How To Remove Eyelash Glue the Right Way

As lash technicians, we know just how important it is to remove eyelash extensions correctly. The adhesive used to put on lash extensions does its job, but that also means that it can be quite difficult to remove said adhesive without ripping out some natural lashes along the way. Eyelashes make the biggest impact when it comes to makeup, but we must protect our natural lashes as well. 

There are endless serums and growth regimens that are specifically made to lengthen, plump, and volumize your natural lashes. This highlights how crucial it is to be taking care of and maintaining your lashes. When a client decides to either use short or long-term false eyelashes, we must inform them of the maintenance of it. This includes taking them off. 

What Kind of Fake Eyelashes Use Glue? 

When it comes to fake lashes, clients can go a couple of different routes. One option is the strip lashes that you can find at your local drugstore or beauty boutique. Then you have individual flare lashes and individual single lashes. These are the three most common fake eyelashes that use glue.

The majority of these strip lash, flare lash, and individual lash products are intended for single-use wear, so the glue is weaker than the professional-grade adhesive used for long-term fake lashes, like eyelash extensions.

Do Eyelash Extensions Use Glue?

Unlike strip lashes, flare lashes, and single lashes, lash extensions do not use glue. Instead, lash extensions are applied using a professional-grade lash adhesive. 

While strip lashes are only meant for single-use wear, lash extensions should last up to six weeks. Lash extensions are also attached directly to your hair, as opposed to being glued to your lash line like single-use products. 

Regardless of what kind of fake eyelashes clients choose, chances are some kind of glue or adhesive will be involved. It is our duty as lash professionals to know the ins and outs of lash maintenance. 

Applying False Eyelashes Yourself

As much as we would like our clients to come to us for all their lash needs, this is probably not too realistic. Clients sometimes prefer to take a quick trip to the drugstore than find time to make an appointment with a technician. Although this is not ideal, we can do our best to help them do it on their own. These are the best steps you can give to your clients when it comes to applying fake strips or individual lashes by themselves. 

1. Curl your natural lashes: Remind your client that it is always important the false lashes have something to ‘sit’ on. Curling their natural lashes and setting them with some clear mascara will help support the weight of the false lashes. 
2. Cut the lashes to fit: Another important tip to give your client is making sure they cut their falsies to match the length of their eye. It must fit perfectly to their eyelid in order to receive the kind of professional results they are looking for. 
3. Add the adhesive: If they are not coming directly to you, the lash professional, then make sure to tell them to invest in a good quality lash adhesive. They will want to trace the false lash line very thinly with the glue—not their eyelid. You can also remind them to maybe wait a couple of seconds before applying the false lash so the glue has some time to set. 
4. Stick 'em on: We know just how difficult this step can be. As professionals, we have gone through countless hours of training in order to perfect this specific step. That being said, let them know that for the best results, they should be using their fingers to apply the lashes. They can use tweezers if it is easier for them, but chances are using their fingers will help them the most when it comes to application. 
5. Touch it up: The last piece of advice you can offer your clients is making sure that the false lashes blend easily with their natural lashes. Using a soft eyeliner brush with some black matte eyeshadow can help their natural lashes meet the false ones. 

Fact Or Myth: Removal of Fake Lashes

Professionals like ourselves have heard every lash removal trick in the book. From olive oil to biotin, we know what will actually help our clients and what is just simply a waste of time. Next time a client asks what home remedies will help them remove their lashes safely, give them a couple of options. 

Olive oil has been known for its proven benefits to the physical self. Aside from the large amounts of beneficial antioxidants it has, olive oil can actually be a good and natural adhesive remover. However, remind your clients that they should only be using this method if they are positive about removing their lashes and do not have lash extensions in. 

Similar to olive oil, coconut oil has its own benefits when used. You can confidently let your clients know that they can use coconut oil to remove adhesive from their eyelids. Not only does it help to loosen up the glue, but it actually has some antimicrobial aspects to it. While loosening the adhesive, it will simultaneously help kill harmful bacteria that could potentially get in your eye. 

These oils are no longer for cooking purposes only. Just like olive and coconut oil, almond oil has endless benefits for your skin when used. Even ancient Chinese practices have been using almond oil for centuries. It has been known to help soothe and soften the skin and to treat minor wounds or cuts. 

Removing Fake Lashes the Right Way

It’s vital that clients remove their fake lashes gently, whether they have short-term strip lashes or long-term lash extensions. Never pull or pluck at your lashes, unless you want to rip out your natural lashes alongside your fake lashes. 

Below, we’ve outlined the best ways to remove both lash glue and lash extension adhesive. However, we want to emphasize that clients should not remove their own eyelash extensions. 

Removing Lash Glue

Whether your client chooses to use oils or simply take a hot steaming shower, we must remind them what the proper procedure is for removal. 

1. Take off that makeup: The first step is to always remove any and all kinds of makeup. Let them know that using an oil-based makeup remover can help begin the process of adhesive removal. 
2. Remove the lashes: After getting their makeup off, tell them to grab a cotton ball or pad and use a hefty amount of eye-makeup remover. If they apply it to their eyelid, this will be the best way to safely peel those lashes off. 
3. Remove the glue from the eyelid: This is when the coconut, olive, or almond oil can come into play. If your clients are asking for tips on how to get any leftover glue off their eyelids, this is the best time to suggest some natural oils. 
4. Remove any leftover glue from the lashes: You can let clients know that sometimes lash glue is extremely difficult to remove, especially if they purchased a reliable brand. 
5. Rinse off the falsies: To your clients, this can seem like a time-consuming process, but let them know rinsing off their fake lashes is one of the last steps in safely removing them. For this step, let them know they should be using an oil-free makeup remover on a cotton swab. Wiping them from the band, all the way up to the tip of the lash is the best way to make sure they are properly being cleaned. 
6. Dry the lashes: Make sure they set their false lashes on a clean and dry paper towel. Air drying them is the best option to make sure they hold their shape. A crucial point to make to your clients is to make sure they do not squeeze the lashes. 

Removing Eyelash Extension Adhesive

Although clients should not remove their extensions themselves, we’d like to explain the removal process for informational purposes. If you are a client who wants their extensions removed, contact a professional technician for help.

1. Protect the skin. Place under-eye pads on top of the client’s eye pads to protect their sensitive eye skin from the adhesive removal gel.
2. Prepare your remover. Prepare a drop of Sugar Lash’s Gel Remover on a plate film. Our Gel Remover safely breaks down the adhesive bonds so that lash extensions can gently slip off without damaging the natural lash. Its gel formula is easy to control, so it won’t run into your clients’ eyes during the removal process.
3. Coat the extensions. Using a microbrush, generously coat your client’s extensions in the Gel Remover. Let the remover sit for 90 seconds.
4. Slide away the extensions. Gently slide the gel and the lash extensions away using a microbrush.
5. Clean the natural lashes. Rinse any remaining Gel Remover from your client’s natural lashes using a cotton pad or microbrush.
6. Dry the lashes. Use a mini fan to fully dry your client’s natural lashes, brushing as you dry.

As lash professionals, we know that these steps are necessary when it comes to removing eyelash glue or adhesive correctly. However, we need our clients to know this as well. 

Giving them helpful hints and the proper steps will benefit them, but can also benefit the technician as well. Making sure natural lashes are maintained is the key to any kind of lash extension or usage of false lashes. 

Summary

Like we said before, clients should not remove eyelash extension adhesive at home, but it can be helpful for your clients to understand the removal process as it’s being performed by a professional lash technician. And remember, the stronger and more maintained their natural lashes are, the better it will be for the lash technician when it comes to putting on lash extensions again. 

Giving them these professional pointers can not only make their lives easier but also help their lashes stay in prime condition. The health of their natural lashes is always at the center of it all! 

Sources:

11 Proven Benefits of Olive Oil | Healthline

Top 10 Evidence-Based Health Benefits of Coconut Oil | Healthline 

Almond Oil for Your Face: Benefits and How to Use | Healthline