Long, luscious lashes are a luxury but keeping them that way takes a little more TLC. Whether this is your clients first set or they’re a seasoned lash lover, proper aftercare is the key to making those extensions last longer, look better, and protect their natural lashes. As a lash artist, you want to leave every client with more than just beautiful lashes. This guide will give you the top lash extension aftercare tips to share with your clients so they can care for their lash extensions and protect their investment between appointments.
Before Your Clients Appointment
A little prep on your clients behalf can make a big difference when it comes to how long the lashes will last. Remind your client to arrive with completely clean, makeup-free eyes—no mascara, eyeliner, or under-eye creams. Even a trace of oil or residue can interfere with the lash adhesive.
Your client will need to avoid water and steam on their fresh lashes for the first 24-48 hours after the appointment. Suggest a shower prior to their arrival so the lash extensions set properly.
One more thing: Remind your client to skip the caffeine. Coffee, energy drinks, and even green tea can make for twitchy eyes, which makes precise lash placement more difficult.
Aftercare is Everything: Core Tips for Retention
Lash extensions are a beauty investment, and proper aftercare is how you protect it. By sharing a few golden aftercare rules with your client, you’ll help their lashes stay fuller, fluffier, and longer lasting between fills.
1. Avoid Water, Steam & Sweat for 24–48 Hours
Proper aftercare starts with avoiding water on the lash extensions for the first couple of days. Lash adhesive needs time to fully cure and bond to the natural lashes. Water, steam, and sweat in the first couple of days can interrupt that process and cause premature shedding. Remind your client to avoid steamy showers or getting your eyelash extensions wet during this period, as exposure to steam or excessive heat can weaken the adhesive bond. So, skip the sauna, hold off on hot yoga, and tell your client to keep their lashes completely dry for at least 24–48 hours after the appointment.
2. Clean Lash Extensions Daily with a Lash-Safe Cleanser
The second most important aftercare tip for your client is cleansing. Daily cleansing removes dirt, oils, and debris that build up along the lash line—keeping both the extensions and your clients natural lashes healthy. A lash-safe cleanser won’t compromise the adhesive, and regular cleaning can help reduce the risk of irritation or infections like blepharitis. Forgetting to clean lash extensions daily also puts clients at risk of lash mites, which live on eyelashes and cause irritation and debris buildup.
3. Brush Lashes Morning and Night
A quick brush with a clean spoolie helps the lash extensions stay fluffy and untangled. Some lash artists provide clean spoolies for your client to take home as an aftercare kit. This also prevents twisting or crisscrossing, which can cause uneven shedding or lash damage. Think of this aftercare tip as a mini refresh to keep lashes photo-ready all day. Brushing lash extensions daily will also promote healthy growth, maintain lash direction, and prevent clumping.
4. Back Sleeping Instead of Side Sleeping
It’s not always easy (especially for side-sleeping clients) but sleeping in a position where your eyes rest on the pillow causes your lashes to bend or fall out prematurely. Although this may be a difficult aftercare tip to guarantee, some resources could help your clients properly care for their lashes. A silk pillowcase can also help minimize friction if they do move around at night. If sleeping on their back is difficult, consider suggesting a pillow positioner in your aftercare tips.
5. Avoid Oil-Based Products Around the Eyes
The aftercare tips you share with clients should include what to avoid in products as well. Oils within makeup, removers, or moisturizers, can weaken the lash adhesive and cause extensions to slip off sooner. Remind your clients to stick to oil-free formulas in the aftercare tips, especially when removing eye makeup or applying skincare near the lash line.
6. Don’t Rub, Tug, or Wear Waterproof Mascara
Rubbing or pulling at lash extensions can damage both the extensions and the natural lashes. In the aftercare tips you share with clients, remind them that pulling out eyelashes can disrupt growth, damage the follicle, and even cause permanent hair loss in some cases. And waterproof mascara? It’s a no-go. It’s hard to remove and often takes a few natural lashes with it. If your client feels they need a little extra drama between fills, share some lash extension-safe mascara products within the aftercare tips.
Dealing with Wet Extensions
Once the setting period is over, your client can return to their regular skincare and shower routine, with a few tweaks. Stick to lukewarm water, skip the steam rooms and saunas, and use a gentle, oil free cleanser to keep the lashes clean. When washing their face, remind them to avoid running or splashing water directly onto their lashes. Instead, gently rinse or pat around them with care.
A little caution goes a long way. These simple aftercare steps will help protect the adhesive bond and keep your lash set looking full and flawless until the next fill.
Rebooking is Key
Lash extensions aren’t simply applied to every individual eyelash. Your clients refill appointments are built around the natural lash growth to ensure better retention. Most people have between 90-150 natural lashes on their upper eyelids, and each one is constantly moving through a growth cycle made of three phases:
- Anagen (Growth) – This is when lashes are actively growing and securely anchored in the follicle. It’s the ideal phase for applying extensions, since lashes are strongest here.
- Catagen (Transition) – Growth slows down, and the follicle begins to shrink.
- Telogen (Resting/Shedding) – Lashes naturally fall out to make room for new growth.
Remind your clients during aftercare discussions that their eyelashes are constantly cycling through these phases and it’s normal to lose a few extensions every day. That’s why most lash artists recommend going in for a fill every 2-3 weeks to maintain fullness and shape without having to start from scratch.
To keep things simple, consider setting up recurring appointments. With Vagaro, you can easily lock in your fill appointments ahead of time. Alternatively, once your client is finished with their set, ask if you can simply rebook the appointment 2 weeks out, so their lashes always stay on schedule and on point.
Lash Extension Memberships
If you’re committed to regular clientele, suggest signing up for a lash membership plan at the end of the appointment. On Vagaro, it’s easy to create custom membership plans that give clients monthly fills, priority booking, and exclusive perks—all billed directly through the app. It’s self-care and savings, all in one.
Final Lash Wisdom
Flawless lashes don’t just happen. They’re the result of a little pampering, a skilled lash artist, and a solid routine. From prep to aftercare, every step plays a part in keeping your clients extensions full, healthy, and long-lasting.
So, when it’s time for your clients next fill, ask them to come prepared: skip the makeup, follow your aftercare like a pro, stick to oil-free products, and sleep like a lash-conscious queen (aka not on their face). Rebooking your clients regularly keeps their lash game strong. Consistency is key, and your lash clients will thank you for it.
