Bare Minimum vs Ultimate Lash Extension Pretreatment

Three Eyelash Extension Pretreatment Routines: Bare Minimum vs Ultimate

Wondering how to prepare for a successful eyelash extension application? The answer begins with your pretreatment routine. Just like preparing a canvas before painting, effective lash pretreatment creates a clean surface for the adhesive and can help improve the retention of your lash extensions.

The range of pretreatment products available can feel overwhelming, especially when you are new to lashing. We have therefore outlined three levels of pretreatment, from a basic cleansing routine to the complete five-step system taught as part of professional lash courses.

Level 1: The Bare Minimum – One-Product Routine

For beginner lash technicians or those working with a limited kit, a foaming Lash Shampoo provides a useful starting point. It helps remove makeup, dirt, sebum and oils from the natural lashes and surrounding eye area.

Think of this as cleaning a kitchen counter with a warm, damp cloth. It may not provide the same deep clean as a complete pretreatment routine, but it gives you a cleaner surface to work with. Rinse the cleanser thoroughly and ensure the natural lashes are completely dry before applying adhesive.

How to use: Dispense a pump of foaming cleanser onto the lashes and gently work it through them using a Lash Cleansing Brush. Rinse with saline solution, pat the area dry and apply suitable eyepatches or tape.

The Clean Lashes DUO combines the Foaming Cleanser and Lash Cleansing Brush in one convenient set. Check the product page for current pricing and availability.

Approximate time: Three minutes.

Level 2: The Middle Ground – Three-Step Routine

Ready to improve your lash pretreatment? This routine provides a more thorough cleanse of the eye area and natural lashes before the extensions and eyepatches are applied.

Think of this level as cleaning your kitchen counter with a sponge, soap and hot water. It allows you to tackle more stubborn residue and create a cleaner surface.

The first step uses Protein Removing Pads. For a more precise clean along the lash line, use two Micro Fibre Brushes. Saturate the brushes with product from the pad before carefully cleaning the lashes.

When performing an infill, take care not to disturb the existing adhesive bonds. Make sure no fibres from the pads remain caught in the client’s lashes.

The next step is the Pre-Treatment Lash Cleanser, which is different from the Foaming Cleanser. It removes remaining dirt, makeup, sebum and oils from the natural lashes.

The Cleanser should be followed by Premium Lash Primer. Primer helps prepare the natural lashes for adhesive application and must be allowed to dry completely before the extensions are attached.

The Super Prep DUO combines the Pre-Treatment Lash Cleanser and Premium Lash Primer. Check the individual product pages for current pricing and availability.

Approximate time: Ten minutes.

Level 3: The Ultimate – Five-Step Routine

The complete five-step routine combines the products used in the previous levels with the Retention & Speed Booster. You can learn how each product fits into the process in our dedicated five-step lash pretreatment guide.

The Retention & Speed Booster is applied to the lash extension strip, not the client’s natural lashes. It can accelerate the curing speed of your chosen eyelash glue, help prevent adhesive from travelling up the extension fibres and keep handmade volume fans from closing during application.

Always follow the product instructions and use only a small amount. The Retention & Speed Booster should not be applied to Easy Fanning Lashes because it can affect the adhesive holding the lash layers together.

The complete 5-Step Pretreatment Kit brings the core products together in one set. Visit the product page for current pricing, contents and availability.

Approximate time: Fifteen minutes.