Winter Lash Retention: The Truth Behind Seasonal Lash Loss (and How to Fix It)
If you’ve noticed your clients losing lashes faster in December or struggling with poor lash retention winter after winter, you’re not imagining things. Cold weather creates a perfect storm of conditions that challenge even the most experienced lash artists. The good news? Once you understand what’s happening behind the scenes, you can take specific steps to maintain flawless retention year-round.
Why Winter Wreaks Havoc on Lash Retention
Winter isn’t just uncomfortable for your clients—it’s a nightmare for lash adhesive chemistry. Here’s what’s really happening when temperatures drop.
The Humidity Problem
Lash adhesive cures through a process called polymerisation, which requires moisture from the air. Most adhesives perform optimally at 45-60% humidity. But winter humidity levels? They’re often a fraction of that.
When indoor heating kicks in, it strips moisture from the air. Your lash room might be sitting at 30% humidity or lower—well below the sweet spot your adhesive needs. Without adequate moisture, the adhesive cures too slowly or incompletely, leading to weak bonds that fail within days instead of weeks.
On the flip side, some lash rooms become too humid when clients come in from the cold, bringing moisture on their coats and skin. These rapid fluctuations make it nearly impossible to maintain consistent eyelash adhesive performance.
Why Clients Shed More in December
Your clients aren’t just losing lashes because of adhesive issues. Winter triggers biological changes that affect the natural lash growth cycle:
- Increased Indoor Heating: Dry air doesn’t just affect adhesive—it dehydrates natural lashes, making them brittle and prone to breakage. Weak natural lashes can’t support extensions properly.
- Oil Production Changes: Cold outdoor air followed by warm indoor heat causes skin to produce more oil as a protective response. Excess oil at the lash line breaks down adhesive bonds faster.
- Lifestyle Factors: Holiday stress, dietary changes, and less water consumption during winter months all impact lash health. Many clients also touch their faces more when applying heavy moisturisers to combat dry skin.
- Clothing Friction: Scarves, turtlenecks, and hoods create more contact with lashes throughout the day, physically pulling on extensions.
Common Mistakes Lash Artists Make During Cold Weather
Even skilled lash artists fall into these winter traps:
Mistake #1: Not Adjusting for Humidity
Using the same adhesive and technique year-round is like wearing sandals in a snowstorm—it just doesn’t work. Winter demands different adhesive formulations that cure properly in lower humidity environments.
Mistake #2: Ignoring Room Temperature Fluctuations
Opening and closing your door for clients creates temperature swings that affect adhesive viscosity and cure time. What worked perfectly in your 9 AM appointment might fail by noon if your room temperature has dropped five degrees.
Mistake #3: Skipping the Pre-treatment
In summer, you might get away without primer/pre-treatment. In winter, it’s non-negotiable. Pre-treatment removes oils and prepares the lash for bonding—even more critical when clients arrive with moisturiser residue and extra sebum production.
Mistake #4: Rushing the Cure Process
Cold, dry conditions slow adhesive curing. Artists who don’t adjust their timing or not using eyelash glue speed up solution can cause retention failure.
Mistake #5: Using Old Adhesive
Adhesive has a shelf life of 1-2months once opened. If you’re using the same bottle you opened in September, its performance has likely degraded—and winter conditions will amplify those weaknesses.
Step-by-Step Winter Retention Fixes
Here’s how to bulletproof your lash retention through the coldest months:
Step 1: Monitor Your Environment Religiously
Invest in a quality hygrometer and thermometer. Check readings multiple times throughout the day, not just once in the morning. Your ideal targets: 45-60% humidity and 68-72°F (20-22°C).
If humidity drops below 45%, use a humidifier. If it exceeds 60%, run a dehumidifier. Place your monitoring device near your work station, not by a window or door where readings won’t reflect actual working conditions.
Step 2: Switch to a Winter-Appropriate Adhesive
Not all lash adhesives perform equally in low humidity. Look for adhesives specifically formulated for 30-50% humidity environments, like I AM Lash PRO Blink (20-55%) or Addict (30-65%). These formulations contain different ratios of cyanoacrylate that cure more reliably in drier conditions.
Consider keeping two adhesive options available: one for typical winter days and one for those unexpectedly humid days when weather changes rapidly.
Step 3: Perfect Your Prep
Winter prep requires extra attention:
- Use a lash foam cleanser on every client, even if they claim they cleaned their lashes at home
- Apply pre-treatment to remove any residual oils or skincare products
- Allow the pre-treatment to dry completely before starting application
- Fan the lashes to ensure they’re completely dry
This three-minute investment in preparation can add weeks to retention.
Step 4: Adjust Your Adhesive Amount and Placement
In lower humidity, adhesive takes longer to cure, so you need less of it. Use a thinner coat than you would in summer—just enough to cover the extension base without creating a visible bead.
Place the adhesive slightly lower on the natural lash (still 0.5-1mm from the skin, but at the lower end of that range) to reduce the impact of any oil traveling up from the lash line. Use our Glue Aid which is designed to help eyelash adhesive do dry faster without compromising retention.
Step 5: Extend Your Cure Time
If your summer cure time is 24 hours, consider recommending 48 hours in winter. Educate clients about why this matters—most will happily comply when they understand it directly impacts their retention.
Advise clients to avoid steam, saunas, swimming, and intense workouts during this extended cure period.
Step 6: Use a Sealant
A quality lash sealant acts as insurance against winter’s challenges. Applied at the end of the service, sealant coats the adhesive bond, protecting it from moisture fluctuations and oils while adding flexibility that prevents the brittleness cold weather can cause.
Sealant also speeds up the cure process, reducing the window where bonds are vulnerable.
Step 7: Upgrade Your Aftercare Education
Winter requires more rigorous aftercare. Provide clients with specific winter instructions:
- Cleanse lashes daily with an oil-free cleanser (oils are more problematic in winter)
- Avoid heavy facial oils and creams near the eye area
- Use a humidifier at home to prevent lash dehydration
- Brush lashes away from scarves and high collars
- Consider sleeping on their back to reduce pillow friction
I AM Lash PRO Product Recommendations
Here are the essential products from iamlashpro.com that specifically address winter retention challenges:
For Low Humidity Conditions
Choose an adhesive designed for lower humidity ranges, like our BLINK. Look for products that specify 30-50% humidity tolerance—these formulations are engineered to cure properly even when your room feels like a desert.
Primer Solutions
A quality primer is your first line of defence against winter retention issues. It removes oils, balances pH, and creates an optimal surface for bonding, like our Pre-treatment. In winter, apply primer even on clients who don’t typically need it.
Sealant Protection
Invest in a professional-grade sealant that locks in your work. The best sealants add a protective coating without adding weight or stiffness to the extensions. Apply it at the end of every winter service.
Lash Shampoo
A thorough cleanse before every appointment removes the buildup winter brings: heavier moisturisers, increased oil production, and environmental residue. Choose a formula that cleanses deeply without stripping natural lashes.
Aftercare Kits
Send clients home with proper aftercare products. Winter-specific kits should include oil-free cleanser, a spoolie brush, and clear instructions about cold-weather lash care.
The Bottom Line on Winter Lash Retention
Poor lash retention in winter isn’t inevitable—it’s solvable. The key is understanding that winter fundamentally changes the environment your adhesive works in and your clients’ lashes exist in. By monitoring humidity, switching to appropriate products, adjusting your technique, and educating clients about seasonal aftercare, you can maintain the same stunning retention in January that you achieve in July.
Remember: every client who experiences poor retention is a client at risk of not rebooking. But every client who sees their lashes lasting beautifully through winter becomes your best advertisement and most loyal return customer.
Don’t let winter win. With the right knowledge, products from iamlashpro.com, and commitment to environmental control, you can make poor lash retention winter a thing of the past.
Love, Arune ♥️