7 Ways To Make Your Lash Extensions Last Longer:

June 10, 2015

Those of us with stubby, stick-straight, or super-thin lashes consider lash extensions the best beauty invention since, well, mascara. The perfect option for those too impatient forLatisse, or too busy conquering the world to carefully swipe on three coats of mascara every morning, an hour-long session with a lash extension specialist will leave you with full, fluttery, sky-scraping lashes (or more a more natural-looking effect, depending on what you prefer). But—as with all good things—your (faux) fringe must eventually come to an end. We spoke with lash extension expert, Gina Bisignano, and asked her if there was anything we could do to make our extensions last just a little bit longer between touch-ups. Turns out, she has lots of tips.

Keep reading to find out what you can do!

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#1: Go Lighter

“The thicker the lash [extensions], the heavier they are, and the more they will peel and fall out,” Bisignano says. She recommends always asking your lash specialist for lighter individual lashes, around the .07 mm and .05 mm range, which will stay on longer than heavier lashes.

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#2: Mind Your Eyes

Your super-rich night cream may help you wake up with a plump complexion, but it’s not doing your lash extensions any favors. “Avoid your eye area if you must use heavy night creams,” Bisignano says. “The oils from the cream will break up the glue and cause your lashes to fall out prematurely.”

Pictured: Philosophy Hope In A Jar Night ($50)
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#3: Seal It

Applying an eyelash sealer every morning will keep your lashes in place, longer. Bisignano recommends Blink’s Black Diamond Coating Sealant ($14), which she says contains both an acrylic and hyaluronic serum to help the extensions adhere and condition your natural lashes.
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#4: Sleep On Your Back

Bad news, stomach sleepers: sleeping with your face pushed into your pillow can cause your extensions to fall out more quickly. Instead, always try to sleep on your back, so your lashes can stay untouched while you snooze.
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#5: Curl Factor

“Always tell your aesthetician to choose extensions that are similar to the shape of your natural lashes,” Bisgnano says. “If you get super-curly lashes and your own lashes are straight, they will fall off prematurely.” Straight-lashed girls—there’s still hope. She recommends using a heated eyelash curler on your extensions afterwards to amp up the curl.
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#6: Avoid Waterproof Formulas

Though you don’t have to wear mascara once you have extensions, sometimes you might want to add some extra drama to your look. In that case, avoid waterproof formulas at all cost—Bisignano says they’re much harder to remove and all that tugging is bad news for the life span of your lash extensions.
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#7: Be Gentle

In general, Bisignano says to try to avoid touching your eye area at all costs. If you must remove your eye makeup, she recommends using a mild, low-alkaline soap, like Cetaphil ($11) and to always, always use an oil-free makeup remover. “After your shower, you can blow-dry your lashes on the lightest, coolest setting,” she says. “Then just brush them down and out—very lightly and without too much pressure—which will help them grow in the same direction.”