Lash Adhesive

Hi lash artists, Nana here.

When choosing a lash adhesive, many beginners look at the number on the bottle — "0.5s," "1s," and so on — and assume that a smaller number automatically means a better glue.

But that's not quite how lash adhesive works.

The drying time printed on the bottle is a starting point — not a guarantee of exactly how fast the adhesive will perform in your salon.

Most adhesive specifications are measured under controlled conditions. But your lash room isn't a laboratory.

Every salon has its own temperature and humidity. Once you open a bottle and expose the adhesive to air, its working behavior can change depending on the environment.

Higher humidity generally accelerates the curing of cyanoacrylate-based lash adhesives, while lower humidity can slow it down. Temperature can also affect viscosity and curing behavior — warmer conditions may make some adhesives feel thinner and affect their working speed, while cooler conditions may make them feel thicker and slower.

So when choosing an eyelash extension adhesive, I recommend looking at four things.

① Adhesive Drying Speed

The number on the bottle is your starting point.

A 0.5-second adhesive may be designed to cure faster than a 1-second adhesive, but what matters most is how it actually performs under your working conditions.

The "fastest" adhesive isn't necessarily the best adhesive for you.

② Your Hand Speed

Your technique and working speed matter just as much.

If your adhesive cures before you've finished positioning the extension, you may have difficulty achieving clean placement.

If it cures too slowly for your technique, you may experience more movement, slipping, or twisting.

The goal isn't to choose the fastest glue. The goal is to choose an adhesive that matches your pace.

③ Your Salon's Temperature & Humidity

This is one of the most overlooked factors when working with lash glue.

Cyanoacrylate adhesives cure in the presence of moisture, which means humidity can have a significant effect on curing speed.

Temperature can also influence the adhesive's viscosity and working behavior.

That's why the same eyelash extension adhesive can feel completely different in two different salons.

Your adhesive and your environment need to work together.

Instead of trying to maintain one "perfect" number, check the working conditions recommended by your adhesive manufacturer and keep your lash room as stable as possible within that range.

④ Your Lash Style & Technique

Your lash style also matters.

Classic sets, hybrid sets, volume, and mega volume work can require different levels of control and working time.

Your isolation technique, pickup method, placement speed, and overall workflow all influence which adhesive feels right for you.

There isn't one "best" drying speed for every lash artist.

The best lash adhesive is the one that gives YOU the right balance of speed and control.

How to Create a Better Lash Adhesive Environment

Here's one of the simplest pieces of advice I can give any lash artist:

Measure your environment.

Keep a hygrometer and thermometer at your lash station.

These inexpensive tools can help you understand what's actually happening in your lash room.

Because you can't adjust what you don't measure.

If your humidity is consistently outside the range recommended for your adhesive, you may need to adjust the environment with appropriate ventilation, a dehumidifier, or a humidifier.

The goal isn't to chase a perfect number every minute.

The goal is to maintain a stable working environment within the range recommended for your adhesive.

How NATUHANA Protects Lash Adhesive During Storage

At NATUHANA, we pay close attention to how lash adhesives are stored before they reach your salon.

Our warehouse uses controlled temperature and humidity conditions for adhesive storage.

Every bottle is sealed with an extra layer of protective film over the paper box packaging, providing an additional barrier against moisture during storage and transportation.

Because proper adhesive performance starts before the bottle ever reaches your lash station.

We want your adhesive to arrive in the condition it was intended to be in.

Quick Summary – Your Lash Adhesive Checklist

✅ Know your hand speed

✅ Measure your room humidity & temperature

✅ Match adhesive speed to your lash style

✅ Test with your working technique before a full set

✅ Store adhesive properly (cool, dry, sealed)

Final Tip from Nana

Choosing a lash adhesive isn't about picking the fastest number on the bottle.

It's about finding the adhesive that works with:

• Your environment

• Your hand speed

• Your technique

• Your lash style

Once you understand these four factors, choosing the right eyelash extension adhesive becomes much easier.

And remember — if you're changing to a new adhesive, always check its recommended working conditions and test how it performs with your own technique before using it for a full set.

Got questions about lash adhesives?

I'm always here.

— Nana

Nana is the digital avatar of lash trainer Yeking Lee, and NATUHANA's long-term product experience ambassador.

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