What are lash extension stickies, and how do we avoid them?

'Stickies' refers to eyelashes that have stuck together during a lash extension procedure. Stickies can harm the natural lashes and lead to irritation, but they are preventable!

Types of lash extension stickies

1. This is when two natural lashes get stuck together. This can happen if you place a lash down and then remove it. Glue residue can remain on the natural lash, causing it to stick to a neighbouring lash. These can be the most difficult to spot when checking your work.

2. This is when two lash extensions get stuck together. This is the type of 'stickie' that is easiest to spot and also the easiest to separate. Usually, this is caused by not giving the lash adhesive enough time to dry before working on neighbouring lashes. If you find you're seeing an increase in these, it may be that you are working quicker than your glue dries. Try switching to a glue with a faster drying time.

3. This is when a baby lash gets stuck to a lash extension nearby. This is the most common type of 'stickie' as baby lashes can slip past tweezers when isolating, so easily. Take your time when isolating and ensure your glue is drying quick enough for you. This type of 'stickie' can be the most damaging to natural lashes, so avoiding these is super important.

How do they happen?

1. Isolation Issues

Stickies can happen if your client's natural lash isn't fully isolated, or if you haven't let the adhesive dry completely before moving on to the next lash.

Make sure you are taking your time to isolate each lash carefully. This can sometimes be difficult, as lashes grow in different directions and have different stages of growth. Baby lashes are especially difficult, as these often get caught on longer lashes. Taping methods and lashing in layers can sometimes make this easier.

2. Adhesive Issues

Using too much adhesive or glue that dries too slowly for your working speed can also cause stickies, so make sure you're using the right adhesive and the right amount of adhesive. You don't want to see a ball of adhesive on the extension; it should be virtually invisible. Too much glue will not only cause stickies, but it will also cause irritation for the client and make it difficult at in-fills.

To make sure you're using the correct amount of adhesive, dip the extension into the middle of the adhesive blob and slowly slide it out. Hold the lash approximately 1/4 of the way from the top and dip slowly.

3. Tweezer Issues

When working, it's important that you are using the right tweezers for you. Every lash artist has a preference for their tweezers, so it can sometimes mean trying a few styles before finding what works for you.

Gemma's Tips

Use a dental mirror throughout the treatment to check your work from various angles. This way, you can check your work for stickies during the treatment, rather than leaving it all until the end.

At the end of the set, go through each individual lash from root to tip with your tweezers. If you do come across any, gently separate them with your tweezers.

We have a whole section of our lash courses dedicated to stickies, including what they are, how to avoid them and how to fix them! View our lash courses here!