It’s fun and exciting when applying individual lashes, but what happens when it’s time to take them off? False lashes as a whole, be it individual or strip lashes, can be irritating, especially when you’re not used to them.
Either way, they are your best bet for enhancing the beauty of the eyes. When removing individual lashes, you often give in to the impulse of picking or pulling at them, which may end up damaging your natural eyelashes.
To prevent this, you must be extra careful when taking off individual lashes. This article will list some ways to remove individual lashes carefully without damaging your natural lashes.
What Are Individual Lashes?
Individual lashes are synthetic ones stacked one on top of the other and attached at the base, often with a knot to allow for fast and easy adhesion. They are typically three individual lashes in each grouping, with the longest on the bottom and the shortest on the top attached. However, like flare lashes, individual lashes can be attached to either the skin, if knotted, or the natural lashes.
Most women opt for individual lashes for a natural effect and mainly because these lash extensions are waterproof and last for a relatively long time. In addition, getting refills every two to three weeks keep the lashes from shedding and looking sparse.
Typically, individual lashes only last anywhere between 4-6 weeks when applied correctly. Although, most people tend to come back to get refills around 2-3 weeks after their first appointment. You might want to check out: Individual Lash Application for Beginners
How To Remove Individual Lashes?
Individual lashes help create a voluminous look, but removing them can be dangerous because they can accidentally tug your natural lashes. The best way to remove professional lashes is to remove them from a professional. Professionals go as far as using a special solvent to carefully remove each hair which can be challenging to do with your own eyes.
Once you have mastered applying individual lashes, you still need to learn how to remove them so you don’t end up damaging your natural lashes. However, you can follow these steps if you want a more realistic option. Check out: How to Remove Eyelash Extensions
Materials Needed To Remove Individual Lashes
- A good-sized mirror
- Facial cleanser
- Cotton pad
- Coconut oil or baby oil
Individual lashes are always applied with a temporary glue which can be latex-based, meaning they are not waterproof. Therefore, it is advisable to soften the adhesive using coconut or baby oil. Also, a patch test is highly recommended to ensure you won’t react to the adhesive.
How To Carry Out A Patch Test
Firstly, apply a tiny amount of the adhesive on a cotton bud, then carefully dab it onto the outer edge of your lash line where your lashes are. While doing this, ensure your eyes are fully closed because the adhesive can sting and cause eye irritation if it enters the eye.
After this, leave it on for 20 seconds, then wipe it away with a cotton pad. If no irritation occurs, you are free to use the adhesive, but if you react, be sure to seek medical help immediately.
Step-by-step Guide On How To Remove Individual Lashes
Step One
Soak two cotton pads in coconut or baby oil and hold them over closed eyes for about 20 seconds. Note that this process will help to loosen the adhesive. For many, coconut oil is an excellent option because it is more suitable for sensitive skin types and doesn’t have a solid or harsh formula.
Step Two
After the 20 seconds elapses, remove the cotton pads and begin to swipe outwards. Ensure you do this gently because some lash clusters may begin to come off.
Step Three
At this point, your adhesive remover will come in handy, but before using it, ensure your eye area is free from any residue of coconut or baby oil before applying.
Step Four
Use the Individual adhesive remover to properly remove the lash clusters from your lash line.
Step Five
Grab a cotton bud and apply a small amount of the Individual adhesive remover to the lash bulb. Remember to be careful to avoid getting any product into your eyes.
Step Six
Wait a few minutes for the adhesive to dissolve. Hold a tissue underneath the eye and gently wipe the lash away until it loosens and pulls apart from your lash line.
Step Seven
Continue to repeat the process until all the individual lashes are entirely removed. Once they are removed, clean your eyes with an eye makeup remover, and do not apply makeup to them for 24 hours.
Note: Always remember that after removing your individual lashes, you can use an eyelash serum to help hydrate and nourish your hair follicles to grow back any lashes you must have lost during the removal process. The eyelash serum can also be used if you accidentally pulled out all your eyelashes and you are worried they might never grow back again.
Furthermore, the best way to get good results after applying eyelash serum is to be patient because the results do not come immediately. You should start seeing results after about three to four weeks of daily application.
In addition, another option you have to remove individual lashes is to do nothing, as these extensions tend to grow out on their own. However, if you can resist pulling or tugging at them, they will fall out as a regular part of their lash cycle.
How To Remove Individual Lashes With Steam
Materials Needed
- A bowl of hot water
- A towel
- A good-sized mirror
- An eye makeup remover
Step One
Get rid of all excesses of your eye makeup. This process makes it easier to see where your natural lashes end and where the extensions begin.
Step Two
Fill up a bowl with hot water and set it on a table where you can easily bend down over it.
Step Three
Grab a towel over your head, then lean over the steam for about 15 minutes. The steam will help loosen the individual lashes so that they will come off quickly.
How To Remove Individual Lashes Using Oil
Materials Needed
- Cotton bud, cosmetic pad, or makeup sponge
- Coconut oil or olive oil
Step One
Dip either the cotton bud, cosmetic pad, or makeup sponge in coconut or olive oil.
Step Two
Gently wipe your upper and lower lash lines, and be careful not to get any of the oil in your eyes. This process will give the individual lashes the slip and help them slide right off your eyes.
Step Three
Wash your face as you usually would, then use a lash wand to brush your lashes. You would notice a lot of lashes will begin to fall off. Do not force stubborn lashes; continue to repeat the process over a few days.
How To Remove Individual Lashes Using Makeup Remover
Materials needed
- A gentle makeup remover
- A cotton pad
Step One
Grab a cotton pad and saturate it with a gentle makeup remover.
Step Two
Gently wipe it across your lash line, which will help dissolve the lash glue and make it easier to remove the individual lashes. Always remember to go for a gentle eye makeup remover that won’t irritate the eyes because they are highly sensitive.
Dos And Don’ts Of Removing Individual Lashes
Removing Individual lashes shouldn’t be painful or difficult if done correctly with the correct tools and procedures. Below are some of the dos and don’ts of removing individual lashes and making the removal process more straightforward. Check Out: 20 Aftercare Lash Tips
- Do not apply mascara to your individual lashes. Doing this will only make the removal process complicated and time-consuming. Also, it can affect the longevity of the individual lashes.
- Do not pick or pull the individual lashes. Oftentimes, you may feel the urge to pick or pull the individual lashes, but this can result in the peril of your natural lashes and can pull them out as well.
- For best results, always use a high-quality individual adhesive remover.
- Always be careful when applying the individual adhesive remover to your lashes. Otherwise, it would get into your eyes. If it does, rinse thoroughly with clean water, but if it persists, seek medical help immediately.
- Do not rub your eyes.
- Do not let hair products on the lashes
- Do not go for hot treatments
- Do not use abrasive materials to clean the lashes
- Always avoid facial products with oil on them
- Always protect your lashes from heat.
The Takeaway
Note that even if you use the above-listed methods, there is a huge possibility that you will lose a few of your natural lashes. The individual lash removal process hits differently when done by a professional because it’s done using professional tools and a magnifying glass to remove each extension one at a time carefully. However, this is far better than trying to remove the lashes yourself because you may end up pulling them out, which may cause damage to your hair follicles, and above all, it may never grow again.