Lash Extension Liquids Explained

When it comes to creating beautiful lash extension sets, your lashes, tweezers and adhesive might get most of the attention. But what about the liquids you use before, during and after your treatments?

Lash extension liquids play an important role in your lashing routine. From preparing natural lashes for better adhesive attachment to helping improve retention and supporting a smoother application, the right products can make a real difference to your technique.

But with Lash Primers, Lash Neutral, Retention and Speed Boosters and Flexibonder available, knowing which ones you need and how they work together can feel a little confusing.

That's where we come in! We're breaking down the essentials of lashing liquids, explaining what each product does and helping you understand how to get the most from your lash extension prep routine.

What Are Lashing Liquids?

Lashing liquids are specialist products used throughout the lash extension application process. Depending on their purpose, they can help cleanse and prepare the natural lashes, support adhesive performance, improve the application process or help care for the finished set.

They're designed to complement your lash adhesive and application technique, rather than replace the fundamentals of good lashing.

Some of the most common LashBase lashing liquids include:

• Liquid Lash Cleanser: A gentle yet effective lash cleanser, specially formulated to maintain the pH of natural lashes, making it suitable for all lash types. 
• Lash Primer, Cleaner & Accelerator: Used during preparation to help remove residual oils and impurities from the natural lashes.
• Gentle Primer: An alcohol free primer that removes oil and residue while being kind to your client’s lashes.
• Lash Neutral: A preparation product that provides an optimal PH level which encourages the cuticles to open up, meaning better retention. 
• Retention & Speed Booster: Can be used in multiple scenarios and is designed for boosting lash extension application speed and adhesive retention.
• Flexibonder: Creates flexible adhesive bonds meaning you don’t have to put so much trust in how well your clients look after their lashes last once they leave your lash room. 
• PerfectFan: Stops lash adhesive travelling up your beautifully crafted lash fan.  

Although these products can all play a role in your routine, they aren't interchangeable. Understanding their individual purposes is the first step towards building an effective lash extension prep and application process.

1. Lash Primer, Cleaner & Accelerator

A good lash extension application starts before you even pick up your adhesive.

Natural lashes can collect oils, makeup residue, skincare products and other impurities throughout the day. If these aren't properly removed, they may interfere with the adhesive's ability to attach to the natural lash.

That's why lash preparation is so important.

When should you use lash primer?

Lash primer is generally used during the preparation stage, after cleansing and before applying lash extensions.

Not every client or lash system will require the same approach, and using more product doesn't necessarily mean better results.

What about alcohol-free lash primer?

If you're looking for a gentler approach to lash preparation, it's worth understanding the ingredients in your chosen primer.

LashBase's Gentle Primer is alcohol-free, helping remove oils and residue without over-dehydrating the natural lashes. Ideal for sensitive clients or those prone to irritation. It’s also strawberry scented!

Lash Artist Tip: Don't rely on primer to compensate for inadequate cleansing. Thorough lash cleansing, appropriate preparation and correct adhesive use all contribute to a successful application.

2. Lash Neutral

Lash Primer and Lash Neutral are both associated with preparing natural lashes before extensions, but they're not necessarily the same product.

Choosing between them comes down to understanding their purposes and how they fit into your existing routine.

Lash Primer is commonly used to help remove residual oils and impurities from the lashes. Lash Neutral is a separate prep product.

If your client's lashes are too acidic, your lash adhesive will set slower and cause adhesive bonds to shrink and become weak, resulting in poor retention. And if your client's lashes are too alkaline, your lash adhesive will set too fast and unevenly which will also result in poor retention. 

Lash Neutral creates the perfect pH neutral surface for the best possible performance and adhesive bonds. This encourages the cuticles to open up, creating a better grip.

Lash Primer vs Lash Neutral, read this.

3. Retention & Speed Booster

Ask any lash artist what they want from their lash extension appointments, and good retention is likely to be high on the list.

Clients want their lashes to look beautiful between infills, while lash artists want to create consistent results they can feel confident in.

Retention and Speed Booster is designed to support lash artists in multiple scenarios.

• Speed up your application process by applying it to the base of the lash strip to prevent adhesive migration and keep your handmade fans open.
• Speed up your adhesive - avoid stickies and improve retention in winter months when adhesive dries slower.
• Great for beginners who want to trial faster glue speed.
• Retention booster for dark and oily lashes.

For more details about the Retentoin & Speed Booster, read this.

Lash Artist Tip: If several clients are experiencing poor retention, look for a pattern. Reviewing your preparation routine, adhesive conditions and application technique can help you identify the cause more effectively than changing products at random.

4. Flexibonder

Prep products aren't the only liquids worth understanding. What you do at the end of your lash extension appointment matters, too.

Flexibonder is designed to be used after lash extension application to support the adhesive bond and make it more flexible. Essentially, it reduces the time clients need to wait before certain aftercare activities.

What’s so good about LashBase’s Flexibonder?

• Flexibonder neutralizes adhesive fumes, which reduces the chances of irritation.
• Polymerizes the adhesive with no 'shock curing'.
• Creates a flexible bond, meaning better retention.
• Clients can get their lashes wet straight away.
• 50% more than other brands at no extra cost.
• Added Japanese Honey Suckle and vegan-friendly Keratin alternative for anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory properties. 

For more details about Flexibonder, click here.

5. Do You Need Every Lashing Liquid?

It's easy to feel like you need every product in your lash kit, especially when you're trying to improve retention or speed up your appointments.

But building an effective routine isn't about collecting as many liquids as possible. It's about understanding what each product does and choosing the ones that genuinely support your application process.

If you're building your professional lash kit, start with the essentials.

For Lash Artists struggling with retention →

Start by reviewing your lash prep, adhesive conditions, attachment technique and client aftercare.

If these are consistent, it may be worth exploring a primer or Retention & Speed Booster as part of your lashing routine.

For Lash Artists looking to improve speed →

Review your adhesive's working time and make sure it suits your application speed.

If your technique is consistent and you're looking for additional support, the Retention and Speed Booster may be an option.

For experienced Lash Artists refining technique → 

You may already have a reliable routine but want to explore different preparation products or finishing steps.

This is a good opportunity to compare, review and test products systematically to understand how they perform within your own working environment.

6. Common Mistakes to Avoid When Using Lashing Liquids

Even the right products need to be used correctly. Keep these common mistakes in mind when working with lash extension liquids.

Using too much product

More isn't always better. Excess liquid can interfere with your application or leave unwanted residue. Follow the recommended amount and application method.

Skipping proper lash cleansing

Primer and other preparation products shouldn't be used as a substitute for thorough cleansing. Make sure you remove makeup, dirt and other residue with a lash shampoo before beginning the application process.

Expecting one product to solve every retention problem

Retention depends on multiple factors. A Lashing Liquid may support your process, but it won't compensate for incorrect attachment, unsuitable environmental conditions or bad aftercare.

Ignoring your working environment

Temperature and humidity can affect adhesive performance. Check your salon conditions and follow your adhesive manufacturer's guidance. 

Not following product instructions

Lashing liquids have different intended uses and methods of use, so always make sure you read the instructions before use.

Frequently Asked Questions About Lashing Liquids

What is the difference between Lash Primer and Lash Retention and Speed Booster?

Lash Primer is generally used during preparation to help remove residual oils and impurities from the natural lashes. A Retention and Speed Booster is designed to prevent adhesive migration on lash fans, speed up lash glue for better retention in the winter (when adhesives get colder and therefore dry slower) and a retention booster for dark and oily lashes.

Does lash primer improve lash extension retention?

Proper lash preparation can help create suitable conditions for adhesive attachment. However, primer alone cannot guarantee better retention. Cleansing, adhesive selection, environmental conditions, application technique and aftercare all play a role.

Should I use Lash Primer and Lash Neutral together?

Not automatically. These products have different intended uses, and whether they belong in the same routine depends on the natural lash. If you needed to use a Primer and Lash Neutral, use Gentle Primer as it is softer on the natural lashes.

Why are my lash extensions not lasting?

Poor retention can have several causes, including inadequate cleansing, incorrect attachment, unsuitable adhesive conditions, natural lash growth and inconsistent aftercare. Review your entire application process before deciding which products to change.

Do lashing liquids make lash extensions last longer?

Some lashing liquids are designed to support preparation, adhesive performance or the bonding process. However, results depend on the individual product and how it's used alongside the rest of your application routine. No liquid can guarantee a specific retention period.