How to take off Eyelash Extensions

I thought I’d share how to take off eyelash extensions and the best practices for doing this yourself at home. While I love my eyelash extensions and plan to get them again, when we welcomed our second son I knew I wouldn’t be able to keep up with my once a month refill appointments while I was on maternity leave. It just wasn’t worth it to me until our son got a little bigger and had more of a routine. So, at my last appointment, I talked with my esthetician about how to best remove them at home so I could leave them on as long as possible. But once they started to shed, I could remove them safely until I was ready to come back and get extensions again.

I also had gone years with extensions and it can be a good idea to take off eyelash extensions for a while to give your natural eyelashes a break and allow for regrowth without extensions. This is also a great time to utilize an eyelash growth serum if you want. We’ll talk more about that later in this post.

Supplies

Lash shampoo
Glue remover – this brand also has a version for sensitive skin
Spoolies – also called eyelash brushes or mascara wands
Micro applicator brushes – or Q-tips can also work well

You will also need water and clean washcloths. Personally, I love using black washcloths like these for anything makeup related because all our other towels and hand 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 Lash Extensions

Start by washing your eyelids well. You want to be gentle, don’t scrub at your lashes. But when you want to keep your lash extensions the goal is normally to wash your eyelids and around your eye area very carefully so the extensions don’t get wet. This is the opposite—you want to wash your eyelids and eye area well so that the lashes will begin to shed just from the water and lash shampoo.

Once you have washed well, use a spoolie to gently run any remaining water through the lash extensions, aiming to get the base wet. You will likely notice a good amount of eyelash shedding during this process. There is NO need to tug or pull at your lashes. Just comb them out with the spoolie. And pat your face dry if it’s still wet.

Next, use the applicator brushes (or a Q-tip) to apply the glue remover to the base of the extensions. Then use a spoolie to comb through them. Repeat this process as many times as needed to remove all the extensions.

If you feel any of the glue remover getting in your eyes, wash again with the lash shampoo.

What NOT to do

Do not pull lash extensions off. This will likely pull out your natural lashes too. This is very tempting at the end when you only have a few stubborn extensions left but resist!
Do not tug at your lashes. Only use the spoolie to remove extensions. They should basically comb off like hair sometimes does when you brush your hair.
Do not scrub or rub hard at your lashes, even with a washcloth. Gentle is the key word here!
Do not use eye irritating soaps or other products. The glue remover can be a little irritating, so try not to get it in your eyes and if you accidentally do, rinse it out. It’s not dangerous, it will just hurt.

Frequently Asked Questions

What dissolves eyelash glue?

Eyelash glue removers, usually those containing some type of solvent like acetone or isopropyl alcohol, will work best.

Can I use Vaseline to remove eyelash extensions?

Vaseline can help to soften and loosen lash extension glue but a product with solvent will work best.

Does baby oil remove eyelash extensions?

Baby oil, and other oils like coconut, can help to soften and loosen lash extension glue, but a product with solvent will work best.

Do eyelashes grow back?

Yes. Unless you have some kind of other condition, eyelashes, like other hairs on your body, do grow back within 6-8 weeks typically. This may depend on your genetic makeup, nutrition and a few other factors, but eyelashes typically grow back in most cases.

Caring for your Natural Lashes

If you have had eyelash extensions for a long time, give your natural lashes some time to breathe and grow without other products like heavy mascaras. It’s hard when you’re used to the look of extensions, but just like giving your nails a break from acrylics, this can be very healthy for them.
While you have natural lashes, this can be great time to use a growth serum. You can make your own natural rosemary hair growth spray and use a spoolie to apply it to lashes in the evening after you wash your face. Another option is commercial lash serums such as Grande Lash-MD, The Ordinary, Latisse, Babe Lash or RevitaLash.

While I love my lash extensions and plan to get them again, it’s great to know how to take off eyelash extensions at home for when you need to or want to take a break. Thanks for letting me share! If you’ve had success with removing extensions and have more tips you want to share, please leave us a comment below.