Summer Heat and Lash Retention

Embrace the summer vibes and don't worry about switching to a slower lash glue. It's all about going with the flow and finding what works best for you in this sunny season!

As lash artists, we all know that the summer months can be challenging for our artistry. There are several scenarios that might impact the lifespan of our lash sets. One major factor is your room temperature and humidity in comparison to your lash adhesive. The summer heat might be uncomfortable to work in, but it can also be detrimental to your lashing abilities. It's easy for us lash artists to forget that turning on the air conditioning to beat the heat might have unintended consequences for our surrounding humidity levels. The shifting environment in their work environment has an impact on their eyelash extension adhesive performance. Sometimes you'll discover that an adhesive that worked fine for you in the winter/spring is causing retention issues in the summer. Switching to a slower-drying glue may help alleviate this problem.

How Temperature and Humidity Affect Lash Adhesive

Let's start from the beginning. Based on the manufacturer's guidelines, each lash adhesive has an ideal operating environment. For the indicated glue drying durations, there is always a prime temperature, generally between 18º-22ºC and humidity between 45-55%. It is always recommended to be aware of your adhesive's ideal levels and to aim to establish a work atmosphere that reflects this.

PRO LASH LINE ADHESIVE CHART

Experienced Lash Artists often use a rapid-drying lash adhesive that can keep up with their swift lashing skills. A rise in temperature can cause a quick-drying adhesive to cure even more quickly. If you are using an adhesive with a curing time of 1-0.5 seconds, then the adhesive can be practically instant if the temperature exceeds 23º. An increase in temperature of 8-10º speeds the cure time by 2 times. This would result in poor lash retention, as it would begin curing almost immediately, and by the time you were able to apply it to the lash, it may have already cured to 90 percent. They may remain, but only for a few days to a week, as opposed to the typical 6-8 weeks.

Humidity, on the other hand, plays an even greater role in the drying time of your glue, as lash glue requires moisture to dry and cure, so a higher level of humidity will accelerate the drying time of your glue even more. You may see lashes pop off when you brush them or touch them, or the adhesive drop may become thick and stringy very quickly. Keep an eye on your adhesive dot, for you may need to change it more frequently.

Changing up the Adhesive

Hey, don't sweat it if you decide to switch to a slower-drying lash adhesive! It isn't about shortening your lash experience. It all comes down to figuring out what works best for you and your fantastic work. It is unusual to have the ideal lash adhesive for everyday use. Many of us have multiple adhesive bottles open at the same time. It can be difficult to constantly regulate your surroundings, or you may not have control over this situation. Plus, who doesn't appreciate a little additional time to fine-tune their lash placement? You may feel that switching to a 1-2 or 2-3 second adhesive drying time is best for you. Embrace the change and rock those lashes with confidence!

Utilizing Equipment Effectively to Beat the Heat

You can make sure your glue is operating at its absolute best by keeping an eye on the humidity in your workspace using a digital hygrometer! A Digital Hygrometer is useful year-round, but it's especially helpful in the summer so you can be sure your climate control measures, like turning on the air conditioner or humidifier, are having the intended effect. This should be put close to where you will be lashing. It is okay to have it on your trolley next to you.

If you are using an air conditioner to control the temperature in a room, you must remember that the cold air will not only reduce the temperature but also the humidity to the point where it will adversely affect your adhesive. If the humidity is too low, the adhesive can become less effective. Our lash adhesives require humidity to cure, so if the humidity is too low, we risk lashes adhering together, curing too slowly, and resulting in a sloppy lash set.

Place your air conditioner 1.5 to 2 meters away from your working area and make sure it is not blowing in your direction, your client's face, or your adhesive drop. The air conditioner will blow out chilly, dry air. If the air blows directly on you, it can affect the way your adhesive works.

Invest in a good humidifier/dehumidifier! This will be career-changing. Look for a good-sized one that is designed for 40sq meters or more, depending on your room size. Just like the air conditioners, you will want it to be a minimum of 1.5–2 mitres away from you and your clients’ lashes. If the mist was too close, then the adhesive would cure instantly.

We recommend ultrasonic humidifiers (Lovoit 6L) that come with a remote and allow you to set your desired humidity levels. You can leave it on auto so that it turns on and off as necessary. It also shuts off automatically when the water level is low as a safety feature. Plus, the 6-liter capacity is sufficient for the entire day.

Storage of your Adhesive

Keeping your glue in a "GLUE HOME" will help extend its life. This will keep your adhesive out of direct sunlight as well as any exposure to air and room conditions, preventing any glue in the cap or nozzle from solidifying. To assist draw out any moisture, we keep a few silica packets (which come with each glue bag) in the Glue containers.