Brushing Eyelash Extensions: Why You Should & How to Do It

Lash extensions are a fashionable way to achieve a thick, voluminous lash look. But to maintain the look of lash extensions, wearers need to take care of them properly. One part of lash extension maintenance that people commonly overlook is brushing. Brushing lash extensions is just what it sounds like—brushing the lash hairs to keep your lash extensions looking healthy, strong, and pretty.

In this guide to brushing eyelash extensions, we go over why you should brush your lashes and how to do it correctly. Read on to learn more about this crucial part of lash extension maintenance.

What Is Lash Brushing?

Lash brushing is a form of maintenance for extensions. It involves using a wand or comb to brush through the lash hairs and remove pollen, dust, and makeup build-up.

Why Should You Do It?

Over time, oil, dust, and makeup build up on your extensions, which can cause clumping, crisscrossing, and a generally unruly, untidy appearance. On top of that, your lashes can bend or intertwine if you accidentally roll onto them as you sleep, ruining their pristine look. This is a frequent problem for people who sleep on their side or stomach.

The point of brushing every day is to prevent bending, clumping, crisscrossing, and other lash problems. Brushing gives your lashes a neat, uniform appearance. It prevents tangling, bending, and other types of wear and tear that can ruin the look of your falsies. It can also minimize the risk of irritation, or worse, infection, keeping your skin and your eyes healthy and happy.

For these reasons, brushing your lashes is essential! Brushing prevents unwanted reactions to grime and bacteria and makes your extensions look lovely. Not only that—this form of maintenance can also extend the life of your extensions so that you don’t require infills as often. While brushing takes time, performing this maintenance will save you more time and money in the long run.

How Do You Do It?

Now that you know what lash brushing is and what its benefits are, you probably want to know how to do this important task. Fortunately, brushing your lashes is quick and easy, and you only need a few tools to do it. We’ll go over what you need to know about lash brushing below.

What Tools Do I Need?

The only tool you need to brush your lashes is a lash wand. A lash wand is like a miniature comb for your hair. Wands look a lot like mascara brushes and feature numerous tiny bristles that you can run through the individual lash hairs.

So, what kind of wand should you use? A specialized lash wand will serve you best. There are three main types of lash wands that you can use: regular, silicone, and disposable.

There are regular lash wands, typically made from materials such as crystal or aluminum with mixed nylon bristles. You can also find silicone wands on the market. The main difference between standard and silicone wands is that silicone wands have sparser fibers, which makes them ideal for separating the lash hairs. Finally, there are disposable wands, which are one-use tools you can throw away. These tend to be denser than other wands and work well on thicker lashes.

Don’t have a lash wand on hand? You can also use a clean mascara wand, a fine-toothed comb, a craft pipe cleaner, or a trimmed toothbrush as alternatives to spoolie brushes. However, considering the fact that lash wands usually cost less than 10 dollars, we recommend investing in one instead. They’ll work significantly better than makeshift tools and provide optimal results.

How To Brush Properly

Before you brush, make sure your lashes are totally dry and that your wand is clean. If your wand is dirty, you can clean it using several methods. Washing it with baby shampoo or soaking it in hot water should eliminate most bacteria and clumps. If you’re using a wand with synthetic bristles, you can also sterilize it using a small amount of rubbing alcohol.

Ready to brush? Start at the middle of the extension and brush gently outward, away from your eye. Never start at the base, as this can tear your lashes off! Brush the bottom of the extensions and the top of each lash, taking no more than 30 seconds per lash. This will remove any dust or oil and detangle stubbornly entwined lash hairs, leaving your lash extensions looking pristine.

How Often Should I Brush?

Ideally, you should brush your lashes at least once a day, but some people do it several times a day. If you’re only brushing once a day, we recommend performing this task in the morning. Wait until after you finish showering, putting on makeup, and cleaning your lash line. The lash hairs often shift as you sleep, so brushing them once you’re ready to start the day ensures they’ll look neat and tidy before you leave the house. While you don’t need to brush more than once per day, it doesn’t hurt to keep your wand on you so that you can touch up your extensions as needed.

Now that you understand why you should brush lash extensions and how to brush properly, you can keep your falsies in stellar shape. A little bit of maintenance goes a long way. Just 30 seconds each day is all it takes to achieve lashes that you’ll love.

Are you a professional beauty artist in need of high-quality lash extension supplies? Stop by Lash and Beauty Store for everything you need to create and maintain lash extension looks. We carry top-quality Borboleta lashes, including their O.G., Color Edit, and Rainbow lines, and the glue, gel pads, tweezers, and other tools you need to apply them.

But that’s not all—you can also find Borboleta’s Fluff Up lash wand, which your clients can use to brush and maintain their extensions at home. Stock up on Borboleta-brand products for your salon today for professional-quality results both you and your clients can be proud of.