Booking in for eyelash extensions for the first time usually comes with a handful of practical questions — can you shower normally, is mascara off the table, how long do they actually last? Getting aftercare right makes a big difference to how long your lashes stay full and how well they hold up between fills. Here’s what you need to know.
Can Eyelash Extensions Get Wet?
Yes — once they’re fully set, eyelash extensions can get wet as part of your normal routine, including showering, swimming, and light sweat from exercise. The key word is “fully set”: most lash adhesives need around 24 to 48 hours to cure completely, so it’s best to keep lashes completely dry for the first day or two after application. After that window, water itself isn’t the enemy — the main thing to avoid long-term is rubbing or scrubbing the lash line, which can loosen individual extensions regardless of how long they’ve been in.
Can You Wear Mascara With Eyelash Extensions?
Generally, no — and this is one of the most common things clients aren’t expecting. The whole point of extensions is to give you full, long lashes without needing mascara, and most mascaras (particularly waterproof formulas) are oil-based or require heavy rubbing to remove, both of which can break down the lash adhesive and cause extensions to fall out early. If you feel like you need extra definition, ask your technician about lash-extension-safe options — but for most clients, well-applied extensions are designed to remove the need for mascara altogether.
What Else Affects How Long They Last?
A few habits make a real difference to extension retention:
- Avoid oil-based products around the eyes — oil-based cleansers, moisturisers, and makeup removers break down lash adhesive faster than anything else
- Don’t rub or pick at your lashes, even when they feel a little itchy as they shed naturally
- Brush them gently with a clean spoolie daily to keep them separated and looking neat
- Sleep carefully — try to avoid sleeping face-down on the lash line, which can bend or pull extensions out of shape
- Book fills regularly — typically every 2 to 3 weeks, since natural lash shedding means extensions gradually thin out even with perfect care
How Long Does the Application Take?
A full set of eyelash extensions typically takes 1.5 to 2.5 hours, depending on whether you’re having Classic Lashes or Russian Volume Lashes — classic extensions apply one extension per natural lash for a more natural look, while volume sets use multiple fine extensions per lash for a fuller, denser finish. Both are applied by hand, lash by lash, which is why the appointment takes some time but gives a far more precise, natural-growth-pattern result than strip or cluster lashes.
What If a Few Lashes Fall Out Early?
It’s completely normal to lose a few extensions here and there — this usually just means a natural lash has reached the end of its own growth cycle and shed, taking the extension with it (not a sign that something’s gone wrong). If you’re losing noticeably more than expected, it’s usually down to one of the aftercare factors above — most commonly oil-based products or rubbing — rather than the extensions themselves.
Book Your Eyelash Extensions
At Kristy And Co Beauty, we offer Classic Eyelash Extensions, Russian Volume Lashes, and a hybrid combining both, with full aftercare advice given at every appointment so your lashes stay fuller for longer. Get in touch to book your appointment at our Kirkby in Ashfield salon.