How to remove makeup with lash extensions

Let's admit it: There's only so much that a mascara can do on your quest for longer, fuller lashes. And yes, there are falsies too. But you’ll have to take them off at the end of the day. So, if you want long, fluttery lashes for weeks without the hassle of taking them off, falsies are your best bet. Your eyelashes will look long and wispy, and you will be able to slay the ‘I-woke-up-like-this’ selfies with aplomb.

But, like all good things, eyelash extensions come with their own set of struggles — the difficulty of removing eye makeup. There is always the fear of rubbing your lashes too hard to get rid of that waterproof mascara, isn’t it? But you can put this worry behind you, because we have listed down a step-by-step guide on how to get rid of eye makeup while wearing lash extensions.

How to remove makeup with lash extensions

Step 01: First things first, steer clear of oil-based makeup removers as they will weaken the eyelashes and cause them to shed. Start by using an oil-free makeup remover like the Pond’s Vitamin Micellar Water, Brightening Rose. Pour some on a washcloth instead of your usual cotton pad. The reason you need to make this switch is because washcloths do not leave behind lint that could be trapped in your eyelashes and removing that can sometimes cause you to tug on the extensions, leading to breakage.

Step 02: Next, place this cleanser-soaked washcloth on your eyelid and allow it to sit there for about a minute. Do not rub or swipe, just place it there and let it do its thing.

Step 03: After about a minute, gently wipe your eyelid with the washcloth, but avoid touching too close to your lash line. This should help you get rid of the majority of eye makeup (yes, waterproof mascara included).

Step 04: As for getting rid of makeup close to your lash line, dip a cotton swab in micellar water and swipe it onto the makeup to get rid of it. In about two to three swipes, your eye makeup should be completely off, because you have already broken down the eyeliner by placing the washcloth in the previous step.

Easy-peasy, isn’t it?

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How do you remove eye makeup when wearing eyelash extensions?

How do you remove eye makeup when wearing eyelash extensions? Charlotte Creasey2022-04-04T11:17:15+10:00

Lady Lash's fearless leader and founder, Charlotte has been in the beauty industry for over a decade. During these years Charlotte has stayed at the forefront of lash extension education and encourages her staff to do the same. In 2013, Charlotte turned her hand to cosmetic tattoo training under Sydney’s renown master cosmetic tattooist Val Glover-Hovan, and became further qualified under the Phibrows® brand. Charlotte occasionally returns to competitive lashing – in 2017, she won 3rd place in the classics division of the Australian and New Zealand Lash Championships

Removing your eyeshadow with eyelash extensions can be tricky. However, with the right techniques, you can easily remove your eyeshadow without ruining your eyelash extensions.

The best way to remove eyeshadow with eyelash extensions is to use a cotton pad with oil-free makeup remover to wipe off the bulk of the eyeshadow on your eyelids. Use a cotton-tip and oil-free makeup remover to remove eyeshadow along your lash-line. 

In this post, I connected with a few beauty gurus and asked them to share with me their best tips for removing eyeshadow with eyelash extensions.

Use Oil-Free Makeup Remover

Laura Burns, a makeup artist with over 15 years of experience in the TV and film industry suggests that finding a good quality oil-free makeup remover is important. Oil-based products will dissolve and weaken the bonds of the lash glue which will make your eyeshadow removal process a nightmare.

What You Will Need:

  • Oil-Free Makeup Remover
  • Cotton Pad
  • Cotton Tip (Q-Tip)
  • Oil-Free Facial Cleanser
  • Oil-Free Moisturizer or Eye Cream

Step-By-Step Instructions for Removing Your Eyeshadow with Eyelash Extensions:

How to remove makeup with lash extensions

Step 1: Wet a cotton pad with the makeup remover and take the bulk of eyeshadow off your lid.

How to remove makeup with lash extensions

Step 2: To take off makeup right around your lashes, wet a cotton tip with the oil-free makeup remover and gently glide over the lash line, being careful not to pull on the lashes.

How to remove makeup with lash extensions

Step 3: Finish by washing with an oil-free cleanser. Use gentle pressure around the lashes. Use only patting motions. Do not rub.

How to remove makeup with lash extensions

Step 4: Apply an oil-free moisturizer or eye cream to your eye area. If you generally use an oil-based moisturizer on the rest of your face, that’s totally fine, just steer clear of your eye area.

How to remove makeup with lash extensions

And after you’re done, here are the results:

How to remove makeup with lash extensions

Here’s a video showing you step-by-step how to do this process:

Additional Tips

Avoid All Oil Based Makeup Products (use Micellar Water)

Natalie Chung, a St. Louis-based makeup artist and Licensed Esthetician, suggests to plan ahead and not use any form of oil-based makeup, eyeliner, mascara, or any other face products that contain oil.

Most lash adhesives are oil-based. When you mix one oil-based product with another oil-based product, they will mix together, creating a messy look. By avoiding all oil-based products, you can use one oil-free makeup remover (Micellar water) for all your makeup removal needs.

As for removing eyeshadow on eyelash extensions, Natalie recommends doing the following:

  1. Using a cotton round and a couple of drops of micellar water to clean the lid gently back and forth.
  2. Use a clean Q-Tip with micellar water to remove eyeshadow along your lash line (don’t rub)
  3. Simply let your eyelid air-dry afterward.

Use Lint-Free Products

Melina Cespedes, the founder of Lash Society Miami, suggests using lint-free Q-Tips. By using lint-free Q-Tips, you will avoid getting cotton residue stuck in your lash extensions. Cotton snags and you want to stay clear of anything that will latch onto your lashes.

If you do use makeup wipes for removing makeup, make sure they are lint-free and oil-free.

Use Gentle Pulling Motions

Melina also suggests starting at the lash line with your micellar water-soaked cotton swap and use gentle pulling motions to work your way from the inner corner of your lid, up and outward towards your temples. This will help not land any debris on your lash extensions or lash line.

Stay Clear of Waterproof Products (Eyeshadow and Mascara)

Melina explains that waterproof makeup products like waterproof eyeshadow and mascara stick to your skin “like crazy glue”. Since lash extensions are synthetic hairs that do not have pores, you will need to rub them harshly in order to remove the waterproof makeup. This increases the chance that you might accidentally rub off your eyelash extensions.

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Can I use makeup remover with eyelash extensions?

You must use an oil-free, glycol-free, lash-safe makeup remover – oil-based removers will damage the lash adhesive and can make eyelash extensions fall off prematurely.

Does makeup ruin eyelash extensions?

Yes, but less is best and wearing the wrong makeup can lead to lash fallout, extension damage and dramatically decrease the length of time your lash extensions look full and fabulous.

How do I wash my face with eyelash extensions?

Do not rub or pull on your eyelash extensions. Keep your Eyelash Extensions dry for 4-6 hours after your appointment. You may wash your face in the sink using a washcloth, avoiding the eye area. Keep all oil based products away from the eyes and remember that everything on your face will travel to the eye area.

Can micellar water be used on eyelash extensions?

Yes, micellar water is safe to clean eyelash extensions and will not damage them. While micellar water can weaken the lash glue when it's infused with oil, a water-based product is completely safe.