False eyelashes are a great way to fill in thin eyelashes and frame the eyes. False eyelashes attach just above your upper eyelash line with a semi-permanent glue. These glues often contain cyanoacrylate, otherwise known as superglue, and can be very hard to remove. As a result, the removal of false eyelashes is a delicate process, because your real eyelashes can easily be stripped away if you are not careful. However, you can use false lash glue remover, makeup remover, or a variety of oils to carefully pull off the false lashes and clean up the remaining glue.
Method 1. Using Glue Remover
1. Purchase a false lash glue remover
Most false eyelash kits come with eyelash glue, but they don’t often contain glue remover. However, you can find many brands of eyelash glue remover in the beauty department of your local department store. Choose a brand that meets your specific skin requirements; when possible, choose glue remover made by the same company that made the eyelash glue you used.
- Always check to make sure you’re not allergic to any of the ingredients.
2. Remove your eye makeup
It’s best to take off your eye makeup prior to using the lash glue remover, as the buildup of makeup on your eyelid can make it more difficult to take off your lashes. Use makeup remover or baby oil to gently wash off your eye makeup. Put a bit of the remover on a cotton pad, and wipe at your eyelid until the majority of the makeup is gone.
- Don’t try removing your mascara at this point, if you’re wearing it. This can rip at the false lashes and pull the skin on your eyelids uncomfortably.
- Don’t wash your face with soap and water to take off your eye makeup though, as this can damage both your false and natural lashes.
3. Put the glue remover on a cotton swab
Position yourself in front of a mirror, and get out the glue remover and a cotton swab. Put a small dab of the glue remover onto the cotton swab, so that the cotton is completely moistened. The remover may smell faintly like acetone, but this is normal.
4. Apply the glue remover to your false eyelashes
Gently rub your lash line with the cotton swab covered in glue remover. Brush the base of the false eyelashes with the swab several times, to remove as much of the glue as possible. Do this to both eyes, and let it set for 20-30 seconds.
5. Remove the false eyelashes
If you plan on throwing out your false eyelashes, you can use your fingers to pull them off. If you want to save your false eyelashes and reuse them later on, use tweezers to remove them. Grab the false eyelashes as close to your eyelid as possible, starting at the inner corner of your eye. Hold your eyelid to keep your skin from stretching, and then gently tug upwards on them to pull them away from the eyelid. They should remove easily; if there is tension when you try to pull them off, apply more glue remover and wait 30 seconds before trying again.
- Make sure that you do not pinch any of your own lashes. If you feel any pain when you start to pull the lashes free, stop pulling and let go of your real lashes.
6. Remove the remaining lash glue
Set aside your false eyelashes, and examine your eyelids. It is likely that there is some residual glue left on your natural lash line which needs to be removed. To do this, put a bit more of the glue remover on the cotton swab, and spread it over the glue that’s remaining. Then, use the dry end of the cotton swab to gently rub off the glue, cleaning your eyelid. Use a bit of warm water and your face wash of choice to finish off the job.
Method 2. Using Makeup Remover
1. Choose your makeup remover
If you want to save your false eyelashes to reuse them later on, choose an oil-free liquid makeup remover. If you intend on tossing out your false eyelashes after removal, then any type of makeup remover will work. Whatever type of makeup remover you choose, make sure that it is not expired and that it doesn’t contain any ingredients you may be allergic to.
2. Take off your eye makeup
You can often use the same product to remove your eye makeup as you can to remove your false eyelashes. Before you have a go at your lashes though, remove any eye shadow or eyeliner you may be wearing. Pour some of the remover onto a cotton pad, and gently rub your eyes to remove the makeup. Don’t remove any mascara yet though, as this might damage your false eyelashes.
- Some makeup removers will not dissolve your lash glue, so you may want to look for a product that is labeled for both.
3. Pour some makeup remover onto a cotton swab
Get out a clean cotton swab and dip the end into your makeup remover, so that it is fully saturated. Position yourself in front of a mirror, so that you can see your eyelid and lash line close up.
4. Remove the lash glue with your cotton swab
Gently rub your lash line where the glue is most prevalent, using the saturated end of the cotton swab. Go back and forth slowly; the glue will likely ball up as it is removed from your skin. You can use the dry end of the cotton swab to sweep away the glue as it comes off. Repeat these actions until all the glue has been removed.
5. Pull off the false eyelashes
The lashes are likely to be falling off on their own at this point. Use your fingers or a pair of tweezers to gently pull them off your eyelids. Keep in mind that you are less likely to damage the lashes if you use tweezers to remove them, in case you wanted to reuse them later on.
6. Wash your eyelids with facial soap and water
To finish the job, wash off the remaining makeup remover and any makeup or glue residue from your eyelids. Use a mild facial cleanser and warm water to clean it off, and pat your eyelids dry.
Method 3. Using Oil
1. Choose a type of oil
Oil will very easily remove the glue used to secure false eyelashes in place, but it also coats the false eyelashes and makes them unusable in the future. As a result, you should only use oil to remove your false eyelashes if you intend on throwing them away afterwards. The most effective types of oil to use are coconut, almond, and baby oil.
- Not all oils are suitable for use on your face, so stick to those recommended for facial use.
2. Pour some oil onto your hands, and rub it onto your eyelids
Oil naturally breaks down makeup, easily removing it from your face. Therefore, you don’t have to worry about taking your makeup off prior to removing your lashes, and you don’t have to worry about damaging your false lashes, since you’ll be throwing them out anyway. Splash your eyelids with warm water, and then gently rub the oil onto your eyelids and lash line to remove the makeup. Splash more water onto your lids to remove the makeup and expose your lash line more clearly.
3. Pull off the false lashes
Use your fingertips or a pair of tweezers to grip the false lashes as close to the lash line as possibly. Starting at the inner corner, gently pull the lashes off from your lid. Work slowly until you reach the outer corner, and the lashes are fully removed.
4. Remove any excess glue on your lash line
When your false eyelashes have been removed, return to your eyelids and check for any remaining glue. Apply a few fresh dabs of oil, and work it into your lash line until the glue comes off.
5. Rinse off the oil and remaining makeup
Use your favorite facial soap and warm water to clean the rest of your face. Gently rub the soap onto your skin until it lathers, focusing on areas where there is still makeup. Splash warm water onto your face to remove the soap, and use a clean towel to pat your face dry.