Let's Talk About Retention

Would you believe me if I told you that the picture above is of a client who came for a classic eyelash extension fill after 8 weeks? Yes, you read that right. 8 WEEKS!

Retention Definition: Retention is a commonly used term that describes how strong the bonds are between the natural eyelashes and the eyelash extensions. This word is used for any type of lashing technique, such as classic, volume, mega volume, etc.

After being a lash artist and offering eyelash extension services to over 800 clients, here is what I found contributes towards having strong retention. 

First I'll begin with what you can do as the lash artist:

- Cleanser, Primer, & Sealant products: Sold by many different brands, you should be using these three products during your service. Cleanser cleans out the eyelashes (whether a client has eyelash extensions or not). Primer strips the lashes of natural body oils, dirt, and other debris. BEFORE APPLYING EYELASH EXTENSIONS, YOU NEED TO START OFF WITH A CLEAN BASE. Oil does not mix well with eyelash extension adhesive, so make sure the lashes you're going to work with are fully cleaned & oil-free!

- Use Quality Products: Here at Lashleys.Co LLC, we prioritize quality. As lash artists, we work hard to create beautiful lash sets and our clients are paying good money for their lash service. There are several brands that I would consider to have quality products in their shop. As the lash artist, you should invest in products from multiple brands to determine which brand's products work best for you and your clients. Our shop (Lashleys.Co) sells top-of-the-line eyelash extension products, so if you haven't already, check out our online shop and give our products a try!

- Apply Lash Extensions To Every Eyelash: Our natural eyelashes have layers. Typically, most individuals have three layers; a top layer, a middle layer, and a bottom layer. Why is this important to keep in mind? It is important because when a client loses an eyelash extension, they should not notice a huge "gap" in their eyelash extension look. Clients should only experience "gappiness" weeks after their last appointment if they are someone with a typical amount of natural eyelashes. You only want to apply eyelash extensions to natural eyelashes that are strong and healthy enough to support the weight of the eyelash extensions. 

Now I'll tell you what your client can do to increase their chances of having strong retention.

- Wash Their Lashes Daily: With a foaming lash cleanser & cleansing brush, your clients should be washing their lashes 1-2 times per day. This will take away any natural body oil, dirt, and debris that was collected on the lashes during the day. Again, oil does NOT mix well with eyelash extension adhesive, so if we don't remove the oil, the adhesive bond with weaken and the client's eyelash extensions will not last as long as intended. 

- They Need To Pay Attention To How They Sleep: Clients should sleep on their back and not on their side or face-down. By sleeping on their back, they are not putting any unwanted pressure on the eyelash extensions. When a client sleeps on their face or their side, their eyelash extensions bend in unwanted directions, which can break the adhesive bonds between the natural eyelashes and the eyelash extensions. If a client sleeps on their face or their sides, the longevity of their eyelash extension look may become compromised. 

- Follow All The Other Standard Aftercare Suggestions: As the artist, you need to make sure your client knows all of your suggested aftercare suggestions. The two tips mentioned above are two suggestions for aftercare and you should not forget to communicate that to your client. Remember that aftercare does not only make the eyelash extension last longer, it also prevents the chances of eye infections, damage to the natural eyelashes, and other unwanted problems. 

Now that you know my secrets to strong retention, I hope you apply these suggestions to your lash extension work and service! Happy lashing!

Xoxo, 

Lashley

Founder & Business Owner Of Lashleys.Co LLC.