Cleaning lash extensions without lash shampoo means using gentle, safe alternatives you may already have on hand.
In Toronto, most people use oil-free face wash with distilled water. They apply it to the lash area using a soft brush or a lint-free pad.
This method allows you to cleanse lashes without the use of harmful products. Learning easy tips on how to clean lash extensions will make them last up to three times longer!
Then, check out step-by-step advice from beauty pros in your hood.
Why Clean Lash Extensions Daily
Cleaning lash extensions daily is important for both vision and health. In Toronto, because of our sometimes never-ending workdays, combined with the concentrated city air-scape, the air is riddled with dust and pollution. Cleaning our lashes every day prevents oil, dirt and bacteria from accumulating on our lashes.
This protects your eyes better from potential infections and prevents your extensions from deteriorating prematurely. If lashes aren’t cleaned properly, it can increase the risk of eye infections such as blepharitis. This is a fairly common ocular condition when eyelids become inflamed and painful, and it is frequently associated with lash extensions.
Dirt and oil are like magnets to demodex mites – these microscopic pests love to feast on dirty skin. They particularly enjoy a grime-filled lash line! When too much of them collect, they can trigger a painful swelling reaction and itch your eyes to pieces.
Bacteria love to hang out in this biofilm on your lashes. They release exotoxins which damage your Meibomian glands, the oil glands responsible for lubrication of the eye. When these glands get clogged, you may experience a gritty or dry sensation in your eyes.
This is the daily reality for hundreds of thousands of American city-dwellers. For one, daily cleaning will stop makeup and face cream buildup from adhering directly to your extensions. This keeps the glue that holds your extensions intact very healthy.
That’s because keeping lashes clean – that is, free of oils and makeup – ensures they last longer and look better. If daily cleansing isn’t an option, make it every other or every third day at the most. Don’t take risks and use any product not specifically formulated for lashes, better to be safe than sorry.
Keep up the good work and continue your daily cleaning routine. It’s the easiest way to ensure overall healthy eyes and long-lasting lashes that look amazing!
What Happens If Lashes Stay Dirty?
When lash extensions don’t get cleaned properly, everything from makeup residue to dirt and oil begins to build up at the lash line. Here in Toronto, our urban environment introduces a lot of dust, pollen, makeup and oils to our lashes that can all build up in between your lashes. Dead skin cells contribute to this accumulation.
You’ll know you haven’t cleaned your lashes well enough if you start to develop an itch or eventually irritation and redness around your eyes. These are all warning signs that your lashes aren’t getting what they need.
One of the major things we notice at iBEAUTY CODE is blepharitis. This is a frequent ocular predicament for extension wearers. It usually is a result of improper lash hygiene, from not washing lashes frequently or thoroughly enough.
Without daily cleaning, bacteria and oils build up on your skin and lashes, increasing the risk. Occasionally, you may even develop eyelash mites, known as Demodex, which flourish in filthy environments. These mites can lead to swollen, sore eyelids and gritty, sore eyes.
That’s not only unpleasant but it can even cause lash extensions to shed prematurely. Buildup from expired mascara or remaining makeup is the other issue. What we are witnessing is a consistent trend across our studio.
When clients do not get lashes cleaned, they lose more extensions, they come back for fills sooner. This sticky film of makeup may clog the microscopic oil glands on your lids. Toxins produced by the bacteria in these clogged glands only serve to further irritate, inflame, and swell causing even greater pain.
A quick wash before bed goes a long way. It removes the day’s mascara, oils and pollutants, making lashes instantly look healthier and more luscious. Routine lash cleaning promotes natural lash retention and prevents potential eye issues from forming.
Safe Ways to Clean Without Shampoo
Caring for lash extensions without lash shampoo is possible and effective by following some simple measures. In a city like Toronto, where the air sometimes feels like a dusty desert, your lashes collect more pollution than you realize on a daily basis.
Begin with lukewarm water – rinse your lashes, ensuring the water flow remains gentle. Avoid the shower when cleansing your face, as the high-pressure spray can pull on your extensions.
If you’re in a pinch, mixing one part baby shampoo with three parts water will make it work. This gentle combination works to dissolve oils and makeup without damaging the adhesive.
Simply use a gentle, lint-free cloth or a clean spoolie to comb the concoction through your lashes. When you’re cleaning, always dab – never rub. Rubbing creates a pulling motion and can even twist or loosen the extensions.
An oil-free, alcohol-free micellar water is another good option. It removes dirt and makeup without any build-up. We recommend pouring a small amount on a soft pad, pressing the pad gently onto your lash line, and wiping away with slow upward strokes.
Avoid oil-based makeup removers – they degrade the glue, making fans clump or shed prematurely. To maintain them on a daily basis, brush your extensions with a soft bristle brush in the AM and PM.
This prevents them from getting flat and matted with buildup. Washing once a day prevents dead skin and oils from accumulating and reduces the chance of bacteria.
If you don’t have a lash-safe cleanser anymore, don’t use something that you just find laying around. Help keep your lashes healthy and keep risks at bay!
Using anything other than something specifically designed for extensions will set you back an entirely new set.
DIY Cleanser Ideas From Your Home
When it comes to cleaning lash extensions in Toronto, most clients prefer not to have to purchase a dedicated lash shampoo. The good news is, you can do it with items you likely have at home. Micellar water, baby shampoo, or an oil and alcohol-free cleanser are all safe options.
If you choose baby shampoo, be sure to dilute one part shampoo with three parts water. This step helps to ensure that the cleanser is gentle and will not irritate the skin. Individuals with sensitive skin or eyes will find this combination mild enough for everyday use.
When rinsing, lukewarm water is ideal. This gentle cleanser effectively removes makeup and impurities without irritating the skin or irritating the lash bond. If you wear makeup regularly or have oily eyelids, daily cleansing of your lash extensions is a must.
This practice prevents accumulation and maintains the lashes’ appearance vibrant. For optimum results, wash your lashes at night following the removal of all other makeup. This prevents bacteria from building up overnight and prolongs lash life.
Avoid oil-based makeup removers. These oils can break down the glue that holds the extensions in, thus causing them to fall out faster. Use a soft, lint-free cloth or a clean spoolie to remove makeup.
This is a new trick I’ve learned recently – work slowly along the lash line. Rubbing or pulling can severely damage your natural lashes and the lash extensions. The important thing is to clean everything without damaging that sensitive relationship.
In Toronto’s hectic pace of life, these simple DIY cleansers make the transition seamless. They do a great job of keeping lashes tidy and healthy with very little effort.
Essential Safety Tips for DIY Cleaning
Keeping lash extensions clean at home is a big part of keeping them looking their best and making them last. Amidst the hustle of Toronto’s vibrant street life, our clients desired a solution that was efficient and safe. Lukewarm water is essential to the process. This congeals the oil and makes it easier to remove, while hot water will only loosen the adhesive.
Bottled spring water, with no added minerals, is by far the best seller in the city. Tap water often has minerals and additives like chlorine that can dry out your lashes and cause them to shed prematurely. A lash cleanser or shampoo specifically formulated for extensions provides an added level of cleanliness. Make sure you look for a product that is appropriate for your eye type and safe for sensitive skin.
If you don’t have a specialty cleanser, a few drops of a simple, oil-free baby shampoo diluted with bottled water works. Choosing the right tool plays a big part. A soft brush, such as a disposable mascara wand, is perfect for sweeping the cleanser through the lashes. Take your time and apply moderate pressure.
Avoid rubbing or tugging on the lashes. Rinse again with additional lukewarm bottled water to remove residue and soil. Drying is equally as important. Pat, never rub, with a clean, dry towel or use a paper towel and allow to air dry. Try to cleanse your extensions daily or at least every other day, but do so with care to avoid weakening the adhesive bond and causing an untidy appearance.
If you’re worried that something’s off with your technique, contact a lash professional in Toronto today. They can help you out or even show you how it’s done live.
Spotting Clean, Healthy Lash Extensions
When you know how to identify clean, healthy lash extensions, you’ll be able to protect your eyes and ensure that your lashes stay fabulous and healthy! When lash extensions are properly maintained, they’re less prone to dirt, oil and residual makeup buildup. This is crucial, particularly out on Midtown Toronto, where urban debris and old makeup accumulate quickly.
After a while, oil and dirt will start to deteriorate the adhesive or even cause an eye infection. That’s why daily cleaning is a best practice. Warm water will always provide the best results. Mix it with a soothing, oil-free cleanser such as baby shampoo or a mild facial wash that’s safe for lash extensions. You can skip the lash shampoos if you’d like, but do choose an oil-free product in order to preserve the glue.
It’s a good idea to dry your lashes with a lint-free towel. Regular cotton pads may leave fuzz behind or risk snagging the extensions. After thoroughly cleaning them, a gentle brush with a clean spoolie prevents tangles and helps maintain a nice shape to each individual lash. Regular brushing keeps lash extensions looking fluffy and clean while preventing tangling.
Clean lashes should not be clumpy or greasy. When you spot lashes that fan out well, feel soft, and stay put, that’s a good sign you’re doing it right. Properly maintaining your lashes eliminates the chance of those irritating eye bugs. This is especially important for anyone trying to keep up with a fast-paced lifestyle in Toronto.
Daily care is essential. Daily cleaning and conditioning is simple and only takes a few minutes, but routine maintenance is key to keeping lashes looking their best and lasting longer.
Common Mistakes Cleaning Lashes at Home
It seems like every other client in Toronto is looking to maintain their lash extensions at home. It’s all too common to go astray with regular rituals.
Mistake #1 – Not cleaning your lashes every day is the most common lash cleaning mistake. When lashes aren’t cleaned daily, debris, oil, and residual cosmetics begin to accumulate. This accumulation can harbor bacteria and, in the long run, increase the risk of eye infections.
The other major mistake is using oil-based removers. These products can break down the bond of the glue that holds the extensions. The result is lashes falling off way earlier than they should.
Showering and washing your face at the same time can be convenient, right? However, high water pressure can inadvertently loosen or remove your lash extensions. The skin surrounding the eyes is sensitive, and lash extensions require more finesse.
Regular soaps and shampoos are simply not gentle enough for your lashes. This is because they can dry out and weaken both your natural lashes and your extensions. This is why we suggest sticking with gentle cleansers. You can use easy homemade solutions, such as diluting baby shampoo with water, cutting out any additional oils or fragrances.
Another mistake is not rinsing after cleaning lashes. Whatever cleanser you use, if not completely removed, can irritate or redden the sensitive skin around the eyes, leading to discomfort.
Many clients use towels or tissues to dry their lashes even when instructed not to. These can easily catch and shed lint, which can scratch the lashes or create an inconsistent appearing lash line.
Even avoiding daily brushing will leave extensions looking all knotted or disheveled, and that’s always the appearance you wish to avoid.
It might seem like a lot, but small changes in your routine cleaning and care can make all the difference with your lashes.
Smart Budget Tips for Lash Care
Lash care doesn’t have to be expensive or complicated! This is particularly true in Toronto, where the fast pace of city life can alter your daily schedule. Follow these simple budget-friendly tips to care for your lashes and maintain their long-lasting beauty. This ensures you are smart about your budget, too!
Daily care: A simple daily brush through your extensions with a clean spoolie brush will prevent any damage from tangles and help to keep every lash looking perfect. This step is quick and requires no professional expertise, yet it increases the longevity of lashes by drastically improving retention.
An eyelash extension brush or makeup brush cleaner is an even better option and ideal for you if you wear makeup regularly. A non-irritating cleanser specifically designed for lash extensions is a wise investment. Lash shampoo is the only way to effectively and safely cleanse lashes.
Some people completely skip lash shampoo. It prevents build-up and keeps the skin around your eyes healthy. Should you run out, having a backup bottle prevents you from skipping a wash. Don’t skip cleaning your lashes every two to three days.
If you have oily skin or exercise a lot, wash them even more regularly. People who have dry skin should clean lashes less frequently. Ultimately, it comes down to your skin and lifestyle.
On top of home care, book a professional cleaning in your closest Toronto lash studio every two to three weeks. This prevents your lashes from becoming weighted down and keeps your lash set clean looking.
Sleeping on a silk or satin pillowcase keeps lashes from rubbing and getting twisted, which is a big win for long wear. After getting a new set, refrain from getting lashes wet for at least the first 24 hours to allow the adhesive enough time to cure.
It’s simple to weave these tips into your regular routine. They’re compatible with any lifestyle and increase the value of your lash investment.
When DIY Isn’t Cutting It
Washing lash extensions properly at home may sound like an easy task, but countless Torontonians find out the hard way that this approach isn’t always effective. Most clients at iBEAUTY CODE want to use mild cleansers, micellar water, or diluted baby shampoo. Yet, they are frequently disappointed by the outcome of their decisions.
One thing everyone agrees on is that, without lash-specific shampoo, it’s difficult to make sure buildup is kept at bay. A buildup of dirt, oil and even makeup residue can accumulate along the lash line. When these bits build up, they break down the adhesive and cause lashes to pop off before their time.
Daily cleaning is a lot to ask of anyone, particularly given the hustle and bustle of everyday life in Toronto. If you’re small enough that you’re skipping a day here and there, cleaning every other day should still prevent clumps or tangles from forming. For those who sweat a lot at the gym, swim often, or work outdoors, lashes can get dirty quicker.
Here’s the rub, though – occasionally, despite your best efforts, DIY simply isn’t enough. When you need to remove your makeup, using the wrong cleaning product – such as oil-based makeup removers or abrasive soaps – can lead to lashes shedding or appearing lifeless. This is prevalent in new lash users, as they’re just learning the proper care and procedure.
If you’re overwhelmed, confused, or your lashes just aren’t popping, call in the pros. Their artistry can change your entire appearance and make you feel more self-assured! In our studio, we get clients who simply want the reassurance that their lashes are clean and safe.
By scheduling a maintenance cleaning and refill every two weeks or so, the extensions can stay soft and full and last long-term.