Our eyelash extension aftercare guide

The reason I say OUR guide is because every studio will have its own eyelash extension aftercare guide. The best aftercare information you will get will be directly from the eyelash studio in which you got your eyelash extensions from. I’ll outline not only the how but also the why so that you can make an informed decision on what is best for you and your lashes.

1.Wash your lashes in the first 24 hours

YES! You read right. The days of “Don’t get your lashes wet the first 24 hours are GONE!” Years ago… eyelash extension studios would tell clients this because the adhesive used then required time for a slow cure to ensure a proper bond with some flexibility. If the adhesive was exposed to large water molecules early on, it risked the adhesive to shock cure which made the adhesive hard. As this occurred, it would increase the chances of the extension then snapping off from the natural lash when the lashes were touched.

Here at Eyewonderlust, we take measures to increase your retention and also to lower the risk of any allergic reactions and intolerances. In doing so, we use the most up-to-date adhesives with the highest grade of cyanoacrylate as its ingredient. The amount of adhesive we use to apply each extension is so minimal that the bond between the extension and natural lashes occurs within 2-3 seconds, so there is no need for a ‘slow cure’.

Lashes cure within that first 5 seconds of attachment to the natural lash.

Allergic reactions occur during the curing stage of the adhesive. When adhesives polymerize, it releases a chemical that sits on the skin. This chemical that sits on the eyelid is found to cause reactions like swelling and redness on the eyelids. So to lower the risk of this happening… we ensure that the lashes are cured straight after the appointment and we encourage clients as part of their eyelash extension aftercare guide to washing their lashes and eyelids when convenient.

2. Keep your eyelash extensions clean by washing them and using a coating sealant if applying make-up

As in an integral part of your lash extension aftercare, keeping them clean actually increases your retention. Afterall, we want the longest wear for your lash extensions. We recommend using our lash foaming cleanser to be used every second day on most clients, and those who wear lots of make up as part of their beauty regime to include using a coating sealant.

We are fussy about the retail products we offer to our clients.

You can be assured that what we recommend has been tested by Grace. Our lash shampoo is an Australian owned brand and is one of the leading product for lash cleansing – Prolong lash. It is gentle and it effectively clears any build up on your lash extensions. The coating sealant we recommend is a well-known product that contains Sodium Hyaluronate which helps the eyelashes to retain moisture. It also helps protect the adhesive bond by extending the life of each lash extension.

If you are still unsure about how to clean them, you can read this article OR  you can watch a video on Youtube that Grace made.

3. Eyelash extension aftercare RULE #3 – Schedule your refill appointments regularly

It is a no-brainer for a business to encourage clients to keep on coming back for refills. However, it is actually a critical point to your aftercare to keep your eyelashes healthy.

Each individual lash is accessed for the best weight it can handle AT THE TIME OF appointment.

The strength and growth of a natural lash between 2 or 3 weeks can vary and so this is taken into account when we determine what weight it can handle.  Scheduling your appointments ahead of time means that you will never miss out on getting in for an appointment to keep those lashes looking fresh and healthy. I wish I collected a dollar every time we hear a client say “I wanted to come in earlier but I couldn’t find an appointment time”. It is important to schedule your refills and to find out more, this article on why it can help.

These are our 3 aftercare instructions. Here are a few more common Dos and Don’ts. We’ve included a description to explain why and also what you can do “Instead”.

DO NOT…	BECAUSE…	INSTEAD…
Rub your eyes	You risk causing traction alopecia and damage your natural lashline.	Be gentle around the eye area.
Pick at the bases of the extensions.	Affects your lash retention and you risk getting an infection from oil and product build up that can be trapped around that area.	Schedule your refill appointment closer so the professionals can remove and replace those extensions that have grown out too far from the lash line.
Use oil based removers	Increases an oily build up on lashes that can harbour bacteria and hence risk an infection. This also creates a barrier on your natural lash that can affect the bond at your refill appointment.	Use products specifically made for eyelash extensions so that they are gentle on your eyes but also gentle on the bonds of the eyelash extensions.
Sleep on your face	Same as rubbing your eyes, it can cause traction alopecia and create retention issues.	Use a silk pillow case and try to sleep on your back. If you are traveling, use an eye mask specifically made for eyelash extension wearers.
Brush your lashes when they are wet	Like the hairs on your head, when hair is wet, it looses tensile strength. Brushing them when wet has a higher risk of breakage.	Dab them dry first, allow the hair cuticles to close before brushing them.
Use cotton pads to remove your make up	Fibers from cotton pads can get caught on the bases of the extensions and risk pulling out the extension and natural lash.	Use a cosmetic sponge, and use a short dabbing motion.
Use baby shampoo to wash your eyes	While baby shampoos are gentle on the eyes, they are not designed to gently remove ‘oils. Instead, they are developed to moisturise skin. In turn, it can leave residue that creates a barrier much like oils in other products. This can affect retention.	Use a lash specific lash cleanser

If you want to read more tips on how to help look after your eyelash extensions and to get the best retention, we have this article that might be helpful.