Can you put mascara on eyelash extensions? The truth you NEED to know!

So, you’ve got gorgeous fake eyelashes and now wish to amp up the drama with a coat of mascara. But, can you put mascara on eyelash extensions? Let’s get real- the answer is a little complicated and it is here.We have broke down everything you need to know- which types of falsies can handle mascara to the best and worst mascara formulas for your precious lashes, plus pro tips to avoid clumping, damage, and those dreaded lash casualties.  

So, whether it’s a subtle boost or full-on drama, get ready for some seriously fluttery lashes!

Can you put mascara on eyelash extension?

While technically you can put mascara on fake eyelashes, we generally advise against it. Mascara can be tricky with extensions, and using it incorrectly can shorten their lifespan and even damage your natural lashes.

The Potential benefits of mascara on falsies (Strip Lashes Only)

False eyelashes are a fantastic way to enhance your eyes, adding length, volume, and drama. While there are some potential benefits, it’s crucial to weigh them against the risks, especially when it comes to different types of false lashes. When used carefully with strip lashes, mascara can offer a few advantages:

• Seamless blend: Mascara can help bridge the gap between your natural lashes and the false ones, creating a more cohesive and natural-looking integration. This is particularly helpful if your natural lashes are lighter or shorter than the falsies.
• Enhanced drama: A touch of mascara can amplify the volume and length of both your natural and false lashes, creating a more dramatic and striking effect. This is ideal for special occasions or when you want a truly bold look.
• Improved definition: Mascara can help define and separate individual lashes, preventing clumping and ensuring that each lash stands out for maximum impact.
• Fuller appearance: Combining mascara with false lashes can fill in any small gaps between your natural and false lash lines, creating a fuller, more lush appearance.

Note: These benefits primarily apply to strip lashes. They are not generally applicable to individual lash extensions, where mascara use is strongly discouraged.

Why must you not pair mascara and lash extension?

While the idea of maximizing your lash look with mascara might seem appealing, there are several potential issues:

• Clumping: Mascara can cause false lashes to clump together, making your lashes look unnatural and detract from the overall aesthetic. This is especially true with multiple coats.
• Weight and discomfort: The added weight of mascara can make false lashes heavy, uncomfortable to wear, putting strain on your natural lashes and causing irritation.
• Adhesive interference: Certain mascara formulas can compromise the adhesive holding your false lashes in place, leading to lifting, premature shedding, or even complete detachment. This is a major concern, as it can ruin your look and potentially damage your natural lashes.
• Damage to false lashes: Mascara can make cleaning your falsies a nightmare, potentially damaging them and reducing their lifespan. This is particularly true for delicate, high-quality lashes.
• Reduced lifespan: Mascara buildup can make cleaning your false lashes much more difficult. This can shorten their reusable lifespan, forcing you to replace them sooner.
• Difficult removal: Removing mascara-laden false lashes can be a tricky process. It often requires more aggressive cleansing, which can damage the delicate lashes and even pull out your natural lashes.
• Loss of natural appearance: Mascara can mask the delicate, natural look of high-quality false lashes, making them appear less refined and more artificial.

Also Read: How to layer mascara like a pro?

What to look for in lash-extension safe mascara?

While generally not recommended, if you absolutely must use mascara on your classic lash extensions (never volume!), choosing the right formula is crucial. Using the wrong mascara can lead to premature shedding, damage to the extensions, and even loss of your natural lashes. Below are the 4 checklist to tick while picking mascara for false eyelashes:

• Key ingredients to avoid: The first rule of thumb is to steer clear of anything containing oil or glycol. These ingredients can break down the adhesive used to bond your extensions, causing them to loosen and fall out. Always check the ingredient list carefully and opt for oil-free and glycol-free formulas.
• Brush considerations: The type of brush is just as important as the formula. Look for a mascara with widely spaced bristles. Tightly packed bristles can snag and pull on your delicate lash extensions, causing them to break or shed. A brush with more space between the bristles will gently coat the lashes without causing damage.
• Washability is key: Choose a washable mascara that removes easily with a lash extension-safe makeup remover or a dedicated lash cleanser. Avoid waterproof formulas at all costs. They require harsh rubbing and cleansing, which can wreak havoc on your extensions.
• Specialized products: Ideally, the best mascara for lash extensions is one specifically designed for them. Look for mascaras or pigmented lash sealants formulated to be safe for use with lash adhesives. They not only add color but also help to protect and prolong the life of your extensions.

What mascara to avoid for lashes?

The wrong mascara can lead to premature shedding, damage to the extensions, and even loss of your natural lashes. Here’s a breakdown of 5 mascara types that are absolutely off-limits for lash extensions:

• Waterproof mascara: This is the biggest offender. Waterproof mascara is notoriously difficult to remove, requiring harsh rubbing and cleansing that will almost certainly damage your delicate lash extensions. Avoid it at all costs.
• Water-resistant mascara: While not as damaging as waterproof mascara, water-resistant formulas are still problematic. They can be challenging to remove completely and can put unnecessary stress on the lash adhesive. It’s best to avoid them altogether.
• Tubing mascara: Tubing mascaras, which create tiny tubes around each lash, might seem like a good option, but they’re not.  Removing tubing mascara often requires friction and pulling, which can easily dislodge your extensions.
• Fiber mascara: Fiber mascaras, designed to add extra length and volume, often have stronger, more long-wearing formulas. These formulas can be too harsh for lash extensions and can be difficult to remove without causing damage.
• Mascara with oils and glycols: Beyond specific mascara types, you also need to be vigilant about ingredients. Oils and glycols are known to break down the adhesive used to bond lash extensions. Always read the ingredient list carefully and choose a mascara that is explicitly oil-free and glycol-free.

How to apply mascara on fake lashes?

Incorrect application of mascara can lead to clumping, damage, and premature shedding of falsies. So, here are the  steps for a (relatively) safe application:

• Wipe off excess (pre-application tip): Before you even touch your lashes, remove any excess product from the mascara wand. Wipe it gently on the lip of the tube. This prevents clumping and ensures a lighter application.
• Start mid-lash: Instead of starting at the base of your lash line (which can put stress on the adhesive), begin applying mascara about halfway down the length of your extensions.
• Gentle press and glide: Gently press the mascara wand against your lashes and carefully glide it upwards towards the tips. Avoid wiggling the wand or moving it from side to side. These motions can pull on the extensions and loosen the adhesive.
• The blink technique: For an even gentler application, try blinking down into your mascara wand. This can help coat the lashes without the spoolie pulling too much on the extensions.
• Focus on the tips (If Possible): If you’re just looking for a bit of added length or definition, consider applying mascara only to the tips of your lashes. This minimizes the amount of product that comes into contact with the adhesive, reducing the risk of damage.

Tips for mascara and lash extensions (Classic lashes only!)

With that disclaimer out of the way, here are 5 additional tips to minimize damage and maximize the life of your extensions:

• Focus on the upper half: Be extra careful to apply mascara only to the upper half of your lashes, concentrating on the tips.  This avoids putting too much pressure or product near the base of the extensions where the adhesive is most vulnerable.
• Lash shampoo as makeup remover: If possible, use your lash extension shampoo as your eye makeup remover.  It’s designed to be gentle and effective, minimizing the risk of pulling or tugging on your extensions. However, its effectiveness will depend on the type of mascara you’re using. Stubborn mascaras might require a separate, oil-free makeup remover before using the lash shampoo.
• DIY lash extensions: Consider DIY lash extensions as an alternative. These are applied from underneath your natural lashes, often blending more seamlessly than professional extensions. They’re also more affordable and convenient, saving you trips to the salon. However, even with DIY extensions, avoid mascara if possible.
• Classic lashes only: These tips are exclusively for classic lash extensions. Never, ever apply mascara to volume lash extensions. The delicate fan-like structures are easily damaged.
• Less is more: The golden rule when it comes to mascara and lash extensions is: less is more. Apply only one thin coat. Multiple coats will increase the risk of clumping, weight, and difficulty with removal.

How to remove mascara from falsies?

This is arguably the most critical step, as improper removal can lead to lash loss and damage. Gentle and meticulous cleansing is key. We recommend a multi-step approach using the right tools and products:

• Saturate with makeup remover: Use a lash extension cleansing brush to gently saturate your lashes with an oil-free, lash extension-safe makeup remover.  Focus on the areas where mascara has been applied.
• Gentle wiping: Using a soft makeup remover cloth (microfiber is ideal) or your fingertips, very gently wipe away the loosened mascara. No cotton balls or swabs. They snag on lash extensions, causing them to break or fall out. Avoid rubbing or pulling on the extensions. Instead of a back-and-forth motion, try gently dabbing or patting the lashes.
• Lash shampoo cleanse: After removing the bulk of the mascara, cleanse your lash extensions with a dedicated lash extension shampoo. This will remove any remaining makeup residue and keep your lashes clean and healthy. Apply the shampoo with the cleansing brush, gently massaging it into the lash line.
• Cool water rinse: Finally, rinse your lashes thoroughly with cool water to remove any traces of shampoo and makeup remover. Gently pat them dry with a soft cloth.

Note: These removal tips are exclusively for classic lash extensions. Never attempt to remove mascara from volume lash extensions. The delicate fan-like structures are easily damaged.

Should I put mascara before or after eyelashes?

The answer is generally before, with a few caveats. Most professional makeup artists and lash technicians recommend applying mascara to your natural lashes before applying false lashes. This technique offers the best blend, enhances your natural lashes, and minimizes the risk of damaging the delicate false lashes.

The pre-falsies mascara advantage:

Applying mascara to your natural lashes before applying false lashes (whether strip lashes or individual falsies) offers several key benefits:

• Seamless blending: Mascara on your natural lashes creates a better base for the false lashes to adhere to. It adds texture and grip, helping the falsies blend seamlessly with your natural lashes for a more unified and natural look.
• Enhanced volume and length (natural lashes only): Mascara on your natural lashes adds volume and length to your own lashes before the falsies go on. This is especially helpful if your natural lashes are short or sparse.
• Minimized product on falsies: Applying mascara before the false lashes keeps the mascara primarily on your natural lashes. This is crucial because adding too much mascara directly to false lashes can make them look clumpy, heavy, and unnatural.  It also makes cleaning the falsies much more difficult, shortening their lifespan.

The post-falsies touch-up (use with extreme caution):

In some cases, you might need a very light touch-up after applying your false lashes to further blend them with your natural lashes. However, this should be done with extreme caution:

• Lightest touch: Use the absolute minimum amount of mascara. Too much product will ruin the look and potentially damage the false lashes.
• Water-based only: If you must touch up after applying falsies, use a water-based, non-clumping mascara specifically designed for use with false lashes (if you can find one). Avoid waterproof or volumizing formulas.
• Focus on the base: If you need to blend after application, try to apply mascara only at the base where the false lash band and your natural lashes meet. This will reduce the risk of clumping and damage to the false lash.

Final Word

Alright, lash lovers, let’s wrap this up! For gorgeous volume lash extensions? Mascara is their kryptonite-absolutely not.  For classic strip lashes? Maybe, but tread carefully. Think of it like this: mascara is a high-risk, low-reward situation. Sure, you might get a little extra oomph, but you’re also risking clumpy lashes, a shorter lifespan for your falsies, and a whole lot of removal hassle. 

Those extensions are designed to look amazing on their own! If you’re still tempted to add mascara to your classic strip lashes, remember the golden rules: less is more, choose a lash-extension-safe formula, and be super gentle. But honestly? You’re probably better off skipping it.