If you’ve been lashing for a while, you already know that retention is the one topic that keeps coming back—no matter how experienced you are. When a client messages you saying, “My lashes didn’t last,” it can be frustrating, especially when you know you followed every step correctly.
But here’s the truth: lash retention is rarely caused by just one thing. Most of the time, it’s a mix of habits, conditions, and tiny details in the application that add up.
This guide breaks down 15 real, common, everyday reasons lash retention fails—and what you can do to fix them.
Let’s get into it.
1. Natural Lash Shedding
Clients often forget that natural lashes shed 3 to 5 per eye every day.
If a client comes back after 10 days with gaps, it’s usually natural shedding, not poor retention.
Tip: Educate clients with a simple graphic or explanation during their first visit.
2. Clients Sleeping on Their Faces
Side-sleepers and face-sleepers lose lashes faster.
Pillow friction and pressure will break fans and twist bases.
Fix: Recommend a silk pillowcase or lash-sleep mask.
3. Dirty Lashes Before Application
Makeup, skincare oils, sunscreen, or leftover mascara all block adhesive from bonding.
Fix: Always deep-clean with a lash-safe cleanser—never skip pretreatment.
4. Humidity and Temperature Issues
Your glue behaves differently depending on your environment.
If your room is:
- Too humid: glue cures too fast
- Too dry: glue cures too slowly.
Both cause poor bonding.
Fix: Keep a hygrometer in your room and adjust with a humidifier/dehumidifier.
5. Wrong Lash Adhesive for Your Speed
If you lash slower than the glue’s curing time, it cures before attaching.
If you lash faster than the glue allows, the bases slide.
Fix: Pick an adhesive that matches your hand speed, not someone else’s.
6. Touching the Lashes Constantly
Many clients touch and brush their lashes all day without realizing it.
Fix: Gently tell them, “Treat your lashes like fresh nails—hands off.”
7. Oil-Based Skincare Products
Eye creams, cleansing balms, SPF, and oily makeup removers break down adhesive.
Fix: Provide a small “aftercare product checklist” clients can follow.
8. Poor Isolation During Application
Even experienced lash artists sometimes struggle with isolation when busy.
If two natural lashes are glued together, retention suffers.
Fix: Slow down during tricky inner corners and use longer lash tweezers or a lash mirror.
9. Clients Not Washing Their Lashes
This is a big one. Many clients still think washing makes lashes fall out.
In reality, not washing leads to lash crust, buildup, and premature loss.
Fix: Give every client a cleanser and instructions on how often to wash.
10. Using Too Much Adhesive
More glue does not mean better retention.
Big glue beads create brittle bases that pop off in chunks.
Fix: Dip lightly and clean your glue drop often.
11. Using Too Little Adhesive
On the opposite end, a tiny “barely there” dip can lead to weak bonding.
Fix: There should be a smooth adhesive wrap around the natural lash, not just a tap.
12. Sticking Fans to Skin
Adhesive on the skin causes irritation and fans that falls off within days.
Fix: Stay 0.5–1 mm from the skin and check with a lash mirror before finishing.
13. Lash Layers Not Covered Evenly
Bottom layers shed first.
If your set is mostly top-layer lashes, it looks sparse quickly.
Fix: Use taping techniques to reach all three layers evenly.
14. Hormonal Changes
Retention changes with:
- menstrual cycles
- pregnancy
- breastfeeding
- medication changes
- stress
Sometimes it’s simply out of everyone’s control.
Fix: Talk openly with clients—this is completely normal.
15. Clients Using Steam or Heat
Saunas, hot yoga, long showers, and kitchen steam heat make fans close, or bases weaken.
Fix: Tell clients to avoid heat for the first 48 hours.
How to Prevent Retention Issues Moving Forward
Here’s a simple retention routine you can implement:
✔ Always deep-clean
✔ Match adhesive to your room and speed.
✔ Educate clients (most don’t know what affects retention)
✔ Track patterns—if multiple clients have issues, check your environment
✔ Offer mini aftercare kits
You can also read this article for more tips. 7 Tips To Make Your Eyelash Extensions Last Longer
Final Thoughts
Retention doesn’t fail because you’re a bad lash artist.
It usually fails because lash extensions require a perfect balance of
- correct pretreatment
- controlled environment
- precise application
- good client habits
When clients understand this, your work lasts longer—and your relationship with them gets stronger.
