When Do Your Lash Products Expire? A Guide to the Expiration of Lash Extension Supplies

Black Friday has come and gone, and many of us have taken advantage of the incredible deals to stock up on our essential lash supplies - who can blame us?! While it's great to have a well-stocked salon, it's also crucial to be mindful of the shelf life of your products to ensure they perform at their best. After all, there’s no point in stocking up if A) your products expire before you even get to use them, or B) you don’t know how to store or take care of them properly. Here's a guide to help you manage your lash supplies effectively.

Understanding Product Shelf Life

Unfortunately, every liquid product, such as lash glue, remover, cleanser, primer, booster, or superbonder, has an expiration date. Using products beyond this date can lead to subpar performance—for instance, a booster might not open hair cuticles effectively, a remover could become congealed, or your glue might dry up inside the bottle.

Eyelash Extension Glue

Lash glue is often a top pick during our sales, and for good reason, but it's important to consider how much you can realistically use within its shelf life. Unopened, lash glue has a shelf life of six months. Once opened, it's best used within two months. However, If you're lashing daily, and you're opening the bottle frequently,  keep in mind that your glue will be exposed to air more often, so consider switching to a new bottle every 4-6 weeks to ensure the best retention.

Lash Shampoo

A foaming lash cleanser has a longer shelf life, making it a safer bet for stocking up! Unopened, they last up to 24 months, and once opened, they're good for 12 months. They’re definitely worth the purchase as well as you can use them in your pre-treatment routine or retail them to your clients for aftercare!

Lash Pretreatment Products 

Pretreatment is essential for any Lash Tech who wants to ensure excellent retention and client health! But you may be wondering, how long these liquid products last. Here's a quick overview of shelf lives:

Protein Remover Pads: Unopened: 24 months; Opened: 6 months.

Cleanser (Unscented): Unopened: 18 months; Opened: 6 months.

Cleanser (Scented): Unopened: 18 months; Opened: 8 months.

Primer (Scented and Unscented): Unopened: 18 months; Opened: 8 months.

Booster: Unopened: 18 months; Opened: 3 months.

Other Liquid Lash Products

Superbonder: Unopened: 24 months; Opened: 3 months.

Eyelash Extensions Gel Remover: Unopened: 18 months; Opened: 8 months.

Cream Lash Extensions Remover: Unopened: 12 months; Opened: 6 months.

Eye Patches

Eye patches are obviously a must for every lash treatment, so you’ll be glad to know that eye patches have a pretty long shelf life! Eye patches have a shelf life of three years unopened and are single-use after opening, so you can confidently stock up on these.

Non-Perishable Items

Feel free to stock up on non-perishable items like eyelash extensions, brushes, tweezers, and storage solutions, as they don't have expiration dates! 

While Black Friday gave us deals that could not be missed, especially if you’re investing in your business, savvy shopping is about making strategic, mindful purchases. So, with all the past and future products you buy, keep an eye on product expiration dates and consider how much you can realistically use to ensure nothing goes to waste. Navigate sales wisely, prioritise quality, and make every purchase count!