Perfecting your Lash Glue dipping technique for eyelash extensions might seem like a minor detail, but it's anything but that. We often take for granted that dipping an eyelash extension and placing it is a simple task, but in reality, it demands precision and care, not only for aesthetic purposes, but for the benefit of long lasting retention of your client's lash set too. Here are our top tips for mastering your glue dipping to achieve amazing results and retention for a set of lash extensions.
Whilst using glue rings for your lash glue may be common practice for some, we’d recommend that you consider switching to a Jade Stone for several reasons:
Sustainability: Using a Jade Stone for your lash extension glue generates less waste compared to disposable glue rings, reducing single-use plastic waste.
Safety: A Jade Stone keeps the lash glue fumes at a minimum by keeping the glue cooler and fresher for longer. This means both you and your clients’ airways are safer and more comfortable during the treatment.
Temperature and Humidity Control: Maintaining optimal conditions for your eyelash glue is easier with a Glue Stone. It avoids exposure to excessive warmth since the lash glue is kept away from your body temperature and the increased humidity from being in close proximity to your face when breathing.
Efficiency: Using a stone actually results in less consumption of your eyelash extension glue. It also allows better control over the amount of eyelash glue you dispense, meaning you’ll get better use out of it in the long run and more long-term value for your money.
Precision: Additionally, using a Jade Stone offers better control when dipping your eyelash extensions as it makes it easier to observe your lash glue drop, preventing you from overloading the lash extensions with eyelash glue. As the glue dispenses into a natural dome, unlike when it is in a glue ring, you will avoid excess adhesive on your lashes ensuring that your Volume lash fans don’t close prematurely and help keep your Lash Tweezers clean, as they won't come into contact with the eyelash glue.
London Lash Top Tip: Instead of using Micropore Tape on your stone, try using a Glue Stone Sticker instead. They peel right off and make cleanup a breeze!
While dipping your lash extensions into eyelash glue is an obvious step, the key to a successful dip is to target the centre of the lash glue drop rather than the edges. The eyelash extension glue near the edges of the drop cures faster than the middle, giving you less time to attach the lash extensions to the natural lashes effectively as the eyelash glue will already have begun to polymerise.
The depth that you dip your lash extensions will depend on their length, but generally, aim to dip your eyelash extensions about 2mm into the lash glue to ensure a secure attachment area between the lash extensions and natural lashes. When working with shorter lashes, especially those between 4 - 7mm used in Volume lash fans, be cautious not to dip the lashes too deep, as it may cause the fan to close.
Achieving the right amount of lash glue at the base of your eyelash extensions is crucial. Too little, and it may compromise the retention of the lashes, while an excessive amount of eyelash glue can lead to a messy set of lash extensions with stickies.
Aim for a small drop, known as a microdrop, by dipping the eyelash extension into the lash glue drop and promptly pulling it out. Avoid scooping the eyelash glue, as it will attach more glue onto the lash extension. It’s also important to pay attention to your dipping speed as this, too, can have an impact on the amount of eyelash glue applied to the lashes. A slower dip will result in a smaller amount of lash glue being picked up by the eyelash extension, while a quicker withdrawal will yield more eyelash glue. This is one of the reasons why your dipping technique is so important and requires attention!
It's vital that you never wipe off excess lash glue from your eyelash extensions. Lash Techs often wipe excess eyelash extension glue on the Under Eye Patches, exposing clients to more fumes from the adhesive and increasing their risk of developing chemical burns. Regardless of where you wipe it, as soon as eyelash glue touches any surface, it begins to polymerise, so it’s never a good idea. Wiping off excess eyelash extension glue causes the adhesive on the lash extensions to cure prematurely, weakening the bonds between the eyelash extensions and natural lashes and resulting in poor retention. Instead of wiping, dip the eyelash extension back into the lash glue drop and slowly withdraw it to obtain a smaller amount of adhesive.
There you have it, your complete guide to mastering the art of the perfect lash glue dip for your eyelash extension treatments. Now that you're a pro at it, you’ll need to ensure that the placement of your lash extensions is flawless if you want to create comfortable and fabulous lash looks for your clients with amazing retention!
