Home / Blog · · By Olivia Berry
Everyone wants their set to last as long as possible. The truth is that extensions leave with your natural lashes as they shed, so no set lasts forever. But a few habits help the extensions hold until they are meant to go. These are the ones I recommend to my clients.
Understand the cycle
Your natural lashes grow, rest and shed on their own schedule. Each extension is bonded to one of your natural lashes, so when that lash sheds, the extension goes with it. That is why a set thins out over a few weeks and why fills exist. Good habits help the extensions that are still attached stay put.
It also means you will see a few extensions fall out between fills, and that is normal. A couple here and there is part of the process. If you notice a lot falling out at once, or sections that look uneven, tell me so we can look at what might be happening.
Be gentle on day one
Keep your lashes dry for the first 24 hours so the adhesive can set. No steam, hot showers aimed at your face, facials, saunas, workouts or pools. This single habit makes a bigger difference than anything else on this list. If you can, book your appointment for a day when you will not be heading to the gym right afterward. For the full list of rules, see lash extension aftercare dos and don'ts.
Cleanse every day
Use a 100% oil-free lash cleanser every day, then brush your lashes with a clean spoolie. Residue and dirt break down the bond over time, and a clean lash line is more comfortable too. My Classic and Mixed full sets include a cleanser and kit to get you started. Tie the routine to something you already do, like washing your face at night, so it becomes automatic.
Check your products
Oil is the biggest enemy of extension adhesive. Look at the labels on your makeup remover, cleanser, moisturizer and eye cream. Choose oil-free options around the eyes. Also skip mascara and eyelash curlers, which can pull on the extensions and break down the adhesive. Your extensions already add the length and darkness, so you can retire both.
Mind how you sleep, wash and touch
Try not to sleep with your face pressed into the pillow, and use a clean pillowcase. When you wash your face, keep the lash area out of the stream and pat dry gently. Do not rub your eyes.
Keep your hands off them too. Picking and pulling at extensions removes them and pulls on your own lashes. If something is bothering you, leave it and tell me at your next visit. A good habit is to check them in a mirror instead of touching them.
Come back on time
Regular fills keep the set even. I ask for a fill every 2-3 weeks. A Mini Fill is $75, a Classic Fill is $100 and a Mixed Fill is $150. If you wait more than 4 weeks, or fewer than half of your extensions remain, a full set is needed. Read more in how often to get lash fills. Booking your next fill before you leave is the easiest way to stay on schedule.
Set realistic expectations
Retention differs from person to person. Your natural lash cycle, your skin, your routine and your set style all play a part. Two people can follow the same routine and see different results, and that is not a sign that anyone did something wrong. If you feel your set is not holding as you expect, tell me and we will look at what might help, from products to how you sleep. I am a message away, and you can book your next fill or a new set online through Square. I am in Bothell, by appointment only.
Finally, give yourself some grace. Even with perfect habits, some extensions will shed. That is not a failure, it is how lashes work. The best thing you can do is stay on a fill schedule, keep your lashes clean and dry in the first day, and talk to me if anything about your set feels off.