Anyone who’s tried eyelash extensions knows just how eye-opening and glamorous they can be. And if you haven't tried them yet, take it from us: They are simply life-changing. Not only do they make your eyes all the more fluttery, but they also mitigate the need for mascara, which could essentially cut the time it takes you to apply your makeup in half—every single day. The only problem is that a beautiful faux fringe comes with an expiration date.
How to Make Eyelash Extensions Last
There are generally three types of eyelash extensions: mink, silk, and synthetic. Each of these options has a typical life span of approximately six to eight weeks, but the life you get out of your extensions is mostly dependent on your own lash cycle (which can be as short as two weeks and as long as eight weeks). Since your lashes are at different stages in their growth cycle at any given time, your extensions won't all fall out at once, and you might find that gaps start to appear a few weeks after having the extensions put in. The life span of your lashes will also depend on how well you care for them after application—and, luckily, there are plenty of things you can do at home to help preserve your look. Although there isn't much you can do to stop your natural lash shedding cycle, we spoke to several experts in the industry who agree that there are a number of steps you can take to get the most out of your eyelash extensions.
Choose Extensions That Mimic Your Natural Lash Shape
Always tell your aesthetician to choose extensions that are similar to the shape of your natural lashes. You can also ask your lash specialist for lighter individual lashes around the .07 mm and .05 mm range, which will stay on longer than heavier lashes.
Ramy Gafni, celebrity makeup and eyebrow guru advises to "Opt for extensions that align with the shape of your existing eyelashes, as opposed to extra long, dramatic lashes. A lighter lash has a longer shelf life."
- Avoid Water for the First 48 Hours
Once your fresh set of extensions is installed, any moisture around the eyes is a no-go. You want the glue to set in so that your lashes last as long as possible. Blink Brow Bar brow and lash extension expert Sabah Feroz tells clients to wash around the eye when cleansing their face and to use an oil-free makeup remover if they have to clean makeup off. To avoid washing the lashes directly within the first 48 hours, keep the eye makeup to a minimum to maximize the extensions.
This includes getting your face wet in the shower with hot water, swimming, and steering clear of steam as well.
- Avoid Waterproof Eye Products
Though you don’t have to wear mascara once you have extensions, sometimes you might want to add some extra drama to your look. In that case, avoid waterproof formulas at all cost—experts say they’re much harder to remove and all that tugging is bad news for the life span of your lash extensions. "Avoid waterproof mascara and eyeliner," Gafni says. "All the rubbing to remove them can also cause you to lose a lash extension."
Waterproof anything won't come off with just any old face wash—as the name would imply. It usually takes some oil-based cleanser to remove, and we've learned that's a big no-no when it comes to extensions. Both Feroz and celebrity makeup artist Katie Jane Hughes say that you don’t even need mascara or liner when your lash extensions are in; the extensions offer a similar effect to typical eye-enhancing makeup. “The eyes are so opened with lash extensions, the clients find themselves wearing less makeup,” says Feroz. If you still want to wear a typical eye look, it’s better to go the non-waterproof route so that your eye makeup is easier to remove.
- Switch to a Silk or Satin Pillowcase
Brush Your Lashes
To maintain your fluttery new lashes, make sure to brush them out occasionally to avoid any kinks, clumps, or debris from sleeping. “The rule of thumb is only to brush them out when needed,” says Feroz. Packs of clean spoolies can be found at most drugstores and beauty supply shops.
