HOW TO GET A LONGER LIFE FROM YOUR LASH GLUE

Lash glue isn't exactly the cheapest thing in the world, is it?

        

Plus, lash techs just don't have time for glue that ages too quickly! To help you out with this, we've listed just a few of our fav ways to get the most out of your glue so it can live the longest and healthiest life that it can!

      

Please note that this information can be applied to the majority of glues on the market, not just Locks Lash glue. However, we do recommend that you read each manufacturers' care instructions which may differ slightly from glue to glue.

     

We've put this info together not based on opinion, but on science. Yup, cold hard facts, baby!

        

       

Lash extension adhesive (glue) is part of the cyanoacrylate family.

Cyanoacrylate is the chemical name of a TYPE of family of strong, fast-acting adhesives. The more common (or un-scientific) name you may have heard is the “super glue family of glues”. It is made differently and has different chemicals in it to other glues like stick glues, or craft glues etc. 

       

One major factor to get cyanoacrylate adhesives (your lash glue) to cure or set is through moisture. Moisture is found in our atmosphere (the air). You can add moisture manually through adjusting the moisture level in your lash room (ideally it should sit between 45-65%), through sealants (we recommend the Max2 Sealant) and misters directly onto the extensions after you have finished applying them. It’s important to note that the quantity of moisture is very important. Too much moisture can have the reverse effect, (like tipping a bucket of water onto a small drop of lash glue. This would wash it away, not set it) and not enough moisture will result in your glue taking too long to dry. 

      

The family of cyanoacrylates requires some care & knowledge to use them effectively. Because of the way the chemicals are all put together, the shelf life of this family of glues (which includes lash extension glue) is shorter than other families of glue. 

    

The shelf life, if stored in a cool dry place, is approximately 6 months UNOPENED.  

Research has shown that storing your glue in the freezer at -20C (which is about the average home freezer temp) unopened, the glue can almost have an unlimited shelf life. Be mindful that despite plenty of research being invested into this hypothesis, this is not fully proven.

       

However, it is important to note that cyanoacrylate adhesives are moisture sensitive.

This means that when moisture and the chemicals in the cyanoacrylate adhesive mix together, this will make the lash glue set or cure. Moisture will occur from the fridge and you will also create moisture moving the glue from a cool location (ie, the fridge) to a warmer location (your room). So that the moisture will not get into your glue bottle, it is best once you remove it from the fridge to allow the adhesive to reach room temperature before you open the bottle.

      

       

A bottle which has been opened has the shelf life (depending on the manufacturer) of about 4 weeks. If you keep the glue in a place where moisture will penetrate it too much, the glue will age more rapidly. It is best to store the glue in the packet it came delivered with, including a moisture absorber inside the packaging, and in a cool place like a drawer (not a fridge). Once that 4 weeks has elapsed, we recommend disposing of that bottle of glue (even if there's still product left inside) and opening a new bottle.

    

Ensuring that a build-up of glue does not form around the nozzle is also a contributing factor in how long your glue lasts. A large build-up of glue does not allow the lid to be screwed on tightly, thus moisture from the air has more of a chance to seep into your glue. We recommend that after each use you gently wipe the top to remove any excess glue before placing the lid back on tightly. 

    

A little lash tech tip to keep in mind - because of the way the chemicals are composed in a cyanoacrylate adhesive and it’s reactions to the atmosphere once exposed, a very thin layer of lash glue will bond (stick) more quickly and effectively than a thicker one. A thicker layer will not cure (set) properly. 

     

      

Isn't that interesting?! It could be one explanation to the problem of a client's lashes falling off quicker than other clients' lashes (this is not the only cause, but it could be one cause that you investigate). With that said, if you put glue on too thick, it will not cure on the natural lashes correctly.

    

So what have we learned...

1. Having the correct levels of moisture in your environment can affect the drying time of your glue. 

2. Lash extension adhesive is part of the cyanoacrylate family.

3. If you apply lash glue on too thick to the natural lashes, then it will not cure fully and can be one cause of extensions falling off too prematurely.

4. You can store your glue, unopened, sealed in the bag it came with for 12-15 months in your fridge and it will still be fine. 

5. You can store your glue at room temp, unopened, for up to 6 months and it will be fine if kept in its bag with the moisture absorber. 

6. Taking glue from the fridge and then immediately opening it without allowing the glue to reach room temperature can add moisture to your lash glue which will cure it (say bye-bye to your glue).

7. A cool, dry place is best to store your glue after it has been opened, with the lid tightly screwed on so minimal moisture can get in. Putting one of those little moisture absorbers bags (like you get in vitamin bottles) in an air tight bag or container filled with rice would be best. 

8. Get into the habit of wiping the nozzle of your glue after each time to remove excess glue before putting the lid back on tightly. Or get yourself some Adhesives Nozzle Wipes and Glue Stoppers to prevent dried up glue.

    

We hope this helps your understanding of your glue more and how you can get a better life from it!

   

We've got a whole course to help you nail your glue and retention game! (Did we mention you also get a kit to try EVERY SINGLE type of glue that we have?)

Let us know if you have any questions! We're always more than happy to help! 💙