The recent closure – albeit thankfully temporary – of beauty salons due to COVID-19 has forced many of us to learn to take care of our beauty needs at home.
However, while trimming your fringe, grooming your brows or root touch-ups are still manageable tasks, removing lash extensions at home is so much more intimidating.
While it’s highly recommended that lash extension removal be done by a professional, there are a few ways in which you can do it at home safely – if you absolutely need to. Read on to find out all you need to know about removing your own lash extensions without damaging your real lashes.
When should you remove your own lash extensions?
Generally, lash extension removal should always be done by a professional lash artist, preferably where you had your extensions done in the first place. This is because improper techniques can cause your real lashes to fall off, leave bald spots that may not grow back.
However, if your extensions are near the end of their life cycle, they are generally weaker and easier to come off. This is when you are most likely to succeed in removing them without damaging your natural lashes. If your extensions are new, you should definitely wait to see a professional if you need them removed for any reason.
How to safely remove your lash extensions at home
1. Cleanse your face thoroughly
If you’re wearing makeup, use a makeup remover or cleanser of your choice to remove all your makeup, especially around the eye area. We have some recommendations for cleansers to use if you have lash extensions.
Also remember to wash your hands well before you start the process.
2. Steam your face
Fill a large bowl with hot water, lean your face over it and cover your head with a towel for 10 to 15 minutes. This will help soften the bond between the extensions and lash glue.
3. Dissolve the glue
Dip a cotton pad into olive oil and gently swipe it across your lashes. Remember how you are warned against using oil-based makeup removers on your eyes if you have lash extensions on? That’s because oil can loosen the lash glue and cause your lash extensions to fall out, which is what we need here.
Continue to wipe the oil-soaked cotton pads across your lashes until all the extensions have fallen off (be careful not to get oil into your eyes).
4. Cleanse your face
Give your face a thorough wash to get rid of any oil residue. If there are still some stubborn strands that refuse to come off, you should definitely leave them alone – or try the above steps again some time later – but preferably, to schedule for an appointment to see a professional lash artist when it’s possible.
