Beauty Q&A: How Do I Safely Remove Mascara From my Lash Extensions?

So you got lash extensions. Congratulations! This experience will inspire you to take approximately 1,000 selfies, to refresh your entire makeup routine with lash extension-friendly makeup products and to be more careful than you’ve ever been with makeup in your entire life (trust us, we’ve been there). Now that you’ve dished out your hard-earned funds for lashes as full as can be, we understand how scary the world may seem.

So if you’re lash obsessed like we are, chances are you might be tempted to apply a coat or two of mascara over your precious extensions for extra volume and boldness. Though it’s not necessarily advised by lash technicians, it can be done if you choose a washable, oil-free mascara formula and are extra, extra careful about removal. To give us more insight on how it’s done, we reached out to celebrity lash expert and founder of Envious Lashes, Clementina Richardson, to give us her best mascara removal tips.

Check out Clementina’s best eyelash extension tips, ahead:

Oil-Free Makeup Remover is Your Friend

“The safest way to remove mascara is to use a gentle, oil-free makeup remover. Oil based removers will weaken the extensions and cause them to break and shed. Use a few pumps of the remover on a spoolie brush or a disposable mascara wand and brush through several times to help break down your mascara and remove any debris.”

Avoid Cotton

“Do not use cotton around or new your lash extensions — reason being because they snag and rip them out. After brushing through with makeup remover, dab with tissue to remove the product. Repeat these steps until all of the mascara is gone.”

Study Those Formulas

“Only use mascaras and cleansers specifically formulated to be safe for eyelash extensions. If you are making an investment in extensions in the first place, you surely don’t want to see them go to waste.”

Avoid Fiber Mascara

“Avoid fiber mascaras. The body-building fibers will get tangled in your lash extensions and be virtually impossible to remove without ruining your lashes.”

Be Gentle

“Just like you are with your blowouts, be gentle with your lashes. Never, ever use a mechanical eyelash curler with lash extensions. They tend to bend the lash and can also rip and pull lash extensions, as well as regular lashes out from the base. If your extensions are starting to fall out, use a heated eyelash curler like the Envious Lashes Heated Curler to gently lift them. Simply press against your lashes as needed and hold for 10-15 seconds. This gives them an instant lift and really makes them pop!”

Read More:

5 Best Mascaras for Bottom Lashes — Because They Deserve Love, Too

How Do I Remove Facial Hair On My Own?

I Had to Get Lash Extensions to Finally Love My Real Lashes