6 Steps to Remove Your False Eyelashes

You’ve worn false eyelashes on a night out and now want to remove your false eyelashes and don’t want to rip them off as like a band-aid. This could cause pain to your eyelashes and rip out your natural eyelashes in the process.

Here’s the Step-by-Step Process to Removing from False Eyelashes and Ensuring They’re Free of Glue (Adhesive)

1. Never Peel Off Your False Lashes

If you peel the strip of false eyelashes from your eyelashes, this is the easiest way to remove them. But it can cause “premature sagging” of the skin around your eyes if done often. As well, it’s the worse way for you to remove your false eyelashes as it can tear out your natural lashes. It also tugs and pulls them, causing your natural eyelashes to fall out more easily in the future. Ripping-out your natural lashes when removing your false eyelashes can be extremely painful too! For more information read our post Tips for Caring for Your Lashes.

2. Use a ‘Non-Oil-Based’ Eye Makeup Remover

Instead, of pulling out your natural eyelashes, by peeling off your strip of falsies use a “gentle non-oil-based” eye makeup remover as it will soften the glue holding on your fake eyelashes. Soak a cotton round (or Q-tip) with this oil-free makeup remover and hold it to your closed eyelids for a minute or so. This method will remove your false eyelashes easily, “pain-free,” and without pulling out natural lashes or tugging on them. I’m a huge fan of Clinique for skincare and recommend Clinique Rinse-Off Eye Makeup Remover Solvent.

3. Never Use Oil (Oil-Based) Eye Makeup Removers on False Eyelashes

Remember to NEVER use any kind of ‘oil’ to remove your false eyelashes initially. Do not let oil or oil based makeup remover, touch the lash band of your false eyelashes; particularly, if your falsies can be worn again. Any oil on the strip of your fake eyelashes will make them impossible to reapply as the glue used to bind false lashes to your natural lashes and lash line, will not stick when you wear your falsies again. After removing your false lashes and  cleaning them make sure to read our post 9 Eyelash Growing Hacks for Fuller, Longer Lashes.

4. Once Your False Eyelashes are Removed, THEN use OIL or an OIL-BASED Remover

When you’ve removed your false eyelashes, soak a cotton round, cotton puff, or Q-tip with “olive oil, coconut oil,” “baby oil,” or any “gentle oil-based” makeup remover for your eyes. Doing this will remove any adhesive or glue left on top your eyes, eyelids, and eyelashes. All glues for false lashes will “soften and lift off” when they come into contact with oil or any oil based makeup remover. I recommend Clinique Take the Day Off Makeup Remover for Lids, Lashes, & Lips.

5. Remove The Glue from Your False Eyelashes NOT with Oil

The “residual” glue left on your fake lashes should easily peel off but if it doesn’t, take your NON- OIL-BASED eye makeup remover and use a Q-tip to remove any glue remaining on your false lashes. If this doesn’t work for you and the Q-tip is only leaving fuzz in-between the false lashes, “firmly gri[p] your false lashes with one hand” and use a pair of “tweezers to gently pull” away “sections of glue adhered to the lash band.” Moreover, if your “nails” are “the right length” and “not too long” or too “short,” you can use them “to remove the glue from” your false [eye]lashes instead of tweezers.

6. Cleaning Your False Eyelashes: AS Good as New

When the bits of glue or adhesive are gone after your remove your false eyelashes, place the lashes “flat” on a “paper towel” and take a Q-tip, “spray[ing] a bit of “alcoholic lotion” and pass the Q-tip over the fake lashes going “from the band down to the tips of the eyelashes” (FEC). This will rid your reusable false eyelashes of any bacteria leftover bits of glue (FEC). You can use eye makeup remover wipes or liquid remover as well but, DO NOT use any makeup removers or liquids with oil in them. This will render your false lashes useless for the next time you would like to use them. Considering using Clinique Take the Day Off Micellar Cleansing Towelettes for Face & Eyes to clean off your falsies and your eyes and eyelashes too.

For more information on caring for your eyelashes, please read 10 Reasons Your Eyelashes Fall Out.