I thought I would tell you how to remove eyelash extensions and how to do it yourself at home. While I love my eyelash extensions and plan to get them redone, I knew when we welcomed our second son that I wouldn’t be able to keep my monthly refill appointments while I was on maternity leave. It just wasn’t worth it to me until our son got a little bigger and got into more of a routine. So at my last appointment I talked to my esthetician about the best way to remove them at home so I could leave them on for as long as possible. But once they started shedding, I was able to safely remove them until I was ready to come back and get extensions again.
I was also into extensions for years and it can be a good idea to remove eyelash extensions for a while to give your natural lashes a break and allow for regrowth without extensions. This is also a good time to use an eyelash growth serum if you wish. We’ll talk more about that later in this post.
Related: I got a lash lift and tint and this is what happened. What Happened When I Tried Grande Lash MD. What Happened When I Tried Lashify Lashes.
Supplies
You will also need water and clean washcloths. Personally, I like to use black washcloths like these for anything makeup-related because all our other towels and towels are white (which I like because you can bleach them). But makeup can really stain, so black washcloths for washing your face are great.
How to remove eyelash extensions
Start by washing your eyelids well. If you want to be gentle, don’t scrub your lashes. But if you want to keep your eyelash extensions, you normally want to wash your eyelids and around your eyes very gently so that the extensions don’t get wet. This is the opposite: you want to wash your eyelids and eye area thoroughly so that the lashes start to fall out just from the water and eyelash shampoo.
After you have washed thoroughly, use a spoolie to gently run the remaining water through the eyelash extensions, aiming to wet the base. You will likely notice a fair amount of eyelash loss during this process. You do NOT need to pull or tug on your eyelashes. Just comb them out with the spoolie. And pat your face dry while it is still wet.
Then use the applicator brushes (or a cotton swab) to apply the adhesive remover to the base of the extensions. Then use a spoolie to comb them through. Repeat this process as many times as necessary to remove all extensions.
If you feel adhesive remover getting into your eyes, wash them again with the eyelash shampoo.
What NOT to do
- Do not pull off the eyelash extensions. This will probably also pull out your natural lashes. This is very tempting in the end when you only have a few stubborn extensions left, but resist!
- Don’t pull your eyelashes. Only use the spoolie to remove extensions. They basically need to be combed out, just like hair sometimes does when you brush your hair.
- Do not scrub or rub your eyelashes harshly, even with a washcloth. Soft is the key word here!
- Do not use eye-irritating soaps or other products. The adhesive remover can be a bit irritating, so try not to get it in your eyes and if you accidentally do, rinse it out. It’s not dangerous, it just hurts.
Frequently asked questions
What does eyelash glue solve?
Eyelash glue removers, usually those containing a solvent such as acetone or isopropyl alcohol, will work best.
Can I use Vaseline to remove eyelash extensions?
Vaseline can help soften and loosen eyelash extension glue, but a solvent product works best.
Does baby oil remove eyelash extensions?
Baby oil and other oils such as coconut can help soften and loosen the eyelash extension glue, but a solvent product works best.
Do eyelashes grow back?
Yes. Unless you have another condition, eyelashes, like other hair on your body, typically grow back within six to eight weeks. This may depend on your genetic makeup, diet, and a few other factors, but eyelashes usually grow back in most cases.
Take care of your natural eyelashes
- If you have had eyelash extensions for a long time, give your natural lashes time to breathe and grow without other products such as heavy mascaras. It’s hard when you’re used to the look of extensions, but just like giving your nails a break from acrylic, this can be very healthy for them.
- Even though you have natural eyelashes, this may be a good time to use a growth serum. You can make your own natural hair growth spray with rosemary and apply it to your eyelashes in the evening after washing your face with a spoolie. Another option is commercial eyelash serums such as Grande Lash-MD, The Ordinary, Latisse, Babe Lash or RevitaLash.
While I love my eyelash extensions and plan on getting them again, it’s great to know how to remove eyelash extensions at home if you need to or want to take a break. Thanks for letting me share it! If you’ve had success removing extensions and have more tips you’d like to share, please leave a comment below.
