Tips for Removing Eyelash Extensions

So you’ve had your lash extensions on for a few weeks, they’ve been great, and you’ve absolutely loved the freedom they have brought you and the time you’ve saved every day. You’ve received compliments from your colleagues and girlfriends, and you’re incredibly happy with your selection. Gone are the days of messing around with gloopy mascara or fiddly falsies. But the extensions are growing out or shedding and time has come where they need replacing. What now?

To ensure safe and proper removal of your extensions you should always book an appointment to get a professional to remove them. After all, these are extensions that are applied with chemicals and are glued around your eyelids. We're using harsh chemicals around sensitive areas, and we do not want to risk irritation or damage.

If there are any occasions however, where you will need to remove the extensions yourself, heed our tips below.

Again, Are You Sure You Can’t Get to the Salon?

Most beauty products and enhancements are difficult to get off, and this is on purpose! You don’t want those expensive acrylic nails to pop off the first time you’re texting, and you don’t want the fake tan you’ve just paid for to run right off your skin. Stylists require training because these are strong chemicals used around delicate areas implemented to keep your extensions on for weeks at a time.

Firstly, Never Pull or Cut Them!

We mean what we say. The extension adhesives that we use ensure the artificial extensions are fully glued to your real and natural eyelashes. If you start pulling them off, you’ll be ripping out your natural eyelashes alongside them, which, I’m sure you don’t need us to tell you, is bad. The goal here is to remove your extensions keeping your natural lashes full and healthy.

What You Can Do

Okay, we’ll stop telling you what you can’t do now, if you’re determined to take matters into your own hands here's what you can do.

Be prepared to be patient, more than likely the lashes won’t come off all at once like a false set, after all it takes a technician an hour and a half to individually glue the lashes to your own. On top of patience, you need to be prepared to be gentle, for the reasons listed above, ensure you’re not pulling or tugging the lashes, they should be easing away gently causing no pressure or stress to your natural lash.

Also ensure you’re always using clean hands before you’re touching your lash line. Your fingers will be prodding and easing around your lashes, and they can be picking up lots of bacteria, which then can be deposited in and around your eyes and eyelashes. This can cause infections and diseases so be aware to have clean hands before you proceed.

Can I Use Eyelash Glue Dissolver? Yes!

We highly recommend using a professional eyelash glue dissolver. These may sound like a quick and easy fix, but caution is required. Again, this is a professional grade chemical, and you should not engage in using it lightly. Trained stylists use these products with care so the untrained person should be extremely cautious before putting any chemicals around their eyes.

If you purchase some, always follow the directions on the bottle and read up some extra tips online accordingly. Whilst you will have to err on the side of caution, they are a very effective way of removing your lash extensions. They are specifically made to remove eyelash glue and so will be effective a lot quicker than waiting a few days for an oil cleanser to dislodge them, even if they’re more dangerous to use.

Can I Use Oil Based Cleaners? Not really!

Any technician will recommend that their clients not use any oil-based cleaners around their lash extensions, and instead find an eyelash friendly cleaner. Oil based cleaners can compromise the eyelash adhesive and cause them to fall out sooner. Incorporating an oil-based cleaner into your routine will help to dissolve the eyelash glue and remove the extensions quicker.

Try to use gentle circular motions around the eyes so as not to stress your natural lashes as you work in the cleaner - warning, this is not a quick solution. It will probably take a few days of using the cleanser before your artificial eyelashes will begin to loosen off and fall out.

Can I Use Water? No!

It would seem that water may be the first choice when removing false eyelashes. However, after 24 hours, the glue has no chance to come off, so keep this in mind as a warning

To Conclude

All but the best stylists, even when being extra careful will incur some damage to your natural lashes, so you will have no doubt damaged some yourself on your removal journey. You should leave your natural lashes alone after removal or even show them some TLC. Remember, only remove them yourself as a last resort, and if you must then slow and steady wins the race. Be careful as the health and wellbeing of your eyes and natural lashes should always come first!