Eyelash extensions can drastically transform the appearance of your face and make you feel like you’re capable of anything; with just a flutter of your eyelashes.
They do, however, involve a few lifestyle adjustments. For example, you are told to avoid sweating or moistening your lashes immediately following the application of extensions.
So, what about crying?
Eyelash extensions are waterproof; this means that crying is totally fine- you have our permission to bawl your eyes out if you need to.
However, you’ll need to avoid the waterworks immediately after your eyelash extensions have been applied. This is because it takes around 24 to 48 hours for the adhesive to fully cure.
Once the glue has set, crying shouldn’t be an issue, as long as you maintain them properly afterward. Tears can cause salt and oil to build up on your eyelash extensions, which can weaken the adhesive and shorten the lifespan of your lashes.
How do you clean eyelash extensions after crying?
Dead skin cells, grime, makeup, and oil will soon accumulate in your lash line, even sooner if you cry often.
All of this buildup will eat away at the adhesive of your lash extensions, eventually breaking it down. Lash extension glue requires a clean environment to maintain its strong adhesion to your natural lash.
Dirty lashes cause your lash adhesive to weaken, resulting in extensions falling off your normal lash rather than lasting the complete natural lash cycle and falling out when the natural lash is shed.
Unclean lashes may not appear dirty when you look in the mirror, but the buildup is highly visible under your lash technician’s lighting with magnifying glasses.
Clients who maintain their lashes and wash them correctly between appointments will return with many more lashes than those who don’t clean theirs at all or clean them incorrectly.
You should aim to clean your eyelash extensions 2-3 times a week, or daily if you wear makeup regularly or cry very often.
We recommend using a lash extension foam cleanser to make sure that any bacteria left on your lash line is killed. Eyelash extensions are sensitive and don’t react well to most soaps and oils, this is why you should try a specific lash extension cleanser.
Your lash technician will probably sell some sort of cleaning solution, so be sure to ask them for their advice.
You should avoid applying oily substances near or on your eyes. Cleansers, moisturizers, cleaning oils, aromatherapy oils, spray toners, coconut/rosehip oils, eye creams, and even your shampoo and conditioner all fall into this category.
If you use cleansers that aren’t appropriate for extensions, make sure to wipe the cleanser off your face rather than rinsing it off, as any remaining residue will wash into your lashes.
We recommend staying away from makeup wipes, as they’re usually saturated with oils, glycols, and emollients that don’t mix well with eyelash extensions. In fact, they may even cause your eyelash extensions to fall out prematurely.
If you use makeup wipes on a regular basis to clean your lash extensions, they won’t last very long. As well as this, makeup wipes aren’t great for your skin either, as they leave behind a residue.
So, make the switch and opt for a sensitive foaming cleanser instead.
Lash specialists also advise staying away from micellar water and similar products, as they are not suitable for use with eyelash extensions.
Additionally, you shouldn’t use flannels, face cloths, sponges, make-up pads, cotton buds, or other similar items. This is because they can tug and irritate your lashes, making them more prone to falling out.
Never rub your eyes vigorously when washing your face. Instead, clean your eyelash extensions with light fingertip pressure only.
Alternatively, you could use a cleansing brush that rotates to get deep into the root of the lashes. Lots of rigorous rubbing can cause your lashes to fall out prematurely. Not only can it damage extensions, but it damages your own eyelashes too.
What happens if you cry with eyelash extensions?
As long as the adhesive has completely cured, it’s completely safe to cry while wearing eyelash extensions. This is because they are waterproof, and so is the glue that most technician’s use. Did you know that some believe that crying might increase the length of your natural lashes.
However, it’s important to remember not to cry while the adhesive is still curing. It can take anywhere from 12 to 48 hours to completely cure.
Also, crying during the lash extension application process can make it very difficult for the glue to adhere to your lashes. The adhesive in eyelash extensions is formaldehyde, which serves to strengthen the adhesion between the false lashes and your natural lashes.
Most eyelash glues on the market today must contain this chemical; the higher the concentration, the faster the drying period.
A customer might mistakenly open their eyes during the process of attaching eyelashes due to a variety of reasons. The glue might enter the eye, causing irritation and tearing up. You should always close your eyes during the eyelash extension process.
When applying lash extensions, eyelash professionals use bright lighting to get a clear image of your lashes. This may cause discomfort and slight tearing in certain people.
In such instances, your lash stylist should simply adjust the lighting.
That being said, we understand that crying is usually involuntary, and we can’t help it from time to time. In fact, it’s therapeutic. As soon as the glue has cured, you can cry all night long if you want to.
While water is not problematic on its own, tears are because they contain salt and oil, which are damaging to lash extensions. They have the potential to weaken the binding formed by the lash adhesive.
That is why, if you cry while wearing lash extensions, proper aftercare is critical. Remember to avoid rubbing your eyes after crying and sleeping with dried tears.
Always wipe your eyes after crying to help eliminate the sediment and oil from your tears. Crying isn’t uncommon; you simply have to be careful about how you handle it when wearing extensions. Interested in lash extensions and want to find out more about the history of eyelash
extensions and how they were invented? Go to our history of eyelash extensions page to learn more.
As a certified lash and brow artist, I am passionate about helping others grow their lash and brow businesses, while educating consumers on the current trends.
So let me help you get the lash or brow business you’ve always wanted! We have a lot of great information on One Stop Lashes to help you.
Need more clients? Get your business listed with us, and we can help you get customers in your seat. I have 15 years of experience in the beauty industry and am certified in eyelash extensions, lash lifts, microblading, and lash and brow tints.
Being involved in the lash and brow industry, I have helped numerous businesses as a consultant helping lash artists grow their businesses and income.
In addition, I help my clients with a strategy to build the perfect lash business for long-term sustainable growth.