How to Remove Eyelash Glue? 7 Best Ways
Fake eyelashes are a great way to enhance your eyes and achieve a more dramatic look. However, taking them off can be a pain if you don’t use the right techniques. Removing eyelash glue the wrong way can damage your natural lashes and cause irritation.
In this comprehensive guide, I’ll walk you through 7 simple and safe methods to remove eyelash glue easily and effectively. Whether you’ve got strip lashes, individual lashes or extensions, these tips will help you remove the adhesive without hurting your eyes or lashes.
Why Proper Removal is Important
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Before we get into the step-by-step instructions, let’s go over why it’s crucial to remove eyelash glue carefully:
- Prevent lash loss: Pulling off false lashes forcefully can rip out your real lashes and lead to bald spots.
- Avoid irritation: Getting glue in your eyes or tugging at your delicate eyelid skin can cause redness, swelling and discomfort.
- Save your falsies: With the right removal methods, you can take off the leftover glue and reuse your false lashes many times. Harsh handling damages the lash band and fibers.
- Let your natural lashes recover: Giving your real lashes a break between uses and removing adhesives gently keeps them healthy.
7 Simple And Safe Methods To Remove Eyelash Glue
Follow these tips properly, and you’ll be able to apply gorgeous false lashes without compromising the wellbeing of your eyes or your natural set. Now let’s get into the steps!
1. Use Oil to Dissolve Glue
Oil is one of the most effective ways to break down eyelash adhesive. The oil seeps into the bond and causes the glue to loosen its hold. You can use different types of oils:
Coconut Oil
Its fatty acids gently dissolve glue in just a few minutes. Dip a cotton swab in coconut oil and press it against your lash line. Let it sit for 30 seconds to 1 minute before gently sliding your lashes off.
Olive Oil
Olive oil works just as well as coconut oil. Soak a cotton round and hold it over your closed eyes for a minute before removing the lashes.
Makeup Remover Oil
Look for removers containing plant-based oils like jojoba, argan or grapeseed. Apply a few drops along your lash line and let it break down the glue.
Cleansing Oil
Massage a cleansing oil onto dry lashes and let it sit briefly before wiping off. It emulsifies makeup and melts adhesive.
No matter which oil you use, take care not to rub vigorously or tug at the lashes. The oil will loosen the bond so the lashes slide off easily.
2. Take a Steamy Shower
A hot shower creates steam that helps loosen the eyelash glue. The moisture from the steam softens the adhesive to make lash removal easy and painless.
Stand under the shower and let the steam saturate your eyelashes for a couple of minutes. Then gently peel off the strips or slide off individual lashes. The hot water will rehydrate the glue, allowing the lashes to detach smoothly.
3. Use a Lash Glue Dissolver
Specialized eyelash glue removers break down the adhesive compounds quickly and safely. They’re formulated to liquefy the glue without irritating your eyes.
Saturate a cotton pad with the remover and press it against your lash line for about 30 seconds. The glue will begin melting right away, allowing you to slide off the falsies.
Look for dissolvers containing panthenol and chamomile to condition lashes and soothe eyelids. Many also include aloe to prevent redness and swelling.
4. Try an Adhesive Release Spray
Lash release sprays are another product created specifically for removing false eyelash glue. Just mist it over your closed eyes and wait 30 seconds to a minute. It breaks the adhesive’s hold, so you can pull lashes off without any tugging.
Sprays infused with oils work great. Or find an adhesive release containing soothing extracts like aloe, green tea and lavender.
5. Apply Heat with a Warm Compress
A warm, damp washcloth helps loosen glue just like a steamy shower does. Run a washcloth under hot water and wring out excess moisture before pressing it over your eyes for a minute.
The heat turns the adhesive gooey while the moisture reactivates the glue. Slide lashes off gently after this DIY steam treatment.
6. Use Petroleum Jelly
Petroleum jelly is an emollient that breaks down glue. Scoop a pea-sized amount onto a cotton swab and apply along the lash band.
Let it sit for 30 seconds to fully dissolve the adhesive before removing lashes. The jelly conditions lashes, so they won’t stick together.
7. Try a DIY Balm Cleanser
Mixing oils into a cleansing balm gives you a natural, conditioning way to melt glue. Whip up this easy recipe:
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon honey
- 1/2 teaspoon lecithin granules
Work the balm between your fingers to warm and liquify it. Press over eyelashes for a minute before sliding off the falsies. Then fully remove eye makeup with your regular cleanser.
How to Avoid Eye Irritation
When using any of these removal methods:
- Work slowly and gently to avoid pulling at delicate skin
- Never rub your eyes harshly
- Don’t forcefully yank off stuck lashes
- Avoid getting oil or remover directly in your eyes
- Rinse eyes well after taking lashes off
Gentleness prevents damage to lashes and irritation to eyes. If you experience any stinging or redness, use an eye drop to relieve discomfort.
Caring for Lashes After Removal
Once you’ve gotten rid of leftover eyelash glue, it’s time to give your natural lashes some TLC:
Cleanse eyes: Remove all traces of makeup and adhesive with a gentle eye makeup remover.
Apply serum: Use a lash conditioner containing peptides and biotin to nourish bare lashes.
Brush lashes: Use a spooly brush to separate and groom lashes.
Give them a break: Let lashes rest for 24 hours between false lash applications.
Proper aftercare ensures your natural lashes stay healthy and strong when wearing falsies regularly.
Can You Reuse False Lashes?
With careful, gentle removal methods, yes – strip and individual lashes can be reused 5-10 times!
To prep them for reapplication:
- Make sure all glue residue is gone from the lash band.
- Clean the lashes with micellar water or brush cleanser to remove makeup buildup.
- Let lashes dry fully before storing them back in the case.
Check fibers for damage after each use. Toss them when the band gets too stretched out or fibers look frayed.
How to Remove Eyelash Extension Glue
Removing semi-permanent eyelash extensions requires even more care than strip or individual lashes. Follow these steps to safely dissolve the medical-grade adhesive used for extensions:
- Coat lashes with an oil-based makeup remover or coconut oil. Leave on for 2-3 minutes.
- Gently press a wet cotton round along the lash line to wipe away softened glue.
- Do not pull hard on any one extension. Work slowly and carefully.
- Repeat oiling and wiping until all extensions are removed. This may take 10-15 minutes.
- Rinse eyes well and apply a hydrating eye gel.
Removing lash extensions on your own can irritate skin and leave glue behind. It’s best to have a professional tech properly remove extensions. Never try to tweeze, peel, pull or cut extensions – this will remove your natural lashes.
Avoid Damaging Lashes When Removing Glue
Now that you know the safest, most effective techniques for taking off eyelash glue, you can achieve gorgeous false lash looks without compromising your natural set!
Use oil cleansers, steam, specialty removers and makeup balms to dissolve adhesive so lashes slide off easily and comfortably. Avoid harsh rubbing or forceful pulling. Take your time and be gentle on your eyes.
With these simple solutions, you can take off falsies without a fuss or damage. Just use a light touch, and the glue will melt away with ease. Your lashes will thank you!
Founded by Sophia Rodriguez, IGXO Cosmetics is a PETA-certified, cruelty-free, and vegan makeup brand.