How To Remove Makeup With Eyelash Extensions

Unsplash / Design past Michela Buttignol

Eyelash extensions take the power to completely change your beauty routine. Instead of waking up looking drowsy and bleary-eyed, having to reach for a curler and multiple coats of mascara, we merely wash our faces and head out the door—no eye makeup necessary. At that place'south just something about the major lift and length of extensions that makes us look perennially wide awake (even if nosotros feel half-conscious and in drastic need of caffeine). As one beauty blogger put it while attention a skincare launch event, "with eyelash extensions, you wake up and you're ready to go." Too truthful.

While lash extensions are user-friendly and time-saving, they're not e'er easy to clean. At least, not if you're a lash extension newbie. Whether you applied makeup atop your extensions or you simply feel that they're in need of some upkeep, cleaning them can easily result in tiny black filaments littering the bottom of the bath sink. That's not ideal, especially if information technology's long before the 6-week mark (which is how long they'll concluding with proper intendance). So, to continue your lashes in place and your money in your wallet, keep scrolling to learn how to properly clean lash extensions, according to experts.

Imaxtree / Graphic by Cristina Cianci

For anyone who might be new to the earth of lash extensions, Clementina Richardson is here to explain everything, from height to bottom. "Lash extensions are synthetic fibers that are attached to the natural lashes using a medical-course agglutinative," she says. "They come in many dissimilar sizes ranging from half dozen millimeters to 18 millimeters with a few curl width options too. With proper placement, lash extensions can make the eyes appear wider and more lifted. Some clients even say how information technology's a dandy way to expect younger without going under the knife."

Meet the Expert

Clementina Richardson is a glory lash artist and founder of Envious Lashes boutique with locations in both Manhattan and Long Isle.
Amanda Robinson is the founder of buzzy 50.A. and San Francisco–based lash company Iris + West.
Lindsay Ford is the marketing manager at Bella Lash.

They're customizable, also, unlike bones false lash strips. According to Amanda Robinson, "Your kickoff engagement will generally accept about 90 minutes, depending on the type of lash wait you are going for." During this fourth dimension, one extension is placed on every single natural eyelash, which is what provides the dramatic increase in length and volume. "Every bit your natural lashes shed...the extension comes off with it, and and so you maintain your fix by getting fills, which are usually well-nigh one-hour appointments," she explains.

The application isn't that difficult; information technology's merely like getting your hair colored or nails painted in a salon. You book an appointment, sit back, and become transformed. Adjacent comes the upkeep—namely, cleaning the lash extensions, which keeps them healthy and in place.

01 of 05

Avert Wearing Whatsoever Mascara or Eyeliner

Bella Lash Natural Touch Mascara $16.00

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"The all-time thing about extensions is that you tin can completely ditch your mascara and lash curler," Robinson says. That'southward kind of the whole bespeak of eyelash extensions: to make your lashes wait bigger and fuller sans makeup. Still, Robinson says you can still wear liners and shadows if you delight, simply if y'all'll be certain to have the time and care involved with removing it. "My main rule for anyone who is wearing middle makeup with their extensions is to make sure you are taking it all off at the end of the day. Letting makeup build up around your extensions can cause them to come off early, and it tin cause inflammation on your eyelids."

That said, some people aren't e'er so conscientious with makeup remover after a long twenty-four hours. That'southward why makeup is generally a no-become. "I recommend not wearing mascara or eyeliner, as it'southward hard to remove and will cause the bail to break. If you need to wear mascara on your lower lashes, avoid waterproof mascaras," Richardson says.

As well, avert glycerin and oil-based makeup products. "Oil-based or glycerin makeup products cause the adhesive to pause downwards prematurely and eyelashes to fall out," explains Lindsay Ford. "Utilise mineral-based or eyelash extension–safe makeup to keep lashes healthy and strong. Non-eyelash-approved eyeliners and mascaras should be avoided, every bit they tangle and harm extensions as well equally the natural lash, calculation also much weight to the hair follicle." That'southward why she recommends Bella Lash mascara. "If you are someone who loves the black and inky look of mascara, we have three types of extension-safe mascara. Our mascaras can be applied directly to the extensions in the aforementioned mode that you would employ normal mascara to your natural lashes."

02 of 05

Employ an Oil-Complimentary Makeup Remover

Bella Lash Lash Cleanser With Makeup Remover $8.00

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Makeup preferences and products aside, the true kickoff pace in constructive cleansing is to employ formulas that are specifically fabricated for lash extensions. "Other products may contain ingredients that tin weaken the bond of your lash extensions and cause them to shed prematurely," Richardson says. "If yous are making an investment in extensions in the first identify, you surely don't desire to run across them go to waste."

At the very least, brand sure whatever center makeup remover or cleanser you use near your extensions is oil-free. This is an important tip, considering some of the internet's near popular cleansers contain oil. "Oil-based removers volition weaken the extensions and crusade them to intermission and shed," Richardson says. Once you notice the perfect oil-gratuitous remover, "use a few pumps of the remover on a spoolie castor or a disposable mascara wand and brush through several times to help interruption downwards the mascara and remove any droppings."

Try reaching for a cleanser that checks off both boxes, like this one from Bella Lash. "Our Lash Detox ($23) and Lash Cleanser With Makeup Remover ($eight) are popular aftercare products for a reason," Ford says. "They gently sweep away droppings and bacteria to go on your eyes and lashes good for you and strong. These cleansers are perfect for removing makeup because they aren't oil-based like virtually conventional makeup removers on the marketplace."

03 of 05

Don't Use Cotton fiber Pads

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At present that we know the experts suggest using clean fingers or a spoolie castor to gently clean extensions, information technology'southward important to note that they advise against using cotton pads or swabs. "Exercise not use cotton wool around or on your lash extensions," Richardson says. "The reason existence that they snag and rip them out. So after brushing through with the makeup remover, dab with tissue to remove the product. Repeat this footstep until all the mascara is gone."

04 of 05

Use a Protective Product Post-Cleanse

Follow the theme of tender love and care right through to the end past finishing your cleansing routine with a protective production. It volition nourish your lashes and help keep your extensions in place. "Just like you are with your blowouts, be gentle with your lashes," Richardson says. "Employ a protective coating like our Envious Lashes Protective Coating ($18) 48 hours later on service from base to tip."

Even if you don't have eyelash extensions in notwithstanding (or perchance y'all're caught between appointments), it's recommended that you use a serum. "Conditioning serums are peachy for people who merely desire to get their natural lashes in better shape," Richardson says. "Our Luxuriating Lash Conditioner ($45) contains a unique blend of natural and botanical ingredients to aid your lashes reach their total potential, creating both density and length. I highly recommended using information technology a few times per week to ensure the force and wellness of the natural lashes. Mary J. Blige and Jenna Dewan love it!" Practice note that not everyone reacts to botanicals well, and some people may be highly sensitive and/or allergic. Make certain to do a spot test if you tend toward sensitivity.

05 of 05

Use a Silk Pillowcase

Shhh Silk 2 Pack White Marble Silk Pillowcases $165.00

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And now for a tip of our own. Sometimes, traditional pillowcases can tug on your lashes, something you don't want to happen. We recommend using a silk or satin pillowcase instead of a cotton pillowcase to attempt to avert snagging your lashes while sleeping.

FAQ

How exercise I castor my lash extensions with a spoolie?

When it's time to brush your lashes, brand sure to use a make clean spoolie or lash brush each time. You'll want to place the spoolie at your lash line, and gently castor downwards to the end of the lash. Take care to avoid brushing the base of your lashes and so you don't inadvertently loosen the bail between your skin and the lash.
How ofttimes should you castor your lash extensions?

To help your lashes terminal longer, you should exist brushing them daily (ideally in the morning) or any time they get wet.
Should you brush your lashes when they are wet?

You should non brush your lashes when they are moisture. Instead, expect for them to dry or gently dab them dry with a clean towel before brushing.