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Who doesn’t want to have those captivating doll-like eyes that look wide awake and well-rested every day? While our favorite mascara, falsies, and lash curler got us covered, some women just don’t have the time to apply them every single time – a pretty good reason why eyelash extension is one of the hottest beauty trends today.
Unfortunately, they’re not as long-lasting as you’d wish they are. They only last for 3 weeks. Maintaining them through days of face washing, sweating, and sleeping can be tricky. The good news is, there are ways to make your lashes stick stronger and last longer
Here are 9 tips for prolonging the life of your eyelash extensions (because you paid good money for them!)
1. Apply protective coating
Your lash technician may prescribe a protective coating for your lashes to have a much better hold. Like the top coat to a nail polish, this product coats the adhesive area of your lash extensions, protecting it from dirt, oil, and makeup.
2. Be patient: Don’t wet your eyes immediately
If you can’t seem to stop crying over your ex, let this be the reason to do so: your precious eyelashes will fall off.
Every lash artist will tell you to NOT get your lashes wet in the first 24 hours of your extensions. This will give time for glue to set. After the first 24 hours, you can wet and wash them but in a very gentle manner.
3. Invest in a special cleanser
Just because you need to avoid wetting your lashes doesn’t mean you can’t clean them. Clean your lashes using the products specifically made for lash extensions. Chances are, your lash artist will provide them. These products help get rid of any debris or bacteria while keeping your delicate lashes intact.
4. Brush with a spoolie
Gently brush your lashes with a spoolie every morning when you wake up. Opt for a standard spoolie, not a rubber one, since it separates lashes more gently. Don’t brush it too frequently though – you could tug on the lashes, resulting in fallout. Once or twice a day is enough.
5. Avoid anything heavy and oil-based
Oil-based makeup, makeup removers, and skin care products, like facial oils, should be avoided at all costs. Oil-based products will loosen the lash glue and cause your lash extensions to fall off quickly.
Pick water-based products. You should also avoid rubbing your eyes, which results in instant lash breakage.
6. Limit your eye makeup
Mascara, eyeliner, and eyeshadow not only add weight to the delicate lashes and cause them to shed prematurely– they may also be hard to remove. If eye makeup can’t be avoided, make sure to use a water-based makeup remover, like micellar water, and wipe as gently as possible.
7. Avoid tight lining your eyes
Tight lining disrupts the base of your lash extensions where the strength of the bond is most delicate. Skip pencil eyeliners, which will tug at your lash line. Instead, pick liquid eyeliners which glide on without tugging. Lastly, go for variants that are non-sticky and easy to remove – something micellar water and q-tip can get rid of in no time.
8. Keep your lashes untouched and in place while you sleep
Are you a stomach sleeper? Sorry to tell you this but you should try your best to sleep on your back to prevent waking up with sparse lashes.
When your eyes rub against something else, like a stiff pillowcase, for example, you risk ripping off your precious eyelash extensions. Next to sleeping on your back, use a silk pillowcase, which reduces friction and are gentler to your lashes.
9. Swim with caution
If you’re serious about keeping them intact for as long as possible, you may swim but refrain from soaking them. Before hitting the pool, make sure to apply protective coating. When you get out, gently pat with a towel and brush off excess water with a spoolie or brush provided.
Author Bio: Mina Natividad is a resident writer for BrowCo Eyelash Extensions & Eyebrow Shaping, a top of the line brow and lash bar in Australia, which prides itself in delivering professional eyebrow shaping and eyelash extension services. She loves writing articles about women’s health and beauty.