No need to constantly reapply mascara or struggle with tweezers and lash glue when eyelash extensions exist. Lash extensions are a fun and convenient way to enhance your natural lashes and effortlessly amp up your beauty routine. Lash extensions are a semi-permanent solution in which tiny lash hairs are glued to each of your individual natural lashes with an expert-level grade adhesive to keep them secure. But of course, similar to our hair strands, our natural lashes shed and are replaced when new growth occurs every few weeks, which causes lash extensions to fall out as well. But for those stubborn hairs, sometimes extra assistance is needed to fully remove all traces of an old lash extension set.
To ensure the health of your natural lashes, the removal process is just as important as application and maintenance. While there are a bunch of at-home remedies floating around the internet on how to remove your extensions, we decided to go directly to the source and consult lash experts to give us insight on the best way to care for your lashes.
Do lash extensions damage your natural hairs?
“This question is very common, and it is definitely a fair concern. When applied and maintained correctly, lash extensions do not damage your natural lashes,” says master lash technician and owner of NWLashes, Niya Whitlock. The right lash tech will educate you on best practices and products to protect your investment. “The best way to ensure you don't experience any form of damage to your natural lashes is to choose an experienced lash artist and follow all aftercare protocols they recommend.”
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How do I ensure my lash extensions stay on?
Maintenance is key. When it comes to lash care, there are many factors to consider, including skin type, makeup products, and lifestyle. Alyssa Capello, owner of She's Yar Lash & Beauty Bar in Lathem, New York states, “Proper home care is crucial for maintaining lash extensions. It is essential to be mindful of your skin type and cleanse your lashes one to two times a day if you have oily skin. If you wear makeup, washing your lashes is necessary.” Those who frequent the gym should be taking extra care of their lashes, especially workouts that cause you to sweat a lot. “After sweating or going to the gym, washing away any accumulated sweat is important. Swimming in chlorinated or salt water can dry out the lash adhesive, so keeping lashes free from sweat, salt, chemicals, and oil is advised. Additionally, using a silk pillowcase can help prevent any catching or tugging of the lashes while you sleep.”
In addition to using the proper products, it's also best to stay on top of your appointments. “Get the best retention by following all aftercare tips and scheduling all of your appointments according to the timeline instructed by your lash technician,” says Whitlock. “Lash extensions are a semi-permanent solution, so although we want to aim to keep them to last as long as possible, the average lifespan of a set of lash extensions is approximately two to three weeks before you will need to get them filled in.”
Will Vaseline remove eyelash extensions?
Vaseline has become one of the most popular at-home remedies for lash removal, but according to lash professionals, it is not the safest or most effective hack. “Vaseline can not break down the adhesive used in applying lash extensions,” says Capello. “Using Vaseline to remove your lash extensions can cause damage to your natural lashes.”
Though petroleum jelly might seem like a cheap and easy solution to slip off any errant lash extensions, it can still cause unnecessary fall out of your natural eyelashes. “It is safest for the client's eyes and natural lashes to have them removed by a professional. This way, the client can avoid any irritation to their eye and avoid accidentally plucking out any natural lashes,” says Whitlock.
How do you safely remove lash extensions?
“Experienced lash technicians use a remover that is formulated with ingredients that dissolve and break down the adhesive while also keeping your natural lashes intact. The remover will be placed over the client's extensions and after a few minutes, the extensions will glide off effortlessly,” says Whitlock. “Once all of the extensions are completely removed, a proper lash bath is next. During this step, a technician will take their time ridding the area of all products. Once the lash bath is complete and the natural lashes are clean, I always advise my clients to take a small break from extensions before booking a new set. This not only helps promote strong and healthy natural lashes, but it also helps clients remind themselves of their natural beauty,” she adds.
What products are best for removing lash extensions?
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Now, we’ve all experienced those dire situations where there isn’t enough time to take a trip to your lash technician, and you need to take matters into your own hands. Who knew one of the safest alternatives could be found in your pantry? “If you need to remove your lash extensions at home, I recommend using castor oil or olive oil and letting it soak into the lashes at the bases where the bonds are located,” says Capello. “Castor oil will break down the adhesive's bond, making it easier for the lashes to fall out.”
When removing lash extensions at home, what advice would you give beginners?
The general rule of thumb is to always book a professional to remove your extensions. “Many people have been successful with different DIY removal techniques, but that does not mean that it is a safe solution for everyone and we should never jeopardize the health of our eyes,” says Whitlock. “If you are considering removing your lash extensions yourself, I would highly recommend just letting them fall out naturally—as they inevitably will.”
Cappelo seconds this, saying, “I would strongly advise beginners to visit a salon for lash extension removal to avoid damaging the lashes or causing irritation. A professional will have the necessary expertise and techniques to safely and effectively remove the extensions.”
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Meet the experts
Niya Whitlock is a Maryland-based master technician at NW Lashes.
Alyssa Capello is the founder of She's Yar Lash & Beauty Bar in Lathem, New York.
Why trust ELLE Beauty?
As a leading publisher of fashion, lifestyle, and beauty content, ELLE.com is committed to highlighting the best products in various categories by personally testing the latest and most innovative products, interviewing countless experts, and vetting customer-loved items. For this piece, Tasha Smith consulted lash extension experts for advice on the best practices and products for proper (safe) at-home lash extension removal.
Tasha Nicole Smith
Beauty Assistant
Tasha Nicole Smith is ELLE Magazine's beauty assistant. She loves all things hair, makeup, and skincare so you’ll find her talking about it here. She enjoys Marvel movies, a good pair of heels, and lemon drop martinis and also shares a birthday with Beyoncé, which is her go to fun fact.
FAQs
The Expert-Approved Way to Remove Lash Extensions at Home? ›
“If you need to remove your lash extensions at home, I recommend using castor oil or olive oil and letting it soak into the lashes at the bases where the bonds are located,” says Capello. “Castor oil will break down the adhesive's bond, making it easier for the lashes to fall out.”
What is the fastest way to remove eyelash extensions at home? ›Castor oil works great as a night treatment, a sit works hard overnight to weaken extension adhesives and dissolve the bonds while you sleep. All you need to do is coat a clean spoolie or cotton swab with castor oil and brush it onto lashes, while you're doing your evening skincare routine.
What do professionals use to remove eyelash extensions? ›Cream Remover:
The cream-type lash glue remover is used to remove the entire set of eyelash extensions. This thick cream-like consistency remover is easy to apply and sits on the lashes very well without running into eyes or skin. We recommend the cream type lash remover to all levels of lash professionals.
Can I Remove My Lash Extensions Myself? Yes, you can remove your lash extensions by yourself. However, the removal process will be much slower and a lot more delicate than if you went to a professional since they use professional-grade removal to dissolve the lash adhesive.
What can I use to remove eyelash extension glue at home? ›- Soak the affected area in water. The cyanoacrylate will thicken / harden and turn white.
- Take a cotton-free / lint-free pad. ...
- Gently wipe away the glue.
- Wash all traces of the remover away with warm soapy water.
Oil, alcohol and lash extensions do not get along, so make sure to steer clear of beauty products that have oil or alcohol as an ingredient, even lotions you use on your face. Using products with them in it can cause your lashes to come off earlier than they should.
Does Vaseline loosen eyelash extensions? ›No, it cannot. When removing eyelash extensions, you must use the right safe and effective products. "You cannot remove eyelash extensions with Vaseline because all eyelash extension adhesive is made of some form of cyanoacrylate, which won't break down with Vaseline at all," says Pham.
Will micellar water remove eyelash extensions? ›The reason why this type of water works so well in removing makeup is that it is attracted to the oil and other ingredients that are commonly found in makeup products. That's why they are so effective in removing makeup. However, they can also remove your eyelash extensions as well.
How can I speed up my eyelash extension removal? ›And it's super simple! First, fill a bowl with hot water and add a bit of soap, liquid makeup remover or oil (olive oil or coconut oil are perfect for loosening lash adhesive). Then, use a cotton wool pad or ball to apply the mix to your eyelashes gently. Repeat this motion until your lashes fall naturally away.
Can I use baby oil to remove eyelash extensions? ›Nouveau Lashes did tell us that you can try DIY methods such as baby oil, coconut oil or Vaseline by applying to cotton wool and wiping across your eyelashes to gently loosen your lash extensions, but to keep in mind that they're not specifically formulated for the delicate eye area.