Eyelash Extension Sealant: What Is It?
There is no escaping the fact that the eyelash extension trend is here to stay. After all, who doesn’t love long, voluminous, sexy lashes?
As we know all too well, in order to keep that look, extensions need regular, frequent upkeep. That means that those who are serious about maintaining the health and longevity of their lash extensions are going to become BFFs with their friendly neighborhood lash techs.
For some people, it is easy to keep up with their monthly lash fill appointments. Others will find that it might not be exactly budget-friendly or conducive to their busy lifestyles to do so. Ideally, lashes should be maintained every two to four weeks. This is dependent on a variety of factors such as your client’s lifestyle, shed patterns, and lash styling. It is possible to extend the life of lash extensions by using a quality eyelash extension sealant.
Some clients may not want to spend the extra time or money on a sealant, which they may deem unnecessary. Here’s a great way to explain it: tell them to think about the role of a topcoat in a manicure. They would never walk out of a salon without that magical invisible layer of protection, and the same should be true for your clients’ lashes.
The most important thing for clients to understand is that the basic function of an eyelash sealant is to provide a protective barrier against the elements that can effectively break down lash adhesive and can threaten to shorten the life of your extensions.
Why Every Client Should Use a Lash Sealant
Imagine if you will, the ideal client.
We all want every client to show up for their regular fill appointments. In a perfect world, we would have standing appointments with each and every one of them, and they would never ever have to cancel, reschedule, or “stretch” their extensions for an extra few days between fills.
Are you laughing and/or shaking your head right now? We all know that life sometimes gets in the way—even for the most well-meaning lash clients.
As professionals, we realize that even the best, most high-quality eyelash extensions may come off prematurely without the proper upkeep. What is the best life hack that you can give your clients for lash extension upkeep? You’ve got it: a good lash sealant.
Eyelash extension sealants will help by:
- Giving much-needed added protection for natural lashes
- Extending the life of lash extensions, especially the adhesive that effectively binds them to natural lashes
- Creating maximum lash retention and preservation
Eyelash extension sealants are especially effective against:
- The natural build-up of oil, dirt, sweat, and other pollutants in the air
- Residues that occur from daily makeup such as eyeliner, eyeshadows, etc.
- Sweat, from exercise and an active lifestyle
Eyelash extensions are not only aesthetically appealing but are also built to last when you use Sugarlash PRO’s high-impact lash treatment (which allows you to go up to six weeks with no fills!).
Lash extensions are beautiful and can give your clients that added confidence, however, there are many things that can impact the lifespan of your lash extensions—especially if your clients aren’t taking the proper precautions to care for them.
The nourishing and protective barrier that a lash extension sealant creates has the ability to repel dust and dirt, which is incredibly important to the lifespan of lash extensions.
Your clients especially need eyelash extension sealant if they do any of the following:
-
High-intensity exercise
-
Swimming
-
Frequent showering
-
Living in a climate that has high humidity and heat
Does Eyelash Extension Sealant Affect the Appearance of Lash Extensions?
Yes and no. Lash sealants are usually glossy and can add a little bit of shine to the existing eyelash extensions. Usually, though, this addition is quite subtle and not necessarily noticeable to the naked eye. Some sealants actually do have some black or brown tint to them, and thus can aid in making lash extensions a bit darker as well.
Add this to the fact that, with a sealant, you are generally protecting your beautiful extensions, and you will be elevating your entire look in a really big way. It’s a win-win!
What Are the Typical Ingredients in a Lash Sealant?
Eyelash extension sealants are all different, and thus will have different formulas, but for the most part, you will find that there are similar ingredients among the many sealants that are available on the market.
Some common ingredients include:
- Water
- Alcohol
- B vitamins such as panthenol and biotin
- Essential acids such as sodium hyaluronate and allantoin
- Natural extracts
- Aloe Barbadensis Leaf extract
- Xanthan Gum
When selecting or recommending the sealant that is right for your clients, it’s important to let them know that choosing a high-quality sealant is imperative.
How To Apply an Eyelash Extension Sealant
Okay, so you’re convinced: you need to recommend lash extension sealant for all your clients! Lash sealant is very simple to apply but may take a little practice.
Ultimately, if your clients are able to apply mascara and/or eyeliner, then they can apply lash sealant. However, the process is slightly different, so it’s important to note the distinctions.
There are two main types of eyelash extension sealants, and each has its own unique application techniques.
- Eyelash sealant with a brush: Some lash sealants come with a small, short, firm brush that you use along the eye line.
- Eyelash sealant with a “mascara-type” wand: Other lash sealants use a wand for application (the same kind that you would see in a tube of mascara).
Steps To Take in Order To Have the Most Success With the Brush-Style Sealant
- Cleanse your lashes and dry them before applying the sealant.
- When taking the brush out of the tube, remove any excess product. When it comes to lash sealant, only a small amount of product is needed. A little goes a long way!
- Start applying the sealant by placing the brush along the top of the lash line. Then, gently brush along the spot where your lashes and lash line meet.
- Use short, gentle strokes to ensure that the entire lash line is lightly coated with the sealant.
- Allow to dry before applying any other makeup or product.
Steps To Take in Order To Have the Most Success With the Mascara-Wand Style Sealant
- Similar to the brush-style sealant, when taking the wand out of the container, make sure to get as much excess product off of the wand as possible in order to avoid clumping and ensure a smooth finish.
- Gently tap the wand against the underside of your lashes, at the base. Make sure that the sealant is applied to the entire lash line. Important note: DO NOT comb the product through the lashes the way you would do with mascara. If you do this, especially after applying other eye makeup such as eyeshadow, it can actually close the fans of lashes and make them look smaller. This is especially true for those with volume extensions. With volume lash extensions, it's best to cleanse, then blow dry lashes on cool, then apply sealant just to the base.
- Allow a minute or two for the product to dry completely.
How often should your clients apply lash extension sealant? Well, that depends on the brand and type. Most sealants should be used daily and reapplied after activities like the gym, yoga, or anytime you have a good cry-fest.
Some Additional Things To Let Your Clients Know About Lash Extension Sealant
Normally, upon initially getting the lash extensions, they will need anywhere from 24-48 hours to set and cure completely. It is vital that your client’s lashes do not get wet during this initial curing period. Similarly, they should also wait until after the first 48 hours to use lash sealant.
However, this is not the case with Sugarlash PRO’s lash system. We force cure lash extensions at the end of the appointment with our Finishing Spray so your clients can get their lashes wet or go to the gym right after their appointment as they are cured and hardened.
It is important that they follow any and all aftercare instructions. Without proper aftercare, even a great sealant won’t save extensions that are not properly cared for!
Even with a great sealant, shedding lashes is normal and to be expected. Did you know that eyes shed three to five lashes per day, even with a lash sealant? Some clients may be concerned when they see this. You can reassure your client that this is nothing to be worried about and is a natural and normal process of lash growth, even with or without lash extensions.
Seal Those Lashes
To recap, if your clients are going to be investing in a set of stunning lash extensions, it only makes sense to also invest in a quality sealant. For the purpose of maintaining the lifespan of the extensions that they are paying good money for, it is a no-brainer. Keep those lashes in place longer, and enjoy the luxurious look of long, sophisticated extensions.
Sources:
7 Ways To Make Your Lash Extensions Last Longer, According to a Lash Pro | Byrdie
What Are Lash Extensions - Pros and Cons of Lash Extensions | Town and Country
Eyelash Extensions Guide: the Cost, How Long They Last, Before and After Photos | Harpers Bazaar
