore, oil may cause extensions to clump together and appear disorganized - altering their overall appearance and diminishing their appeal.
Tip for clients:
Suggest to your clients using oil-free makeup removers and cleansers that are extension safe; these should be labelled "oil-free" or "extension safe."
When clients wear waterproof mascara or eyeliner, we recommend that they use an oil-free remover that won't damage their lashes.
Be gentle When Applying Lashes
Lashes extensions are delicate, so clients must treat them carefully. Rubbing, tugging or pulling on the lashes could loosen or fall out prematurely.
Why it Matters:
Rubbing or pulling on your eyelashes can damage both natural lashes and extensions. It can also cause irritation, redness or infection if bacteria get introduced through harsh handling.
Tip for clients:
Advise clients to refrain from rubbing their eyes or pulling at their lashes, and removing makeup with cotton pads or soft tissues instead.
Remind clients to refrain from sleeping on their faces as this could put undue strain on the eyelashes, potentially leading to misalignment or premature eyelash shedding.
Avoid extreme heat or steam.
Excessive heat or steam can reduce lash extension longevity. Steam rooms, saunas, and hot showers can cause adhesive degradation faster, leading to premature loss.
Why It Is Effortful: Over time, heat and steam can soften the adhesive bonds between natural lashes and extensions, weakening them over time resulting in misalignments or slipoff. This may eventually cause them to detach completely or slip off altogether.
If they prefer hot showers, suggest using a shower cap to protect their lashes.
Reserve Regular Lash Fills
Lash extensions shed natural lashes naturally, which is normal. In order to maintain full and lush lash extensions, clients should book regular fills - typically every 2-3 weeks, depending on how quickly the natural lashes shed and desired fullness.
Why it is Critical:
Scheduling regular fills for extensions helps maintain fullness in the lash line and ensure even coverage; waiting too long between fills could result in gaps and uneven coverage, potentially creating gaps and uneven coverage that leaves your extensions looking less than appealing.
Tip for Clients: Advise clients to schedule appointments early so they do not miss their preferred time slots.
Advise clients not to remove or pull out their lashes themselves as this can damage the natural lash and compromise its integrity.
Don't Sleep on Your Facial Structures
Sleep habits can directly affect eyelash extensions. Sleeping on their stomach or side could strain their lashes and cause misalignment, bending or premature shedding of them.
Why it matters:
Pressure placed on the eyelashes while sleeping can cause them to mishap, break off faster or shed faster than normal. Furthermore, friction against pillows may cause excess wear-and-tear that loosens extensions over time.
Tip for Clients: Suggest to your clients to either sleep on their backs, or use a silk or satin pillowcase to reduce friction against their lashes while sleeping.
As an additional measure, they could wear a sleep mask to protect their eyelashes while sleeping.
Stay Away From Water-proof Mascaras
While waterproof mascara might seem like a smart solution for eyelash extensions clients, it could actually do more harm than benefit. Waterproof mascara can be difficult to remove without tugging at or pulling out extensions - potentially leaving clients vulnerable and risking additional eye injury in the process.
Why it Matters:
Waterproof mascaras are made to withstand water for extended wear. This makes it more difficult for users to remove without damaging extensions or creating friction while doing so. Scrubbing may cause premature extensions to fall out causing additional problems down the line.
Tip for clients:
Recommend that clients forgo waterproof mascara entirely when using lash extensions; rather, use regular mascara sparingly on the lower lashes if necessary.
If mascara is essential to you, we recommend water-based and extension-safe mascara for optimal results.
Avoid Touching Lashes excessively.
Though admiring new lashes is understandable, frequent touching can damage them. Touching can transfer oils and dirt from fingers onto lashes which leads to premature shedding and an unruly look.
Why it is essential:
Touching one's lashes too often can cause oils and dirt to build up on their extensions, leaving them looking less full of volume. Furthermore, touching them frequently increases the risk of bacteria transference that could cause irritation or infection of their extensions.
Tip for clients:
Remind clients not to touch their lashes unnecessarily and to wash their hands before touching their faces or eyes.
Encourage clients to use a spoolie instead of their fingers to brush lashes.
Inform Clients About What Is Normal and Unusual
Educating your clients on what they should expect from lash extensions is key, and should include what constitutes normal and what may warrant visiting the lash artist for advice. Some natural shedding is expected over time, but excessive fallout or irritation requires professional intervention immediately.
Why it Matters:
Establishing realistic expectations helps clients understand how to maintain their lashes properly and what signs to look out for if anything goes amiss.
Advice for Clients: Be sure that clients understand that some lash shedding is normal as their natural lashes grow and fall out. However, if they experience irritation or excessive loss they should immediately contact you for advice.
Conclusion: The Secret to Beautiful, Long-Lasting Lashes
An essential step in maintaining lash extensions beauty and longevity is following an effective aftercare routine. By adhering to these aftercare tips, clients can ensure their lashes stay full, clean, and beautiful for longer. As a lash artist, educating clients about these steps will not only enhance their experience but ensure they get maximum use out of their extensions. This will lead to enjoy stunning lashes that look flawless every day with proper aftercare.
