Making My Lashes Soft Again When Wearing Mascara

Those of us with stubby, stick-straight, or super-thin lashes consider eyelash extensions the best beauty invention since, well, mascara. The perfect option for those too impatient for Latisse or too busy conquering the world to carefully swipe on three coats of mascara every morning, a 2-hour-long session with a lash extension specialist will leave you with full, fluttery, sky-scraping lashes (or 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.

Enter: eyelash extension maintenance—a concept that may sound daunting but is actually completely manageable as long as you have the best expert-approved tips in tow. To get our facts straight, we spoke with lash extension experts Gina Bisignano and Ramy Gafni and asked them if there was anything we could do to make our extensions last just a little bit longer between touch-ups. As it turns out, there certainly is.

Meet the Expert

• Gina Bisignano is a lash expert and owner of Gina's Waxing and Skincare in Beverly Hills, CA. With over thirty years of experience in the beauty industry, Bisignano has been the go-to for California natives and modeling agencies such as Wilhelmina and Ford Model Management.
• Ramy Gafni is a celebrity makeup and eyebrow guru who espouses an ethos of minimal makeup with maximum impact.

Keep scrolling for some genius ways to make your lash extensions last longer.

Ask for Lighter Lashes

Stocksy

"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.

Gafni concurs, advising: "Opt for extensions that align with the shape of your existing eyelashes, as opposed to extra long, dramatic lashes. A lighter lash has a longer shelf life."

Choose Extensions That Mimic Your Natural Lash Shape

"Always tell your aesthetician to choose extensions that are similar to the shape of your natural lashes," Bisignano 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—like the one below from Lash Star—on your extensions afterward to amp up the curl.

Lash Star Heated Lash Styler $24.00

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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."

Michela Buttignol/Byrdie

Use an Eyelash Sealer

Applying an eyelash sealer every morning will keep your lashes in place longer. "It acts as insurance to ensure your extensions stay put," Gafni says.

Bisignano recommends the one below from Blink, which she says contains both an acrylic and hyaluronic serum meant to help the extensions adhere and remain healthy and conditioned.

Blink Black Diamond Sealant $15.00

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Don't Use Waterproof Mascara With Extensions

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—experts say they're much harder to remove and all that tugging is bad news for the life span of your lash extensions. "Avoid water-proof mascara and eyeliner," Gafni says. "All the rubbing to remove them can also cause you to lose a lash extension."

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, try to sleep on your back for ultimate eyelash extension maintenance. What's more, be sure to do so using a silk pillowcase so if you do roll over, your lashes will be pampered and less likely to get snagged out.

Slip Pure Silk Pillowcase $89.00

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Use a Gentle Face Wash and Oil-Free Makeup Remover

In general, Bisignano says one important key for eyelash extension maintenance is to avoid touching your eye area. If you must remove your eye makeup, she recommends using a mild, low-alkaline soap and to always, always use an oil-free makeup remover like the pick below from Cetaphil. "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."

By that same token, Gafni says to stay away from thick creams near your eyes. "Even if you're careful not to apply it near your eyes, creams can ride up (or down) into your eye area and loosen up your lash extension," Gafni says.

Cetaphil Gentle Makeup Remover $8.00

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Source: https://www.byrdie.com/how-to-make-lash-extension-last-longer

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