Washing lash extensions: why they need cleaning at all, and why oil is the enemy of the glue

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Researched. We have not used this one long enough to give you a verdict, and we would rather say so than invent one. What follows is how it works, who it suits, and what it will not do. When we have used it properly, this page carries the verdict and the date.

STACY LASH Eyelash Extension Shampoo

Once lash extensions are on, the instinct is to leave them well alone — no rubbing, no water, nothing that might make them fall out. It is an understandable instinct, and it is the wrong one. The base of the lashes collects makeup, skin oil, dead skin and dust whether you have extensions or not, and extensions give it more to cling to.

Why the lash line needs washing

Your eyelid has a row of small oil glands along the lash line, and the lashes themselves collect whatever lands on them. Left unwashed, that buildup can leave the lash line crusty, itchy and irritated. It is the same principle as washing your face, applied to a much smaller and more delicate area.

Why oil is the problem

Extension adhesive does not get along with oil. Oil-based makeup removers and cleansing oils are widely known among lash technicians to weaken the bond, so extensions fall out sooner. That rules out the cleansers many people use to take off eye makeup.

A dedicated lash shampoo is the answer: a gentle foaming cleanser made for the eye area and for extensions. The listing says this one is designed specifically for extensions, and that it helps retain extension adhesion while cleaning.

How to use it

Wet the lashes. Dispense a little foam onto the included brush, close your eyes, and brush gently along the lash line and through the lashes, in the direction they grow. Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water, pat dry with a lint-free towel — no rubbing — and comb the lashes into place with a clean spoolie once dry.

A few times a week is a good rhythm with extensions, and daily if you wear eye makeup on top of them.

Not only for extensions

The listing says it cleans natural lashes too and can be used as an eyelid makeup remover. For anyone whose eyes do not tolerate oily removers, or who simply wants a gentle wash for the lash line, it works just as well without extensions.

What is in it, and what is not

The listing describes a gentle, non-irritating formula free of gluten, parabens, phthalates and other harsh ingredients, and says it is vegan and cruelty-free. It is a 50 ml bottle; a pump of foam per wash goes a long way.

When to see someone

If your eyelids stay red, swollen, itchy or painful, or your eyes are watering or sore, stop using anything new around them and see a doctor or optometrist. Lash glue and eye products can both cause reactions, and eyes are not the place to wait and see.

What it will not do

It will not make extensions last forever — they fall out with your natural lash cycle regardless. It will not undo damage from pulling or rubbing. And it will not replace proper eye-makeup removal if you wear waterproof mascara on top of extensions, which you should not.

The product

A gentle foaming lash shampoo with its own brush, made for extensions and just as usable on natural lashes. For anyone with extensions, it is the step that keeps both the lashes and the lash line in good order.

The one people are searching for is the STACY LASH Eyelash Extension Shampoo + Brush, 50 ml.

STACY LASH Eyelash Extension Shampoo

We do not print prices here, because a price we typed last month is a price that is wrong today.

Written by JamieG in Garner Town, Tennessee.