Can You Put Mascara On Eyelash Extensions?

So you’ve decided to move beyond false lashes and go for lash extensions. The last thing you want to do is ruin them!

Can you put mascara on eyelash extensions? The answer is maybe, it depends on the type of extensions and the type of mascara. Never wear waterproof mascara with any type of lash extension. But there are some types of mascara you can wear with certain types of lash extensions.

In this article, we are going to go over the different types of lash extensions and which mascaras are the best for those types of extensions.

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What Kind of Eyelash Extensions Do You Have?

You can only wear mascara with certain types of lash extensions, so if you are thinking about using mascara with your extensions, you need to know which kind of lashes you have. You don’t want to end up damaging both your natural lashes and the extensions.

Lash extensions come in three varieties – classic, volume, and hybrid extensions. A fourth category, cluster lashes, sits a bit on its own.

Classic eyelash extensions

Classic lash extensions focus on creating length, tend to look the most natural, and are good for everyday wear. The application process involves one false eyelash being applied to every natural eyelash.

The lash extensions used for classic extensions tend to be thicker than those used for volumizing and hybrid extensions.

Volumizing eyelash extensions

Volumizing eyelash extensions are great for creating a dramatic, fuller, thicker lash look, rather than length. Anywhere from 2 to 6 volumizing lashes are placed for every natural eyelash, one at a time, arranged in a fan formation.

They are aptly named 2d, 3d, 4d, 5d, or 6d extensions based on the number of lashes you choose to get.

Hybrid Eyelash Extensions

Hybrid extensions provide a combination of the extra length of classic extensions with the extra thickness of volumizing extensions. These are particularly good if you have short, sparse eyelashes.

Hybrid lashes involve using 30% classic lashes to 70% volumizing lashes. This creates a more texturized, fuller look than classic lashes, but is not as uniform in appearance as volumizing lashes.   

Cluster Lashes

We’ve put cluster lashes in a category of their own for a few different reasons. Unlike the classic, volumizing, and hybrid extensions, cluster lashes are pre-made fans, or clusters, of lashes. They are applied all at once to one natural lash, rather than each lash extension is individually applied.

These clusters are not as customizable as the other types of extensions.

Cluster lashes also require a lot more lash glue to apply than the other types and if used too frequently, can actually cause your natural lashes to fall out.

We’d recommend avoiding cluster lashes altogether.

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Can You Put Mascara On Eyelash Extensions?

Yes, you can put mascara on eyelash extensions, but only on classic lash extensions. The biggest issues with using mascara on volumizing and hybrid lashes are that it’s a whole lot of extra weight on your natural lashes.

This can lead them to fall out prematurely.

Also, with volumizing and hybrid lashes, you’ve added a heap of extra lashes. Applying mascara to your now newly super densely packed set of lashes will cause them to stick and cake together – not a good look.

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Waterproof Mascara On Lash Extensions

There are three main reasons never to wear waterproof mascara with eyelash extensions:

1. The ingredients in waterproof mascara are what makes them bad for your extensions, weakening the bond between the extensions and your natural lashes causing the extensions to fall off faster.
2. Because waterproof mascara is water resistant, it can cause your lashes to become dry and brittle and wear out, fall or break off. 
3. Waterproof mascara is not easy to remove without rubbing and pulling. Rubbing and pulling are likely to dislodge the extensions with the already weakened glue bond, due to its ingredients dissolving the lash glue.

Just don’t use waterproof mascara with lash extensions.

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How long after eyelash extensions can I wear mascara?

If you are getting lash extensions, you are not supposed to get them wet for 24-hours to give the bonding agent time to secure the lashes. It’s safe to use mascara on your classic lash extensions after the 24-hour waiting period.

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What Mascara Is Safe For Extensions?

If you are spending your time and money to get lash extensions, you don’t want to go and sabotage your efforts by using a mascara that will damage your extensions and cause them to fall off faster.

We have a list of our favourite picks for best mascaras for classic lash extensions below. But regardless of whether you opt for one on our list or go for another brand, make sure whatever mascara you choose is water-based, not oil-based. Any type of oil that comes into contact with the lash adhesive will loosen that bond and slowly break it down, causing your lashes to fall off prematurely.

With that said, when it comes to removing your mascara, make sure your eye makeup remover is also water-based.

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Our Picks for Best Mascara for Classic Lash Extensions

Here’s our list of picks for the best mascaras for classic extensions. All of the following mascaras are water-based and safe for extensions, designed to boost your lashes without breaking down the adhesive.

Blink Lash Noir Mascara 

Blink Lash Noir Mascara will leave your lashes feeling softer and looking shinier, longer and fuller due to its nourishing ingredients, like keratin and vitamin E. Its non-smudging formula is surprisingly easy to remove.

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Xtreme Lashes Length & Volume Mascara 

Xtreme Lashes Length & Volume Mascara is specially formulated for eyelash extension wear, adding length and volume without clumping, flaking, or smudging. Its gentle formula is free of common irritants making it safe for sensitive eyes and contact lens wearers.

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BeautyGARDE Oil-Free Mascara 

BeautyGarde oil-free mascara is paraben-free, fragrance-free, and hypoallergenic. It is also surprisingly long-wearing and provides all the volume and length without smudging and running.

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Clinique Naturally Glossy Mascara is a water gel-based formula that will leave your lashes looking defined and lengthened. It’s the perfect choice if you are going for a more natural sleek and smooth look. Its gentle formula is easy to remove and safe for sensitive eyes.

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L’Oreal Paris Voluminous Mascara’s water-based formula will evenly coat your lashes for a fuller look without clumping, smudging, or flaking. It’s fragrance-free and allergy-tested for sensitive eyes and contact lens wearers.

Just note that they do also make a water-proof formula, so make sure you don’t accidentally buy the waterproof version.

See also:

• What Is A Good Age To Get Eyelash Extensions?
• Can Eyelash Extensions Be Trimmed?