Lash Glue 101: Your Problems Solved!
Solving The Most Common Lash Adhesive Problems So You Don’t Have To
Let’s state the obvious here, although amazing, eyelash adhesive can be the bane of your life! There is nothing more frustrating than unscrewing the lid and disappointment strikes - your glue has dried-up.
There are so many ways in which your lash adhesive can drive you insane. So here’s our chance to help ensure that it never happens again, by answering your burning questions.
Why Is My Lash Glue Drying Up?
There is one simple answer for this: air is getting inside the bottle. If we are talking in more technical terms, once you have opened your glue it will immediately start to polymerize inside the bottle. Sadly, this cannot be avoided, but the process can be slowed down.
Burping your lash adhesive bottle before squeezing out a fresh drop of glue is the best way to avoid those pesky air bubbles. To do this, turn your bottle into an upright position and squeeze out the drop of glue that is stuck at the top of the nozzle. This ensures that all of your glue drops are fresh, meaning you will maintain the best retention and the shelf life of your lash extension glue will be longer.
Clogged Glue Nozzle
To avoid your glue nozzle from drying up, wipe it with glue nozzle wipes before it dries. A dirty glue nozzle may prevent the bottle from properly closing. Wiping the nozzle ensures a clean airtight bottle, which in turn leads to better retention.
For those days where unfortunately your glue nozzle is blocked to the point of no return, or when your lash adhesive nozzle has gotten stuck in the cap, we have a solution for you! Our Lash Adhesive Rescue Kit and Spare Nozzles are a lifesaver.
Am I Storing My Glue Correctly?
It’s really important to keep your adhesive away from direct sunlight, moisture, and heat, as temperature and humidity are the key factors to why your glue polymerizes. Try to store your glue in an airtight container or a thermopack with silica gel - lucky for you our glues are already packaged in a handy thermopack and printed with the manufacturer date!
It is extremely important to control the temperature and humidity of your salon room as this could ruin your glue. Low humidity and low temperature can affect the drying time of your adhesive, making it dry more slowly. The higher the temperature and humidity, the faster your glue will cure. Using a hygrometer to measure the temperature and humidity levels in your workplace is a game changer!
Can I Stock Up On Adhesive?
We know it’s tempting to stock up, especially when London Lash has got the most irresistible sale running. The shelf life of an unopened glue is up to 6 months from the manufacturer date, and up to 2 months after opening - so stocking up probably isn’t the best idea. Keep in mind as well that the more you need to open the bottle, the more your glue is exposed to the air – if you're lashing all day every day, consider swapping to a new bottle after 4-6 weeks.
The best thing you can do is buy 2-3 bottles, but trust your own judgment on how much adhesive you use as you don't want them to go out of date. You can store your unopened lash glues in the fridge until you want to use them, but allow them to come to room temperature before you begin working. After opening, do not put your glue back into the fridge! Store your glue in a cool, dry place.
Has My Lash Glue Expired?
As discussed above, your lash glue doesn’t have the longest shelf life - sad, we know. The BEST thing to do as soon as you open your glue is write down the date and stick it to the bottle. We advise you to change out your adhesive every 3-4 weeks to keep it at its freshest. If your glue has changed in consistency, e.g. too watery - throw it out!
Why Is My Lash Adhesive Stringy?
If your lash glue appears stringy this is because your adhesive is too hot or too cold. When the temperature dramatically changes, the viscosity of your glue will too. If the conditions aren’t within the range listed on your bottle, this will result in a stringy texture. Don't panic, there's a simple solution! To fix this, control the conditions of your workroom and give it a good shake.
Why Do My Clients Have Poor Retention?
In addition to all of the tips and tricks above, the only other solution is to shake, shake, shake! Before opening the adhesive and before each new drop the glue, the bottle should be shaken for 1-2 minutes. Shaking adhesive regularly ensures the ingredients are mixed and distributed evenly, resulting in better retention.
We recommend using a glue shaker to save time and avoid wrist strain; trust me, it will change your life!
Aftercare: Always advise your clients not to touch their lashes when they are in a sauna or steam room as cyanoacrylate (the main ingredient in your glue), is sensitive to high temperatures and will begin to break down. Remind your clients to follow your aftercare instructions so they can get the most out of their lashes - no one wants a sparse set!
