As a lash artist, you know lash adhesives can sometimes be temperamental. The way you prep the lashes, store your glue, shake it properly, and apply it all play a huge role in retention and in how your adhesive performs overall. In this blog, we're diving into some of the most common lash glue troubleshooting questions and share tips to help you solve them so you can get the very best out of your adhesive!
Troubleshooting Questions
If you are running into retention issues or struggling with your adhesive, here are some key questions to ask yourself:
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What is your temperature and humidity range at?
Your glue only works properly within its ideal environment. If your rH (relative humidity) or temperature is off, it can cure too fast or too slow. -
Do you shake your glue before using it, and if so, for how long?
Adhesive ingredients separate when the bottle sits still. Always shake side to side (not up and down) so the cyanoacrylate mixes evenly with the other components. If not, you may end up using too much cyanoacrylate first, which shortens the lifespan of your glue and can cause reactions. -
How have you been storing your glue since receiving it?
Adhesive should always be stored upright, in a cool, dry place, and sealed tightly. How you store it unopened is how it should be stored once opened. -
Are you cleansing the lashes properly before each service?
Oils, dirt, and residue must be removed so the adhesive can bond properly.
These questions can usually help you figure out what might be going wrong, and even the smallest tweaks can make a big difference in retention and in how your glue performs.
Optimal rH for Adhesive
The ideal rH (relative humidity) of your adhesive is unique to each glue. To find the details for your specific adhesive, always check the product description on our website.
For more information on why rH is so important, as well as how to work around fluctuating humidity in your lash room, click here to watch our video.
Why is My Glue Dot Clear?
If your lash glue dot looks clear, it usually means the adhesive was not shaken properly and you are getting mostly cyanoacrylate. To avoid this, make sure you shake your glue side to side for the full recommended time before each use.
What Causes Shock Curing?
Shock curing happens when eyelash extension adhesive cures too quickly due to excess moisture. Instead of bonding evenly, the glue hardens instantly, creating a brittle bond that causes poor retention. To avoid shock curing:
- Work within the correct humidity range for your adhesive
- Dry lashes completely after lash bath or primer
- Use a hygrometer to monitor your room conditions
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Watch for clients’ eyes watering, as this adds extra moisture
How Should I Store My Glue?
It is important to keep your adhesive in a consistent environment (both humidity and temperature). Moving glue from a cold to warm space with different conditions can make it goopy or less effective. Consistency is key if you want your glue to last as long as possible.
- Store your glue in a cool, dry place out of direct sunlight (2-10ºC is ideal).
- Use a glue home with rice or 1-2 unopened silica packs, or a sealed tupperware container (swap silica packs every couple of months)
- Always store your glue upright.
- If storing in the fridge, do not leave the bottle out during services. Simply shake, take a dot, and place it immediately back in the fridge for later use.
Watch All Things Lash Extension Glue Storage Here
How To Prevent My Glue From Clogging?
To prevent clogging, every time you pour a dot of glue you need to burp, clean, and wipe the nozzle with a dry glue wipe right away. When you are burping the glue, you want to make sure the pressure is kept on the bottle 100% of the time, until the lid is fully closed. When you apply pressure on and off, air gets sucked into the nozzle and this is what clogs our glue. And when the bottle isn't being used, there should be a little divot in it where you have kept the pressure.
Watch How To Burp Your Lash Glue Here
Steps to prevent your glue from clogging:
- Ensure the glue is being stored in an upright position. When stored on its side, the bonding agent will find its way into the nozzle making the glue more likely to cure in the bottle as soon as its introduced to moisture upon opening.
- Ensure the bottle is fully sealed between services. This way no air will make its way into the top.
- Be sure to properly burp your glue (as explained above)
- Do not keep the glue bottle open for longer than the amount of time it takes to squeeze your dot of glue. This ensures that the moisture in your room does not partially cure the glue in the nozzle tip.
- You can store your glue with the glue pin inserted into the tip, instead of the nozzle if you choose.
How Do I Unclog My Glue?
We provide a glue pin and a replacement nozzle with every lash glue purchase. If your glue clogs, first try piercing the nozzle with the glue pin. If this doesn’t work, remove the nozzle entirely (use a nail or butter knife) and replace it with a new one.
Watch How To Unclog Your Lash Glue Here
A little extra attention to your glue goes a long way! With the right prep, storage and application, you are setting yourself up for the best results 🤍
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