How to remove eyelash extensions without causing damage

Eyelash extensions are a lash lovers dream... until it comes to removal.
After the first three weeks or more, extensions can get a little scraggly and some begin to fall out on their own. It's at this time that you'd usually:
a. get infills to make them fluffy and fresh again or
b. have them professionally removed
And while we highly recommend not removing them yourself for fear of damaging your natural lashes, if you're going to do it despite our advice, we might as well provide you with the safest option possible.
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What you'll need:
- Oil-based eye makeup remover (such as )
- Cococnut oil or olive oil
- Cotton pads
- Cotton buds
- Micellar water
- Eye cream/serum
- Lash serum
Step-by-step for removing eyelash extensions at home
#1 Remember how your lash technician told you not to use oil-based products near your eyes? This is because it breaks down the adhesive used. So to start your removal process, soak a cotton pad in your oil-based eye makeup remover and gently press onto each (closed) eye for a good 30 seconds or so, focusing the pressure near the lash line. You'll want to saturate the area as much as possible, without causing irritation.
#2 Next, more oil, but this time from your kitchen cupboard. Dip a cotton bud into your choice of coconut or olive oil, and then apply it to the lash line rubbing gently back and forth, focusing on where the glue sits. At this point, you may have one or two false lashes that come away with the cotton bud.
#3 Soak a cotton pad in the same oil from step two, and press it against your lash line with your eye closed. Then, very gently, rub the cotton pad back and forth continuously.
Your lash extension removal kit: CLINIQUE Take The Day Off Make Up Remover for Lids, Lashes & Lips, Swisspers Cotton Makeup Pads, Blessed by Nature Antioxidant Soothing Eye Serum, and L’Oréal Paris Clinically Proven Lash Serum
#4 Every now and then, remove the cotton pad and you should see some of your lash extensions have come off. Depending on how strong your lash extension glue is, you may have to repeat step three multiple times on each eye to get every last lash. Patience is a virtue here.
#5 Once all the lashes are removed, soak a cotton pad in micellar water and run it over each eye to remove all the oil.
#6 Finish with a soothing eye cream or serum to calm the skin after so much rubbing.
#7 Apply a eyelash serum to help rejuvenate your lashes after the trauma and frtiction of removing your lash extensions.
Have you ever tried removing lash extensions yourself?
Have you tried any of the products mentioned above?
Review them now to earn points that you can swap for free beauty products in RewardsRoom.
21 Member Comments
Sticking with mascara only, too much trouble to remove extensions for me. Plus, I would probably look ridiculous with thick lashes at my age.
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Nope, I wouldn't do this at home! No way. I'd go to a professional.
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never had eyelash extensions but always wanted to give a go, I would only get them removed by the experts
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This is something that I would leave to the professionals , I dont have them and dont want them but think they look great .
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Not interested at all in fake eyelashes for myself, but I am oddly fascinated by the lengths other women are willing to go through. I won't try them myself, but I will watch the heck out of someone else!
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I’ve not had eyelash extensions before nor am I likely to. I’m a diy kind of gal and will “stick” to my stick on falsies.
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Very useful information
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I've never had eyelash extensions before. I feel like it would definitely add to my look but I can't be bothered to constantly get them done
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I want to try them on, not off =D
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I haven’t contemplated eyelash extensions before...they sound too fiddly for me!
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I like the length and look of my lashes, so no extensions or falsies for me.
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Don't think I'll try eyelash extentions. They sound really tricky. I enjoy the ritual of applying mascara each morning.
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I've never had lash extensions but good to know if I ever do!
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We have to be extra gentle
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Never had lash extensions but want to get a lash perm.
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Sounds like a very helpful article - luckily I don't have to concern myself with removing extensions off properly as i've never had them.
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I've never had eyelash extensions. I've been tempted, but the maintenance is not appealing to me
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I've never had eyelash extensions and wouldn't try and remove them myself if I did have them.
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Never ever had Eyelash Extensions but they look very fiddly and I wouldn't attempt to remove them myself, definitely leave it to a qualified beautician.
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so useful! Sometimes I can get frustrated and have puled a few out that have turned are stabbing my eye. Its too painful sometimes to wait for my appointment.
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I’ve never had eyelash extensions. If I did, I’d never attempt to remove them myself. I’d leave it to the experts.
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