Most lash extension artists have experienced it at least once or twice—one day you pull out your lash adhesive and it’s a little thicker and more viscous than usual. What do you do? Is the lash adhesive still good to use? The short answer is: yes! Don’t waste good money (and product) by throwing out NovaLash adhesive that might look a little thicker than usual.
The natural viscosity of eyelash adhesive varies depending on a variety of environmental factors, like humidity, age, and even which other chemicals—like ammonia—are used in your workspace. All lines of NovaLash adhesives are still good as long as they are still in liquid form. It’s absolutely normal for your adhesive to thin out or thicken up a little. The only time you need to toss your adhesive is if it’s completely solidified. Then it’s time to re-up your supply.
But how do you work with thicker, more viscous lash adhesive, and why does it get that way in the first place? Here are some important things to know about lash extension adhesive viscosity.
Why Does Lash Extension Adhesive Thicken?
Lash adhesive thickens for a variety of reasons, but a big one is that it might simply be a little older. Adhesive gets thicker as it ages, similar to how nail polish gets thicker the older it gets. Unlike nail polish, though, thickened adhesive is still good, and can definitely still do the job with no risk to your clients. It’s good practice as an extensionist to use the entire bottle of adhesive before moving onto the next, regardless of viscosity. Not only does this save you money in the long run, but regularly using the same bottle of adhesive when you lash will keep the adhesive itself fresher. If you use one bottle of adhesive only a few times, then come back to it in a few months, it will have thickened over time. Do your best to finish out each bottle you open, and your adhesive will better retain the exact consistency you’re used to. The more you open and close the same bottle, the thicker your adhesive will be the next time you reach for it.
There are other reasons your adhesive might be thicker than usual, though. If your workroom is humid, or if you store your adhesive in an excessively humid place, your adhesive may thicken up. Tools like the Aura help you keep an eye on the temperate conditions of your studio and any other place you need good humidity and temperature readings. The best way to maintain the consistency of your adhesive is to keep it tightly sealed in a temperature-controlled environment, use it regularly, and don’t let too much time elapse between uses.
Okay, But Is Thicker Adhesive Bad?
Quite the opposite. Thicker adhesive means your adhesive is high quality. NovaLash adhesives will always have a thicker gel-like texture because they are strong, concentrated and rubberized. They are not thin, weak, and watered down with solvents like competing brands that have to travel long distances from factories in China or Korea. Thicker adhesive can actually be beneficial to lash artists because a gel-like adhesive holds each fiber of a fan more firmly in place. With inexpensive, runny adhesive, the fans can fall apart more easily when you are wrapping the fibers around a natural eyelash. Additionally, a thicker, gel-like adhesive will actually make building fans faster and easier. Thicker, more viscous adhesives form a bubble-shaped drop better on the back of your glove or Parafilm, and this keeps your adhesive drop wetter and more liquid-like longer while you are working.
My Adhesive Is Stringy. Is It Still Good?
Yes! It’s normal for NovaLash adhesive to form strings sometimes. If your adhesive has developed strings, that’s actually a telltale sign that the adhesive is still good! The reason your NovaLash adhesive forms strings is due to the rubberization process. When an adhesive is rubberized, it helps prevent the dry adhesive from cracking and crumbling. The rubberization process is what gives NovaLash lash extensions their signature retention. Because the rubberized adhesive won’t crack or crumble, lash extensions applied with NovaLash adhesive won’t fall out or shed at nearly the same rate as competitors. Rest assured: strings, while they might look strange, are a good thing.
How Should I Work With Thicker Adhesive?
If your glue is drying too quickly, there are a few steps you can take. Try replacing the drop on your glove. If that doesn’t work, consider using parafilm, which helps prevent the adhesive from drying too quickly. If you’re still having trouble with your adhesive, you might switch to a slower drying adhesive, like NovaLash Platinum Bond. You can also adjust your technique. Spread your adhesive well by swiping back and forth multiple times while applying pressure to the natural eyelash. If you need a refresher on how to spread using the Box Technique, refer to your American Volume Instruction Manual. This technique works especially well with firmer, gel-like adhesive textures.
How Should I Work With Thinner Adhesive?
If your adhesive has thinned out, dispense a smaller drop onto your glove so it doesn’t run down the back of your hand as you apply lashes. You can also place a drop of glue onto your glove and let it dry for a moment or two before using it. If you’ve tried those options and your glue is still too thin for your liking, run a humidifier in your room to help it thicken up.
NovaLash’s award-winning eyelash extension formula is made to last – both in the bottle and once applied to the natural lash. That’s why our lash adhesives are prized by lash artists for their outstanding retention. By following the tips above, you can help maintain your desired viscosity and save money by using every last drop of NovaLash adhesive.
Most of all, don’t focus too much on what your adhesive looks like on a given day. It can change textures from day to day. And don’t be afraid of thick adhesive—using concentrated, rubberized, gel-like formulas can actually make lashing easier because your fans will hold together better rather than slipping apart due to weak, runny adhesive.
Take a look at our premier line of lash adhesives. If you want to learn more about how to properly apply adhesive, sign up for our Classic training today!
Blog post written by Lauren Cuevo of NovaLash, 2022. View original blog post here.