Lash extensions have seen a boom in popularity over recent years and it’s obvious why. Celebrities all over the world have been strutting on red carpets, always donning the latest innovation in eyelash extensions.
Lash extensions are when a lash artist meticulously places individual lashes on your upper eyelid, along your lash line with eyelash glue. This isn’t as simple as you may think, these experts have extensive knowledge of eye shapes and lash mapping.
This means you will finish your treatment with absolutely fabulous eyelashes, without looking fake. You’ll fool everyone into thinking you were blessed with fluttering fans at birth!
However, it is an investment. It is not just cost but time as well, the application itself can take a few hours. Naturally, it is important to take proper care of your lash extensions as this can elongate their lifespan, saving you both time and money in the long run.
If you’re not careful enough with your lash extensions, this can cause them to fall out far before their time.
But how exactly do you clean eyelash extensions? Read on for our full guide to keep your lashes looking fabulous.
MYTHS DEBUNKED
Firstly, let’s get one thing straight. You lash extensions can get wet. So many beauty enthusiasts think this isn’t the case and it means their lashes won’t get the care they need.
After your treatment, your artist will tell you not to get your lashes wet for 24 hours, subsequently, many think this means they can never get wet.
The initial 24 hours period is purely so the glue has more than enough time to properly set, after that they are suitable for water. Any lashes that do suffer getting wet after this first day are victims to poor application or products used.
WHY SHOULD I CLEAN MY LASH EXTENSIONS?
Most crucially, you need to clean your lash extensions to maintain proper hygiene. They sit incredibly close to your eyeball and if you don’t clean them properly, you leave yourself open to risks of infection and bacteria.
A common problem lash artists see is Blepharitis, this is inflammation of the eyelid and causes irritation and discomfort.
Not only will this be painful but your gorgeous lashes won’t even be able to show their full glory as most of the attention will be on sore, red, puffy eyes.
Another reason to always clean your eyelash extensions is due to the natural oils that build upon them. There’s nothing wrong with your natural oils but as they begin to build up over weeks, your lash extensions will be weighed down.
This then causes them to fall off sooner as the glue won’t be able to take the strain of the weight.
THE IMPORTANT BIT
Let’s get to it, how do we clean our eyelash extensions?
Remove all your eye makeup, to begin with, you don’t need to wear mascara with eyelash extensions so it shouldn’t take too long. Use an oil-free makeup remover and avoid cotton wool buds or pads. These have too much fluff that can stick in between your eyelashes and make the whole process a nightmare!
It’s not just eyeliner and eyeshadow that needs to go, everything including foundation, concealer and highlighter needs to be removed. Foundation often contains oil and we don’t want this to end up on our wonderful extensions.
Then you need to use cold water to gently wet those lash extensions. Don’t use hot water as this can cause the glue to dissolve and even damage the extension itself.
Ask your lash artist to recommend a lash shampoo, it may seem like an unnecessary cost but a whole bottle will last months and using any other product can irritate your eye. Alternatively, you could mix a little baby shampoo with water.
Using your lash shampoo and a lash brush, work the shampoo into a lather in the palm of your hand. Apply the lather using your lash brush to your extensions and brush them with care.
Keep repeating this process until your lashes feel clean and light. Then you need to rinse the shampoo off with cold water. Not only does this get rid of the shampoo but also rinses away any dirt, bacteria and skin cells.
Use kitchen towels to tenderly pat those lashes dry. Don’t rub or pull and use an eyelash brush to gingerly brush those lashes back into place.
Twirl the brush slowly between your fingers to prevent the bristles from getting caught up in your natural lashes and your lash extensions. Your lashes need to be completely dry before you do this. If this is taking too long, use a low, cold setting on your hairdryer.
Your lash extensions are like your face, they should be washed twice a day. Most eyelash extensions last 6-8 weeks but you can make this even longer with proper care and maintenance.
Now you should have a good idea of how to properly clean your lash extensions. Unfortunately, they will inevitably fall out eventually and you will need to visit your lash artist for another application.
If you find you are unable to get to a lash artist or don’t have the budget this month, strip lashes by Flawless Lashes are the next best thing. They may not be those fluttering extensions we all love but they do provide a fabulous fan without looking horrifically fake.
Using strip lashes is a good idea when your lash extensions are coming to the end of their life and you have a special event coming up. A lot of the time, you will be left with a few random lash extensions left. Mascara will only highlight how uneven your lashes are and you should never remove your lash extension yourself as you can cause damage to your natural lash.
Pop on a pair of falsies and no one will know the difference!
