We all know how hard it is to put fake lashes on (I always end up with glue everywhere from my eyebrows to my lips with the lashes on the floor), but I personally think it's time we address how hard it is to take fake lashes off, too. The glue sticks to our eyelids and it really, really hurts to peel them off... not to mention how terrifying of a thought it is to accidentally pull out your real lashes. Sound familiar? As it turns out, there is a right way to take of fake eyelashes and we've all been doing it wrong this whole time.
Having long, luscious lashes is an amazing way to bring your makeup to a whole new glammed-up level, but it's important that we're not sacrificing our real lashes for the sake of our falsies. In addition to causing us pain, peeling of fake lashes the wrong way can actually do longterm damage to our lids.
I spoke to to lash expert Courtney Buhler, Founder and Lead Artist of Sugarlash PRO, who is launching her own line of adhesive lashes in 2017. She shared her five favorite tips for taking off false lashes the right way, because your real ones deserve to be treated with kindness!
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1. Apply The Right Way
According to Buhler, proper removal starts with proper application. "Strip/False lashes aren't designed to be pressed into the natural lash line," she says. "When adhering the falsies to your eye you want them close to the lash line but not on it. If the adhesive gets pressed into the natural lashes, this is when damage can occur."
2. Use The Right Kind Of Glue
... As in, don't put Elmers in your eyeballs. "For strip lash adhesive, DUO is always a safe bet!" says Buhler. "For false lashes I prefer a fuller, softer look so brands like Lily Lashes or Dose of Colors are great options."
3. Soak With Oil
Resist the urge to rip your lashes from your lids the minute you get home at the end of the night. "Using oil to soak/work them off is the safest way to remove them without causing harm to the naturals," says Buhler. "I'd recommend a simple coconut oil which is also great for the face and works wonders removing eye makeup! win - win - win!" All you need to do is massage the oil and let it sit for 30 seconds, which helps soften the adhesive and allows you to easily slip the lashes off.
4. Watch For Damage
False lashes can cause damage by "waxing" your natural lashes out when they are peeled abruptly after being placed incorrectly on the lash line. Every time this happens it plucks our your natural lashes, and over time the damage gets worse and worse. "General thinning or bald spots are signs that your lashes aren't doing well," says Buhler. Generally speaking, natural lashes grow quite evenly across the eye but if someone ever notices thin patches... something is up!" Buhler suggests getting on a growth serum and supplement to support hair and skin, which should clear up thinning problems in 6-12 months depending on the severity of the damage done.
5. Store Them Properly
You can totally re-wear your lashes (those things are expensive!) as long as you put them back in the case they came in to keep them clean. Don't just throw them in your makeup bag — It will ruin them and make them really, really dirty (we all know what the inside of our makeup bags actually looks like, no matter how cute and well-stocked they are).
