UV Lash Glue Application: Step-by-Step Guide

Course: UV lamp and UV glue lash course · Module 4 of 5

UV lash glue application is very close to the technique you already know: isolation, picking up the extension, dipping the base, placement and direction. The difference is one extra step, curing with the lamp, and everything you need to watch to make that step effective and safe. In this module you will go through the full procedure, learn how to organise curing by zones without piling up exposure, and how to check your work. Times and distances always come from the manufacturer of your lamp and your glue.

Module objectives

Prepare the client and the station using the protection protocol from Module 2.
Apply extensions with UV adhesive step by step.
Organise the work by zones so the lamp moves as little as possible.
Check that every bond is cured and properly separated.
Recognise the typical faults of light curing.

What changes and what stays the same

Tatti Lashes explains that its UV glue is applied in exactly the same way as a traditional adhesive and works with all lash types: classics, pre-made fans, hand-made fans and easy-fan lashes (you will find all of these in our lashes range). What changes is when the bond cures:

Step	Traditional cyanoacrylate	UV adhesive
Isolation, pick-up and direction	Same	Same
When curing happens	Starts on contact with moisture	Completes when you switch on the lamp (for hybrid glues, check the open time on the datasheet)
Time before moving on	Depends on the glue and the room	A few seconds of light, per the manufacturer (1–2 s with systems such as KA Lashes, Tatti Lashes or Beamlight)
Kit during the service	Tweezers, glue, hygrometer	Plus: lamp, pedal, UV glasses and tested eye protection

Sugarlash PRO lists greater control over curing as a benefit: you can correct the position before switching on the light. But remember that many UV glues are cyanoacrylate hybrids (Module 1), so do not assume you have unlimited working time.

Preparing the client and the station

Consultation and contraindications. Go through those from the extensions course and the UV-specific ones (Module 2). If there is any medical doubt, do not apply.
Patch test as specified by the glue manufacturer.
Explain the eyes-closed protocol and ask your client to tell you if she notices light or warmth.
Cleanse and prep the natural lashes as in the extensions course, following your products’ instructions.
Apply pads or tape that you have tested under the lamp (Starry Lashes). Curacoro insists that protection must be in place before the lamp is switched on.
Put on your UV glasses and nitrile gloves.
Position the lamp (for example the UV LED lamp with foot switch) at the manual’s distance, with the beam at its smallest useful setting, and put the pedal in place.
Shake the glue (if you use our UV glue, follow the directions on its packaging; KA Lashes and Beamlight suggest about 30 seconds) and place a small drop on an opaque holder, away from light.

UV lash glue application step by step

Isolate the natural lash with your isolation tweezers, as always (see our tweezers). Good isolation matters even more because the light will lock anything touching the glue in place within seconds.
Pick up the extension with your placement tweezers and dip the base into the drop. The amount is set by the technique you already know: just enough to cover the bonding area. More glue does not make a better bond.
Place the extension on the natural lash, at the distance from the lid your technique calls for, and set direction and angle.
Correct before curing. Check that no neighbouring lashes are caught in the bond. This is the moment to fix things.
Centre the bond in the light. Beamlight says the glue dot should sit in the centre of the light cone. Make sure your tweezers or fingers are not shading the bond.
Press the pedal for the time stated by the manufacturer of your lamp and glue, keeping the lash isolated while the light is on.
Release and check gently that the extension is secure and separate before moving on.

If an extension is not set within the stated time, do not keep curing it again and again. Check distance, centring, compatibility and the condition of the glue (Module 3). Repeated presses only add exposure.

Curing by zones: how to organise it

The sources we consulted mainly describe bond-by-bond curing: place one extension, cure it and move on. KA Lashes, Tatti Lashes and Beamlight quote 1–2 seconds per extension, and Beamlight considers lash-by-lash work the simplest method. Curacoro recommends a narrow beam for bond-by-bond curing.

Working “by zones” means organising the lamp, not curing lots of unset extensions in one go:

Divide the eye into zones (for example inner corner, centre and outer corner) and set the lamp arm for each zone. Curacoro advises adjusting it per zone rather than moving the lamp after every lash, which slows the service down.
Change zones with the light off and check the manual’s distance again.
For the other eye, Beamlight suggests tilting the client’s head, changing your position or using a second lamp with its own pedal.
Wide beam only for checking: Curacoro keeps the wider beam for reviewing a finished section, while avoiding unnecessary exposure around the eye.

We did not find a reliable manufacturer protocol for curing several extensions with a single exposure. Starry Lashes warns that exposure increases if the time per lash is extended or many lashes are cured in one session. If your manufacturer describes a different method, follow your manual.

Final check

With the lamp off, brush through the extensions and check zone by zone that each one is attached to a single natural lash.
Check direction and symmetry between both eyes.
Make sure there is no uncured glue left on the skin or pads before removing them.
Remove the pads with the lamp off and ask the client to open her eyes slowly.
Ask how she feels (stinging, watering, discomfort) and note it on her client card along with the glue and batch used.
Give written aftercare (Module 5), following your glue manufacturer’s directions.

Common mistakes

Switching the lamp on before protection is in place, or when the client is about to open her eyes.
Shading the bond with your tweezers while curing: the light does not reach the glue dot properly.
Moving the lamp after every extension. You change the distance without noticing and lose time.
Releasing isolation before the light goes off. Neighbouring lashes set together in seconds.
Pressing the pedal repeatedly on the same bond “to be sure”.
Stepping on the pedal by accident while shifting position.

Module summary

Placement technique stays the same; the new step is curing with light.
Protection in place and tested before the lamp goes on; UV glasses and gloves on.
Correct the position before curing, centre the bond in the light and respect the manufacturer’s time.
Organise the work by zones by fixing the lamp, but cure bond by bond unless your manual says otherwise.
Check with the lamp off and record the products used.

Self-assessment

When do you correct the direction of an extension with UV adhesive?

Before switching on the lamp. Once cured it is much harder to fix, and with a hybrid glue your working time is not unlimited.

What does working “by zones” mean in this module?

Fixing the lamp for one zone of the eye and curing extension by extension within it, readjusting the lamp with the light off when you change zone.

An extension will not set. Do you press the pedal several more times?

No. You check distance, centring, compatibility and the condition of the glue. Repeated presses only add exposure.

Why must isolation be held while the light is on?

Because curing happens within seconds and any neighbouring lash touching the glue would be bonded too.

Note: this online course is for educational and information purposes only and does not replace hands-on, in-person training with a qualified educator. Always follow each product manufacturer’s instructions.

Sources

Buy the course supplies

All the supplies for this course are available at Lash Canarias:

← Previous module

Course index

Next module →