Sticky Situations: How to Keep Your Lash Adhesive Fresh and Long-Lasting

If you are a lash artist, you are already familiar with the struggle: you open a fresh new bottle of lash glue, use it a few times, and it suddenly becomes thick, stringy, or just does not adhere properly. Nothing is more annoying than squandering costly adhesive — or, worse, jeopardising your client's retention.

Eyelash adhesive is the foundation of every lash set. If it isn't performing well, nothing sticks (literally). But don't worry—with a few simple changes to your regimen, you can extend the life of your lash adhesive, save money, and improve lash retention.

Here are some simple, effective techniques to extend the life of your lash glue, especially on humid days, with long client lists or unexpected back-to-back appointments.

1. Keep Your Adhesive Away from Humidity and Heat 

Lash glue is extremely sensitive to air, moisture, and temperature. High humidity and heat may make it to cure too fast in the bottle, resulting in clumping or premature expiry.

• Keep it in an airtight container or glue storage jar.
• Store it in a cool, dry place (preferably 18-22°C / 64-72°F).
• Avoid leaving it near lash bed lighting or in your car between treatments

2. Shake It Like You Mean It (But Gently)

Before each usage, give your lash glue a thorough shake—but not too hard. Shaking redistributes the cyanoacrylate and other chemicals uniformly, ensuring consistent results.

• Shake side to side or use a glue shaker for 30-60 seconds.
• Never shake directly up and down. This might trap air in the nozzle.

3. Clean the Nozzle Like a Pro 

Lash adhesive bottles get dirty quickly, and residual glue around the nozzle might create air leaks, speeding up deterioration. After each drop:

• Clean the tip with lint-free glue wipes.
• Avoid cotton and tissues since they react with the adhesive!
• Tap the bottom of the bottle before closing to avoid glue accumulation in the top.

4. Know When to Replace Your Drop 

Even the greatest glue or best eyelash glue for individuals has a limited working duration once dispensed. If your drop is left out for too long, it thickens and bonding becomes unstable.

• Replace the glue drop every 15-20 minutes (more frequently in extreme humidity).
• To keep your drop fresher for extended periods of time, use a jade stone or adhesive ring.
• Watch for indicators that it's drying too quickly or stringing.

5. Don’t Push the Shelf Life 

Unopened lash adhesives typically last 6 months, but once opened, they provide around 4-6 weeks of optimal effectiveness — if maintained correctly. Always write the opening date on the bottle!

• Do not stretch outdated adhesive "just to finish the bottle"
• If your sets are lifting or fans are breaking apart, the glue might be outdated.
• Trust your instincts—if it smells odd or is hazy, chuck it.

6. Use Silica Packs or Anti-Humidity Storage 

A useful trick for lash technicians in humid regions is to keep adhesives in a vacuum-sealed container or with silica gel packs. These eliminate excess moisture from the air, slowing the curing process within the container.

This small step has a significant impact on how long your glue lasts, especially if you live in a tropical or wet area.

Your lash adhesive is like your best coworker: if you take care of it, it will take care of you. With the appropriate storage, shaking, and replacement practices, you'll experience fewer retention difficulties, waste less product, and prevent those "Why isn't my glue working?!" meltdowns during a client session.

Take 5 extra minutes each day to care for your glue, and you'll see a significant improvement in both your lash sets and your peace of mind.