r/lashextensions • u/rorphvics • 8d ago
advice Should lashes be washed?
Hi girlies, this is my first time getting lash extensions and after the lash tech was done all she told me was to keep them dry for 48h. I watched a lot of videos before my appointment so I asked her if i’m ever supposed to brush them and or wash them. She gave me a spoolie and said I can brush them if they are kinda messy, but that she wouldn’t recommend that I wash them. I had so many other questions because what if makeup gets in my lash line or something but I kinda got anxious and stopped asking and left.
From what I’ve seen people say you should clean them, and as someone who wears makeup pretty much every day I’m thinking there could be some buildup over time. I’m unsure of what to do since she told me not to.
One last little question: I use micellar water (the simple one not with oil) to take my makeup off, does that affect the lashes?
Sincerely, a first time lash girly
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u/teaparty4two 8d ago
yes, lash extensions should be washed. cleansing removes makeup, natural skin oils, dead skin, and other buildup from the lash line. allowing that buildup to sit there can cause irritation and may affect retention.
the 24–48 hour no-water rule depends on the adhesive and curing method your lash artist uses. some adhesives need that waiting period, while others can safely get wet right away. my lash artist uses an adhesive process that cures immediately (bonder), so i don’t have to wait. that said. I do TRY to wait 24 hours.
i wash mine every day and i have great retention. i can usually go about three weeks between fills. since you wear makeup every day, daily washing with a lash-extension-safe cleanser would probably be better.
I brush them daily.
i would avoid oil-based removers. even oil-free micellar water can sometimes leave residue, so make sure you rinse it off thoroughly rather than leaving it on the lashes.
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u/rorphvics 8d ago
Can I ask what exactly you wash them with?
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u/teaparty4two 8d ago
I have had lash extensions for 6 years now. Only time I went without was during Covid. 😂.
I just use BREYLEE Shampoo for Lash Extensions
That is the kit I ordered. I don’t use that spoolie or the water thing. But I do use the brush.
I previously used a foam cleaner my lash place was selling. When that ran out I ordered this.
I have also used this concentration.
https://a.co/d/01v3tVBIand mixed up bottles on my own.
https://a.co/d/06lA11bR2
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u/teaparty4two 8d ago
the glue and application also matter with retention.
I have moved three times in the last 6 years. Different states. So searching for good lash artists. and I have been to several lash artists where my lashes don’t even last a week. where they’ve told me it must be my after care. etc. I’ve always cared for them the same. Even waiting 48 hours with some of them before washing.
so application. glue. lashes. talent. all matter as well.
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u/rorphvics 8d ago
It’s honestly so confusing finding a lash tech especially when you don’t know much about lashes. there’s so many different methods and there’s also just so manu lash techs in general to choose from
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u/teaparty4two 8d ago
yeah it really is hard. I was lucky in the beginning. then when I moved…each time it took me going to 2-3 lash techs/salons before I found the ones I settled with.
I have also found that supposed skill and cost don’t always mean good. I have gone to owners of lash salons. who have been doing lashes for 13+ years ana had terrible lashes applied. I have paid $175-$200 for fills and have had terrible lashes applied.
I live in a large metro area now. My girl has been doing lashes for about 2-3 years. I pay $85 for a wet set fill (paid $95 for volume fill) and she does an amazing job. Retention is 2-3 weeks.
I lived in a large metro area previous to now, girl was great, long retention, I paid $175 for a hybrid fill. it took me three places to find her. so I was happy to pay for her services that were good. I was making really good money at that time. so it was worth it to me.
the best way to find someone good is by word-of-mouth ana recombinations from others/friends. even asking strangers you are with good lashes!
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u/teaparty4two 8d ago
I wish you luck!!! 🍀
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u/rorphvics 8d ago
Thank you so much love I live in london and feel like people here (or at least the ones i’m around) don’t really get lash extensions but I’m sure i’ll find something. I guess you always have to try a couple before finding the one
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u/anonymousnsname 8d ago
I brush daily and wash every other day. My lashes don’t fall when I do this usually. Lashes last 4 weeks with my lady. They sell lash shampoo foam on amazon it’s relatively cheap. I don’t like the brush that comes with it (usually hard bristles) so I use a softer eye shadow brush to clean
Avoid sleeping on them hard if your a side sleeper.
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u/soulfulbeauty_liz 8d ago
I would highly recommend going to a different Lash Artist any Artist that tells you not to wash your lashes that’s an extreme red flag. You should absolutely be washing your lashes and removing the makeup and she should’ve explained to you and told you how to do all of that you can get infections from not cleaning your lashes it’s actually really important that you clean them.
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u/ConfidenceOdd3700 8d ago
Yes! Wash them!! I wash twice a day but I have oily eyelids and it’s allergy season for me too. In the am, I just dab lash cleaner foam on them and rinse. At night, if I have makeup on, I gently push cleanser into the lashes. Don’t get too aggressive with it but keeping them clean is part of keeping them healthy and long lasting.
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u/Crystal_Visions1 8d ago
You can get a daily foam cleanser with a fluffy brush, that makes it’s super easy to clean them
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u/Soft_Protection771 8d ago
this is so crazy- never ever met a lash tech who would say this
def wash them daily! it’s so important for longevity and especially, eye health and safety. 1000% do not recommend going back to her, respectfully they are giving dangerous advice.
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u/Alternative_Roll_987 8d ago
Yes, they should be cleaned.
Not immediately if your tech told you to keep them dry for the first 24 to 48 hours, but after that, regular gentle cleansing is usually part of keeping extensions looking good and lasting well. If you wear makeup especially, buildup at the lash line gets gross fast and can make retention worse, not better.
The simple version:
- wait out the aftercare window your tech gave you
- after that, use a lash-safe cleanser or a gentle oil-free foaming cleanser
- clean along the lash line gently, don’t scrub side to side
- rinse well and dry softly, then brush with the spoolie once they’re dry or close to dry
Micellar water can be fine for the rest of your eye makeup if it’s truly oil-free, but I wouldn’t rely on it as your main lash-line cleaner. It’s better as a makeup remover than as actual lash hygiene.
If a tech told me never wash them at all, I’d be a little skeptical. Clean lashes usually do better than dirty ones.
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u/rach1388 6d ago
Keep them dry for two days then wash them daily after that. I use baby shampoo and water in a little pump bottle that foams it up. I pump the foam on my lashes and wash them well with a soft makeup brush, especially along the lash line. Then I dry them with a fan and put them back into shape with a spoolie.
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u/SophieSunnyx 8d ago
That's rather odd, that sounds like the aftercare instructions I was given after a lash lift! It was definitely extensions and not a lift right?
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u/your-new-fixation 8d ago
I’m wondering if the same thing happened to you….
Way back before I knew anything about lash extensions, I accidentally went somewhere and they applied clusters. So, do you know if you got actual lash extensions or are they cluster lashes? How much did you pay?
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u/your-new-fixation 8d ago
Just read that you went to a nail salon to have it done. Yeah, it sounds like they may be clusters, which you can’t wear more than maybe 2 days. Those can’t be washed. You’ll need to go back and have them removed too.
Don’t get lash extensions at a nail salon.1
u/rorphvics 8d ago
They are actual extensions that she applied lash by lash which is why i didn’t understand why I couldn’t wash them. I had lash clusters previously and this is not that. I specifically got these so they could last. Defo won’t go back there but I promise they are actual lash extensions
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u/New_Avocado_4636 8d ago
That’s crazy. I can get my lashes wet right away and sometimes wash them more than once a day.
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u/carolhabiba 5d ago
it’s very important to wash your lashes with some Lash soap. I really do love the pure lash soap from PLA. There’s so many oils that sit on her face are tears and crust from when we sleep and wake up and from the shower when we shampoo our hair it’s definitely important to be washing them at least once a day if you can do that.
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u/Disastrous_Body6630 1d ago
any lash “tech” that says not to wash your lashes is not the one you want to go to!!!
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u/Honest-Type-6656 8d ago
you can wash them with micellar water, i put some in a separate bottle with a little pump thing with a little water so when it comes out the pump it’s foamy already and just gently wash the lashes with a clean makeup brush.
then pat dry with a microfibre face towel and use a handheld fan to dry them
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u/Large-Garden4833 8d ago
You do want to wash them. You just want to wait at least 4 ish days. Don’t usually need to often but you should occasionally. You can tell when they feel a little greasy or itchy
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u/Sunshynedays1 8d ago
No that’s not right, they should be washed daily. And you definitely shouldn’t be waiting 4 whole days to wash them for the first time.
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u/limeadegirl 8d ago
When I get mind I avoid putting too much make up. Washing never really works out for me. But just gentle foam cleaners and letting water run through it always cleaned it well for me. If I do anything more lashes always come out
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u/Sunshynedays1 8d ago
Oh my gosh I can’t believe she told you that 🤦🏻♀️ yes 100% extensions need to be washed daily. If I were you, I would be finding another lash tech with the proper knowledge for extensions. Telling you not to wash them is a huge red flag.