How to remove eyelash extensions at home, without accidentally plucking your lashes out too.

The first rule of getting eyelash extensions is simple. Talk about them all you want, but do not pull them out.

Any great lash technician will tell you this is the key to keeping your natural lashes long, thick and healthy. Unlike false lashes you can glue on for a night out, lash extensions are semi-permanently glued to the root of each individual eyelash so when you pull them out, you’ll take your natural lashes with them.

Following this rule is hard enough at the best of times because once lash extensions start growing out, resisting the urge to touch them is near impossible.

WATCH: Here’s what each of the star signs are doing in isolation (including the one who’s definitely cutting their fringe). Post continues after video.

It’s the same with grown out SNS or shellac nails, and once you start, you just can’t stop. But with beauty salons and sole traders closed under social distancing restrictions, we no longer have the option of getting lash extensions professionally re-filled or removed.

And thus, the urge to pull, pick and pluck returns stronger than ever.

I get it. I really do. As someone who wore lash extensions for three years, I’ll admit that yes, I plucked mine out many times. Sure, plucking until you’re left with a pile of eyelashes in your lap is so satisfying, but I can tell you from experience, you’ll end up with little to no real eyelashes left.

The result resembles a sad, plucked chicken. Or a hairless cat. But worse than how your lashes will look is how they’ll feel if they get swollen or infected.

 

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NOT MY WORK- SWIPE FOR AFTER … I still can’t believe people do lashes like this! You can see in last video they are more appropriate lengths and have isolation with less glue ❤️ Yay healthier lash extensions xx

A post shared by Gigi’s Lashes + Beauty (@gigilashesandbeauty) on Feb 5, 2020 at 9:56pm PST

Thankfully, it takes almost zero effort to remove your lash extensions safely at home. OK, it takes 10 per cent effort, but it’s well worth it to save your natural lashes.

Keep scrolling to find out exactly how to remove eyelash extensions at home, as well as the best eyelash serums to help grow your lashes back if this article came too late for you.

How to remove eyelash extensions at home.

Google ‘how to remove lash extensions’ and you’ll find results that talk about using lash removal creams and lotions, and glue dissolvers.

While you can technically use these to get rid of your extensions, Sydney makeup artist and Gigi’s Lashes and Beauty technician Gabrielle Evans wouldn’t advise it, even in these times.

“I personally don’t recommend removing eyelash extensions at home with a professional cream because it burns like crazy if it gets in your eye,” she told Mamamia.

The better option? Coconut oil.

Coconut oil is a simple way to remove eyelash extensions at home as the oil works to break down the lash glue without the risk of hurting your eyes. Here’s a step-by-step on how to remove lash extensions at home using coconut oil:

1. This step is optional, but starting by giving your face a steam can help soften the lash extension glue. Pop a plug in your bathroom sink (or use a bowl/bucket if you don’t have a plug), fill it with boiling water, lean your face over the steam and cover the back of your head with a towel to stop steam escaping. Do this for around five to 10 minutes. Bonus points: steaming is also really great for your skin, and your sinuses if you add a bit of Vicks or eucalyptus oil to the water.
2. Soak a cotton pad in coconut oil like you would with eye makeup remover or micellar water.
3. Hold the cotton pad to your lashes for a few minutes and they should slide off.
4. Don’t force stubborn lashes – continue with coconut oil over a few days.

 

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A post shared by Gigi’s Lashes + Beauty (@gigilashesandbeauty) on Nov 19, 2019 at 1:10pm PST

Even if you use this method, there’s a chance you will lose a few of your natural lashes. It’s different to when a lash technician does it because they use professional tools and a magnifying glass to carefully remove each extension one at a time.

That said, it’s far better for your lashes than pulling your extensions out, which can cause trauma to your hair follicles. And a traumatised follicle may never grow a hair again.

Best eyelash serum to grow lashes.

After removing your extensions, an eyelash serum can help to hydrate and nourish your hair follicles to grow back any lashes lost faster and longer.

Same goes if you accidentally pulled all your eyelashes out and have spent a decent 45 minutes crying in front of the mirror over your hairless eyelids (I’ve been there and it will get better). The best lash serum I’ve used is the EyEnvy Lash Conditioner Serum. You can only buy it directly from stockists and the price varies between $100 and $120. Another more affordable recommendation is castor oil, which you can buy from the chemist.

The trick to getting good results from an eyelash serum is to be consistent and patient. You should start seeing results after roughly three to four weeks of daily application along your lash line.

LISTEN: You can find out more about eyelash serums in this episode of the You Beauty podcast below, post continues after audio.

Finally, the other option you have with your lash extensions is to… do nothing. Because, eventually, your extensions will grow out on their own.

If you’re able to resist pulling at them long enough, each natural lash and the lash extension attached to it will fall out as a normal part of your 3oish-day lash cycle. While you wait, Evans’ best tip to stop yourself from picking is: “Put on mascara, it helps!”

Feature image: Instagram/@gigilashesandbeauty.

Have you tried any at-home beauty tasks? Tell us more in the comments below.