We all have our tried-and-true shampoos for our hair, but how many of us have found a shampoo for our lashes? While you might think that lash shampoo is just an eye makeup remover, it is actually a product that is specifically formulated to cleanse the lash hairs as you would cleanse your actual hair.
Lash shampoo is an ideal cleansing product for those with lash extensions in particular, as lash extensions require their own set of maintenance and care to ensure they last as long as possible in between appointments.
As opposed to eye makeup remover, lash shampoo is a gentle cleansing formula that is meant to wash away any excess makeup, dirt, or oils from the lashes that regular cleansing, and even eye makeup remover, might miss.
It is an oil-free formula that will keep the lash bond of your extensions in place, yet thoroughly remove any buildup on or between the lashes.
When used with the proper tools, such as a disposable mascara spoolie or a small brush, the solution is able to get as close to the lash line as possible, providing a thorough clean that can often be missed with a swipe of an eye makeup remover.
Lash shampoo is a cleanser that is meant to rid your lashes of any makeup, dirt, or oils, in a gentle and thorough way. While anyone can incorporate lash shampoo into their routine, it works particularly well for those with lash extensions to maintain their care while not breaking down the lash bond at a quicker rate.
So, how do you make lash shampoo? You can make your own lash shampoo at home by mixing one tablespoon of baby shampoo, one teaspoon of baking powder, and distilled water together in a bottle with a foam pump top.
Lash shampoo is a product that is easy to make at home, using only baby shampoo, baking soda, and distilled water, and we have details below.
What Is Lash Shampoo?
Much like shampoo for your hair, lash shampoo is a cleanser specifically made for your lashes and lash extensions.
While it might seem like your regular facial cleanser or eye makeup remover is doing the job of ridding your eye area of any excess makeup or oil, often times those products can leave bits of makeup behind or a coating of oil on the lash extensions.
Lash shampoos are created to be gentle for the eye area, deeply cleansing to remove dirt, oil, and makeup, and nourishing for your lash extensions while preserving the bond from breaking down too soon.
Why Should You Use Lash Shampoo?
It may seem like an unnecessary step, but using a lash shampoo will have benefits to your skincare routine, especially if you are someone who frequently has lash extensions applied.
With lash extensions in particular, the proper care and maintenance to ensure the extensions stay intact helps prevent the extensions from falling out too early and needing a refill appointment sooner than necessary.
Not only will lash shampoo help to cleanse the lashes thoroughly, it will also help to keep the lashes and extensions nourished.
While there are countless eye makeup removers on the market, most of them are oil-based, which helps with removing stubborn, long-wearing mascara and eyeliner.
However, any skincare product that is oil-based is more likely to break down the bond that adheres lash extensions causing the extensions to shed earlier than usual. Having lash extensions shed at a faster and earlier rate will result in needing refill appointments more frequently.
Oil-free makeup removers can also leave a film or greasy feeling behind, even after it is washed away. It can be hard to rinse free completely which would also cause residual eye makeup to be left behind.
While facial cleansers and eye makeup removers, oil-based or not, can seem like they are completely ridding your lashes of any makeup, oil, or debris, often time they do not thoroughly cleanse the lash down to the root, leaving behind buildup of residual eye makeup or oils.
If you want to care for your lash extensions, or your regular lashes, to keep them feeling nourished, deeply cleansed, and want to add an extra pampering step to your skincare routine, lash shampoo is easy to DIY at home or can be purchased the next time you go to lash extension appointment.
How To Use Lash Shampoo
Using a lash shampoo is similar to using an eye makeup remover, however in order to get the most thorough clean, there are a few extra items you will need.
A brush or a disposable spoolie are going to be helpful in getting the cleanser as close to the lash root as possible, and will also work to grab and cleanse between each lash.
It is also helpful to avoid using woolen cotton rounds to swipe across the lashes, as they cotton can often become stuck in the lash extensions and cause irritation.
After cleansing the face as usual, take the disposable spoolie or a small, soft makeup brush, and work the solution onto the lashes to begin ridding them of any excess makeup or oil.
A tip to making sure you are getting down to the root is to take a folded piece of tissue or a small makeup remover towel and place it under the lashes as your eyes are closed.
Then take the lash shampoo on the disposable spoolie and gently comb the product through the lashes, or use the solution and the small brush to gently wipe across the lashes.
By combing the lashes through with the spoolie and the cleanser, or swiping across with the small brush, the makeup and oils on the lashes are broken down and able to be easily rinsed or wiped away.
Make sure not to rub aggressively against your lashes, extensions or not, when using a lash shampoo because they are delicate hairs that need to be cared for gently.
It is also helpful to swipe the spoolie or brush in downward motions, rather than back and forth to avoid tangling the lash extensions or being too harsh on the natural lashes.
Recipe For At-Home Lash Shampoo
The most popular way to create your own lash shampoo at home is by using baby shampoo, baking soda, and distilled water in a foaming pump bottle.
This solution is gentle, yet with a cleanser to rid any residue from the lashes. It calls for one tablespoon of baby shampoo, one teaspoon of baking powder, and the rest with distilled water mixed together in a bottle with a foam pump top.
If you are creating the lash shampoo with baby shampoo, look for one that is sulfate-free. While baby shampoo is more gentle than typical shampoo or certain cleanser, ones formulated with sulfate can be too drying for the lashes and not provide the proper amount of moisture.
It is also important to make sure that it is gentle enough to prevent against tearing or eye irritation, as baby shampoos are not ophthalmologist-tested for the eye area.
If you want to try another method that does not include baby shampoo, using an oil-free micellar water will help to deeply clean the lashes.
Micellar water is a gentle cleansing water, and can be used to clean the lashes with the same technique as mentioned above. It is key to look for oil-free options to avoid breaking down the bond of the lash extensions.
Conclusion
Lash shampoo targets each individual lash to provide a deep and thorough clean, while also cleansing as close to the lash line as possible.
While it might seem like your regular cleanser and eye makeup remover is doing the job, if the lashes are not completely cleansed of excess makeup, dirt, or oil, it can cause buildup to occur which could lead to eye irritation.
Especially with lash extensions, buildup of product or general irritation can cause your extensions to start shedding sooner that usual, resulting in more frequent refill appointments.
Because lash extensions require their own type of care, you have to be mindful of how you are cleansing your face and what products you are using to remove makeup.
It is recommended to avoid wetting lash extensions, especially soon after a new set is applied, which can cause you to alter the way you wash your face to avoid soaking your extensions.
Through avoiding getting the lash extensions too wet, any eye makeup products are more challenging to remove, as well as any debris or oil that is naturally produced throughout the day, leading to product buildup and irritation.
Lash extensions also require products that are oil-free, as to not break down or loosen the bond that adheres the extensions. Most eye makeup removers are oil-based, as they are meant to break down stubborn or waterproof eye makeup products.
Not only can the oil-based product lead to shedding lash extensions sooner, but the product can also leave an oily residue on the eye that is difficult to rinse away completely.
Whether you have lash extensions or not, or you just want a change from your regular eye makeup remover, lash shampoo is a gentle cleanser that can be a DIY product you can make at home to try out for yourself!
Related Articles
Can You Use Micellar Water To Clean Eyelash Extensions?
Best Eyelash Extension Cleansers
