Picture it: You’re rocking a set of fresh, stunning eyelash extensions, and the end of the day has arrived. Feeling a little dirty or maybe wearing makeup all day — how do you wash your face with eyelash extensions?
Whether you’re DIY or professional, extensions can get in the way of your normal skincare routine. Figuring out how to wash your face can be a bit confusing. In this post, we’ll explain everything you need to know about washing your face with eyelash extensions, including when you can do it safely, how to do it, and what products you can use.
Can you wash your face with eyelash extensions?
You can definitely wash your face with eyelash extensions!
With DIY eyelash extensions like Lilac St., our glue sets instantly so you can wash your face right after applying your lashes. That said, it shouldn’t be necessary. We recommend applying DIY extensions when your face is clean.
If you are wearing extensions professionally, you will likely be able to wash your face again within 4-6 hours, although in rare cases, you may need to wait up to 48 hours. Your lash technician will advise you how long you should wait to let your eyelash extensions wet.
Not only is it possible to wash your face, but it is also important to do so. Washing your face removes makeup, sunscreen, excess oils and dirt from the day. When you wash your face, it’s often also a great time to wash your eyelash extensions. This oil build-up from your face can stick to your lashes and weaken the glue and lead to lash loss, so regular washing is very important.
6 easy steps to wash your face with eyelash extensions
Keep your extensions intact and your skin thriving with these 6 easy steps to wash your face with eyelash extensions.
Step 1: Carefully remove eye makeup
If you are wearing any eye makeup, your first step should be to remove it. You can use an oil-free makeup remover or micellar water for the job. Avoid cotton pillows, as they have a bit too much texture.
Instead, remove makeup around your eyes with a soft cloth and use a Q-tip to remove any product that’s too close to your lash line. If you’re wearing full makeup, you can use a cotton pad to wipe it off the rest of your face.
Step 2: Dispense and prepare your cleaner
Now, use a regular face cleanser or wash to clean the rest of your face. Depending on the type of cleaner you use, the instructions may be slightly different, so always consult the package.
In most cases, you’ll want to splash your face with some cool or lukewarm water. Next, dispense a small amount of cleanser and rub it between both hands to lather. If you use a mousse or foam cleanser, this may not be necessary.
Step 3: Massage your face
Then massage your face with the cleanser. Starting from the center of your face and gently move outwards. Massage everywhere except around your eyes.
Step 4: Rinse
Once you feel that you have sufficiently cleansed your entire face and that all the dirt has dissolved, you can wash your face. Take some water in your hands and gently pour it on your face. Repeat this as many times as necessary to make sure all cleaner residue is gone.
If you wash your face in the shower, avoid putting your face directly under the water (unless you have a luxury rain shower head).
Step 5: Wash your lashes
Finally, with your face clean, this is the perfect time to wash your eyelash extensions. Washing your lashes helps with retention by removing oil build-up. It also prevents eye irritation and infection by germs.
Some face washes are safe for washing extensions, but for best results we recommend using a special eyelash extension cleanser. Dispense a small amount of cleanser and using your finger or a brush, gently massage your lashes. Be careful and use downward motions as you clean. Do not apply any pressure, so as not to pull your eyelashes.
Once you’re done washing your face and lashes, carefully dry your face and extensions. Use a very soft cloth or tissue, avoiding any rough towels. You can even use a blow dryer on a cold setting to speed up the drying time of the lashes.
As for your face, don’t dry it too well. Instead, leave it a little wet so it will more easily absorb any treatment you use next.
Helpful tips for washing your face with eyelash extensions
Here are some more of our top tips for keeping your eyelash extensions in great shape when you wash them.
Avoid oil-based face washes
You probably already know this by now, but it’s worth mentioning again: Avoid all oil-based products when wearing eyelash extensions. Oils break down the glue, leading to faster lash loss.
This means you should avoid balm or oil cleansers, and you should also be very careful with cream cleansers, as they often contain a lot of oil. Also make sure your skin care products are oil-free.
Soaps are also very harsh
This has less to do with your extensions and more to do with your skin. Traditional soaps can be extremely harsh on the skin, causing irritation and drying. It’s always best to use gentle cleansers that lather just a little because they don’t strip the skin of its natural moisture.
Be careful with rubbing
We say this over and over — eyelash extensions and harsh grooming just don’t go well together! Be very careful when massaging in your cleanser or when drying your face after washing. Any friction, whether from your fingers, a face brush or a face towel can accidentally pull your lashes, leading you to lose not only some extensions but also your natural lashes.
Avoid high water pressure
If you have a powerful shower head, be extra careful when washing your face in the shower. That glorious jet stream might feel great hitting aching shoulders, but when it comes to your extensions, it’s just as aggressive as a towel. Instead, always use your hands to splash some water, rather than putting your face directly under the stream.
Brush your eyelashes
Brush your eyelashes as soon as you finish washing your face. You should also do it in the morning and even throughout the day. Combing detangles your lashes, which prevents additional stress and lash loss. However, make sure your lashes are at least semi-dry before doing this.
Face wash with eyelash extensions: Which products to use?
We’ve already mentioned that you should avoid oil-based cleansers. But then, what face washes can you use safely? We will explain in this section.
Foaming cleanser
Foaming cleansers are the safest bet for washing your face when you have eyelash extensions. They are usually oil-free and even if they aren’t, the amount in them is minimal and unlikely to spoil your glue.
There are two main types of foaming cleansers: Gel cleansers that lather when you rub them into your hands with water, and prefoaming cleansers that come out of the bottle into a rich lather. Either option works! Gel cleansers are a little more cleansing, so they’re great for oily skin, but they can be dehydrating for dry skin.
If you want to use your facial cleanser to actually wash your eyelash extensions, it’s a little more important to choose an oil-free formula. Plus, since the skin around the eyes is so sensitive, aim for gentle, mild, fragrance-free cleansers.
Here are some cleansers you can use:
Micellar Water
When it comes to removing makeup, micellar water is often the friendlier choice. Micellar Water is basically a very diluted type of liquid cleanser that removes makeup without irritating the skin. You can use it with a cotton ball or a soft face cloth.
Despite what is often recommended, we recommend rinsing your face with water after using micellar water.
You can also use micellar water to clean your eyelash extensions, but in this case, avoid using cotton. Instead, use an eyelash brush or your finger.
Lilac Lash Bath Kit
especially for cleaning DIY and professional eyelash extensions, but it is also useful for washing your face.
The set comes with an eyelash shampoo which is perfect for cleaning the eyelash extensions while keeping the glue safe. It’s technically only made for the eye area, but it would be a safe choice for the whole face.
It also includes an ultra-soft makeup wipe that can remove makeup on its own. You can use it as is to remove light face makeup or combine it with a cleanser.
Finally, it has a double-sided brush. One side has soft, long bristles for cleaning lashes and the other has a spoolie for combing and detangling.