8 Tips for Taking Care of Your Eyelash Extensions

caring for eyelash extensions

I was drawn to try eyelash extensions after seeing some moms around town with gorgeous lashes that were clearly not magnetic or adhesive and then my sweet babysitter was the final push I needed. Her long, stunning eyelashes are a true work of art and make her look put together even without a stitch of makeup on.

While she did prep me quite a bit, there were a few things that surprised me. So after reading this post, you’ll go into your first lash appointment with a lot more knowledge than me – because I really had no idea what I was getting into!

What To Expect With Your New Eyelash Extensions:

First, eyelash extensions feel a little crunchy. I guess I have never tried to wash my face with fake eyelashes on before, so I wasn’t super prepared for how different they feel from natural eyelashes. It definitely takes some getting used to.

Second, I think a little bit of the glue gets into my eyes on the first night and makes my eyes red. Def don’t schedule that hot date right after getting your lashes. Or maybe not the very next day, either.

Third, they require a little extra TLC. You’ll want to pick up a few affordable products – all easily shopped on Amazon – and be gentle as you can so that they’ll last as long as possible.

So, let’s chat about exactly how you should be taking care of those lashes.

How To Take Care of Your Eyelash Extensions:

Lash extensions are an investment, to be sure. You’ll want to keep them looking as gorgeous and glam as possible, for as long as you can. Gunky and spider-leg lashes that are going in all directions are not the look we are going for when we spend three hours at a lash lounge.

With some simple swaps, tips and tricks, you can keep those lashes looking lovely all the way up until the next fill.
Get ready to bat those lashes, girl:

I made you a little video on how to care for them or scroll down for more info:

1. Don’t touch those lashes:

caring for eyelash extensions

Keep your fingers off those lashes! The natural oils in your skin can actually start to dissolve the glue holding the extension to your lash and make them fall off faster.

Since the lashes are glued to your actual eyelashes, rather than your skin, which means that they fall out with your natural lash during your lash shed cycle… unless they come off earlier if you’re not taking good care of them.

So, you already know not to touch your face and extend that to your lashes, too. Use these little spools to brush your lashes in the morning and night and after a shower or washing your face. You can buy 100 of them for like $5, so you won’t have to be stingy with them. I aim to use one a week and here’s the thing: do not use them anywhere else, not even your brows!

I think these little glitter ones are the cutest. I have the pink. Also, affiliate links are used in this post, which means at no cost to you, I may receive a commission if you purchase a recommended product with my link. I am only recommending products I buy, use and love.

2.  Use a face wash that is oil free:

caring for eyelash extensions

Like the oil in your skin, oil in face wash can also dissolve the glue. So, make sure you aren’t a face wash on your lashes with oil.

You can buy specialty wash just for your lashes, because they do need to be cleaned  to keep them from getting gross, but I just use my regular face wash. Whatever you use, don’t use that face wash unless it’s oil free.

But, don’t even use that oil free cleanser yet, because….

3. Don’t get them wet for 12-24 hours:

Some say 12 hours is enough and others say 24. Either way, it means hands and water off for awhile so the glue can really set.

It’s a little frustrating to have this kind of downtime and can make scheduling those fills a little bit of a challenge.

But, once you experience having lush, gorgeous lashes, it seems worth the wait.

4.  Ditch the smudge pot eyeliners:

Those thick, smudge post eyeliners are notoriously difficult to get off without a makeup remover with oil in it, so it’s time to say goodbye to them for awhile.

Same goes if you’re using smudge pot eyeshadows or any other hard to remove eye makeup.

But, don’t worry, eyelash extensions make your eyes look so gorgeous – you won’t even miss them.

5.  Never trim them:

caring for eyelash extensions

It’s really difficult to stop yourself from trimming those lashes when one of them gets extra, super straggly and long.

But, supposedly they’ll fray if you do that. I’ve never tried – thanks to a heads up that I shouldn’t. So, I’m passing that knowledge on to you.

6. Avoid heat:

Are you the cook in your home? Love to check how those cookies are doing in the oven?

Make sure not to lean too close into open hot ovens or over hot pans while cooking- the heat will cause the extensions to lose any curl and just stick straight out – or in some cases, it causes them to curl and shrink up, like it did to my mom. Not a good look, and she was very embarrassed about it, but it was very funny for the rest of us.

If that does happen to know, there’s nothing you can really do except wait for your next fill to swap them out.

So, lean back when taking the lid off a pot or opening the oven and wait for the initial burst of heat or steam to come out and then continue with cooking.

7. Avoid mascara:

caring for eyelash extensions

Or, at least, use it sparingly. You won’t really need it – but you can darken the ends if they pick up a little eyeshadow. Brushing them with the spool can help, too.

If you do use mascara, use it sparingly and be sure to clean them gently before you go to sleep.

I’ve heard some gross stories of what can happen if lashes are not cleaned regularly and loaded with weeks of products. Yuck.

8. Dry with a soft towel:

Keep a soft towel nearby when washing your face or showering that you can use to gently absorb water around the lashes, without damaging them.

I even take one in the shower and use it to dab my eyes/face when water gets on it, so I’m not tempted to rub my eyes to get the water off. I like these. They are super soft and gentle.

*****

That’s it! At first, it might seem like a lot, but you’ll get the hang of it in no time. And, the extra few minutes that they require is saved on the other side when you need less eye makeup and feel put together with even no makeup at all.

Plus, really, it’s a small price to pay for gorgeous lashes 24/7.

If you’re looking to learn more about eyelash extensions, check out my post with everything you need to know before getting eyelash extensions to prepare for your first visit!

Until next time, take care of yourselves, your loved ones and stay healthy, friends.

Have a fabulous day,

E

caring for eyelash extensions

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2 Comments

  1. June 29, 2022 / 10:58 am

    It was helpful when you said that your face wash should be oil-free. My sister wants to get eyelash extensions. I’ll have to let her know these tips on how to take care of them properly.

    • Erica
      Author
      July 18, 2022 / 3:25 pm

      Oh yeah, the oil will take those eyelashes right off!

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