Beauty Q&A: Can I Remove Eyelash Extensions at Home?

Mascara is an indisputable beauty staple, but when it can’t give us as much volume as we want (need), eyelash extensions can certainly come in handy. If you’ve done the research before or if you’ve already taken a trip to the salon to invest in extensions, you probably know they fall out on their own in two to three weeks. But what if you’re desperate to get those lash extensions off even sooner? Can it be done at home?

As beauty-obsessed individuals, we’ve experimented with DIY beauty tips and tricks before and there are sure as hell a bunch of different ones on our personal Pinterest pages. But when it comes to messing with our eyelashes, we’re not as willing to take risks that can result in, you know, losing them completely (and consequently losing our minds). So this is why we approached two popular eyelash extension-removal techniques with some hesitation. One method requires that you use steam your face and then gently rub off the lashes with olive oil, and the other involves using a lash-glue remover, but only “if you can’t get back to the salon.” If you do your own research into the subject on YouTube, chances are you’ll come up with even more eyelash extension-removing ideas.

Unfortunately, the final verdict isn’t the DIY dream you were hoping for. “I don’t recommend removing eyelash extensions with DIY methods,” says Cristina Monaco, PA-C , who specializes in cosmetic dermatology at the Schweiger Dermatology Group. “When in doubt, always go to the professionals — in this case, go back to your eyelash extension specialist for proper removal. This will prevent damage and breakage of your lashes.”

The good news is that there are, in fact, some salons that offer free eyelash extension removal. If you make the decision to get them, do your research beforehand to ensure that you can get them taken off for free as soon as you’re ready for them to be gone — because let’s face it: No one wants to lose their real lashes in pursuit of trying to get more.

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