Clean Lashes, Happy Lashes

So you’ve got a beautiful fluffy set of lashes on and you feel like a queen. However, your journey is just beginning. Lashes are not just something you have done every 3 weeks and leave be in between, they come with lots of responsibility to keep them looking in tip-top condition.


Firstly, an urban myth that has recently been shunned, washing your lashes. When I first trained in lashes some 7 years ago, it was forbidden to get your lash extensions wet. Whilst we still advise against prolonged exposure/soaking in water, you need to keep your eyes and skin healthy and that means cleaning your lashes. All reputable eyelash supply brands have an eyelash cleansing foam on offer, therefore, your lash technician should be offering it to you. My personal favourite is the ‘Off Camera Lash Cleansing Foam’ from The Eyelash Emporium. Some of my clients use it even when they don’t have extensions on because it’s fab for removing make up but also feels soothing on the eye.


How do I use it and how often? Apply one pump of foam to your eye and work in using the soft brush supplied with it. This works gently against the lash extensions whilst removing all the build of dead skin, dirt, oil build up and other pollutants that are in the air. Rinse with a little warm water and pat dry with lint free tissues. Brush through the lashes with your spoolie and repeat on the other eye. If you wear lots of make up then daily is best, however if you don’t wear any eye make up then 4-5 times a week is fine.


Can’t I just use baby shampoo? NO! Many people believe that washing your lashes with baby shampoo is perfectly fine but in fact it isn’t. First of all, it hasn’t been ophthalmologist tested, essentially meaning it hasn’t been clinically tested on the eyes and therefore isn’t safe to use on the eyes. Secondly, it can actually be quite drying because it contains glycols. The glue lasts because it’s healthy and flexible, if you dehydrate your natural lash and the glue they become brittle and break a lot easier. Glycols are known for breaking the bonds of the lash glue. We are washing our lashes to make them last longer, not shorter. Finally, it has no added lash benefits! Why would you use baby shampoo over something that has been designed to wash lashes and lash extensions? Formulated with soothing ingredients to keep your natural lashes healthy and the skin around the eye soft and hydrated.


So make sure you pick up a lash cleansing foam at your next visit to your lash tech!


Taking care of our lashes doesn’t stop at cleaning them. Friction can cause premature shedding of the natural lash and therefore the lash extension too. Usually friction is created in the night when we sleep, especially if you sleep face down. There are couple of things you can do to avoid this, the first is to invest in a higher thread count pillow case, or even a silk pillow case. Smoother pillows mean less chance of the lashes catching. Alternatively, invest in a specialised eyelash extension sleep mask.


There are many cosmetics we use in our day to day lives that contain forms of oil. It is not a secret that oil effects the bond of the glue used for lash extensions. Foundation, fake tan, facial sprays, eye creams and more can all cause issues with your lash extensions. A lot of my clients still love to wear eye liner, which is absolutely fine based on 2 things. The first being sure you clean it off properly (following the advice above) and the second being that you are using the right eyeliner. There are eyelash extension friendly eyeliners around that are the best match. My clients and I love The Eyelash Emporium Amplify Eyeliner. It doesn’t smudge or wear off throughout the day, but comes off easily with the Cleansing Lash Foam. It also comes with a felt tip applicator so super easy to use.


It is very important to ensure you are given, and you follow the correct aftercare advice. Any well-trained, professional lash technician will supply you with the information of how to take care of your lashes and if they do not sell items for aftercare themselves then they will point you in the direction of where to get them. It then becomes your responsibility.


Hygiene is most important in these times, your lashes shouldn’t be an exception.