What Are Lash Stickies?
Lash stickies occur when an extension becomes attached to more than one natural lash, often to a neighbouring lash, another extension, or a fine baby hair underneath. Instead of being properly isolated, two or more lashes are unintentionally bonded together.
While it may seem like a minor issue, stickies can lead to serious consequences:
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Poor retention
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Client discomfort
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Premature lash shedding
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Long-term damage to the natural lash follicle
Over time, repeated stickies can even affect how your clients’ lashes grow and regrow. That’s why understanding how to identify — and most importantly, prevent — lash stickies is essential for every lash artist.
Why Do Stickies Happen?
The most common causes include:
1. Too Much Adhesive - Excess glue takes longer to dry, giving nearby lashes a chance to get caught in the bond.
2. Inadequate Drying Time - If you move on before the glue has fully dried, the extension may shift and attach to surrounding lashes.
3. Poor Isolation - Not properly isolating the natural lash, especially finer or baby lashes, often results in unintended bonding.
4. Environmental Conditions - Humidity and temperature directly affect glue performance. Even small changes in room conditions can alter your adhesive’s drying time.
Real-Life Scenarios & Fixes
Let’s explore a few common scenarios lash artists face and how to troubleshoot them.
Scenario 1:
“I’m using the same glue and technique… but I’m suddenly getting stickies.”
In this case, it’s time to check your environmental conditions.
Seasonal changes in temperature or humidity can drastically affect how your glue performs. What worked last week might not work today.
Pro Tips:
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Use a hygrometer to monitor humidity and temperature in your space.
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Consider using a glue shaker to keep your adhesive fresh and consistent.
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Adjust room settings — for example, using your AC’s dehumidifying function — to help regulate your environment.
Scenario 2:
“My room levels are perfect. Still getting stickies.”
The issue may be a speed mismatch. You might be working faster than your adhesive allows.
Every glue has a specific drying time — e.g., 1–2 seconds. If you move on before the bond has fully cured, stickies can easily occur.
Pro Tips:
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Match your working pace to your glue’s drying time.
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If using a bit more glue than recommended, add drying time accordingly.
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Be patient — rushing results in stickies and poor retention.
Scenario 3:
“Stickies have always been a problem for me.”
If stickies are a regular issue, work on these two areas:
1. Isolation Technique
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Are you cleanly isolating a single natural lash between your tweezer tips?
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Are you accidentally grabbing baby's lashes underneath?
Stickies caused by poor isolation often go unnoticed until discomfort or lash damage occurs.
Pro Tips:
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Use a mirror to check from underneath the lash line for hidden stickies.
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Reposition your client’s head or use tilting techniques to get a better angle.
2. Glue Usage
Too much adhesive = increased drying time = higher chance of stickies.
If you’re working with premade fans, it’s even more important to manage glue use carefully.
You only need to dip the bottom of the fan’s base into the glue, just enough to coat the stem.
Glue above the base does nothing to improve hold and increases the risk of lashes bonding together.
The Final & Most Important Step: The Sticky Check
No lash set — full set or infill — is complete without a proper sticky check.
✅ Go through the entire lash line and gently separate each lash
✅ Check from multiple angles (top, side, and underneath)
✅ Look for any baby lashes that may be unintentionally glued
Even if your application feels perfect, this final check ensures your client leaves with a clean, safe, and long-lasting result.
Summary: How to Avoid Lash Stickies
✔️ Use only the amount of adhesive needed — less is more
✔️ Monitor your humidity and temperature daily
✔️ Match your speed to your glue’s curing time
✔️ Focus on precise isolation, especially around baby lashes
✔️ Always finish with a sticky check
Final Thoughts
Lash stickies are one of the most common — and most preventable — problems in lash application. By paying attention to your technique, glue habits, and working environment, you can drastically reduce stickies and deliver high-quality, comfortable lash sets that last.
At The Lash Store HQ, we’re here to support lash artists at every stage. That’s why we regularly share free tips, educational blogs, and maintain our Lash Hotline — a dedicated space for answering your most common lash questions.
Stay tuned for more, and if there’s a topic you’d love us to cover, reach out anytime — we’ve got you.