With thanks and acknowledgment to The Enchanted Beauty Institute (previously known as Enchanted SPA), we present these valuable adhesive tips for lash salon professionals and technicians:
What are the best eyelash extensions adhesives to use
When admiring a spectacular set of eyelash extensions, particularly ones that have maintained their beauty and shape for multiple weeks, one of the most common questions asked will be what adhesive are you using?
Tips for getting the best out of your eyelash extensions adhesive
Everyone hopes that if we just find the right adhesive, the bonding and retention on our eyelash extensions will be as perfect as those seen on the most splendid of Instagram posts. There’s a never ending quest to find the perfect adhesive.
However, if you don’t have the right application process, speed and environmental conditions for your adhesive, it’s never going to be perfect.
The truth is, while there are still some questionable products in the global marketplace, most eyelash extensions adhesive sold by reputable suppliers are of a decent and reliable quality. Many popular adhesives come from the same manufacturer, and in some cases the only difference is the label!
Consequently, if an adhesive works brilliantly for one person but not you, then maybe the problem is with you and the environmental conditions that you can control. It’s worth looking inwardly and having a level of self-reflection in this situation. (Unless, of course, your client has not followed your instructions on how to maintain her lash extensions properly – we all know that this does happen!)
If you are new to using eyelash extensions, check out our Eyelash Extensions – FAQ
Choosing an eyelash extensions adhesive
You have two options when it comes to choosing an eyelash extensions adhesive. You can:
- Buy a few different types of eyelash extensions adhesive with different drying times and temperature and humidity ranges. If your environment isn’t stable, you will still have an adhesive that works for the conditions right at that moment. OR,
- Choose an adhesive that works for your application process and speed, then regulate your environment to suit or make adjustments as needed when conditions aren’t ideal.
You also need to ask yourself some basic questions, for example:
- What kind of drying time do I need? Is a 1-2 second adhesive too fast for you or is it just right? Do I need a bit more time to get the extension on? Maybe you need a 3-4 second adhesive.
- How good is the ventilation in my work area? Is there a window and door that can be opened? If you have Air conditioning, where is the vent positioned in relation to your beauty bed? Do you have a fan or air purifier? Can you move things around to improve your ventilation?
- What is my temperature and humidity like? Are you able to control it? Do you have a humidifier or dehumidifier if needed? If not, can you get one?
Interesting eyelash extensions adhesive fact number one:
The longer your eyelash extensions adhesive takes to cure, the more likely monomer vapours are to appear. Vapours are more irritating in dry air (under 50% humidity).
You can adjust your conditions or even your application process in many different ways to make any adhesive work for you. However, to consistently get the best performance, you need to really understand how eyelash extension adhesives work.
There are a number of Dos and Don’ts when it comes to Cleaning Eyelash Extensions.
How eyelash extensions adhesive works – a checklist for improving bonding, retention and irritation
If you understand the factors that can affect performance of your eyelash extensions adhesive, it will make all the difference. When an adhesive works best in 60-70% humidity, if yours is 45% with no temperature or process adjustment to compensate – of course there is going to be a problem.
Let’s be really honest, most of the time the reason your adhesive turns into an evil queen who likes to taunt you is because you haven’t treated her right.
We’ve put together a quick checklist for you:
The top factors for best bonding, retention and minimising vapour or irritation:
- Make sure surfaces to be bonded (aka natural lashes) are cleansed, rinsed and dried before application begins
- Check the humidity and temperature of your working area (environment) are within the ranges recommended for your product by your supplier.
- Ensure your working area (environment) is well-ventilated.
- Confirm your adhesive product is ‘fresh’. Make sure adhesive dispensed from the bottle is not stringy or gloopy or developed a skin.
- Ensure the adhesive layer when bonding extensions is as thin as possible.
- Bond Extensions tightly and securely, working from zone to zone, eye to eye at a speed appropriate to your adhesive drying time.
- Gently cleanse lashes and eye area, then rinse and dry at the end of treatment to remove any residue.
Would you like to understand why? Check out Enchanted’s handy Understanding Adhesive for Eyelash Extension Technicians PDF Guide and learn eyelash extension adhesive fundamentals, as well as the Top 7 factors step by step. The guide explains why these factors are important and offers tips and advice straight from Enchanted’s Classic Eyelash Extensions training.
Interesting eyelash extensions adhesive fact number two:
Alkalines also speed up Cyanoacrylate adhesive curing. Products such as permanent colours, perming lotions and straightening cremes are alkaline based.
As a result, lash technicians working in a hairdressing salon sometimes encounter problems with adhesive bonding and retention (aside from the more obvious temperature and humidity spikes that can occur with lots of blow drying in close proximity!).
You can address this issue with good ventilation.
About this article:
This article has been published with thanks and acknowledgement to Janelle at Enchanted SPA.
The Enchanted Beauty Institute (previously known as Enchanted SPA) offer lash and brow courses that help salons attract, train and retain beauty technicians.
The fully accredited courses and government recognised qualifications can help a salon owner successfully grow their business or assist a new entrant into the industry obtain their first salon job. The courses can be undertaken in the Institute’s Perth academy or online.
This article has been written from the perspective of a professional eyelash technician. If you are interested in applying eyelash extensions yourself at home, please see the articles below for some guidance:
How Long Do Eyelash Extensions Last?
How to Remove Eyelash Extensions