How to Safely Remove Eyelash Extensions at Home

Removing eyelash extensions can be a tricky process, and it's always best to have them removed by a professional. However, if you're looking to save some money and time, it is possible to remove them at home. The most common method is to use coconut oil or olive oil to break down the adhesive on the eyelashes. That said, it's important to keep your workspace as clean as possible and make sure you wash your hands before applying any cream or oil, otherwise you could end up with an eye infection.

A beauty product with ingredients that dissolve the adhesive can take a few days to pass between the extension and the natural eyelash. Fill a bowl or sink with hot water and then place your face on them. Cover your head with a towel to ensure that steam doesn't escape. Using a cream remover is the safest way to remove eyelash extensions.

The cream-type eyelash glue remover is used to remove the entire set of eyelash extensions. This thick cream-like remover is easy to apply and fits the eyelashes very well without coming into contact with the eyes or skin. Or, if the eyelash extensions were applied incorrectly (for example, if several natural eyelashes stick together) and this irritates the eyes in some way, it is best to remove them. As eyelash extension stylist Andra Ciulei Marin explains to IPSY, heat and humidity are powerful forces against just about any type of glue.

An oil-based makeup remover is also a great tool for removing thick layers of makeup or makeup that is persistent; oil-based eye makeup can also serve the same purpose. It's possible to remove eyelash extensions at home, but keep in mind that it's important to keep your workspace as clean as possible and make sure you wash your hands before applying any cream or oil, otherwise you could end up with an eye infection, which is the last thing you want to get rid of besides your eyelashes. The easiest way to remove your eyelash extensions at home is to wait until most of your eyelashes have fallen out and you're at that 2 to 3 week mark when you're going to put on a filler. The glue used to hold the extension in place is very irritating, so it's a good idea to ask someone else to remove them. One of the most common glycols added to makeup removers, as well as to many moisturizers, is caprylyl glycol. Because it's designed to remove makeup from your face and eyes, you can safely use oil-based makeup remover on your eyelashes the same way you would use it to clean your face after a night out. She suggests the Nouveau Lashes extension remover wand, although she warns readers that every time a novice uses a professional-quality product, there is a risk of error or injury.

I like to start the process with an oil-based cleanser, such as Camellia Oil Cleanser, to help loosen my eyelashes and facilitate the removal process. You'll need to use petroleum jelly or an oil-based makeup remover to remove the glue from your natural eyelashes. Nouveau Lashes sells a professional-quality eyelash remover that can do the job, and it's even recommended by a professional. If you invest some time and energy in learning how to safely remove your eyelash extensions at home, you'll save yourself some trips to the beauty salon in the future. Removing eyelash extensions with olive oil, coconut oil, or any other type of over-the-counter product is not recommended.

The professional glue remover for eyelash extensions is made to have a thick consistency that is only applied to the eyelashes.

Marlene Manwaring
Marlene Manwaring

Infuriatingly humble twitter geek. Freelance internet practitioner. Hipster-friendly food maven. Subtly charming beer buff. Award-winning zombie geek.