Extend your Eyelash Extensions: Tips for Maintenance and How to Make them Last!

Ethos Day Spa
May 29
6 min read

Not only can eyelash extensions enhance your natural beauty, but they can simplify with process and save you money in the long run.

Filtering through mascara after mascara and trying to find the best one only to end up having to start all over in a month or so with a new one can not only be time-consuming, but costly.

Now that the weather is getting warmer, beach and swimming season are upon us. Waterproof mascara is a thing of the past because Lash extensions are here and ready to meet your lash needs without all the fuss.

No flaking, irritation, no impossible removal, or streaks down your face after spontaneously diving into the water. Lash extensions erase all the difficulty but keep the glam.

How Long Do Eyelash Extensions Last?

The Cost: Eyelash Extensions vs. Mascara

The cost of mascara can add up significantly overtime, considering the frequency of use and removal of the mascara. Every couple of months, at an average of $25 to 40 per bottle, mascara needs to be thrown out.

The cost of make-up removers and cleansers, averaging $20 to $50 per product that can fully remove the mascara from your lashes can be an additional cost with the regular use of mascara. Again, depending on use and frequency this can get costly, very fast.

On the other hand, lash extension prices are accumulated based on lash growth cycles.

Lash fills are typically recommended every 2-3 weeks. Lash Fills typically are an average of $50 to $150 depending on the time it takes to fill. The eyelash extensions themselves are on average $100 to $200 initially. If eyelash extensions are well maintained lash extensions can last about 4-6 weeks, depending on your lash growth cycle.

The cost of mascara-removing cleansers is eliminated, because lash extensions do not require the use of those. You may need to have a Lash Serum or Lash Cleanser on deck! With a lash extension cleanser, the cost is significantly reduced due to not needing to use it as frequently as mascara-removing cleaners are needed to remove the buildup left from mascara residue.

Lash Extensions are a long-term investment, but the health and safety of your lashes is a top priority, they provide an overall more natural look, enhancing your beauty versus covering lashes with mounds of mascara. Lash Extensions are a lower maintenance investment towards boosting and highlighting your overall natural look.

Do’s and Don’ts of Eyelash Extension Maintenance and Care

DO

Try not to touch your eyelash extensions much, particularly during the first few hours. The more you touch them, the more oils from your fingers get on them, the more potential strain on the lash root.

Keep your eyelashes as dry as possible for at least 24-36 hours after getting eyelash extensions.

It’s ideal if you don’t wash your hair during this time frame. However, if you must wash your hair, use only lukewarm water, and keep water off your eyes.
Also, avoid steamy environments, very hot showers, spas, saunas etc. for 24 hours as a minimum.
If it’s a very hot and humid day, try to stay out of the heat. All of this will allow the adhesive to cure as strongly as possible.

After the 24-hour mark, eyelash extensions are technically waterproof. If you are swimming or sitting in a hot spa daily, your eyelash extensions probably won’t last as long as if you didn’t, more so from the rubbing aspect when water gets in your eyes.

Make sure in your skincare routine, you are using oil-free products on your face, particularly eye makeup removers and cleansers.

Clean your lash extensions properly, at least a few times a week with a foaming lash cleanser. Baby shampoo (not the conditioning type) in very small amounts is ok too.

DON’T

Play with or pick at your lashes, rub your eyes roughly. If you are a picker, it can really damage your natural lashes

Do not use oil based or heavy products on your eyes or face

Do not use waterproof or oil-based mascara or eyeliner (felt tip/pen-style liquid liner is usually fine)

Do not use any mascara if you can help it

Don’t use baby wipes/makeup wipes/cotton pads to wipe makeup off them

Do not try to remove them yourself – as it may damage your natural lashes. Please go to a licensed professional for removal.

Don’t use cleansing oils, coconut oil etc. on your face if you want the lashes to last

Don’t put strip lashes on top of lash extensions, unless you are looking to take a few of your own lashes with the adhesive when you try to take them off.

Do not get to close to a campfire or bond fire (general life advice – but in the case of lash extensions, this will prevent your lashes from getting singed and frazzled on the ends.)

The Best Way to Clean Your Eyelash Extensions

Three main reasons you want to keep up on lash extensions care:

Overall Natural Lash Health - If you do not care for your lash extensions, your natural lash health can become compromised and slow down the growth of new lashes. Also, your lids can become itchy, most likely from buildup of dead skin, this can result from lack of cleaning lash extensions properly.
Your Lash Extensions will look better for longer: – Eyelash extensions that have been coated in mascara, oily makeup and strip lashes don’t look that great, they start to resemble small spiders that have taken over your lashes. Let your Lash Extensions do the work in enhancing your beauty. That’s why you got them in the first place!
Eyelash Extensions price and Fill cost: - If you clean your lashes properly and maintain them, you won’t need to get them filled in as frequently. The duration of your infill lash appointments won’t be as long, which will save money in the long run. Most infills are charged based on the number of lashes that need to be replaced each time and the time it takes to do so.

Extending the Lifespan of Lash Extensions: Maintenance and Care

Brush, Brush, Brush

Lash extensions need to be brushed every single day to avoid misshapen, tangled lashes. Mascara spoolies are great for keeping in your bag and vanity and work wonders on tangled lashes.

Brushing your lashes ensures the natural oils that build up at the base of your extensions are brushed towards the tips of your extensions. If these oils sit too long on the base of the extensions, they’ll eat away at the adhesive and cause premature lash fallout.

Avoid Mascara of ALL Types

This one should be a no-brainer, avoid using mascara of all types. The overall pain of removing it results in tugging at your lash extensions, in turn reducing the lifespan of your lash extensions tremendously. If you must wear mascara, use a water-based formula specifically designed for lash extensions.

While we all love an amazing waterproof mascara, it’s a product you will want to avoid if you have lash extensions. The build-up this product can create around your eyelash extensions can potentially create retention issues. As a Rule, using waterproof mascara repeatedly is not a great idea for anyone with natural lashes or extensions, this product tends to build up in your tear ducts and cause dry eyes with repeated use.

Clean Those Lashes

Eyelash Extension Cleaning Process

Use an oil-free and alcohol-free Lash Extension Specific foaming cleanser formulated specifically for lash extensions.
Use a lash-cleansing brush to gently massage the cleanser into your lash line.
Rinse with fresh water until the cleanser and makeup residue is removed.

While lash extensions may not be for everyone, they are a great beauty treatment for those looking to level up their everyday look and reduce mascara induces costs. Keep in mind, as long as you’re accurately taking care of your eyelash extensions and are going to a reputable and professional lash tech, your lash extensions should last and exceed your expectations!

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