Yes, humidity affects lash adhesive—that’s nothing new. But what if you could finally understand the exact connection between humidity and drying speed? This blog provides specific impact of humidity on drying speed, so you can master adhesive performance like a pro.

As you know slight change in humidity can make your adhesive dry too fast or too slow, leading to weak bonds, poor retention, or a difficult application. So let’s dive into the science of humidity, curing, and the simple steps you can take to keep your lash work effective in any weather. 

The Science Behind Curing: How does humidity influence it?

Let's break it down:

• High humidity = faster curing: Moisture in the air accelerates the chemical reaction that causes your adhesive to dry and harden.
• Low humidity = slower curing: Dry air slows down this reaction, giving you more time to work but potentially leading to slippage and weak bonds.

But here's the catch: It's not just about "faster" or "slower." Even small changes in humidity can significantly alter curing time, sometimes by seconds that can make or break your application.

Visualising Humidity and Drying Time

To truly understand how humidity affects curing time, take a look at the chart below:

This chart provides an example of how drying time changes with humidity for an adhesive with an advertised drying speed of 1 second and humidity support from 40% to 65%. The shaded grey area marks the typical UK indoor humidity range (40% to 60%), where most lash adhesives perform optimally.

• Lower Humidity (below 40%) – Curing slows down, which can cause lashes to slip and leads to weaker bonds.
• Higher Humidity (above 60%) – Curing speeds up, which is great for efficiency but may result in stickies if not timed right.

Note: The exact drying speed will vary with different adhesives, depending on their formulation and recommended humidity range.

Humidity Solutions: Control It or Choose a Forgiving Adhesive

When it comes to humidity, as a lash artist you have two powerful options to ensure high quality lash applications: actively manage your environment or choose an adhesive that performs well in a wider range of conditions. Here’s how you can take control:

1. Monitor and Regulate Humidity
   Start by understanding your workspace conditions with a hygrometer, as humidity levels can fluctuate throughout the day. Keep your environment in the optimal range of 40-60% using the right tools:

   • Use a humidifier to add moisture in drier conditions.
   • Use a dehumidifier to reduce excess moisture in more humid settings.

   This approach gives you consistent adhesive performance and stronger lash bonds.

2. Choose a Forgiving Adhesive
   If regulating humidity isn’t always practical, switch to an adhesive designed for versatility. Orbe Ultimate 0 is a great example—it works seamlessly with industry-leading support for humidity range from 30% to 82%. This makes it ideal for lash artists in unpredictable environments or those transitioning between different workspaces (salon, home based or mobile workplaces). With a wide curing range, it allows you to focus on application without worrying about the air around you.

Humidity is just one piece of the puzzle when it comes to mastering adhesive performance and delivering high-quality lash applications. Equally important are factors like viscosity and the role of temperature—both of which play a critical part in achieving flawless results. For a deeper dive and expert coverage into these essential elements, check out the blog on viscosity and temperature. 

The Bottom Line

Mastering humidity doesn’t have to be complicated. Whether you choose to actively manage your environment with tools like a humidifier and hygrometer or opt for a forgiving adhesive like Orbe Ultimate 0 that adapts to a wide humidity range, you can achieve stronger bonds, better retention, and flawless results. Take control of humidity, and let it become your ally for lashing success in any condition.