My Top Tips for Achieving Excellent Lash Retention

You don’t have to be a great lash master to have lots of clients who are willing to pay your worth!

You just need average lashing skills and outstanding retention!

If your sets last well, your clients will never leave you for another lash tech. Retention is one of the most important technical skills we all need in our toolbox, yet, it is so hard for many to master!

After completing various lash retention courses in search of the secret to perfecting lash retention, I can confidently say the Extreme Retention online course by Elina Sadelko was the most insightful. While I won’t reveal all of Elina’s secrets I wanted to give her credit, as I have genuinely learnt so much from her!Now,  I want to share my own experiences and the techniques I've implemented over the years to consistently achieve 4+ weeks of lash retention.

When I initially offered 2-3 week infills, I noticed many clients preferred to wait 4-5 weeks and pay for a full set, due to cost considerations. To better meet my clients' needs and encourage regular infills, I introduced 4-week infill options (once per month). This change has kept my clients coming back for infills instead of new sets — or worse, not returning at all.

Now, I routinely achieve retention lasting up to 5 weeks such as this.

Yes, that set is 5 weeks old! So, what’s my process for perfecting lash retention?

Step 1: Perfect Your Attachment and Fan Wrapping

This step is critical. Without flawless attachment, the rest of the process won't matter. When attaching extensions to natural lashes, ensure the attachment point is completely flush. Avoid any part of the extension poking away from the natural lash and aim to attach approximately one-third of the extension to the natural lash for optimal contact. A smaller contact zone increases the chances of the lash coming off when brushing.

To practice attachment and fan wrapping, you can stretch a piece of hair across an empty lash tray, secure it with tape, and work on perfecting your technique

Step 2: Nail the Prep Routine

Lash shampoo is essential! If your client is wearing makeup, start with an oil-free makeup remover. If necessary, use a microfiber brush to cleanse between the lashes. Then, shampoo and rinse as many times as needed until the lashes are completely clean.

Step 3: To Prime or Not to Prime?

This is a detailed topic, so I’ll keep it brief. If your client has oily skin and dark, thick, shiny lashes, use a primer. If their lashes are light-colored and matte, opt for LashBase pH Neutral or skip primer altogether. For clients who fall in between, I follow this rule of thumb:

●      If they arrived with heavy makeup, apply primer to ensure no residue remains on the lash surface.

●      If they have clean lashes and rarely wear makeup, use LashBase pH Neutral instead.

Step 4: Optimize Your Glue Environment

This may seem basic, but it’s crucial: make sure your adhesive suits both your working speed and the environment. It’s better to use a slower adhesive with a glue accelerator than risk using one that dries too fast. I also adjust my glue depending on the season!

Step 5: Use the Right Amount of Adhesive

Ensure there’s enough adhesive on the extension to create a slight spread upon application. Too little glue won’t hold, but too much will cause the lashes to stick together. Finding the right balance takes practice, but it's essential.

Step 6: Lash Every Lash You Can

Aim for 100% coverage. Of course, avoid baby lashes or any too weak to lash, but if you want 4+ weeks of retention, you can't afford to skip lashes. Use tape or any tools necessary to reach the bottom layer — but don't skip a lash that can support an extension.

I hope you found these tips helpful!

For more lash advice, follow me on Instagram @lashbase_anna, and feel free to send me a DM if you have any questions!

Ps: If you want to shop my favorite adhesive (LashBase Advance Pro) or any adhesive from LashBase, here is a discount, just for you! Apply, “LASHOLOGY25” for 25% off at checkout for any glue!