The safest no-remover method for DIY cluster lashes is to soften the adhesive with a warm, damp washcloth, then slide the clusters off without pulling. Hold the cloth over your closed eyes for a few minutes. If the clusters do not loosen easily, stop and wait until you have the correct remover or can get professional help.
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This guide covers four common cluster-lash situations. The right removal method depends on the adhesive. KISS says its Water Removable Bond can be removed with warm water, while Ardell recommends oil-based makeup remover for some of its cluster-lash products.
At-a-Glance Removal Guide
| Type of lashes | Try first | If they do not loosen |
|---|---|---|
| Temporary clusters with regular lash glue | Warm, damp compress | Use an eye-safe oil-based remover if available |
| DIY underlash clusters with water-removable bond | Warm water | Repeat gently without pulling |
| DIY bond-and-seal clusters | Warm compress, then follow the package instructions | Wait until you have the recommended remover |
| Salon-style lash extensions or strong professional adhesive | Do not remove them yourself | Book a professional removal |
How to Remove Cluster Lashes Without Dedicated Remover
1. Wash Your Hands and Remove Contact Lenses
Wash your hands before touching the eye area. Remove contact lenses before applying water, oil or cleanser near your lashes.
2. Soften the Adhesive With Warm Water
Soak a clean washcloth in comfortably warm water, wring it out and place it over your closed eyes for several minutes. A warm shower may also loosen temporary lash adhesive.
The water should be warm, not hot. Do not direct hot steam at your eyes. The skin around the eyelids and the surface of the eye are delicate.
3. Slide the Clusters From the Outer Corner
Keep your eyes closed and use a clean fingertip to test the outermost cluster. If the adhesive has softened, the cluster should slide away with little resistance.
Work slowly toward the inner corner. Stop immediately if you feel pulling on your natural lashes. Do not use tweezers, fingernails or a lash curler to force the clusters off.
4. Repeat the Warm Compress if Needed
If the clusters stay attached, apply another warm compress and try once more. If they still do not move freely, leave them in place until you can use the correct remover.
Pulling bonded clusters can break natural lashes. The American Academy of Ophthalmology warns that rubbing, tugging and pulling eyelash extensions can fracture natural lashes and may damage the lash follicle.
Can Coconut or Olive Oil Remove Cluster Lashes?
Coconut or olive oil can loosen some temporary lash adhesives, but neither works for every bond. Poison Control says that an oil-based eye makeup remover or an oily substance such as coconut oil may loosen some semi-permanent lash adhesives. It also warns that home removal can pull out natural lashes.
If you use oil:
- Remove your contact lenses.
- Keep your eyes closed.
- Apply a tiny amount to the lash base with a clean fingertip.
- Wait briefly, then try to slide the cluster off.
- Stop if the cluster does not move easily.
- Rinse the lash area with lukewarm water.
An oil-based product made for the eye area is a more predictable choice than kitchen oil. Some lash brands specifically instruct users to use oil-based remover for cluster removal.
What Not to Use on Cluster Lashes
Do not use:
- Acetone or nail-polish remover
- Super-glue remover
- Rubbing alcohol
- Essential oils
- Sharp tweezers, pins or scissors
- Forceful rubbing or dry peeling
- Very hot water or direct steam
Acetone should not be used around the face, eyes or mucous membranes. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration also advises consumers not to scratch the eye when applying or removing eye cosmetics. Stop using a product if it causes irritation.
Do Not Remove Salon-Style Extensions at Home
If a lash technician applied the "cluster lashes" with professional extension adhesive, do not try to remove them with warm water, oil or household products. Professional extension adhesive can form a much stronger bond than temporary lash glue.
The American Academy of Ophthalmology advises people with an allergic reaction to eyelash extensions not to remove them themselves, because doing so can cause further eye damage. Professional removal is safer.
When Should You Get Medical Help?
Get urgent eye care if you develop:
- Eye pain or strong burning
- Increasing redness or swelling
- Blurred or reduced vision
- Light sensitivity
- Pus or unusual discharge
- An eyelid that is stuck closed
- A cluster or adhesive that has entered the eye
If the adhesive does not soften, waiting for the correct remover is safer than forcing the clusters off.