Top Lash Extension Mistakes & How to Avoid Them
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There’s nothing more soul-crushing as a lash artist than pouring your heart into a set… only to get that dreaded message a week later…
“My lashes didn’t last.”
It hurts, but the truth is, most of the time, it’s not your skill at fault.
It’s the little lash extension mistakes you didn't even realise that were THAT important.
Today, we’re revealing the most common lash extension mistakes from poor isolation and lash adhesive usage and how to avoid them so you can consistently deliver results with strong retention.
Top 5 Lash Extension Mistakes & How To Avoid Them
We’ve seen many lash artists, especially as a beginner, make these 5 lash extension mistakes.
1. Poor Isolation Means Stuck Fans Leading To Poor Retention
If there’s one non-negotiable when it comes to lashing, it’s isolation. When lashes aren’t isolated properly, their little neighbour lashes get stuck together, causing:
● Discomfort
● Premature fallout
● Poor retention
● Damage to the natural lashes
Even experienced artists can rush over isolation, especially under pressure…but perfect isolation will always be the foundation to a great set.
So how do you fix the problem?
Slow down during placement and use high quality tweezers with a sharp, tight grip. Especially as a beginner, it is important to really nail how to use both your tweezers and isolate correctly, ensuring only one extension is applied to one natural lash.
2. Using the Wrong Adhesive for Your Room Conditions
Yes!! We know that adhesive is one of the most confusing parts of lashing.
Even if your technique is perfect, using the wrong lash glue at your room temperature + humidity will destroy your retention.
Common lash adhesive mistakes often come down to how the product is handled and whether it suits the artist’s speed and environment.
Whether you use an adhesive that cures too quickly for your working pace or use glue that is old or has been stored incorrectly can significantly affect retention.
Use Lash Mode’s Noir Adhesive.
The perfect adhesive for your lash. Get 10% off on your purchase.
Another common issue is not shaking the adhesive long enough to properly mix the ingredients, as well as ignoring room humidity levels.
Did you know you can alter the Noir Adhesive’s curing time depending how high or low the humidity in your room is?
Many artists also forget to replace their glue drops frequently.
As soon as the glue is dispensed, the curing process starts, so you want to constantly be using a new, fresh drop.
Always check your room’s humidity and temperature and adjust accordingly.
Shake your adhesive for 15–20 seconds.
Dispense a new glue drop every 10–15 minutes, depending on your environment.
Use our Noir Adhesive; it is perfectly formulated for:
● Fast yet flexible cure time
● Excellent humidity tolerance
● Strong bonds for retention
Good retention starts with good adhesive and technique to match. There’s a reason why the Noir Adhesive is our best seller, and artists swear this is their new holy grail.
3. Rushing the Prep (Or Skipping It Entirely)
You can apply the lashes perfectly, but if the natural lashes aren’t prepped right, it’s just a waste Oil, makeup, and residue are the silent killers of lash retention.
They sit along the natural lash, acting as a barrier between the natural lashes and the adhesive. It prevents the glue from wrapping itself around the natural lashes and will affect your clients' retention.
Start by cleansing with a gentle, pH-balanced lash cleanser; you may need to go over twice Then, assess does this client needs a primer? Not everyone does.
Too much can dehydrate the natural lashes and weaken your hold instead of strengthening it Basically, just never, ever lash out over makeup.
4. Poor Lash Attachment
Incorrectly applied extensions mean they can pop off the natural lashes easily, and your clients' retention will suck.
To improve attachment and direction, focus on the angle at which you’re placing each extension and ensure you’re wrapping the fan securely around the natural lash.
Using quality lashes can make a huge difference, too.
Our lash trays are designed to make fanning easier and more enjoyable, whether you’re pinching, working on the strip or using another preferred method.
5. Not Controlling Humidity
Too high, and your adhesive cures before it even touches the lash. Too low, and it takes its sweet time setting, leaving weak bonds that won’t last weeks on end.
Keep a hygrometer by your side, monitor the numbers and adjust your setup before every client.
Our AICIS (Australian Industrial Chemicals Introduction Scheme) Noir Adhesive performs beautifully across a wider humidity range, giving you more stability and less stress when the weather changes.
If you focus on these fundamentals, your lash retention improves dramatically, and so will your confidence.