Eyelash extensions are a rabbit hole we’ve all found ourselves guilty of falling down. After having them applied, you’ll typically find us leaving the appointment looking like Bambi and vowing never to be seen without them again. But, before you know it, a month has passed by and those perfect lashes are looking scraggly and few and far between. And because we simply can’t help it, before we’ve made another appointment to have them refreshed or removed, we’ve started to pick and pull at the lashes ourselves, causing irreversible damage and fallout to our already weaker natural lashes. Sound familiar? Ahem, shellac manicures.…
Anyway, our point is, though we are always going to advocate for having your eyelash extensions professionally removed, if for some reason you can’t and your only choice is to do it yourself, then the least we can do is recommend the safest and most gentle available option.
So for an at-home eyelash extension removal that is free from the danger of damage or fall out, keep reading. Oh and did we mention if you can do this professionally, then do?
How to remove your own eyelash extensions safely…
What you’ll need:
- Oil-based eye makeup remover
- Coconut oil or olive oil
- Cotton pads
- Cotton buds
- Micellar water
- Eye cream
- Lash serum
What to do…
- To begin soak a cotton pad in your oil-based eye makeup remover like the CLINIQUE Take The Day Off Make Up Remover for Lids, Lashes & Lips ($39 at Adore Beauty) and gently press it onto each closed eye for 30 seconds, focussing the pressure near the lash line, saturating the area as much as possible.*
- Next, dip a cotton bud into your choice of coconut or olive oil and apply it to the lash line (where the glue sits) and rub gently back and forth. At this point you might have one or two lashes start to come away with the cotton bud.
- Soak a cotton pad in the same oil from step two. Press it against your lash line with your eye closed. Very gently rub the cotton pad back and forth continuously.
- Repeat step three until each lash has safely been removed. This step requires patience.
- Once all lashes have been removed, soak a cotton pad in micellar water like the BIODERMA Sensibio H2O Soothing Micellar Water Cleanser ($20.99 at Chemist Warehouse) and run it over each eye to remove the oil.
- Finish with a soothing eye cream or serum to calm the skin. We recommend the Eau Thermale Avène Soothing Eye Contour Cream ($20.99 at Chemist Warehouse).
- Apply an eyelash serum to help rejuvenate, repair and stimulate lash growth. May we suggest any from our best eyelash serums roundup?
*Remember how your lash technician told you not to use oil-based products near your eyes? That’s because oil breaks down the adhesive glue. Which is exactly what we want to do.
Have you ever tried removing lash extensions yourself?
I have not had lash extensions before, I would want to know how to remove them myself if need be if I ever got them.
!!!
I think I’d be too scared to DIY!
me too!
honesty same
They fall off eventually, don’t remove them
Great article. Lash extensions are not for me even though I would love long beautiful lashes. I can’t bring myself to get them done (or removed afterwards). Good luck to those that try. I really hope they work well.
sorry was meant to be a new comment and not a reply.
great tips
I’ve never used any kind of extensions, lash or hair – the very thought of them gives me the heeby-jeebies!
Yes they look lovely on others but not for me
i still want it natural
Totally agree, happy for everyone else to try those out but it seems like too much effort for me!
ahaha same here
I’ve marked jeeny1133 two posts, a couple of comments down, & tinakapoor02‘s post a few below that as SPAM!
Good advice BH.
right
This is useful to know for when I next get lash extension.
Sometimes where its nearly refill time they irritate me so much I want to remove them myself.
I have never had lash extensions but a great article to help those who do
Never had eyelash extensions.
time to get them i guess
I’ve not had actual eyelash extensions myself just the regular false stick on lashes.
same
,,,
Fortunately my lashes are long and I wouldn’t need to get extensions. Good info for those who need to remove them.
Lucky you, always look so good when one has long lashes
Yeh lucky SP! My daughter also has amazing long and black lashes – since birth!! Her eyebrows are also naturally perfectly incredible! I always used to have a bit of a joke when she was a baby that she’d just been to the beauty salon!
I have never had eyelash extensions before
you need to try them
I dont have this problem because I do not use lash extensions.
Not applicable to me but it is helpful article
After seeing it on others and how they “behave” after a week of wear, I am not going to get them.
Yes! I have the same thing happening around me!! 😀
They must have gone to a bad lash tech. I’ve had them on up to 4 weeks+ and even with a few lost still looked good with a bit of mascara to fill in gaps.
I’ve never had them! I wonder what they’d look like on me. I have a friend who has them and honestly they look a little off when they start to grow out but she’s such a beautiful lady on the inside so it doesn’t matter.
Never thought about having lash extensions.
Never had eyelash extensions but helpful to know how to remove them.
ooh no thankyou
Have never had eyelash extensions at all, also I have never used fake eyelashes either. More of a Mascara Girl. But I do like using Eyelash Serums.
Never used extensions, my eyelashes are quite long already! X
so lucky! 🙂
I don’t use lash extensions often, but ill keep it in mind for when I do.
It sounds so hard!
Yes it does sound hard. I never thought of people having to worry about removing eyelash extensions before.
Eye lash extensions are not for me, but this article will probably be useful for those who use them.
I’ve never had them. They are on the too expensive list for me. Also friends who have had them say when they get close to infill time they look awful and are itchy, which turns me off them.
Oh that sounds awful. Now I definitely don’t want to try them.
Good tips for those who need to know
I’ve never tried extensions, preferring to wear false lashes
I love lash extensions. Haven’t had them for a while. Before the first pandemic, my lash salon started selling at home removal kits. Super easy to use and they still sell them now. Before that I tried LITERALLY EVERYTHING to get them off, but my salon uses such a great quality glue that they didn’t budge with oils!
I would love to try eye lash extensions, but don’t want to ruin my natural lashes
They don’t ruin your natural lashes unless a bad lash technician ruins them. I used to get them for over 3 years, nothing ever happened to my natural lashes. Also it’s recommended to use a lash serum to keep them healthy and strong. After I got bored of them and had them removed, I opted for a lash lift and tint instead, and they looked great with mascara.
Not something I’m interested in.
Never had eyelash extensions. Good article for those who have.
I’ve always used an oil, left it on for a few minutes than lightly rubbed at the glue till they come lose, does the least amount of damage I’ve found
I haven’t ever had eyelash extensions, and would be a bit worried about removing them myself.
Oils don’t work if your lash tech uses proper adhesive. They only weaken the adhesive that’s why they aren’t recommended if you have extensions. Tried removing them with various oils once, and ended up ripping about half my lashes out! Just buy a lash removal kit either from your salon or online, or have it done professionally. Easiest removal ever and zero damage!
I have never considered trying extensions before.
I don’t have them but a great read and very helpful.
..
I have not had lash extensions before, I would want to know how to remove them myself if need be if I ever got them.
I have to say that after using under eye Treatment from DermalMD regularly night and day, and while I’m almost out of the first tube and will need to reorder again, I’m bvary amazed at how youthful it has made my eyes look. Bags are virtually gone and skin tone is nicely even glowing.
I’ve never tried lash extensions.
I have noticed that lash extensions are becoming more and more popular and so many people are using them. Therefore this article will be good advise for these people.