Have you ever had a perfect week where your retention was great, and the following week it was a total craze of ‘brush-offs’ and stickies? You didn’t modify your technique; you didn’t change your glue. So what happened? The invisible culprit almost always comes from your environment.
At LaviLash, we know that cyanoacrylate itself (the main ingredient in all professional lash adhesives) is temperamental. It does not dry by air alone; moisture and temperature ranges make your lash glue cure. Knowing how humidity and temperature interact with your adhesive is the key to consistent and long lasting lash sets. Here’s your short guide to mastering your lash room environment.
The Role of Humidity: The ‘Activator’
Think of humidity as the gas pedal to your glue. Moisture in the atmosphere is what starts the chemical reaction that transforms liquid glue into a firm hold.
High Humidity (>60%)
The Problem: When you let too much moisture into the atmosphere, your glue cures at an accelerated rate. This is known as ‘shock curing’. The outer layer of the glue hardens before it has time to stick properly with the natural lash, resulting in brittle bonding and an early shedding rate.
The Solution:
- Switch to a Slower Glue: If your room is damp from all the humidity, 0.5s adhesive will cure before you’ve placed the extension on the natural lash. It’s best to opt for a 1-2-second adhesive as it’ll behave like a 0.5s glue.
- Use a Dehumidifier: By far the easiest way to suck extra moisture out of the air. However, this option can be quite expensive.
- Dispense Fresh Drops Often: In high humidity, your drop of glue will ‘gloop’ much faster. Reapply a fresh glue dot every 15-30 minutes.
Low Humidity (>45%)
The Problem: The glue can’t stick to the lash without moisture nearby. In turn, it forms ‘stickies’ (lashes stick together), fans tilt, and the client is irritated because the fumes are held longer on the lash.
The Solution:
- Switch to a Faster Glue: Implement a quick 0.3s adhesive like our Queen Adhesive. This will allow for a bond to be obtained.
- Use a Humidifier: Provide moisture back into the air around your lash bed. This can be an expensive option.
- Use a Nano Mister: Lightly spritzes the natural lashes with water to add moisture for the adhesive to cure.
Important Note
DON’T use a Lash Primer in dry conditions: The alcohol within a lash primer will cause the glue to dry out even further. If you use a primer, make sure to give your client a lash cleanse to restore the pH and moisture to the natural lashes.
The Role of Temperature: The ‘Stabiliser’
Humidity controls the adhesive’s cure rate, and temperature controls the viscosity (thickness).
- High Heat: Thins the glue out and turns it runny. It also increases the molecules’ energy, accelerating the cure even more.
- Cold: Thickens the glue. If your room is too cold, the glue turns syrupy and takes longer to dry.
- Ideal Conditions: The optimum range for most LaviLash adhesives is between 20 and 24°C (68 to 75°F).
The Ultimate Solution: Control Your Environment
While you cannot control the weather outside, you have to control the environment inside your salon.
- Get a Hygrometer: You can’t fix what you can’t measure. Place a digital hygrometer right beside your lash bed to get a precise reading.
- Adjust Your Glue, Not Your Hands: Don’t battle with your environment. Instead, keep two adhesive types in your lash kit, one for high humidity and one for low.
Once you understand your environment, you can select the right adhesive for your specific application. Shop the entire LaviLash collection now and take control of your retention.
