You ask us about the safety of DIY lashes all the time – and that’s a great thing! After all, we should all look after our health and choose lash extension methods that make us feel not only beautiful but, above all, safe. DIY bonding lashes are a huge hit in the world of at-home lash extensions. Their secret? They’re applied from underneath – so there’s no lash band visible on your eyelid, and everything holds firmly thanks to a special glue applied to the underside of your natural lashes. Many manufacturers claim you can wear lashes like these for several days or even a couple of weeks (!!!)
But is that really safe?
Today we’re taking a closer look at the safety of DIY lashes, also known as bonding lashes. We want to give you the full picture so you can make an informed decision about whether this solution is right for you.
Where did at-home bonding lash extensions come from?
The bonding lash trend took off around 2018, when the American company Lashify created its own system for at-home lash extensions. Despite very high prices (currently one pair of lashes costs $20 on the official website), the company won over many customers around the world and is still popular today.
Other companies – no longer just in the US – soon followed the trend, including the brand you all know well: Kiss. Both Lashify and Kiss claim that their lashes can be worn safely for 10 days.
Today, this solution is also very popular across Europe, and many women prefer to extend their lashes at home rather than go to a lash stylist.
Can you safely wear bonding lashes for 10 days?
This is where things get tricky, because many lash stylists will tell you with conviction that you can’t. 10 days is too long for your natural lashes – for hygiene reasons, but also because of the growth phases of your natural lashes. The full lash growth cycle takes 30–45 days, and wearing extensions for 10 days in a row can potentially disrupt this cycle, which may end up damaging your lashes.
Ophthalmologist Dr. Ruba Wong mentions on her channel that wearing them for 10 days is too long. She suggests taking your lashes off every few days so you can thoroughly cleanse your eyelids and natural lashes, which helps you avoid infections or inflammation that can harm your eyes and lashes.
On the other hand, bonding lash glue itself (ours: Bond + Seal) is gentle and can be worn safely on natural lashes. There are no fumes and no stinging like you might experience with traditional lash extensions. The application process is shorter and much more comfortable. Our Bond contains no latex, formaldehyde or cyanoacrylate, so it can be an alternative for allergy-prone and sensitive people. Our glue also has nourishing properties thanks to the vitamin E in its formula.
How to use at-home DIY lashes safely
- Don’t wear these lashes for longer than 5 days – even though the biggest brands talk about longer wear, we recommend not wearing them that long. You can easily take your lashes off after five days, clean them and reapply them. That way, you’ll avoid your natural lashes falling out before they’re ready, and your look will stay flawless the whole time. Of course, you can also wear them for a shorter time.
- Cleanse your lashes every day – ideally with a cotton pad (even better: a reusable one!), from above and from below. Avoid oil-based products and rubbing your lashes hard.
- Check the bond’s ingredients – especially if you’re allergic to professional lash glues! Bond by Wink Beauty contains no cyanoacrylate or formaldehyde and can be an alternative for people with allergies.
- Finish your look with Seal – it makes your lashes stop feeling sticky faster, so dirt won’t cling to them. Seal creates a protective coating that makes wearing these lashes more hygienic.
- Apply only a small amount of Bond – it’s easy to overdo it with glue during application. Apply just a little, and only at the base of your lashes. Too much glue won’t dry properly, which means your look won’t last as long and more dirt will collect in your lashes.
- Remove your lashes and the Bond carefully – when you’re ready to take off your DIY lashes, use a dedicated Remover. It not only helps you take the lashes off but also dissolves the glue from your natural lashes.
Using DIY lashes safely comes down to proper application, good hygiene while you wear them and removing them the right way. At Wink Beauty, we also make sure our lash segments are super lightweight, so they don’t weigh down your lashes while you wear them. If you still don’t feel comfortable with the idea of DIY lashes, try magnetic lashes, which you take off every evening.