The most commonly used glue by lash techs is Ethyl Cyanoacrylate glue. 

Ethyl Cyanoacrylate lash glue dries fast and can retain extension lashes for up to 6 weeks. 

Lash techs dab the extension lash into the lash glue, about 2-3 millimeters, then attach it to the natural lashes. 

Ethyl Cyanoacrylate lash glue isn’t the only one used by lash techs. 

If you want to learn more about lash glues, which ones are lash tach favorites, shelf life, how they are affected by temperature, how to remove them, and more, then keep reading. 

Eyelash Extension Adhesives: What To Know

Eyelash extension glue is needed to bond the last extensions onto the natural eyelashes. 

And even tho the gluing and application process is simple, the type of glue one uses matters. 

If the wrong type of adhesive is used in gluing extension eyelashes, this can lead to several unwanted complications, such as lash loss, eye damage, or even allergies. 

Eyelash Glue Ingredients

The word “cyanoacrylate” most likely stood out to you, especially if you are familiar with and have experience using superglues. 

Cyanoacrylate is also one of the main ingredients in making all the well-known superglues, including the original Super Glue, Gorilla Glue, Krazy Glue, and others. 

A common question is whether eyelash glue is the same as superglue since they both have the same main ingredient. 

The short answer is no. 

Super glue and eyelash glue are not the same, even though they have a common main ingredient, as the formulation and some other ingredients differ. 

Lash extension adhesives typically have the following ingredients:

• 80-95% Cyanoacrylate 
• 5-10% acrylic resin or PMMA (Poly Methyl Methacrylate)
• Stabilizing agent (usually Hydroquinone or Hydroxyanisole)
• Coloring agent
• An element to add flexibility to the glue (usually latex)

Cyanoacrylate is the binding agent. Because of this “guy, ” the lash adhesive binds quickly and forms a strong bond between the extension lash and the natural lash. 

The way it works is the following: this liquid adhesive is formulated so that when it comes in contact with moisture or humidity (which is always present in the air), it reacts and starts to dry and cure. 

Generally, all lash adhesives have this binding agent in one form or another. 

The Types Of Cyanoacrylate Adhesives 

Here are the different cyanoacrylates:

• Ethyl Cyanoacrylate
  • This is the number one type of cyanoacrylate used in lash adhesives 
  • This type comes in a thicker format in comparison to other lash glues 
  • It dries fast 
  • It can hold lashes for up to 6 weeks 

• Alkoxy Cyanoacrylate
  • This type of cyanoacrylate is also used as a lash adhesive (but it is about 8 times more expensive than Ethyl Cyanoacrylate)
  • It has an extremely low odor and fume (the much better quality makes for the higher price tag)
  • Ideal for those with sensitive eyes

• Ethoxyethyl Cyanoacrylate
  • This type of cyanoacrylate is known for its flexibility and smoothness
  • It offers a smooth feel
  • It takes the longest to dry and it forms a weaker bond between the lash extension and the natural lash 

• Butyl Cyanoacrylate
  • These types of adhesives are mainly used in the medical field 
  • It is made for hypoallergenic 
  • It has a slow drying time and a weaker adhesion
  • Good for those with sensitive eyes

• Methyl Cyanoacrylate
  • This type of glue is only for industrial use 
  • It is so strong that if it was used on eyelash extensions, it could dissolve the proteins leading to a permanent loss of eyesight 
  • This type of cyanoacrylate should never be used as a lash adhesive 

Eyelash Glue: Adhesion And Retention

Various factors influence eyelash adhesion and retention. 

Let’s have a look at these. 

1. Products
   • Ensure that the lashes are compatible with the lash glue 
   • Inappropriate storage of the glue, deterioration of the product, and too high or too low temperatures can negatively affect lash glue adhesion and eyelash retention

2. Glue quantity
   • If not enough glue is used for gluing the eyelash extensions to the natural lashes, the bond may be too strong enough to offer good adhesion and retention

3. Application method
   • The wrong or incorrect application of the glue and eyelash extensions can result in weak adhesion and retention

Does Humidity Affect Lash Extension Adhesives?

Yes, humidity affects lash extension adhesives the right way. 

Humidity sets the drying and curing process of the lash adhesive into motion. 

Humidity or moisture is what the lash glue needs to be triggered to start setting and curing. 

The level of humidity the lash adhesive needs varies based on the brand. 

If you read the manufacturer’s instructions, you will notice that some lash adhesives need the humidity level to be at 40% or above, while others require a minimum of 60% humidity levels. 

When it comes to lash adhesives and humidity, don’t assume; always read the manufacturer’s instructions. 

Generally, higher humidity causes the lash adhesive to solidify too fast, while lower humidity levels will take much longer to dry. 

How Does Temperature Affect Lash Extension Adhesives?

Now you know how humidity affects how lash extension adhesives react.

But how does temperature affect the glue?

Temperature also affects how fast the lash glue dries and cures. 

Higher temperatures cause the lash glue to dry and cure faster, while low temperatures lead to longer setting and curing times. 

Lash techs generally keep their salon temperatures between 20 and 22 Degrees Celsius for their lash adhesives. 

Which Glue Is Best For Eyelashes?

Here are the three main aspects lash techs choose their adhesives for eyelashes. 

Strength

Lash techs must ensure that the lash glue they are getting is strong enough to hold your eyelashes in for weeks. 

It won’t be good if lash extensions start to fall off within days. That means that the lash adhesive used wasn’t the right one. 

Drying Time

The time the glue needs to dry matters because there is a window of time the lash extension can be held in place. 

This is why Cyanoacrylate lash adhesive is the most commonly used glue for lash extensions, as it dries within a few seconds. 

But even though the lash glue dries as quickly as 1-2 seconds, it can take up to 24 hours to fully cure. 

Color

Black eyelash extensions are the most popular ones as they offer an extra kick of definition. Often, lash techs work with black lash adhesives to make everything come together seamlessly. 

But, some are sensitive to pigments, so using pigmented or colored lash adhesives isn’t ideal nor recommended. 

In this case, there are options for clear lash adhesives. 

How To Remove Eyelash Glue From Lashes

If you need to get eyelash adhesive off your lashes, you pick one of the following commonly used methods and follow the steps. 

The Eyelash Remover Method

The way there is a nail polish remover, there is also an eyelash glue remover. 

You can choose from three types of removers:

• Cream 
• Gel 
• Oil-based 

Follow these steps to remove lash glue with a remover:

1. Add a small amount of the eyelash glue remover on a micro swab 
2. Gently use the micro swab with the remover on it to loosen the glue on the eyelash extension 

Be patient with this process. 

If you have used a very strong lash glue, it may require some more gentle rubbing to remove all the glue. 

This method is best for the full removal of eyelash extensions. 

The Pinch Method

If you have volume lashes wrapped around the base of your natural lashes, then this removal method is for you. 

Use a lash tool to pinch the base of the lash carefully. This will break the seal. 

The eyelash extensions should come off very easily and smoothly.

The Banana Peel Method

If you need to remove lashes grown out for a fill, then this is the method you need to focus on. 

Follow these steps:

1. Grab a pair of tweezers (ideally lash tweezers)
2. Gently but firmly grip the natural lashes with the tweezers
3. Do not pull on the natural lashes (otherwise you risk pulling them out)
4. Peel the natural lash away from the eyelash extension

Extension Eyelash Glue: Shelf Life

Regular or strong lash glues last up to 6 months if they haven’t been opened. 

But with sensitive lash glues, this shelf life is cut to half – 3 months if unopened. 

Once the bottle has been opened, with either regular or sensitive lash glues, the shelf life of the adhesive is one month. 

How To Store Lash Glue

Here is what you need to know and keep in mind about lash glue. 

Lash glue is sensitive (and is influenced by):

• Moisture
• Humidity 
• Heat 

Storing them in the right places will protect the strength and the shelf life of your lash adhesives, 

Here are the best tips on how to store your lash glue to retain its strength and optimize its shelf life:

1. Add the lash glue inside an airtight container
2. Add a packet of silica gel (or rice) in case some moisture gets in the container – this packet or the rice will absorb it
3. Close the container airtight 
4. Keep in a dark and dry place 

What NOT to do with your lash glue:

• Never place or keep your lash glue in the freezer or the fridge

Always keep the lash adhesives at room temperature. 

Conclusion

Lash techs use cyanoacrylate glue. 

To choose the best eyelash glue, you need to factor in the following:

• Drying time
  • Slow-drying lash glues take longer to set, generally about 5 seconds or more. 
  • Fast-drying lash glues set in about 1-2 seconds 

• Strength of adhesion
  • This determines whether your lashes stay in for up to 8 weeks 
  • PMMA is the key to ideal adhesion
  • Humidity levels also influence the strength of the glue

• Color
  • You can go with pigmented lash glue or clear lash glue if you have sensitive eyes