Eyelash extension aftercare: the first 48 hours and beyond

Lash adhesive continues curing after you leave the salon. During that window, steam, heat and water can disturb the bond before it has fully set, which is why the first two days matter more than the rest of the cycle combined.

The most common misconception is that extensions should be kept dry. The opposite is true after the curing window: lashes need cleaning daily with a dedicated foaming lash cleanser to remove oil, make-up residue and skin cells from the lash line.

Unwashed extensions collect debris that weakens the bond and can irritate the lid. Clean lashes hold longer, look fuller and keep the eye area comfortable. Brush them through gently with a clean spoolie once they are dry.

You should not need mascara — that is the point of the treatment — and waterproof formulas in particular are almost impossible to remove without damaging the set. Oil-based cleansers, cleansing balms and heavy eye creams break down adhesive over time, so switch to oil-free alternatives while you wear extensions.

Eyeliner is fine if it is water-based and applied above the lash line rather than into it. Avoid mechanical lash curlers entirely; the curl is already built into the extension.

You naturally shed one to five lashes a day, so a set thins gradually rather than falling out all at once. Infills every two to three weeks replace what has grown out and keep the set looking freshly done — leave it much longer and it becomes a full new set, which costs more and takes longer.

Planning a holiday or a wedding? Book your infill three to five days before, not the day before. It gives the adhesive time to cure fully and gives us room to adjust anything you want changed.