COMMON LASH LASH EXTENSION MISTAKES AND HOW TO PERFECT YOUR APPLICATION
As a lash artist, perfecting your technique is essential not only for delivering flawless results but also for building a loyal client base and growing your business. Even seasoned professionals can fall into habits that negatively impact lash retention, client comfort, or the overall quality of the work. In this guide, we’ll cover the most common lash extension mistakes and how to avoid them, so you can feel confident that every set you create is seamless, comfortable, and long-lasting.
Key Mistakes to Avoid:
Using the wrong adhesive for the environment
Poor isolation of natural lashes
Using too much adhesive
Not prepping the lashes properly
Inconsistent lash placement
Working too slowly
Neglecting aftercare instructions
1. Using the Wrong Adhesive for the Environment
Choosing the right lash adhesive is crucial to achieving strong retention. Humidity and temperature greatly affect how lash adhesives perform, and using the wrong type can cause lashes to fall out prematurely. Not only that, but incorrect adhesive selection can disrupt your workflow, leading to frustrations like lashes not sticking properly or extensions popping off before they are fully cured. Additionally, if the adhesive isn’t drying fast enough, there’s a high chance that multiple lashes will stick together, creating clumps that can be uncomfortable for the client and cause damage to their natural lashes.
How to Avoid It:
Always check the adhesive’s recommended humidity and temperature range before application and adjust your workspace conditions as needed. When you use the right adhesive for your environment, you'll find the application process flows more smoothly—you won’t have to pause to wait for the glue to set or worry about extensions detaching mid-application. You’ll avoid the issue of lashes sticking together, ensuring each lash is properly isolated. Our WonderLock Adhesive is specifically formulated to perform across a wide range of humidity and temperature conditions, making your job a lot easier. It's a versatile must-have that adapts effortlessly to environmental changes all year round, keeping your work seamless. If at any point your adhesive isn't cooperating or is drying too slowly, you can use our Prep & Bond InstaLock Bonder on the lash extension strip to speed up drying time and maintain a smooth workflow.
2. Poor Isolation of Natural Lashes
A frequent mistake lash extension artists make is failing to fully isolate each natural lash. Even if proper isolation is practiced during the application, it's essential to take the time to thoroughly check the set once it’s complete. Lashes can sometimes stick together despite good isolation technique. It's crucial to inspect your work both before and after using a nano-mister or applying a bonder. When extensions are stuck to multiple natural lashes, it can lead to clumping, causing discomfort for the client and potentially damaging their natural lashes.
How to Avoid It:
Proper isolation ensures that each extension bonds to one natural lash. Use high-quality tweezers designed for precision and practice your technique to improve isolation. If you’re struggling, take a step back and slow down. If it helps, tape up the top layers of lashes so that only the bottom layers are exposed. It’s better to spend extra time on isolation or use tricks to make your work easier than to rush through and create clumps that affect your client’s comfort and lash retention. If your adhesive is drying too slowly, try adjusting the humidity in your workspace or use an adhesive accelerant to save time. Fine-tuning your environment will make your workflow smoother and less stressful.
3. Using Too Much Adhesive
Overusing lash adhesive is another common mistake that can negatively impact lash retention. When too much adhesive is applied, the extensions can appear bulky, take longer to dry, and lead to clumping. This is particularly concerning when lashes in different growth cycles are clumped together, as it can result in premature lash fallout and potential damage.
How to Avoid It:
Focus on precision and technique. Dip only the tip of the lash extension lightly into the adhesive, ensuring you avoid large beads of glue or excess dripping. Practice by adjusting your dipping angle to minimize glue usage. Additionally, make sure your adhesive suits your working speed and the environment to avoid overcompensating. A thin, even application ensures cleaner, more natural-looking extensions, while also preventing clumping and premature lash shedding.
4. Not Prepping the Lashes Properly
Prepping your client’s natural lashes is an essential step that is often overlooked. Skipping this step can result in poor adhesion and faster fallout, leaving your clients dissatisfied with the longevity of their extensions.
How to Avoid It:
Ask your clients to arrive at their appointment with clean, makeup-free lashes. Always cleanse each client's lashes with a lash cleanser to remove any oils, dirt, or debris. Not every client requires a primer before lash extension application because each client’s natural lashes have different levels of porosity. Porosity refers to how well the natural lash absorbs moisture and oils, which affects how well the adhesive bonds. Clients with low-porosity lashes hold adhesive more effectively without the need for a primer, while clients with high-porosity lashes, which absorb more moisture and oils, benefit from a primer to create a better bonding surface. Assess each client’s lashes individually and use a primer only when necessary to ensure optimal adhesion and long-lasting extensions.
5. Inconsistent Lash Placement
Lash placement is critical in achieving a natural and symmetrical final look. When extensions are applied at inconsistent angles and directions, it not only disrupts the overall aesthetic but it also creates a weak bond between the extension and the natural lash, leading to poor retention. Ensuring that each extension is aligned with the natural lash’s growth direction will create a seamless, balanced appearance while also improving the strength and longevity of the bond.
How to Avoid It:
Be intentional with your lash placement and ensure you’re placing each lash extension in alignment with the natural lash’s growth direction. Before attaching the lash, approach the natural lash and rotate/tilt the base of the lash so that it fully aligns to your client’s natural lash. Map out the set and include the lash direction in your mapping to guide your placement and create a consistent, uniform look.
6. Working Too Slowly
While quality is essential, working too slowly can affect both your business and your client’s experience. If your lash adhesive is drying too quickly, and if you take too long between dipping and placing, the adhesive may dry before the lash is properly attached. Working like this and with the wrong adhesive for your speed will guarantee weak bonds and poor retention.
How to Avoid It:
Practice regularly to gradually increase your speed without compromising quality. Set up your tools and supplies efficiently—pre-cutting your tape in advance and organizing your workspace to minimize the time between steps. Additionally, using an adhesive that matches your working speed and adjusting your workspace’s humidity and temperature will reduce the risk of the glue drying too quickly.
7. Neglecting Lash Aftercare Instructions
Even if you apply the lashes perfectly, poor aftercare can cause clients to lose their extensions prematurely. Some lash artists fail to provide detailed aftercare instructions, which can lead to client dissatisfaction.
How to Avoid It:
Always provide your clients with written aftercare instructions. Remind them to refrain from using oil-based products, sleeping on their face and avoid rubbing their eyes. Emphasize the importance of scheduling regular fill appointments 2-3.5 weeks to maintain their lashes.
Conclusion
Avoiding these common lash extension mistakes can help you improve your technique, build client loyalty, and maintain the health of your client’s natural lashes. By mastering the basics, choosing the right lash extension supplies, and educating your clients on proper aftercare, you’ll set yourself up for long-term success in the lash industry.
By optimizing your skills and staying mindful of these common pitfalls, you can ensure every set you create is stunning and long-lasting.
