As autumn gets underway, lash extension wearers may want to rethink one common piece of advice: keeping their lashes completely dry. While avoiding water, steam and long showers is often recommended immediately after an extension appointment, lash expert Louise Johnson, CEO of Ladybug Lashes, says several everyday habits can have a bigger impact on how long extensions last.
From skipping lash washes to rubbing the eyes, these five habits could contribute to extensions falling out sooner.
1. Not Washing Your Lashes
Keeping lash extensions clean is an important part of maintenance. Throughout the day, lashes can collect natural oils, skincare products, sunscreen and makeup around the lash line. Johnson recommends using a product that is suitable for extensions and cleaning the lashes gently to prevent buildup.
2. Rubbing Your Eyes
Rubbing tired or itchy eyes may seem harmless, but the repeated pulling and pressure can loosen extensions and place additional stress on natural lashes. Being more mindful around the eye area can help reduce unnecessary friction and keep extensions in place longer.
3. Picking at Loose Extensions
When an extension starts to grow out or feels loose, it can be tempting to pull it away. Johnson advises against doing so. Removing an extension yourself can also pull out the natural lash attached to it.
Instead, she recommends leaving loose extensions alone and allowing them to come away naturally. If an extension becomes particularly bothersome, a professional can address it safely.
4. Roughly Drying Your Face
Towels can easily catch on lash extensions, particularly when the face is rubbed dry. Johnson suggests gently patting the face instead, paying special attention to the area around the eyes.
It is a small adjustment, but avoiding aggressive rubbing can help prevent extensions from being accidentally pulled.
5. Being Too Afraid of Water
According to Johnson, once the adhesive has properly set, there is no need to treat water as the enemy. Keeping extensions completely dry is not necessarily the key to maintaining them.
Instead, proper cleaning and gentle handling are more important considerations. Washing the lashes appropriately, avoiding eye rubbing and carefully drying the face can all help support longer-lasting extensions.
The takeaway is simple: lash extension care does not have to mean avoiding water altogether. Once the adhesive has set, maintaining clean lashes and handling the eye area gently can be more useful than trying to keep extensions completely dry.
For more information about Ladybug Lashes and its lash extension products, visit Ladybug Lashes.