Lash Extension Safe Eye Makeup List 2023

Current list of lash extension safe eye makeup below. First, an explanation of what makes a product lash extension safe and how to identify them by their ingredients list.

Eye makeup that can be safely used around lash extensions will save you time and money. Any product you put around your eyes (from cheekbones to brows) will quickly migrate to your lash extensions. This can happen during application or after a few minutes of wear. After just a few days you'll notice your lashes shedding prematurely and inevitably, your gorgeous set of lash extensions will be gone before your next fill. This will result in having to go through the full application process again. Not to mention, the cost of a new set of lashes. By using lash extension safe eyeliner, eyeshadow, concealer, and lower-lash mascara, you can keep your lashes full and not have to sacrifice wearing makeup. Remember to cleanse your lash extensions after wearing makeup and thoroughly remove any product. Any eye makeup residue left on your lashes before your fill appointment can cause retention issues with the new lashes being applied, so it's necessary to completely remove it. I recommend avoiding eye makeup of any kind the day before a fill or having at least two cleanses in between wearing it and a lash appointment, just to be safe. Also, makeup can stick to lash extensions making them look clumpy and dirty. It's always best wash your lash extensions in the evening before bed if you've worn any makeup during the day. I outline how to properly cleanse lash extensions in my aftercare instructions. 

There are ingredients common in makeup and skincare that dissolve and weaken lash adhesive. In fact, some common ingredients used in makeup products are used in lash extension removers. This is because they are considered eye-safe, but also just happen work as a solvent to weaken cyanoacrylate, the main ingredient in lash extension adhesive. Ingredients like butylene glycol, propylene glycol, hexylene glycol, paraffin, phenoxyethanol, and vegetable oils are quite common in eyeliners, mascaras, undereye concealers, and cream eyeshadows. These formulations contain them in concentrations that can destroy a full set of lash extensions in less than a week after wearing them. Typically, you'll begin to see the aftermath a day or two after use. I've spent hours searching makeup ingredients to find the best eye makeup products that are free of these ingredients. (big shout-out to my clients who've requested and patiently waited for this list. It took me a while to compile it, but here it is!)

As of January 2023 all listed products currently have formulations that are safe for lash extensions, but please keep in mind, companies occasionally reformulate. I will update this list and try and keep it current. One example of reformulation is Maybelline Great Lash. This WAS lash extension safe, but was reformulated and is no longer safe to use on lower lashes with lash extensions. If you have any questions about a product it's always best to check the ingredients! 

All products are listed with their exact product name on websites and packages. It's important to state that there are no waterproof formulations on this list, as waterproof makeup leaves a film on natural lashes, meaning it's difficult or impossible to fully remove. This will potentially cause any lash extensions applied after use to not bond securely. Please do not wear waterproof eye makeup with lash extensions. If you're going swimming you shouldn't need makeup anyway because you're gorgeous. Your lashes will do all of the heavy lifting and waterproof eyeliner or lower lash mascara isn't needed, I promise.

Lash Extension Safe Eyeliner

·NYX- Epic Wear Long Lasting Liquid Eyeliner

·Honest Beauty- Black Liquid Eyeliner

·Elf- Expert Liquid Eyeliner

·Elf- Intense Ink Eyeliner

·Clinique- Quickliner For Eyes Intense Eyeliner

·MAC- Pro Longwear Paint Pot Eyeshadow (works well as eyeliner!)

Lash Extension Safe Concealer 

·Fenty- Pro Filt'r Instant Retouch Concealer

·R.E.M. Beauty- Sweetener Concealer

·Bare Minerals- Concealer Broad Spectrum SPF 20

·Bare Minerals- Well-Rested Eye Brightening Broad Spectrum SPF 20 

·NYX- 3C Color Correcting Concealer Palette 

·Clinique- Airbrush Concealer

·Makeup Revolution Eye Bright Concealer 

·PÜR- 4-in-1 Sculpting Concealer

·Covergirl- Clean Fresh Hydrating Concealer (Important to note, the "Clean Matte" concealer is not lash safe)

Lash Extension Safe Cream Eyeshadow/Eyeshadow Stick

Some pressed powder eyeshadows contain non-lash safe ingredients. I recommend using loose powder eyeshadows whenever possible. Please check your pressed eyeshadows for added oils or glycols (glycerin is fine) before using. These ingredients are sometimes added to improve pigmentation and keep the eyeshadow pressed into the pan. While they are not often concentrated in large amounts, when they are within the first ten ingredients they may be concentrated enough to decrease retention.

·Bobbi Brown- Long Wear Cream Shadow Stick 

·Laura Mercier- Caviar Stick (not the Roseglow Caviar Sticks. They have a different formulation.)

·R.E.M. Beauty- Midnight Shadows Multi-Use Eye Stick

·Covergirl- Clean Fresh Creamy Eye Shadow Stick

·Morphe 2- Eyewish Shadow Stick

·Chanel- Stylo Ombre Et Contour Eyeshadow-Liner-Khol

·Nudestix- Magnetic Luminous Eye Color

·MAC- Pro Longwear Paint Pot Eyeshadow

Lash Extension Safe Mascara 

Please do not apply mascara to lash extensions themselves, only the lower lashes. Be careful to let mascara on lower lashes dry a little before closing your eyes tightly to cut down on excessive transfer to your lash extensions. Mascara applied directly to lash extensions is difficult to fully remove and can effect future fills. Only apply mascara to lash extensions if you don't plan on getting a fill in the near future. To note, in a pinch you can apply these to your lash extensions without effecting retention, but your lashes will need MULTIPLE cleanses to fully remove it. I say "go ahead" to my clients who are on vacation or away and feel it's necessary. If your lash extensions are well maintained you shouldn't ever feel the need to put mascara on them.

·Jane Iredale- Longest Lash Thickening and Lengthening Mascara

·Chanel- Inimitable Volume-Length-Curl-Separation

·Clinique- High Impact Mascara

·Clinique- High Impact Extreme Volume Mascara

·Juice Beauty- Phyto Pigments Ultra Natural Mascara 

·DIME-Volume Mascara

·Winky Lux- Extravalash Mascara 

·L'Oreal- Voluminous Noir Balm Volumizing Mascara

·Honest Beauty- Extreme Volume Mascara + Bold Lash Primer (both sides)

·Lamik Beauty- Mascara 

Here's a link to my guide for lash extension safe skincare!

I've tried to include different products from luxury to drugstore and all price points. If you have any questions about a product and it's compatibility with lash extensions, please comment below and I'll do my best to provide insight!

-Beauty Geek