Can You Wear Mascara With Eyelash Extensions?

If eyes are the windows to the soul, then it’s safe to say that the lashes are the curtains that frame them. Fluttery lashes have become the ideal For those of us who weren’t #blessed in the lash department, there are a variety of lash-enhancing products and treatments that make it possible for us to achieve a gorgeous gaze, ranging from falsies to growth serums to permanent eyeliner.

One treatment that has been gaining popularity in recent years is eyelash extensions. It involves attaching semi-permanent fibers strand-by-strand to enhance the length, fullness, and curl of your natural eyelashes. Lash extensions give you the effect of fuller lashes without having to apply mascara or glue on fake lashes everyday, which can save you a lot of time and effort. Though, that begs the question: can you put mascara on eyelash extensions? (Spoilers: Yes, you can but with a few caveats.)

Why Wear Mascara With Lash Extensions?

Getting eyelash extensions can save you the hassle of applying mascara every day, but that doesn’t mean it has no more place in your beauty routine. On the contrary, there are plenty of reasons why you might want to wear mascara with lash extensions: You can apply mascara:

• To fill in any gaps where the fibers have been lost. Over time, the individual lashes will start to shed, resulting in an uneven appearance. If you can’t or don’t want to book an appointment with your lash technician just yet, you can apply mascara onto your natural lashes to correct any unevenness as your extensions start to fall out.
• To further enhance the length and thickness of your lash extensions. A more natural set of extensions might look great for a natural, everyday type of look, but it might not have the level of drama you want for a bolder looks.
• To get the lash-nourishing benefits of mascara. Particularly, the formulas that contain keratin, biotin, peptides, and vitamin E, which can help strengthen, protect, and even lengthen your natural lashes.
• To darken or change the color of your lash extensions if using a different color of mascara.

Can You Put Mascara on Eyelash Extensions?

The short answer is: Yes, you can wear mascara with eyelash extensions, but only with classic eyelash extensions and certain types of mascara.

The first thing you need to know is that you can’t apply mascara to all types of lash extensions. Classic lash extensions have one extension to one natural lash, whereas volume and mega volume lash extensions contain multiple extensions per natural lash. You can wear mascara with a classic set of lash extensions, but it’s best to avoid it if you have volume or hybrid lashes because mascara adds additional weight to the extensions, which can cause them to fall out prematurely. Moreover, volume lashes are already quite dense, so applying mascara runs the risk of clumping the fibers together.

The second thing you need to keep in mind is that not all mascaras are good for lash extensions, regardless of whether they’re made of natural or synthetic fibers. Certain formulas and ingredients can damage your lash extensions, which you certainly wouldn’t want to do after investing a pretty penny on them.

What Types of Mascara Can You Use With Eyelash Extensions?

So what mascaras are safe to use with lash extensions? Fortunately, there’s no shortage of options. If you’ve decided your classic lashes need a boost in the volume and length department, these types of mascara are the least damaging on lash extensions.

Water-Based Mascara

A water-based mascara is one of the best types of mascara to use on eyelash extensions because they contain significantly less oily and waxy substances that can damage the bonding agents in your lash glue. Plus, it comes off easily, which means you’re less likely to damage the extensions during makeup removal. You can use an oil-free makeup remover or, if you’re diligent enough, wash it off with water.

Oil-Free Mascara

One of the first things a lash stylist will tell you is that oil can disintegrate the adhesive bond between your fake and real lashes. That said, you’ll want to triple-check the ingredients in your mascara and ensure that no oils or silicones are listed. An oil-free mascara is your best friend.

Types of Mascara to Avoid

If you wear lash extensions, there are certain types of mascaras you should avoid at all costs. Formulas that contain ingredients such as oils, fibers, and silicones can damage your lash extensions because they can degrade the lash glue or be difficult to remove from your lashes.

Waterproof Mascara

Waterproof mascara is an indispensable part of our makeup kits. While it’s a great product for natural eyelashes, it’s one of the worst kinds to use on lash extensions. As you may already know, waterproof formulas contain water-repelling ingredients like waxes and oils that make it more difficult to remove without using oil-based cleansers or tugging on the extensions. Moreover, these ingredients can dissolve the lash adhesive. Both factors will ultimately result in your extensions falling out prematurely.

Fiber Mascara

Fiber mascaras contain ingredients like nylon, rayon, and silk fibers that add intense volume and length. While it might be a great product for those with short and sparse natural lashes, these dry fibers can get stuck on lash extensions and are incredibly difficult to remove without damaging them.

Tube Mascara

Not to be confused with a tube of mascara, tube mascara contains polymers, an ingredient that wraps around each individual eyelash and forms a “tube” around them, hence the name. Tube mascaras are known for their ability to apply on evenly and produce a gorgeous lengthening effect. They’re one of the hardest types of mascara to remove because of the tube it forms around each lash, making them unsafe to use with lash extensions.

Choose a Good Mascara Brush

If you want to apply mascara on eyelash extensions without damaging them, choosing the right formula isn’t enough; you’ll want to choose the right mascara brush as well.

Brushes with dense bristles have a tight grip that produces a thick and even coating of mascara. While this might be the ideal effect for natural lashes, it can pull and tug on your fake lashes, resulting in unwanted damage.

Look for a mascara wand with loose bristles that can coat your eyelashes without pulling or tugging at the extensions. Alternatively, you can use disposable mascara spoolie brush. These are very gentle on your lashes on top of being super cheap and easy to find online or at your local cosmetics store.

How to Wear Mascara With Eyelash Extensions

When applying mascara on eyelash extensions, it’s best to start with a clean face. Wash your lashes with an eyelash extension cleanser. Let them air-dry, then gently brush with a lash comb or spoolie, making sure not to pull or tug at the extensions. Apply mascara from the middle to the tips of your lashes, avoiding the base. Gently brush upwards to coat your lashes in the same motion you would on your natural lashes. Do not apply more than two coats of mascara.

How to Remove Mascara From Eyelash Extensions

When cleaning eyelash extensions, you’ll need two things: a water-based or oil-free makeup remover and a lint-free, non-sticky applicator, such as a spoolie brush or smooth washcloth. These will provide the gentlest cleansing experience and ensure that every bit of mascara is removed.

Soak the spoolie in your makeup remover of choice, then gently comb your lashes from the middle to the the tip. Do this on the top and bottom sides of your lashes. Take a lint-free washcloth and wipe off any mascara residue above the lash line and on the eyelid. Apply more makeup remover if needed.

Once you’ve cleaned off the mascara, wash your lashes with an eyelash extension cleanser. Let them air-dry, then brush out.

The key to makeup removal is gentleness. Being extra careful when removing mascara from your lash extensions ensures their longevity.

Can You Apply Mascara on Bottom Lashes?

Though it’s not as common, lash extensions can be applied to your bottom lashes. That said, the same protocol for your upper lashes will to the bottom lash extensions. Avoid using mascaras that contain oils, fibers, and silicones. If your bottom lashes are extension-free, this isn’t really an issue. However, we still recommend using a water-based or oil-free formula to be safe.

source https://degreesofvanity.com/can-you-wear-mascara-with-eyelash-extensions/